Derwin Okinaka [00:00:00]:
Aloha and thank you for joining us on this 11th day of our 21 days of prayer. My name is Derwin and we hope you're all having a blessed week. As a reminder, please text in your prayer request to 808-793-5655. Thank you very much. Can you please join me in prayer? Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering us here today with our 21 Days of Prayer. And thank you for the speakers before me who touch the hearts of the listeners as they share their encouraging message. I pray that these days to follow leading up to the 21 days will be a journey for us all by seeking you, stirring our hearts and surrendering our concerns in prayer. Father God, I pray that you speak through me.

Derwin Okinaka [00:00:50]:
Along with the amazing men and women from New Hope Kapolei, who will also be sharing their message in the nights to follow. I pray this in Jesus mighty name. God's people, say Amen. Thank you. So tonight I'll be sharing my devotions on a few scriptures. Although it's related to surfing, I pray that it'll still have an impact on you, no matter what your background may be. So come with me as we surf with Christ. So the Bible teaches me that the ocean waves are created by God.

Derwin Okinaka [00:01:24]:
And what defines a surfer is similar to what defines a Christian. Just as a surfboard serves as a means for riding waves, so does the Bible serve as the means to understand and connect with God. So reflections on surfboard and fate and possibly, and I repeat, possibly, some early wave writers in the Bible. Some years ago, I interpreted a particular verse as possibly referring to early waveriders. And it comes from in Acts 24:44, and it is written, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Now, this scripture accounts for the Apostle Paul. When he was in prison on a ship during a violent storm, he was instructed by the commanding officer alongside the other prisoners to swim or use boards and planks to get safely to shore.

Derwin Okinaka [00:02:29]:
Further reflection on this verse has a powerful meaning, for the angels conveyed to Paul that God had a plan and that the 276 people on board will be saved. It is essential that by having faith in God's plan and clinging to our boards of faith, we'll get through some difficult times. Which brings me to this surfboard. But surfers, we just call it a board. And this is the type of board that I used to use during the 1970s, has a special meaning to me. You know, my friend and I had a part time job. Together. We bonded through surfing, through high school.

Derwin Okinaka [00:03:16]:
We were part of a Christian youth group called Surf for Christ. During that time, my friend planted the seed in me and he shared the Bible or Word, and encouraged me with his faithful heart. His faith was strong, serving the Lord. In less than a year, he left his job, started making surfboards with a friend. Their goal was to dedicate profits in serving Christ. His heart was for Christ, A concept difficult for me to understand during my high school years. Now, about this board. The successor of this board brand was Maranata Surfboards.

Derwin Okinaka [00:03:55]:
Maranata is the expression meaning our Lord come or Our Lord has come. And it had a significant meaning for the early Christian followers. Each board that they made was inscribed with Maranatha. So when someone ordered a board, they would ask, what does maranatha mean? It opened up conversations with them, with others, to share the Word. And that was incredible for me because they were so young. But I believe that God had a plan for my friends. What intrigues me is how my friends and its partners decided on such a spiritual and impactful surfboard brand named Maranata. For they were just teenagers, for they cling to each other for support and had faith in God's plan.

Derwin Okinaka [00:04:48]:
Their heart was for God, resulting in amazing things through the Holy Spirit. Can I get an amen on that? Although my friend pursued a different career path, his partner, also a Christian, continued as a business owner, manufacturing surfboards and achieving global recognition, attributing his success to the grace of God. So I am a Christian surfer. And as a Christian surfer, I find that surfing provides a tangible sense of unity with Christ and the closest thing to walking on water. One of the essential gears for most surfers is what we call an ankle strap. And here this ankle strap is connected to your ankle and it serves as a metaphor for our connection to Christ. In Hebrews 6:19 it says, this hope is a strong, trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtains into God's inner sanctuary.

Derwin Okinaka [00:05:56]:
Now consider this. Like the ankle strap, it is similar to being anchored to Christ, preventing us from drifting away, guaranteeing us as believers to have God's promise and faithfulness, keeping us in his hands. It remains close to us during both calmness, our wipeouts. Through my faith and prayers, it provides me with firmness, safety, confidence and God's covering. And it helps me maintain balance in my hectic life, integrating my faith and surf culture. In Psalms 119, 105 it reads, Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and the light to my path. My observation with this verse parallels God's word to a flashlight, illuminating the pathway in the dark so we can see. Have you ever tried using your cell phone as a flashlight? The light will only direct you one step at a time and it must be close to you, otherwise you may stumble or wipe out.

Derwin Okinaka [00:07:07]:
You know, God gives us directions to follow him one step at a time. And he may not always give us the full picture, but he gives us enough to walk forward in faith with Him. So just as the ankle strap needs to be close and attached to the board for security, so that God's Word need to be close to us, providing insight and directions with fewer wipeouts. In contrast, when I rely on my own understanding, my tongue, my pride, ego, greed, patience, evil thoughts and the worldly value, it interferes and obstructs my godly principles and causes me to be a sinner. I oftentimes might find myself lost in the dark, constantly searching for direction. Then I realized I should have prayed and seek God for direction. You know, by treating God's word as my life's flashlight or ankle strap to Jesus, it's a reminder that I'm never alone and he's close to me because his wisdom and love are always there to light my way. By trusting in God's Word, I can be assured that his guidance will lead me through life's challenges and uncertainties if my heart is faithful for Him.

Derwin Okinaka [00:08:29]:
Lessons with Following Christ, Surfing and Life so during my younger years, surfing wasn't just a sport or hobby, it was a way of life. I surfed every Saturday and Sunday, and during the weekdays I had a passion for surfing. A connection, a bond, if you will. Now, being a Christian, it's a way of life for me. Weekend gatherings at church, serving in ministries and staying, connecting in faith with others in my life group. And during the weekdays. And all these activities improve my relationship with Christ. You know, both Christianity and surfing requires dedication, discipline, patience, resilience, focus and strength.

Derwin Okinaka [00:09:16]:
And these traits bring out the zeal in a Christian and the stoke for a surfer. The zeal for me is a spiritual transformation. I'm in another world when I'm with Christ. This relationship helps my moral values, keeping me active in my faith. Like tonight, getting out of my comfort zone and sharing my fate. And let me tell you, I need Christ close to me every minute because of my sinful nature and my major wipeouts, you know? Similarly, the stoke in surfing is a transformation into another world. The more you surf, the better you get and the better you get this passion wants to surf more and more. And the joy of riding the wave wants you to catch another and another being fulfilled with the joy that it brings for that moment.

Derwin Okinaka [00:10:16]:
Likewise, being a Christian is one with God. This connection is filled with his love and faithfulness, his spiritual content, a deep transformation being linked with Him. It's easy for me, and my worldly distractions divert my attentions from what really matters most. Personally, as a surfer, I pursue the joy and the stoat despite the wipeouts, injuries and setbacks. But I must continue putting God first in everything I do. I must invest in His Word during uneasy times or wipeouts. I must pray to him through my faith. God's love will drive me down the right path.

Derwin Okinaka [00:11:02]:
Excuse me. No experience required. So respect the locals is a term for surfers that you have to earn your way in to a surf spot. Now check this out. What if a group of locals who don't know you invite you to surf at their best spot ever? Their secret wave break. No skill level required, but just because you're there with them, through God's grace, He invites everyone to come to Him. We don't have to earn our way in or be a good surfer. And finally, don't surf alone.

Derwin Okinaka [00:11:52]:
From 1st Thessalonians 5:11, it reads, Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as, in fact, you are doing. God doesn't want me to be a solo wave warrior, nor does he want me to grow my faith alone. God wants me to build my faith with others, encouraging each other when we are at our deepest valley and rejoicing when we're at our highest peak. And just like surfing, it's safer to surf with a few buddies. We reassure each other when we wipe out and cheer each other on when we caught that epic wave. We are meant to be part of God's family and not solitary souls. God wants me to surround myself with godly Christians, praying together, learning his word, and then discovering the wisdom he wants to share with all of us. He wants me to be anchored in faith, following the light to guide my feet his path.

Derwin Okinaka [00:13:00]:
He wants us to have a faithful heart for Him. Can you please join me in this prayer? Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the opportunities to share my devotions tonight. We all know that the wave riding will eventually end and perish. However, we've been given a personal invitation by someone great and for something incredible. And that someone is Jesus. And that something is eternal life in heaven. Father God, knowing Jesus Christ is not about any performance, but a relationship. And thank you that everything is accepted into your kingdom.

Derwin Okinaka [00:13:39]:
Murderers, prostitutes, greedy tax collectors, and even a persecutor of Christians. You are a good God and we give you all the praise and glory and thank you for your grace. And Lord, continue to guide us in our growth in our faith. So then let's grab our boards as we continue to serve with Christ in Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:14:05]:
Amen. Amen.

Derwin Okinaka [00:14:07]:
Hey. Please reflect on a few closing points. And again, please text in your prayer request to 808-793-5655. Let's spend the next few minutes as personal prayer time where you can pray with others. We'll be back and closing our corporate prayer. Mahalo and God. Bl.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:40:07]:
We thank youk for the message that was shared that to surf with youh, Father. We thank youk that when I think of that, Lord, I think about something that is beyond what we can do, Lord, because no matter how hard we paddle and no matter how skilled we might be, if there's no wave, nobody rides anything. And so, Lord, that only you create the wave. And Lord, we say these things, but I thank youk. Your Word tells us that mightier than the mighty crashing waves is the power of our God. And so, Father, we use these illustrations and you communicate to them to us as well, to remind us, Lord, that as mighty and to be honest, as fearful, fearsome and mysterious, and as beautiful as the ocean can be, that you are more beautiful, that you are more awesome, Lord, that at times you can be more soul rejuvenating. You can be more invigorating. And, Father, we can be more exhilarated, Father, when we're riding the wave that you are creating.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:41:23]:
But, Father, that today for some of us, we're just reminded, God, that we've been untethered, Lord. We've taken off the leash and we can't see where the board is. Seems like because it's not six feet away, Lord, there's somebody here. Maybe you're watching online, I don't know. But you. You can look back on that moment where you just took the leash off and you kind of swam off in a different way. And you know what the Lord says is that if you just turn to him and you just say, lord, I'm sorry, you know what the thing, the amazing thing is that board will be there and if you're willing to be connected to him, he just says this. That's what I've been waiting for.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:42:14]:
So, Father, I thank youk. That, Lord, you want us to be connected to youo, Lord, I thank youk. We don't have to climb a mountain or pay our penance or walk through a desert, Lord, you said turn to call to youo, Father. Some of us, Lord, we're calling to youo in the midst of that because we want to be connected again. And you know, some of us, we might be asking God that, Lord, would you'd move in this area and would you'd move in this area? And there's nothing wrong with that. And that's a great prayer. But can I say this? That sometimes the Lord is also saying, it's like when you go out, I'm not a surfer by any stretch anymore. But the thing is, what I've noticed is where the break is, is where the break is.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:43:03]:
And I can be. I can be 100 yards to the left. And I say, God, make the wave here. And you know what? What he's saying is, would you move to where I'm working? And, Father, would you open our eyes? Because sometimes, Lord, there's things that you're working in our hearts and working in our lives. And that, Lord, that's in those moments, God, sometimes you tell us that there's also kind of like it's a certain way that we do it, Lord, because we don't want to be sitting and twirling our feet under the board, waiting when you're telling us to paddle. Because sometimes we need to make and we need to dig and we need to move in the direction that you're already moving. And, Lord, when that happens, Lord, we do catch that. That power that is outside of ourself.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:43:56]:
And, Father, we're thankful there's joy, Father, thank you. That we sense movement, Father. Sometimes what we sense is just fun. And, Lord, we're thankful. Lord, there's more that wave. There's more space on the way for one guy, and there's nobody going to be yelling, ho, ho, ho on the side. Get out of the way. Because, Lord, there's.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:44:27]:
There's space, Father, for as many as will ride that wave. Because you're calling all of us Lord Jesus. So, Father, we're grateful for that, Father. I'm thankful for that illustration that is so powerful of the way that yout often work. Because, Lord, we do our thing and we people, humans make boards and humans make shorts and all these kinds of things, but you create the wave like you created us. And we thank you, Lord, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And I think there's somebody Here or there's some of us here, maybe online or maybe in the room, that somehow you think God made you wrong. And I don't know what that means, but maybe because you're attuned to a part of brokenness in your life, maybe because there's certain kind of things not happening.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:45:29]:
And, you know, we were all. We're all broken in some ways, but you're still made in his image. There's value in you because he made you. But just that we're not made to live independent of him. Father, the closer we are, the more of the real us that we're created to be comes out. And so, Father, I thank you that for those who might be feeling broken and something, in a way that's like something's wrong with them, would you. Would you just draw closer to him? Because you will find that you will be the most you that you can ever be, the best you you can ever be when you sense his nearness, when it's not just your patience, when it's not just your strength, when it's not just your willpower. Because all of ours fail at times.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:46:33]:
But, Father, we're thankful yours doesn't. Father, we're thankful yours is sufficient. Father, with the wave that not only drives us forward, but sometimes just refreshes us. Like that first dip in the morning. Maybe it just somehow washes us awake. And, Father, the cloudiness of our minds. Father, I pray that it would roll away the cloudiness in situations, the cloudiness in our hearts, sometimes the cloudiness and the murkiness in relationships. Father, would your spirit, would your presence be a wave that washes away the murkiness? So, Father, that not only will we see each other clearly, we see what you're doing in our midst.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:47:26]:
Father, I thank you that you came to heal us and not to curse us. Thank you. You came to make us stronger and not curse our weakness. Father, we're thankful for that because only the God who made us can do that. And only the God who made us knows all about us. And Lord, sometimes when. When we see unlovely parts of ourselves or we want to hide and we want to pretend, and sometimes there's a little bit of shame and sometimes there's a little bit of guilt. But, Father.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:48:06]:
But what you see is that when you love us, you love all of.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:48:10]:
Us.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:48:12]:
Lord, despite our brokenness, despite our guilt, despite our sin, despite our shame. Thank you, Lord. That, Lord, if you're going to love us like that. We want to be loved, Father. We want to be held we want to be directed, we want to be strengthened. And Father, we want to be able to ride that wave that you're creating. So, Father, we receive that today, Father, we're partnering with some friends, Lord, that we just want to say thank you first, Lord, for Amy, who we've been praying for, who's had leukemia and a seemingly very aggressive form. And yet, Lord, we thank youk that they cannot find any trace of it at this point.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:48:57]:
And Father, even though then it came with like a wave of fever and all of these things that couldn't be broken, we thank youk that today or last night that, that there was a breaking of that fever and that, Lord, for Amy, Lord, we're thankful that her family, mom and other family members that, Lord, they couldn't just stand alone in this. And so thank youk that we, like Derwin said, Lord, that is have a friend, Lord, that we're not just going in this giant ocean of life, you know, by ourself. So we just surround her today and pray that, Lord, you would, you would continue to cover her and continue, Lord, to bring cancer free as she moves forward. And Lord, we're also praying, Father, for some family reconciliation, Lord, and, and Lord, I know a brother is trying to. Is praying as well for reconciliation and a friendship. And if there's an area where you. You need reconciliation, to be honest, I have a relationship that I need God's hand because one of the things you can't do is you can't make somebody pick up on the other end. You can't make somebody respond.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:50:19]:
You can reach out and sometimes I do. But God, only you can change the heart. So, Father, we're bringing situations like that before you, Father, that Father, for some it's in a family and for others, Lord, it's a friendship, Father. For others that, Lord, it might be even a professional thing, Lord. For some it might be a neighbor. If you have a thing, would you just bring that situation before God? And Father, what we're saying, because you're the God of reconciliation, you said you gave us a ministry of reconciliation, Father, that it's reconciled to you. But Father, that, that we want to be reconciled in some of these relationships. And one of the first things we do, God, is we humble ourselves, God, we take ownership for our stuff.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:51:05]:
Lord, I know that when I take ownership for my stuff, then somebody or my wife or somebody doesn't have to make me be responsible sometimes. So often, Lord, when I know when I'm running and I'm denying, Lord, that it just seems crazy. Because she's trying to make me be responsible. And I resent trying to be made responsible. But, Father, when I humble myself and I just own the things that I've owned, Lord, I thank youk that usually it invites a peaceful response. And maybe some of you, that's what yout need to do. And it's not to invite condemnation. It's not to say you're lesser than.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:51:47]:
It's just saying, God, thank youk that when we humble ourselves before the mighty throne of grace, Lord, then we can receive help in time of trouble. So, Father, would you help us in this. These areas? And, Lord, and sometimes they need their heart changed too, and they need to receive a grace and a mercy. So we're bringing them before you, Lord, not asking you to get them. Lord, we're asking you to help them. We're asking you to bless them, Father, we're asking you to lessen their pain, Father, we're asking you to heal their hearts, Father, we're asking you to. To lead and to guide them. Father, we're praying, God, that we can't change.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:52:26]:
Would you help us to change these things? But, Father, we don't want the devil to have a say in how this relationship goes. So, Father, we're just praying the blood of Jesus to cover this situation, cover our friends, cover our family members, cover our situation, Father. Cover our jobs, Father, cover our neighbors, cover our homes, Lord God, we're thankful for that. Father, we're praying for this brother with stage one lung cancer. And, Lord, I understand what that's like to get a diagnosis when they say cancer. And maybe he's gone where he's just, like, gone blank. And you hear words, but you're not really getting everything. But I pray, Father, for Cliff, that he wouldn't just hear the word of an oncologist, but he would hear the word of the great physician.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:53:27]:
Father, that. Thank you that you gave a whisper to me, that you said this was only a season, and it lasted only a season. And without even the surgery or medication or whatever, I thank you. It was gone. And we thank youk. The name of Jesus is more powerful than lung cancer. And whatever it is that he's in, thank youk. It's stage one.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:53:50]:
But, Father, even in those. If you have a situation that you're dealing with and it's. It's not stage one, it's, you know, who knows what it is? Could be stage four, could be. But would you just say, the name of Jesus is greater? Would you just place your hand over your body, wherever that is. And, Father, we're just. We're just saying, God, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in me. Would you'd bring life in these mortal sections, in these afflicted arenas, Father, in a spot. In a lung, Father.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:54:24]:
In a. In a capsule, in a. In a prostate, Father, in a situation where it's on someone's skin, Father, we just say in the name of Jesus, we say cancer be broken. And that. Lord, we're just thinking, would a grace of God cover our friends? Would the. Would the covering that comes by the sacrifice, that by your stripes you said, we are healed. Lord, I know this isn't even prayer and healing night, but, Father, we thank you that you don't have to wait. We don't have to wait till tomorrow, Lord, for you to just pour out your healing grace.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:55:03]:
We just receive it. And, Father, thank you that you're making a way. And, Father, what we ask is that would you extend your kingdom in our land, Father, would you extend your kingdom in our families? Would you extend your kingdom in our ministries, Father, would you extend your kingdom in our neighborhoods and homes? Because, Father, we need you and we love you and we trust you. And Father, where you lead us, we'll go. And, Father, when you tell us to stand strong, we'll stand. And, Father, when you tell us to be quiet, we might struggle, but we're going to hold our tongue. And, Father, we just thank you. Would you be the Lord of our.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:55:48]:
Life.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:55:50]:
God, for many of us, we have been our own God and we have failed miserably. But, Father, thank you that when we make you our God, Lord, you are able to set things right so today. Thank you for being our God, being our king, being our shepherd, being our healer, Lord being our comforter, Lord being our guide. Thank you, spirit of God, that you who will whisper and lead and guide your people, God, we receive that. And Father, thank you. It's not just of the spirit, but also of the Word. And so make us sensitive to your word, Lord, to be obedient, to trust, Lord, that you have a will, but you have a way. And Lord, thank you that your way is always a good way.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:56:42]:
So, Lord, we just receive that today. Cover your people. Thank you. For those who are seeking you, Lord, bless them. We bless you in Jesus, mighty name. God's people, say Amen. Amen. Hey, God bless you guys.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:56:57]:
Thank you so much for joining us and spending this hour in prayer preparing your hearts. Hey, we're going to have another night tomorrow night. And to be honest, and we're just saying it's a prayer and healing night. You don't have to need healing. But maybe, you know. And maybe you can't get somebody to come in the house who, to be honest, you wish was here. You know what? Sometimes. Sometimes what happens is you come and we'll pray over you.

Pastor Glenn Yamaguchi [00:57:22]:
And who for? Whoever you're praying for. And you know God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what all we can ask or think. But we'll see you guys tomorrow. See you at seven. God bless you. Have a great night. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.