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Eternal Hope in Japan CONNECTION
“You’re born a Shinto, get married a Christian and die a responsible for seven Protestant Christians being allowed to February/March 2010 P.O. Box 82808 Lincoln, NE 68501 800-759-2425 www.backtothebible.org
7 Protestant Buddhist” goes a Japanese adage. Seventy percent of enter Japan—a nation that had been closed to the world for
missionaries Japanese claim they have “no religion” but 80 percent over 200 years. From seven missionaries to almost 7 percent
landed in Japan pray to a Shinto “kami” or Buddhist figure at least of Japanese claiming faith in Jesus Christ, Christianity has
in 1859. annually. Visiting temples and shrines is a recreational
activity—done for luck rather than belief. The “real” god,
experienced a “slow-but-steady” growth—with the fastest
growth in the last few decades. Thank you
7 percent at least the one the Japanese spend their time pursuing, is
of the total materialism. It’s no wonder a 2008 Gallup poll showed little Recently 5,000 for your ministry.
Japanese evidence of eternal hope in Japan. Christians gathered
“When you think about God’s love It’s part of my
for three days
population
Fake “Christian” weddings—including Bible-led in Yokohama— for Japan, it’s difficult to see the daily infusion
now claims
ceremonies—are all the rage. Christmas—or rather, the worshipping, big picture of what God is doing. of God’s healing

Day 56.
as their faith “Santa-ized” version of it—is also observed. Yet less than 7
“Christian”—up
praising and But when you look at individuals Word, always
percent claim Christ as their Savior (though that is up from thanking God for and what God is doing in their Joseph’s journal entry is pure conjecture, intended
from 1 percent 1 percent just decades ago.) But it’s hard to determine how His providence in
lives, you can see the love of God
giving me hope solely to illustrate his possible state of mind after
just decades ago. pure that Christianity is because many Christians mix their opening the doors and peace in being imprisoned by Potiphar.
deities by performing in Buddhist or Shinto ceremonies as for the Gospel to be very clearly.” —Japanese teen
this strange
Monday morning.
7 percent of
,
well as Christian worship services. preached in Japan.
all Japanese world. When I
youth Protestant Christians normally fall into two groups: Playing a pivotal role in the celebration, BJapan used its Pharaoh’s dungeon. Heliopolis, Egypt.
now declare (1) traditional and (2) indigenous. The first group media ability to create promotional videos for 23 para-church am lonely or get
themselves to be represents mainline denominations, believes the Bible is associations that, along with Back to the Bible, are working upset or worried, Here we are, Lord. Another challenging morning in Pharaohís pit with
inerrant and retains their western way of life rather than diligently to bring the Good News to Japan. Through satellite
“lovers of Jesus.”
adapting to Japanese culture. radio (the only Christian radio station in Japan), recruitment
the Word of God the rats, the stench and the really bad singing. Guess everybody in the
of pastors to record Gospel content for 800 pastor-less encourages me. landóincluding disgraced bakers and butlersówant to be the next
The latter group is characterized “a Christian movement.” churches as well sponsorship of preaching seminars, BJapan Egyptian Idol. Seshtinkt! As for me, well I donít feel much like singing.
It began without a foreign intermediary and emphasized continues to bring the same Good News—the news seven Sheila H., Tennessee Whatíswith Potiphar anyway? After all I did for the guy! Yet, Iímthe one
direct religious experiences. It has two subsets: (1) Bible missionaries first brought to the shores of this once forgotten rotting in prison. And all because of a woman. Okay, so enough with the
believing, but still heavily influenced by Asian gods and island over a 150 years ago. bitterness already. What was it that the kingís cupbearer said the other
(2) “Renewalist” (an umbrella term that covers both day? Oh yeah, ìBitterness is a poison you swallow but expect someone
Pentecostals and charismatics). To find out more about BJapan as well as ways you ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
else to die from?î Gevalt! You know I was pretty angry when my brothers
can help this important missionary work, visit • The Last Word threw me into the well and sold me to those Bedouin merchants. I mean,
Both groups owe a debt to Matthew Calbraith Perry. www.backtothebibleinternational.org/japan.htm
Perry, through the signing of an historical treaty, was • Journeys how could they have done that to meóinarguably the best-looking guy
in the bunch and an awesome dresser besides! Guess I should have tried
• Changes for Joseph running around in a gnarly goat-hair garment, working 24/7 instead
AIR DATE
• Special Offer: Making of strutting about in my amazing Technicolorô coat. If I were them, I
SERIES TITLE
Life out of Lemons would have thrown me into an empty cistern, too, and sold me to the first
There’s a God You Need to Know February 1–5 guy who came along! So, Iím guessing this whole Potiphar thing is yet
On the Joseph: Making Life Out of Lemons February 8–26
• Eternal Hope in Japan
another ìleader in the makingî test from You, Lord? (Sure have had a

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Scripture quotations unless otherwise
indicated are taken from the English
Standard Version.
lot of those lately.) Well, I say, ìHereísto you, Mrs. Potiphar Öíhell may
hath no fury like a woman scornedí but my God canóand willówork
out all things out for my good!íîSo, I choose to believe that despite my
rather dire circumstances, all Your promises are faithful and true, and
that Youíllcount my unwavering belief in You as righteousnessójust like
on the web!
You did for Father Abraham. Thanks, Lord, have to go now; it looks like
Please call 1-800-759-2425 for information on ordering CDs or supplemental
resources of programs. Schedule may be subject to change. the kingís baker has had another bad dream.
 The Last Word
Occasionally, I come across a sermon by a
popular preacher teaching that the Bible
promises God’s followers a life free from
misfortune. Well, I’m not sure what Bible
they’re reading because my Bible doesn’t
say that.
The truth is we live in a sinful world. And
as I flip through
the Bible or look
God’s plans will win the day, that it’s often the
at history, I see
JOURNEYS Tour with Dr. Kroll
he was pressured by Potiphar’s wife to
be immoral, he ran the other way—and
landed in prison as a result. And although
he remained in prison for at least two
years, the Bible is clear that Joseph never
stopped serving God.
So, why did he endure such misery?
Joseph knew exactly why. After their father
died, Joseph’s brothers approached him,
afraid the brother they once sold into
By Woodrow Kroll
What I learn from Joseph is that a person
of faith won’t necessarily escape hardship,
but they will have the proper perspective
on hardship. Long before Paul wrote to the
Romans, Joseph understood that “for those
who love God all things work together for
good, for those who are called according
to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Did You
KNOW...
Changes for Joseph!
The day Joseph was sold into slavery, his world
changed suddenly and dramatically:
He went from a Hebrew home where his family
worshiped the one true God to Egypt where multiple
gods and goddesses were worshipped.
He went from a simple nomadic life to a hustling,
bustling urban life.

and those faithful to Him most faithful who
rejoice in anticipation of it. face the roughest
challenges in life.
Joseph is a perfect example. He was
rock-solid in his faith. When he caught his
brothers doing something they shouldn’t,
he told his father (Genesis 37:2). When
slavery would seek vengeance. But Joseph
answered them:
“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
As for you, you meant evil against me, but
God meant it for good, to bring it about
that many people should be kept alive, as
they are today” (Genesis 50:19–20).
We live in a sinful world among sinful
people trying to achieve sinful goals. But
He very likely did not know the language spoken in
God’s plans will win the day, and those
faithful to Him rejoice in anticipation of it. Egypt.
While this world may have been a lot Slaves in Egypt were fortunate to eat regularly.
better if sin had never entered it, it’s
Egyptians would have eaten beef (from oxen);
comforting to know that God always has
the last word. Hebrews ate mutton (from sheep) because they were
shepherds.

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