For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
Hawaii became a U.S. territory on July 7, 1898, as President McKinley signed the Treaty of Annexation. Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1778, the islands were united by King Kamehameha. After his death in 1819, his wife and son abolished the pagan religion which practiced human sacrifice. On March 30, 1820, after 164 days of traveling through the United States and sailing through the Pacific Ocean, fourteen courageous missionaries arrived from New England to share the gospel. They created a written language and translated the Bible.
Hawaii’s motto, “The Life of the Land Is Perpetuated in Righteousness,” was first professed by Queen Ke’opuolani in 1825 as she was baptized as a Christian. In 1840, Kamehameha III declared his kingdom a Christian nation. The Hawaiian Constitution of 1840 began: “God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the earth, in unity and blessedness. God has also bestowed certain rights alike on all men and all chiefs, and all people of all lands.” Kawaiaha’o, the first Christian church in Hawaii, was built in New England style architecture and called the “Westminster Abbey of Hawaii.”
Those missionaries put their confidence in Jesus Christ, left the comfort of their homes and went to a new land to share the gospel. As a result, the Holy Spirit filled that island and it became a Christian nation. So if you are facing a decision in your life, pray for wisdom as you read God’s Word. Then walk forward in boldness expecting Him to do amazing works as a result of your confidence in Him. Intercede for your local and national leaders to do the same.
Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Philippians 3:12-14; Hebrews 12:1-2
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
