Japanese Drama Review 6 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Makino Examines Her Heart

I am sure Makino may question why we would suggest she may have a tendency to covetousness. She may agree, or she may protest. We need to reassure her that we are not accusing her, or implying she has a problem of denial. Simply, we are lovingly asking her to consider it as we know she wants her walk with the Lord to be a shining testimony. We know she wants her peers to see her life as one honoring of the Lord. Often we hide our covetousness in criticism of others, or of what others have.

With this established as her reality, we would encourage her to consider the examination of her heart as the Lord’s training her for the future, when she may be confronted with larger issues. Learning to consider her thoughts and actions in light of God’s word is a good exercise. This is true not only for Makino but for you and for me too! We should all learn to do this, and do it often.

This would be a good exercise for Makino’s family to practice during family devotion time. They could begin a time of sharing their areas of struggle and to pray for one another. This should be done without criticism. It should be done with compassion and care. When sharing the struggles of the soul with others – much tenderness is needed in listening and responding. Wisdom is needed in any comments – wise, loving words.

When Makino has been trained to do this she will be able to encourage others too. Her family will then be able to disciple other families accordingly. Perhaps Makino’s involvement at Eitoku could be used to build up not only her peers, but as a reach out to families. God has placed her there, why did He allow this? What is His purpose? Why did her family sacrifice for this opportunity? What was the purpose in their doing this?

• The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

• If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load (Galatians 6:1-5).

• They … encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words (Acts 15:32).

1. Consider how you would lead your family to examine their hearts during devotion time?

2. How would you do this?

3. How would you respond to deep and difficult areas of sin if shared with you?

4. Will you keep in confidence what has been entrusted to you?

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