ICA Tokyo Podcast

Is God speaking to you… but you’re not sure it’s actually Him?When you’re facing a big decision, you might pray, “God, what should I do?” Then a thought pops into your head. But how do you know if it’s God’s voice, your own emotions, your desires, or just the noise around you?In GHOSTED #2: Learning to Listen to God’s Voice, we explore how to recognize God’s voice and develop a relationship with Him that helps us hear and respond to what He is saying.Jesus said His sheep know His voice. God isn’t looking for us to discover some secret formula or religious ritual. He invites us into a relationship.How do you position yourself to hear God’s voice?1. Ask God to speak to you.Don’t just ask God for what you want. Ask Him what He wants to say.2. Be ready to listen.Slow down. Turn down the noise. Spend time in God’s presence and live with the expectation that He can speak anywhere and anytime.3. Do what He tells you to do.Hearing God isn’t just about receiving an answer. It’s about responding with obedience.The prayer we can all pray is:“God, position me to hear Your voice. Help me recognize that it’s You speaking. Give me the courage to obey.”And remember: Just because God isn’t speaking, doesn’t mean He isn’t moving.📖 John 10:2–4 — Jesus says His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him.📖 1 Samuel 3:7–10 — Samuel learns to recognize God’s voice: “Speak, your servant is listening.”📖 Luke 11:28*— Jesus connects hearing God’s Word with obeying it.GHOSTED: What To Do When God Feels SilentA sermon series about faith, doubt, hearing from God, and what to do when it feels like God is silent.

Is God speaking to you… but you’re not sure it’s actually Him?When you’re facing a big decision, you might pray, “God, what should I do?” Then a thought pops into your head. But how do you know if it’s God’s voice, your own emotions, your desires, or just the noise around you?In GHOSTED #2: Learning to Listen to God’s Voice, we explore how to recognize God’s voice and develop a relationship with Him that helps us hear and respond to what He is saying.Jesus said His sheep know His voice. God isn’t looking for us to discover some secret formula or religious ritual. He invites us into a relationship.How do you position yourself to hear God’s voice?1. Ask God to speak to you.Don’t just ask God for what you want. Ask Him what He wants to say.2. Be ready to listen.Slow down. Turn down the noise. Spend time in God’s presence and live with the expectation that He can speak anywhere and anytime.3. Do what He tells you to do.Hearing God isn’t just about receiving an answer. It’s about responding with obedience.The prayer we can all pray is:“God, position me to hear Your voice. Help me recognize that it’s You speaking. Give me the courage to obey.”And remember: Just because God isn’t speaking, doesn’t mean He isn’t moving.📖 John 10:2–4 — Jesus says His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him.📖 1 Samuel 3:7–10 — Samuel learns to recognize God’s voice: “Speak, your servant is listening.”📖 Luke 11:28*— Jesus connects hearing God’s Word with obeying it.GHOSTED: What To Do When God Feels SilentA sermon series about faith, doubt, hearing from God, and what to do when it feels like God is silent.

What if God’s will for your life isn’t as complicated—or as secret—as you think?

Should I marry this person? Take this job? Move to another city? Stay where I am? We can spend so much time praying, overthinking, analyzing every option, and worrying that we’ll make the “wrong” decision.

It can feel like God’s will is a Shinkansen 🚄—blink and you missed it.

But what if God is less concerned with giving you a perfect answer for tomorrow and more concerned with shaping who you are today?

In GHOSTED #1: The Not-So-Secret Will of God, we explore what the Bible says about knowing God’s will, hearing His voice, making wise decisions, and growing in relationship with Jesus.

Jesus says:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 NIV

Hearing God isn’t about discovering a secret technique or decoding some hidden plan. It’s about relationship.

The closer we walk with Jesus, the more familiar His voice becomes. And as God shapes our character, He changes the way we make decisions.

God’s Word may not tell you exactly which job to take, who you should marry, or where you should live—but it has a LOT to say about how you live today.

God has called us to live a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9). He wants us to seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). And He promises to guide us:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” — Psalm 32:8 NIV

So instead of praying only, “God, tell me what to do,” what if we started praying:

God, position me to hear Your voice.Help me recognize that it’s You speaking.Give me the courage to obey.

You don’t have to be confident that you’ll make every decision perfectly.

You can be confident that you know the One who leads you.

📖 Scriptures mentioned:• Proverbs 19:21• John 10:14–15, 27–28• 2 Timothy 1:9• Jeremiah 29:13• Psalm 32:8

What if God’s will for your life isn’t as complicated—or as secret—as you think?

Should I marry this person? Take this job? Move to another city? Stay where I am? We can spend so much time praying, overthinking, analyzing every option, and worrying that we’ll make the “wrong” decision.

It can feel like God’s will is a Shinkansen 🚄—blink and you missed it.

But what if God is less concerned with giving you a perfect answer for tomorrow and more concerned with shaping who you are today?

In GHOSTED #1: The Not-So-Secret Will of God, we explore what the Bible says about knowing God’s will, hearing His voice, making wise decisions, and growing in relationship with Jesus.

Jesus says:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 NIV

Hearing God isn’t about discovering a secret technique or decoding some hidden plan. It’s about relationship.

The closer we walk with Jesus, the more familiar His voice becomes. And as God shapes our character, He changes the way we make decisions.

God’s Word may not tell you exactly which job to take, who you should marry, or where you should live—but it has a LOT to say about how you live today.

God has called us to live a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9). He wants us to seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). And He promises to guide us:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” — Psalm 32:8 NIV

So instead of praying only, “God, tell me what to do,” what if we started praying:

God, position me to hear Your voice.
Help me recognize that it’s You speaking.
Give me the courage to obey.

You don’t have to be confident that you’ll make every decision perfectly.

You can be confident that you know the One who leads you.

📖 Scriptures mentioned:
• Proverbs 19:21
• John 10:14–15, 27–28
• 2 Timothy 1:9
• Jeremiah 29:13
• Psalm 32:8

What kind of legacy are you building with your daily choices?The Book of Ruth shows us that loyalty has a long reach.

What may feel like an ordinary decision to remain faithful, keep a promise, care for someone, or trust God in a difficult season can impact generations to come.In Ruth chapter 4, we see the beautiful conclusion of Ruth and Naomi's story.

What began with loss, grief, bitterness, and uncertainty becomes a story of redemption, restoration, and legacy.Boaz demonstrates hesed, covenant loyalty and faithful love. He keeps his word even when it costs him something. He chooses responsibility over convenience and redemption over self-interest.

Through this message, we discover three powerful truths:

✨ 1. Loyalty Keeps Its WordReal faithfulness is more than a feeling. Loyalty means keeping your promises—even when life becomes difficult and the cost becomes great.

❤️ 2. Loyalty Redeems the Broken

God has a heart for the broken, vulnerable, hurting, and forgotten. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and restored Naomi's family, we are called to demonstrate God's loyal love to those around us.

🌱 3. Loyalty Builds a LegacyRuth's quiet decision to remain loyal to Naomi changed the course of history. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, and generations later, Jesus Christ came through this family line.Your faithfulness today matters for tomorrow.

The Book of Ruth reminds us that history is not random. God is working behind the scenes, weaving together ordinary acts of faithfulness to accomplish His greater purpose.Ultimately, Boaz points us to Jesus—the ultimate Redeemer.

Boaz was willing to pay the cost to redeem Ruth and restore what had been lost. Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us from sin and bring us into God's family.

God is faithful. God keeps His promises. God sees the empty and broken places in our lives—and He is our Redeemer.If you are walking through a difficult season, struggling to remain faithful, or wondering whether your quiet acts of obedience really matter, this message is for you.Loyalty looks like Boaz—it keeps its word.

Loyalty looks like Ruth—it stays through the dark times.

Loyalty looks like Naomi—it believes in a God who does not change.

🙏 Join us as we explore Ruth Chapter 4, covenant loyalty, hesed, redemption, faithfulness, and the legacy our lives can leave for future generations.

What kind of legacy are you building with your daily choices?The Book of Ruth shows us that loyalty has a long reach.

What may feel like an ordinary decision to remain faithful, keep a promise, care for someone, or trust God in a difficult season can impact generations to come.In Ruth chapter 4, we see the beautiful conclusion of Ruth and Naomi's story.

What began with loss, grief, bitterness, and uncertainty becomes a story of redemption, restoration, and legacy.Boaz demonstrates hesed, covenant loyalty and faithful love. He keeps his word even when it costs him something. He chooses responsibility over convenience and redemption over self-interest.

Through this message, we discover three powerful truths:

✨ 1. Loyalty Keeps Its WordReal faithfulness is more than a feeling. Loyalty means keeping your promises—even when life becomes difficult and the cost becomes great.

❤️ 2. Loyalty Redeems the Broken

God has a heart for the broken, vulnerable, hurting, and forgotten. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and restored Naomi's family, we are called to demonstrate God's loyal love to those around us.

🌱 3. Loyalty Builds a LegacyRuth's quiet decision to remain loyal to Naomi changed the course of history. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, and generations later, Jesus Christ came through this family line.Your faithfulness today matters for tomorrow.

The Book of Ruth reminds us that history is not random. God is working behind the scenes, weaving together ordinary acts of faithfulness to accomplish His greater purpose.Ultimately, Boaz points us to Jesus—the ultimate Redeemer.

Boaz was willing to pay the cost to redeem Ruth and restore what had been lost. Jesus paid the ultimate price to redeem us from sin and bring us into God's family.

God is faithful. God keeps His promises. God sees the empty and broken places in our lives—and He is our Redeemer.If you are walking through a difficult season, struggling to remain faithful, or wondering whether your quiet acts of obedience really matter, this message is for you.Loyalty looks like Boaz—it keeps its word.

Loyalty looks like Ruth—it stays through the dark times.

Loyalty looks like Naomi—it believes in a God who does not change.

🙏 Join us as we explore Ruth Chapter 4, covenant loyalty, hesed, redemption, faithfulness, and the legacy our lives can leave for future generations.

What do you do when you’re praying, waiting, and wondering, “God, where are You?”

The story of Ruth reminds us that difficult circumstances do not mean God has stopped loving us. Sometimes faith means trusting God before we understand what He is doing.

In this powerful message from Ruth 3, we discover how to trust God through suffering, disappointment, and seasons of waiting. Ruth and Naomi had experienced tremendous loss, but they learned to trust God’s character and wait for His provision.

This message explores several life-changing truths:

• Difficult times will happen, even when we are faithfully following God.
• Our circumstances do not determine how much God loves us.
• We can trust God even when we don’t understand His plan.
• God works through difficult circumstances for His good purposes.
• Waiting on God is part of spiritual maturity.
• Obedience matters while we wait.
• Jesus is our ultimate Kinsman Redeemer, Provider, and source of hope.
Maybe you're in a season where you feel like God is distant. Maybe you're waiting for healing, direction, restoration, or an answer to prayer.

Don't give up in the waiting. Trust the One who knows why.

As Ruth 3 reminds us, sometimes faith looks like simply waiting, trusting, and continuing to walk in obedience.

📖 Scripture: Ruth 1–3, Ruth 3:18, Romans 8:28, Lamentations 3:22–23, 2 Timothy 2:13, Psalm 33:18

🙏 If you're in a difficult season right now, let this message encourage you: God has not forgotten you.

What do you do when you’re praying, waiting, and wondering, “God, where are You?”

The story of Ruth reminds us that difficult circumstances do not mean God has stopped loving us. Sometimes faith means trusting God before we understand what He is doing.

In this powerful message from Ruth 3, we discover how to trust God through suffering, disappointment, and seasons of waiting. Ruth and Naomi had experienced tremendous loss, but they learned to trust God’s character and wait for His provision.

This message explores several life-changing truths:

• Difficult times will happen, even when we are faithfully following God.
• Our circumstances do not determine how much God loves us.
• We can trust God even when we don’t understand His plan.
• God works through difficult circumstances for His good purposes.
• Waiting on God is part of spiritual maturity.
• Obedience matters while we wait.
• Jesus is our ultimate Kinsman Redeemer, Provider, and source of hope.
Maybe you're in a season where you feel like God is distant. Maybe you're waiting for healing, direction, restoration, or an answer to prayer.

Don't give up in the waiting. Trust the One who knows why.

As Ruth 3 reminds us, sometimes faith looks like simply waiting, trusting, and continuing to walk in obedience.

📖 Scripture: Ruth 1–3, Ruth 3:18, Romans 8:28, Lamentations 3:22–23, 2 Timothy 2:13, Psalm 33:18

🙏 If you're in a difficult season right now, let this message encourage you: God has not forgotten you.

What if God’s favor isn’t about luck, coincidence, or being in the right place at the right time?

In Ruth 2, we see a powerful picture of how faith, loyalty, character, and obedience position us to experience God’s favor. Ruth was an outsider. Boaz was a wealthy landowner. Naomi was walking through deep grief. And God was working through all three stories.

From Moab to Bethlehem, Ruth chose loyalty. Boaz chose radical generosity. Naomi chose to keep walking with God. Their lives show us that true faith isn’t just what we believe. It’s what we remain faithful to when circumstances get difficult.

In this message, we explore “Believing Loyalty” and discover:

• Why Ruth’s loyalty led her into God’s favor
• How God can use what looks like coincidence as divine providence
• How Boaz used his influence and resources to extend God’s grace
• Why godly character sees people beyond social status
• How Naomi recognized Boaz as a redeemer
• Why staying faithful where God has placed you matters
• The connection between Ruth, Boaz, King David, and Jesus
• What it means to live with unwavering faith and loyalty to God

Character and conviction are always the path to favor.

The question isn’t simply, “What do I believe about God?”

It’s this: "Do I believe it enough to remain faithful and loyal to Him?"

That is Believing Loyalty.

📖 Ruth 2 | Exodus 34:6

🙏 May we have the loyalty of Ruth, the generosity of Boaz, and the endurance of Naomi as we follow Jesus.

What does Communion really mean? 🍞🍷

Most of us have taken Communion countless times. We know when to take the bread, when to drink the cup, and when to pray. But what happens when something familiar becomes something we stop thinking about?

In 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, Paul confronts the church in Corinth because they had completely missed the point of Communion. They were celebrating the body of Christ while dishonoring the people who make up the body of Christ.

You cannot celebrate the body of Christ while dishonoring the body of Christ.

The Lord’s Table is more than a Christian tradition. It changes how we see Jesus, one another, and ourselves.

In this message, we explore:

• 🍞 How Communion changes the way we see Jesus
• ❤️ How the Cross reconciles us to one another
• 🤝 Why Christian unity is bigger than culture, language, nationality, or status
• 🪞 What Paul really means when he says to “examine yourselves”
• ✝️ Why Communion is not a reward for perfect people, but a gift of grace
• 🕊️ How the Lord’s Table invites us toward forgiveness and reconciliation
• 👑 How Communion points forward to the coming Kingdom of God

The table reminds us that Jesus gave His body for us, shed His blood for us, welcomed us into His family—and calls us to welcome one another.

The world builds walls.

Jesus prepares a table.

And every time we come to that table, we are reminded:

We remember Christ so that we can reflect Christ.

📖 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

If this message speaks to you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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