Radio Tonga Fakalotu (2024)

11/12/2023

FAKALOTU LIVE

10/12/2023

The Word for Today
Contrary Winds (3)

‘Stormy wind, fulfilling His word.’ Psalm 148:8 NASB

The winds were contrary when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they were contrary on their way to the promised land, and they were contrary when they got there. There is no such thing as a storm-free voyage: ‘”It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”’ (Acts 14:22 NASB20). When you have to fight to stay afloat day after day, it’s easy to get discouraged. Paul said, ‘When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days … all hope that we would be saved was finally given up’ (Acts 27:20 NKJV). Maybe you’re weary and discouraged because of what you’re battling. You’re ready to call it quits – and, humanly speaking, nobody would blame you. But before you give up, ask yourself this: what if God is the One engineering this storm to get you where you need to go? What if He is the One who ‘… spoke and raised a stormy wind …’ (Psalm 107:25 NASB), so you would have to keep your eyes on Him? What if He is the One who ‘ … hurled a great wind on the sea …’ (Jonah 1:4 NASB), to see if you would keep the faith when you can’t see the far shore? A psalmist tells us God uses ‘Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word.’ (Psalm 148:8 NASB20) In Exodus 10, ‘… and the Lord directed an east wind on the land all that day and all that night; and … it … brought the locusts … So the Lord shifted the wind to a very strong west wind, which picked up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea …’ (Exodus 10:13, 19 NASB20). One author adds, ‘When the Lord fought for Israel … stormy winds brought about their deliverance … And one day, by God’s great mercy, we too shall stand upon the sea of glass and see how stormy winds brought about our deliverance.’

From The Word for Today.

09/12/2023

Lau Folofola ki he Tokonaki: ‘Aisea 40: 1-11.

Ki’i Ama: ‘Aisea 40: 7, “‘Oku mae ‘a e mohukú, ‘oku māheikau ‘a e fisí; koe‘uhi ‘oku ifi ki ai ‘a e mānava ‘o Sihová: tā ko e mo‘oni ko e mohuku ‘a e kakaí. ‘Oku mae ‘a e mohukú, ‘oku maheikau ‘a e fisi: ka ko e folofola ‘a hotau ‘Otua ‘e tu‘u ‘o ta‘engata.

Pou ‘Ao: ‘Oku tau toe hokoatu pe he Lēsoni na’a tau fakalaulauloto ai ‘aneafí. ‘Oku mālie ‘a hono fakapunake’i ‘e he Palōfitá ‘a e tu’unga totonu ‘o e tangata mo e fefine ko e me’a fakatupu ‘a e ‘Otuá. ‘Oku lau ‘a e lahi ‘o e tangatá mo e fefiné ‘i he me’a ‘okú ne ma’ú mo ia ‘okú ne lavá pea toki fakakakato mai leva ‘e he ngaahi me’a kotoa pe ‘oku tau to’oto’ovalea ai he mo’uí ni. ‘Oku tau lave’i pe ‘i he’etau nofo fakafonuá, ‘oku ‘osi fokotu’utu’u pe mei natula ‘a e tu’unga ki he taha kotoa pē. ‘Oku fanau’i mai pe ‘a Hou’eiki ‘i he tu’unga hou’eikí pea mo me’avale ‘i honau tu’unga pea tokoni’i leva ‘e he ‘ulungaangá mo e ngaahi me’a tānaki atu, hangē ko e tu’unga fakaako pea mo e tu’unga ‘i he ngāue mo e silini pea mo e koloa. Kotoa ‘o e ngaahi me’a ko iá ‘oku tokoni ki hono fakamatala’i ‘a e “tu’unga” ‘o e tangata mo e fefine kotoa pe. ‘Oku ‘i ai mo e ngaahi “tu’unga” ‘oku faka’apa’apa’i mavahe ‘iate ia pe ‘i he’etau nofo faka-Tongá ‘o hangē ko hotau kau Taki he nofo fakafāmilí, Siasí, sosaietí, Pule’angá pea mo e tapa kotoa pe ‘o e mo’uí. Ko e anga ia ‘o ‘etau tu’ú mo hono fakafelāve’i ki hotau kaungā mo’uí pea mo e feohi ‘oku tau fai he mo’uí ni. Ko e taimi ‘oku kau mai ai ‘a e Māfimafi ki he’etau “fakanofonofo tu’ungá” pea ‘oku kehe leva ai. ‘Oku fakamanatu mai ‘e he Palofita ko kitautolu, ‘o tatau ai pe, pe ko e ha hotau “tu’unga” he mo’ui ni, ‘oku tatau kotoa pe ki he ‘afio mai ‘a e ‘Otua ‘o e ‘Univeesi, ko e koto mohuku kotoa pe. Ko hotau tatau ia ki he ‘afio mai ‘a e ‘Otua na’a ne fakatupu kitautolu, ko e mohuku. ‘Oku ‘ikai sola ha taha ki he nāunau ‘o e mohukú mo hono tu’unga ‘i he Pule’anga ‘o e ‘Akaú – ‘oku ‘ikai kau ia he laú. ‘Oku ‘ikai hano ‘aonga ke fiema’ua ai ‘e he kakai ‘o tatau pe mo ‘ene ngāvaivai ‘o ‘ikai ke ne lava ke matu’uaki ‘a e ha’aha’a ‘o natulá. ‘Oku lanumata mo faka’ofo’ofa he’ene kei pongipongí he ‘oku mokomoko mo hauhau e ‘eá ‘o fe’unga mo ‘ene ngāvaivaí ka ‘i he taimi ‘oku ulo mai ai e la’āá pea ‘oku mae leva. ‘Oku malie hono fakalea ‘e Molitoni he Himi 380: 1-2, “Ko e mo’ui ‘a e kakai Ko e fisi’i ‘akau ‘atá; Na’e mata hengihengi pe, Kae mae ‘oka tu’u ‘a e la’ā … He la’ā ne faka’afu’afu, Matangi na’á ne fa’aki mai; Ngangana leva hono lau Mo mole hono fu’u masani.” Ko hotau faka’ofo’ofá ‘e ma’u ia he taimi ‘oku tau fakamalumalu ai he lalo kapakau ‘o e Māfimafí. Ko e taimi ‘oku tau takaofi he Mā’oni’oni pea ‘oku tau lanumata leva ‘o hangē ha mohuku he pongipongí. Ko e fakatokanga ia ‘o e ‘Etivení kiate kitautolu ‘oku fakatatau ki he mohuku mo e loua’akaú. Ko hotau malu’angá ko ‘etau “ … ‘apasia ki he Taha ‘okú ne liliu e me’a kotoa pē, pea tau tatali mo e Fakatu’amelie” ki ha’ane Hokomai. Fakafeta’i!

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: Mafao mai ho to’ukupu ‘ofá ‘e ‘Otua ‘o tāpuekina kimautolu ke mau lava ‘o matu’uekina ‘a e ngaahi faingata’a ‘oku mau fekuki faka’aho mo ia he mo’ui ni. ‘Emeni.

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Sāpate, Tīsema 10: Sāpate hono 2 ‘o e ‘Etiveni. (Lanu Valeti pe Pulū).

Lēsoni: ‘Aisea 40:1-11; Saame 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Pita 3:8-15a; Ma’ake 1:1-8.

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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

09/12/2023

The Word for Today
Contrary Winds (2)

‘This voyage will end with disaster and much loss …’ Acts 27:10 NKJV

Paul told everyone on board the ship bound for Rome, ‘…”Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”’ (Acts 27:10 NKJV) One author writes: ‘Paul didn’t talk about a little skirmish … a little loss … This voyage would be beset with disasters, with much loss, even to their lives … To Paul this journey meant eventual martyrdom. However, Paul would not die until his mission was completed until he would strike a fatal blow at the heart of the Roman Empire, its political genius, military supremacy … pride and pomp. When Paul walked into Rome with the Gospel, hell shook, and all heaven rejoiced. We are all beneficiaries because that little battle-scarred man with a chain around his ankle started to convert many in Rome and gave us the books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon while he was the prisoner of Jesus Christ … These phrases from Acts 27:4-10 bring this journey more to life: ‘… the winds were contrary … we sailed slowly … passing with difficulty … sailing was now dangerous …tempestuous winds arose … we secured the skiff with difficulty … we used cables to undergird the ship … exceedingly tempest tossed … we threw the ship’s tackle overboard … neither sun nor stars appeared for many days … all hope that we would get saved was given up … the stern was broken up.’ The destination is within reach – but not without much loss’. Thank God that’s not the end of the story. ‘But the centurion, wanting to save Paul … commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land and the rest, on parts of the ship. … escaped safely to land’. (Acts 27:43-44 NKJV). When you keep your eyes on Jesus, you will make it in spite of the storm. Guaranteed!

From The Word for Today.

08/12/2023

The Word for Today
Contrary winds (1)

‘The winds were contrary.’ Acts 27:4 KJV

When you set out to do anything for God, the Enemy will make sure you encounter ‘contrary winds’. In fact, if you’re not sailing against the wind, chances are you’re headed in the wrong direction! The Bible says Jesus was ‘tempted of the devil’ (Matthew 4:1 KJV). Satan never let up, including the night before Jesus was crucified when ‘Satan entered into Judas … one of the twelve’ (Luke 22:3 NLT). Reimar Schultze, a holocaust survivor, says, ‘Wherever you go today, Satan will … try to get you at some street corner, at the office, or in the field. He will make you fall if you leave home without your spiritual armour on; if you leave your belt of truth … in the closet, your breastplate of righteousness … by the door, your gospel shoes under your bed, or if you leave your shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit and the helmet of salvation behind you … If you say at daybreak, “I will pray whenever I get a chance today,” you just gave away your victory. Before long, the wrong words will come out of your mouth, you will look at forbidden fruits and display an improper attitude. The most foolish thing you can do is to leave home unarmed and spiritually naked. A fool says, “I have no time to pray,” but later … he finds all kinds of time to attempt to repair the damage prayerlessness … produced. … Following Jesus is not a walk in the park … Every good thing in the kingdom … from Adam on, has come to us through men and women who stuck it out when the going got tough. The biblical history of the church ends with these victorious words … “and so we came to Rome”’ (Acts 28:14 NLT).

From The Word for Today.

08/12/2023

Lau Folofola ki he Falaite: ‘Aisea 40: 1-11.

Ki’i Ama: ‘Aisea 40: 1-2, “MOU fakamānava, fakamānava hake hoku kakaí – ko e folofola é ‘a homou ‘Otuá. Mou lea fakalelu ki Selusalema, ‘o fanongonongo ki ai kuo ‘osi hono fatongiá, kuo totongi hono mo‘uá: kuó ne ma‘u lōua mei he nima ‘o Sihová koe‘uhi ko ‘ene ngaahi hiá.”

Pou ‘Ao: Ko e konga ‘eni ‘o e Tohi ‘a e Palōfita ko ‘Aiseá ki he kāinga ‘Isilelí kuo ‘osi taki pōpula ki Pāpiloné. ‘Oku lolotonga movete ‘a Selusalema mo e Temipalé hono have’i ‘e Nepukanesa mo ‘ene kau tau Pāpiloné pea taki popula’i e Tu’í (Hesekaia) mo e tokolahi ‘o e kakaí. Fakafuofua nai ko e ta’u ‘eni ‘e meimei 50 e nofo hopoate ‘i Pāpiloné pea kuo pehē ‘e Sihova kuo fe’unga. Ko e tu’utu’uni leva ‘eni ‘a e ‘Otuá ‘a e me’a ke fai ki hono kakaí ‘o fou he’ene Palōfitá. Fai leva ‘e he Palōfitá ‘a e palōfisai ki he ngaahi me’a ‘e hoko he kaha’ú. Hangē nai ke fakalelu’aki ‘a e ngaahi faingata’a ‘oku lolotonga fekuki mo e kakai ‘Isileli ‘i Pāpiloné. Ko e Ki’i Ama ‘o e ‘ahó ní, ko e tu’utu’uni kuo tala ‘ikai toe heliaki, ko e ui ke fakanonga mo fakafiemālie’i e kakai na’á ne tautea ko ‘enau talangata’á, ka kuo fe’unga pea kuo nau totongi honau mo’uá. ‘Oku fakae’a ‘e he palōfisai, ko Sihova ‘okú ne fai ‘a e tu’utu’uní peá ne fakamahino ko e kakai ‘Isilelí ko hono kakai, pea ko Iá, ko honau ‘Otua. Neongo ko e fai e palōmesi ko ‘ení ki he kakai talangata’a mo aafe ngofua, ka ‘oku ‘ikai liliu ai ‘a e tala’ofa ia ‘a e ‘Otuá. Hangē ha mātu’a mo ha’anau fānau, kuo talangata’a pea tautea’i, ka ‘oku te’eki ai pe ke tukuange pe tu’usi ‘enau fekau’akí. ’Oku kei hiliō, ‘a e ‘ofa ‘a e fa’ē pe tamaí ki he fānaú. Ko e natula ‘eni ‘o e tauhi ‘e Sihova hono kakaí. ‘Oku tau tu’u ‘i he faka’osinga ‘o e ta’u fakakoloá ni ‘o vakai ki he fononga na’a tau fai mai ‘i he Siasí talu mei he kamata’anga ‘o e ta’ú. Kuo lahi si’i ngaahi fofonga ‘o hotau ngaahi ‘ofa’anga kuo nau mu’a fononga atu he mo’uí ni, pea neongo kuo laui mahina ka ‘oku kei hangē pe ko “’anenai” ‘i he’etau manatú. ‘Oku tau tofuhia kotoa pe ‘i he mamahi ‘o e māvae mo ha ‘ofa’anga pea ‘oku toe vivili ange ‘ene ongo mamahí ‘i he'etau a’usia ‘a e ngaahi ‘aho fakamanatu ‘o e Lotú. Fakafeta’i he ‘oku palōmesi mai ‘a Sihova ‘i he’ene Palōfita o fou mai he’ene palōfita ko ‘Aiseá ko ia te ne fai hotau fakamānava hake. ‘Oku kehe atu pe ‘a e “fakamanava hake” ‘a e ‘Otuá he ‘okú ne foaki nonga ki he loto mamahi mo hoha’á, veiveiuá mo taalafilí pea ‘oku na’a ai ‘a e tangí. Fakafeta’i he’etau ma’u ha ‘Otua ‘oku kau mo kitautolu he taimi kotoa pe, tautautefito ki he taimi ‘oku tau faingata’a’ia ai. Ko ‘ene palomesi ia ‘ia Kalaisi Sisu, te ne ‘iate kitautolu ma’u ai pe ‘o a’u ki he ngata’anga ‘o ‘ene mo’ui. Ko ia ‘oku ne fai hotau fakalelu pea neongo ai pe, pe ko e hā ha faingata’a ‘oku tau fekuki mo ia, ‘okú ne ‘i hotau lotolotongá ko hotau ‘Imanuela. Ko hotau ngafá “Ke tau ‘apasia ki he (kiate Ia) pea tau tatali mo e Fakatu’amelie” ki ha’ane hoko mai.

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: Tokoni’i au ke u kītaki he ngaahi ta’au faingata’a ‘o e mo’uí ‘o muia ho halá mo ha laumālie hounga’ia mo ‘amanaki lelei ‘i he me’a kotoa, ‘Emeni.

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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki

08/12/2023

Tu’apulelulu, Tīsema 7: Lau Folofola – 2 Pita 3: 8-15a

Ki’i Ama: 2 Pita 3: 13, “Ka ‘i he funga ‘o e tala’ofa ‘a ‘Ene ‘Afió ‘oku tau ‘amanaki ki ha ngaahi langi fo’ou mo ha fonua fo’ou, ‘a ia ‘oku nofo’anga ai ‘a mā’oni’oni.”

Pou ‘Ao: Ko e fekau ‘o e Fa’ahita’u ‘Etivení ko e toka teuteu mo e ‘amanaki. Na’e nofo ‘a e kakaí he kuonga ne fa’u ai e Tohi ko ‘eni hono ua ‘a Pitá ‘o teuteu mo ‘amanaki ki he Ha’ele ‘Anga Ua mai ‘a Sīsū Kalaisí. Koe’uhi na’á nau pehē ‘e vave mai pe ‘i honau kuongá, ne nau fononga he hala matu’aki fu’u totonu mo mo’oni. Kae fai atu pe pea te’eki ke hoko e ‘Aho ‘o e ‘Eikí, ne kamata ke fanongo e ni’ihi ia kiate kinautolu ne nau talatalakehe mo faka’ikai’i ‘a e hoko mai e ‘Aho ko iá. Ne tafoki ai e tokolahi ia ‘o toe foki ki he tō’onga mo’ui angahala’ia ne nau ‘uluaki ‘i aí. Hangē koā ‘oku tau lava pē ‘o fanongo ki he le’o ‘o e tokotaha fa’u ‘o e Tohí ni, “’E lava fēfē ké u fakaloto’i kinautolu ke nau ki’i pine hifo?” Ko ia ‘oku tau sio leva ki he hanga ‘e he fa’u Tohí ni ‘o fakamahino ‘a e mātu’aki kehekehe ‘o e fakakaukau ‘o e taimí, ki ha’a tangata / fefine pea mo e ‘Otuá. ‘I he taimi ‘a e ‘Otuá, ko e ‘aho ‘e tahá ‘oku hangē ia ko e ta’u ‘e afé, pea ko e ta’u ‘e afé, ‘oku tatau ia mo e ‘aho ‘e taha. ‘Okú ne toe fakatokanga mai foki kiate kitautolu ke ‘oua te tau hoha’a he tuai mai ‘a Kalaisí, he ko ‘ene tuku faingamālie ki he taha kotoa ke fakatomala kae lava honau fakamo’uí. ‘Oku mo’oni ‘a e a’usia ‘a Molitoni he Himi 545:3, “Kae huanoa kitaua ‘oku ta ma’u ‘i langi, Si’ata paletu’a ke ta falala ai, Ta’etaau ke ta hanu pe fakatu’a kovi, ‘E ‘ikai tō ha manu ta’e te ne ‘afio’i.” Lolotonga ‘ene tuku faingamālie maí, ‘oku toe fakahu mai ai pe mo e toe fakatokanga. ‘E hoko mai ‘a Kalaisi ia ha taimi pē, pea ‘oku totonu ke tau ngāue ‘aonga ’aki ‘a e taimi ‘oku tau ma’ú ke tau mateuteu ma’u pē. ‘I hotau kuongá ni, ‘oku toe mālohi ange ‘etau fakamahu’inga’i e taimí, ‘o iku ké ne pule’i ‘etau mo’uí. ‘Oku lau ‘e he ni’ihi, ko e taimí ko e pa’anga (time is money), pe ko e tu’umālié ia. Pea a’u e ni’ihi ia ‘o ‘ikai fa’a tatali, koe’uhi ko ‘enau faka’amu ke hoko mai pē he taimí ni ‘o fakatatau ki he’enau fiema’ú. ‘Oku tailiili e ni’ihi koe’uhi ko e ‘ikai ke nau fakapapau’i ‘a e taimi ‘oku kei toe ma’anautolú koe’uhi ko ha faingata’a fakaesino ‘oku nau mo’ua ai. ‘Oku ‘i ai mo e ni’ihi ‘oku matu’aki kātaki si’i ‘i he taimi ‘oku tuai pe tōmui ai ha me’a na’e totonu ke “kamata taimi” (on time). ‘Oku ‘i ai e fakahua ‘a e matāpule ‘oku pehē, “Ko e me’a pe taha ke tau fakatōtōmui ki aí, ko e maté.” ‘Oku uki kitautolu ‘e he Lēsoni ‘o e ‘ahó ni, ke tau tatali ki he taimi ‘a e ‘Otuá. ‘Oku fakamanatu mai he’etau Siate Folau ki he mahina tuku e ta’ú, “Ke tau ‘apasia ki he Taha ‘okú ne liliu e me’a kotoa pē, pea tau tatali mo e Fakatu’amelie.”

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: ‘Oku ou kole fakamolemole he si’i ‘eku kātakí, ká ke ngaohi ange ke u kītaki pe ki he ngaahi langi fo’ou mo e fonua fo’ou ‘e fou mai mei he ‘Afioná, ‘Emeni.
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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

08/12/2023

The Word for Today
Humble yourself

‘Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ Luke 18:14 NLT

Jesus said: ‘Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people – cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.” But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted’ (Luke 18:10-14 NLT). You can appear to be the most devout person in church yet have a heart filled with pride. And the worst part is that you don’t know it. For example, when you take all the credit for things God enabled you to accomplish and acquire, that’s pride. When you compare yourself with others, that’s pride. When you think you can do the will of God without the power of God, that’s pride. When you exclude people who don’t fit into your peer group or social circle, that’s pride. And it will cost you, because ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble’ (James 4:6 NIV). So if you want to walk in His favour today, then humble yourself before Him.

From The Word for Today.

06/12/2023

Lau Folofola ki he Pulelulu: Saame 85: 1-2, 8-9.

Ki’i Ama: Saame 85: 8, “Kau fanongo mu’a pe ko e hā ‘a e folofola ‘a ‘Ela Sihová: he té ne tala melino ki hono kakaí, ‘io ‘a ‘ene fanga pelé: kae‘oua te nau toe foki ki he’enau seselé.”

Pou ‘Ao: ‘Oku tau fakalaulauloto he talanoa ‘o e foki mai ‘a e kau Fakahē mei Papilone ki ‘Isilelí. Kuo to’o ‘e Sihova honau populá kae fakatau’atāina’i kinautolu, fakamolemole ‘enau ngaahi angahalá kotoa ‘o toe foki ki he tu’unga ‘o e kakai fili, ko e fanga pele ‘a e ‘Otuá. Ko e ongo ia na’e hā mei he kau foki mei Papiloné. ‘Omi leva he’e fatu Saamé ‘a e tala ‘oku fakanonga mo faka’amanaki, pe ko hono ‘ai mahinó, ko e tala ‘oku fungani atu. Ko e faka’ofo’ofa ia ‘oku tau ‘amanaki ki ai he hoko mai ‘a e ‘Otuá ki he’ene me’a fakatupú. ‘I he hili honau fakahee’i he ngaahi ta’u lahi, kuo hoko mai ‘a ‘Isileli ki he mo’ui ‘oku fo’ou. Ko e Saame 85 leva, ko e tangilaulau fakafonua ‘oku fakalea ‘e he tā’angá ni, kae toe ‘amo atu ko e ngaahi ‘īmisi ‘o e kakai kuo ongosia hono fakahee’í, pea kuo nau ‘amanaki ke ‘siofi e faka’ofo’ofa ‘o e ‘Eikí (Saame 27:4). Kuo fenāpasi ‘enau fakatomalá pea mo hono fakafoki mo fakafo’ou kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otuá. ‘Ikai ko ia pē, kuo fakamolemole’i kinautolu ‘o ‘ikai ngata honau fakatau’atāina’í, ka ‘oku fakamo’ui kinautolu. Fakamahino mai ‘e he Ki’i Ama ‘o e ‘ahó ni ‘a e hohoi ‘a e lotó mo e laumālie ‘o e ‘Isileli kotoa ke fanongo ki he ngaahi folofola ‘a ‘Ela Sihová. Ko e taimi ‘oku hoko mai ai ‘a e ‘Eikí ki he’ene me’a fakatupú, ko e punaké pē té ne lava ‘o ‘ānau mo fakamatala’i hono koloá ‘o ofiofi hangē ko e veesi 10 mo e 11, “Ko ‘Alo‘ofa mo Mo‘oni kuó na fetāiaki kinaua; ‘A Angatonu mo Melino kuó na fekita. Ko Mo‘oni ‘oku tupu hake mei māmani, Pea ko Angatonu ‘oku fakasio hifo mei langi.” Ko e laulausiva ia ‘a e punaké ke fakamatala’i ‘a e fetaulaki ‘a e ngaahi lelei mei he ‘Otuá pea fakatupu he kāinga ‘Isilelí ‘a e kovinanite tauhi ma’u ki he ‘Otua pea mo e ‘ofa ta’emamotu ‘a e ‘Otua ‘oku a’u mai kiate kinautolú. ‘I he’etau a’u mai ki he mahina faka’osi ‘o e ta’u fakakoloá ni, ‘oku tau fakamo’oni kotoa pe ki he taimi ‘i he hala fonongá na’a tau hangē ai ko e kau nofo hopoate ‘i Pāpiloné. Na’e “puke pōpula” kitautolu ‘e he ngaahi faingata’a fakaeloto, ko e mole ha ‘ofa’anga pe ko ha faingata’a fakaesino ‘oku tau mo’ua ai. Ko hai te ne lau ‘a e ngaahi faingata’a fakasosiale, ‘ekonomika mo fakafamili ne tau fetaulaki mo ia. Ko ‘etau ‘i heni, ‘oku makatu’unga pe ‘i he tala faka’amanaki ‘oku fai ‘e he fatu Saamé ni. Ko e ‘Eiki ‘o e ‘Etiveni “’oku tala melino” ki he’ene fanga pelé. Ko e kakai na’e mama’ó kuo “Taka ‘i Lalo Hakanga” ‘i he ‘ofa a’u mai ‘a e ‘Eikí pea neongo ai pē, pe ko e hā e faingata’a ‘oku tau fekuki mo iá, ‘okú ne ‘i ai ke tokoni. Ko e talafungani ia ‘o e Fa’ahita’u ‘Etivení pea mo e Kaveinga ‘oku tau faka’osi ‘aki e ta’ú, “Ke tau ‘apasia ki he Taha ‘okú ne liliu e me’a kotoa pē, pea tau tatali mo e Fakatu’amelie.”

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: ‘Eiki lelei, tuku ke mau inasi ‘i ho’o melinó pea mau tatali ai pe mo e Fakatu’amelie ki ha’o toe hā’ele mai. ‘Emeni.

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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

05/12/2023

The Word for Today
‘He chose us.’ Ephesians 1:4 NKJV

When it comes to God’s will for your life, He decides it and you discover it. It’s not something you can change, a topic for debate, or a plan you get to have a say in. The truth is, you can miss God’s will and be miserable, or do things His way and experience ‘… glorious, inexpressible joy’ (1 Peter 1:8 NLT). The choice is yours. ‘But I don’t know God’s will for my life,’ you say. Then pray this prayer: ‘Father, I’m tired of going through life with no real purpose because it brings no glory to You. You created every living thing, including me, that they may bring You pleasure (see Revelation 4:11). I know that You have a specific job for me to do. Your Word says You formed me in the womb to be Your servant (see Isaiah 49:5). I’m getting lots of input from other people, but I need to know the path You have chosen for me. Help me to stop ignoring and minimising the gifts and talents You have invested in me; acting like they’re of no significance. I know we are all called to serve, and I need Your help to discern who, where, when, and how I should serve. I want to do what You have destined me to do and not be side-tracked by wrong priorities, busywork, or other people’s desires and demands. At the end of my life, I want to be able to look back and say like Jesus, ‘“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”’ (John 17:4 ESV). In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.’

From The Word for Today

05/12/2023

Lau Folofola ki he Tūsite: Ma’ake 1: 1-8.

Ki’i Ama: Ma’ake 1: 7-8, “Pea na‘á ne malanga, ‘o pehē, ‘‘oku muimui mai ha Toko Taha ‘oku mālohi ‘iate au; ko e Toko Taha ‘oku ‘ikai te u taau ke punou ‘o vete ‘a e nono‘o ‘o hono topuva‘é. Na‘a ku papitaiso kimoutolu ‘aki ‘a e vai: ka te ne papitaiso kimoutolu ‘e ia ‘aki ‘a e Laumālie Mā‘oni‘oni.’”

Pou ‘Ao: ‘Oku hanga ‘e Ma’ake he kamata’anga ‘o ‘ene Kōsipeli ‘o fakafe’iloaki mai ‘a Sione Papitaiso mo e Ongoongo Lelei ‘o e hoko mai ‘a Sīsū Kalaisi ko e ‘Alo ‘o e ‘Otua Mo’ui. Ko e fakamo’oni’i ‘eni ko e mo’oni ‘a e Fakamelomeló ‘o hangē ko ia ne palōfisai ki ai ‘a ‘Aiseá. Hangē ko ia ne tau lave ki ai ‘aneafí, ko e fakahoko mai ‘eni ‘a e Papitaiso Laumālie ‘e fai ‘e Sīisū, ‘a ia ko

hono fakahoko e lilingi ‘e he ‘Otuá hono laumālié ki he lotolotonga e kakai ‘Isilelí. ‘Oku kei tu’uholoaki mai ‘a e ivi mo e mafai ‘o e Laumālie Mā’oni’oní ‘o tau fakamo’oni ki ai ‘i hotau kuongá ni. Ko e taha hotau fakaiviá, ko hono ue’i kitautolu ke tau ‘ofa ki he ‘Otuá ‘aki hotau kotokotoá pea ‘ofa ki he kakai kotoa pē ‘o hangē ko ‘etau ‘ofa kiate kitautolú, ‘io ‘o a’u ki hotau ngaahi filí. ‘Oku mahino pe foki ‘a ‘ene faingofua ange ke tau ‘ofa ki hotau ngaahi fāmilí mo e kaungā mo’uí, kae mātu’aki faingata’a ke tau ‘ofa ki hotau ngaahi filí, tautautefito ki ha taha kuó ne fai mai ha kovi kiate kitautolu. Kuo lahi e longoa’a ‘i he ngaahi mitia fakasosialé felāve’i mo e ngaahi me’a fakapolitikale ‘i Tongá, pea mahalo na’a ‘oku mo’oni pe lau ‘a e ni’ihi, ko mulí ni pe ‘oku hoha’atu’u ki aí ‘o lahi ange ia ‘iate kinautolu ‘i Tongá. Pe ko e hā hono mo’oní, ka kuo hoko ‘a e vā ‘o e Fāmili Tū mo e PTOA ke palopalema’ia ai ha ni’ihi ‘i he’etau nofo ‘i mulí ni. ‘E toki fakama’opo’opo mai ‘e he hisitōliá ‘amuiange, ka ‘oku fakamāfana ‘a e tokanga’i hake ‘o e ‘a’ahi ‘a e kau memipa ‘o e Fāmili Tū ki pilīsone ki he ongo fakafofonga ‘okú na mateaki’i e PTOA na’e fakahū ‘e he kau Polisí koe’uhi ko ‘enau lau ki he kau Fāmili Tū. ‘Oku fakafiefia e fanongo atu ki he felingiaki ‘a e vahevahe melino he ongo fa’ahí pea mo e fakalelei ‘i honau vā. ‘E hangē pe ko ha toe ongoongo ‘oku ‘ohake ‘i he mitiá fakasosialé, ‘e kei fai pe fefusiaki mo e tau’aki taukave ka ‘oku aata mai ‘a e maama faka-Kilisimasi mei he fakalelei na’e lava ‘o fakahokó. ‘Oku tau faka’amu ke kei fai pe tau’aki taukave’i ‘ene Fa’ahi fakapolitikale mo e mo’oni ‘oku tui ki aí kae ‘oua na’a hoko ia ko ha me’a ke ne maumau’i ai ‘a e ma’uma’uluta ‘o e nofo-‘a-kāingá. ‘Oku lahi ma’u pe foki ‘etau leá pea ‘asili ai ko ‘ene faingofuá (talk is cheap) ka ‘oku faingata’a ‘aupito hono fakatō’onga mo’ui’i, tautautefito ‘o kapau ‘oku tuhu ki ha ngāue ‘oku lelei ke fai. Ko e taimi ‘oku muimui’i ai ‘e he ngāué ‘a e leá, pea ‘oku tau fiefia kotoa pe ai he mahino ‘oku kei mālohi pe a e leleí ‘i he koví pea ‘oku ‘i ai e ‘amanaki lelei ki ha “hala fo’ou” ke fai ai e fou ‘a e kau poupou ‘o e ongo fa’ahi. Ko e me’a tatau mo ia ‘oku mo’ua ai e Siasí ‘i he lolotongá ni. Tauange pea mo e ‘Otua na’e hokomai ‘i he Valevale Tapu ‘o e ‘Ai’angakaí ke ne taki kitautolu ki ha hala fo’ou, pea hiliō ‘ene kau mo kitautolu he fononga ‘oku faí.

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: ‘E Sīsū ko e Taukei ‘i he toafá ni, ‘E faka’ilo ‘a e lelei ke u laka atu ai.

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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

04/12/2023

Mōnite, Tisema 4: Lau Folofola – Ma’ake 1: 1-8.

Ki’i Ama: Ma’ake 1: 4-5, “Pehē na‘e ‘i ai ‘a Sione Papitaiso ‘i he toafá, ‘okú ne malanga‘aki ‘a e papitaiso fakatomalá ki he fakamolemole ‘o e angahalá. Pea na‘e ‘alu atu kiate ia ‘a e fonua kātoa ‘o Siuteá, mo e kakai Selusalema fulipē; ‘o nau papitaiso ‘iate ia ‘i he vaitafe ko Soataní, he vete ‘enau ngaahi angahalá.”

Pou ‘Ao: Ko e taha eni ‘a e konga mahu’inga taha ‘o e “Tatali mo e Fakatu’amelie” ki he Valevale Tapu ‘o e Kilisimasí ko e pau ke tau fakatomala pea tafoki mei he ngaahi tō’onga mo e ‘ulungaanga ta’etāu kotoa pē. Ko e konga mahu’inga ‘o e Fakatomalá ko hono ‘uluaki ‘ilo’i ‘e he taha ‘oku fakatomalá ‘a ‘ene hia ‘oku ‘uhinga ai ‘ene fakatomalá. Ko e konga faingata’a ia ki he tokolahi he ‘oku ‘ikai ha me’afua ia ‘e kei ngāue he’enau mo’uí ke ne fakatokanga ki he taha ko iá ‘oku hē mei he hala na’e totonu ke ne fou aí. ‘Oku mālie hono fakalea ‘e Moitoni he’ene Himí, “’Omi ha koniseniti hangē ha tamai’i mata, Ke u kalo ‘oka lave si’i, Ha me’i angahala.” Ko e me’a kehekehe pe foki ‘a hono ‘ilo’i ‘o e hé mo e tōnounoú pea mo hono fakatonutonu ‘o e mo’uí ki he hala ‘oku totonu ke fou aí. ‘Oku mahino mei hotau Ki’i Amá, ko e “papitaiso fakatomala ki he fakamolemole angahalá,” ko e me’a ia ‘a e Laumālie Mā’oni’oni. Ko e fekau ia na’e malanga’aki ‘e Sione Papitaiso ‘i he toafá pea na’e tatau pe ‘ene mahu’inga kiate kinautolu na’e lave monū ai ‘i hono taimí pea mo kitautolu ‘i hotau kuongá ni. Kuo pau ke tau tafoki mei he’etau angahalá pea tau kole fakamolemole kae fakama’a ‘etau ngaahi angahalá. Ka ‘oku toe hanga ‘e Sione ‘o fakahoko mai mo e hala fo’ou ‘e taha, ko e teuteu ki he tokotaha ‘oku lahi hake ia ‘iate ia. Ko e tokotaha ko ia té ne ‘omai e fekau fo’oú, pea ko Ia pē, ko Sīsū Kalaisi ‘a e fekaú. Kuo tala mahino mai ‘e Sione Papitaiso, ka ko e Fakamelomelo ki he Misaiá, ko e kikite na’e fai ‘e he kau Palōfita mu’á, peá ne loa ‘enau tatali ki aí, ‘a e taimi ‘e lilingi ai ‘e he ‘Otuá hono laumālié ‘i he kotoa ‘o ‘Isilelí, kuo hoko mai ia ‘ia Sīsū Kalaisi. Ko e papitaiso laumālie ‘a Sīsū té ne fakatalatala ‘enau angahalá mei he’enau mo’ui, pea fakaivia mo hono kau muimuí ki ha hala mo ha founga té ne fakatātā kiate kinautolu. Ko e taimi ‘oku tau a’u ai ki he ngaahi tuliki pe ngata’anga ‘o e hala ‘oku tau fou ai he mo’uí ni ‘o tau fakatokanga’i hake ‘oku ‘ikai ha toe hala kehé ‘e faingamālie ma’atautolu pea ko hotau talá leva, ke vete ki he ‘Otuá ko e kau angahala kitautolu pea te ne fai ‘e ia hotau fakatau’atāiná. Ko e fakahinohinó ke tau hanga ki he ‘Otuá, ‘a ia né ne hoko mai he ma’ulalo tahá ko e Valevle Tapu ‘i he ‘Ai’angakai e fanga manú. Tau vete ‘etau ngaahi angahalá ki he ‘Otuá mo e kaungā fonongá pea tau tautapa ki he Laumālié ké ne liliu hotau lotó kae lava ke tau fou he hala mātu’aki fo’ou ‘o e ‘amanaki lelei mo e fakamaau totonú. Ka pehē, ‘e ho’ata atu e hala fo’ou ko iá ki he kaungā mo’uí pea te nau ‘aukau mai ke sio mo ‘ilo ai ‘a Sīsū Kalaisi mo ‘ene ‘ofá.

‘Ānau, Lotu mo e ‘Aukai: ‘Oku mau fakafeta’i mo fakamālō atu ‘i ho’o hoko ko homau Tokoni mātu’aki ofi he vaa’ihala faingata’a ‘oku mau kamata’i he ta’ufo’oú ni. ‘Emeni.
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Mei he Halanga Tapuaki.

04/12/2023

The Word for Today
A father's blessing

‘My son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.’ Genesis 27:27 NIV

Every child longs for their father’s blessing, and every father is called to bless their children. When Isaac blessed his sons, he was acting on God’s behalf, using his divinely delegated power to impart a blessing. A father’s blessing was a cherished institution, but its effectiveness rested on the fact that Isaac blessed his sons as an act of faith and not out of mere sentiment or favouritism. By Hebrew custom, a father’s blessing comprised two elements.

1) A meaningful touch. ‘Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him … Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me”’ (Genesis 27:22, 26 NIV). A patriarch’s blessing included the laying on of hands, a kiss, and embrace of acceptance and love. Jesus knew exactly what children needed, that’s why ‘He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them’ (Mark 10:16 KJV). And such expressions of love still bless our children who crave them from us.

2) A spoken word of affection. Before blessing Jacob, his father said to him, ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed’ (Genesis 27:27 NIV). To a city dweller, these words may not mean much, but not to Isaac’s boys. This old outdoors patriarch who loved nature was in essence saying, ‘That’s my boy – an outdoorsman who loves spending time in God’s creation, just like me!’ He couldn’t have spoken more affirming words to his son. Dad, let your words not be critical, demeaning, or insensitive, but words that say, ‘I couldn’t be prouder than to call you my child!’

From The Word for Today.

03/12/2023

The Word for Today
Finding common ground (3)

‘To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.’ 1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV

To establish common ground, you must be adaptable. Thomas Aquinas said, ‘To convert somebody, go and take them by the hand and guide them.’ You must be willing to move from where you are to where they are; to adapt and try to see things from their point of view. Anytime you’re aware of distance between you and the person you’re trying to reach, it’s good to search for something in your own background and experience that relates to theirs. Don’t start the process by telling them about yourself. Begin by moving to where they are and trying to see things from their perspective. Adapt to them – don’t think they should adapt to you. Instead of telling people how you feel, find out how they feel. Instead of telling them what you see, discover how they see things. Instead of trying to tell them what you want, discover what they want. Abraham Lincoln said, ‘When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.’ The truth is, you can’t take someone on a journey unless you’re willing to start where they are. Only then can you truly connect and lead them to where you want to take them. You can know a lot about a person and still not understand them. More information isn’t always the answer. The Bible says, ‘Deep calls to deep’ (Psalm 42:7 NIV), and to really understand people, you must move beyond head knowledge and learn to speak the language of the heart.

From The Word for Today.