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This mele by Hillsong offers a beautiful message that is both great for our kids and is equally if not more applicable to kākou ā pau.

Nā Leo o ka Mana'olana — Voices of Hope! Devotionals

Apr. 25, 2020

Contributed by Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard

Hope is defined as an expectation or desire for a certain thing to happen. If I think deeper about that definition it means that we are constantly in hope mode. We hope for good weather, good health, good family and friends. This quest for hope never ends, and for me personally, hope keeps us alive. Hope reminds me that no matter what the day may bring, I will be steadfast to the challenge. Hope directs me to fix my eyes on what I know is truth and more importantly who I trust the most. Baibala Hemolele shares this certainty, it says,

“But whoever puts their hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they will run, and not be weary’ they will walk and not be faint.”   Isaiah 40:31

 

On March 24, 2020, our Kamehameha Schools Food Service Department took perishable food from their pantry and made several shipments that went to 5 local nonprofits who serve our community members who are in need of basic things like food and shelter. All of the people we met have learned to put their hope in God. When we stopped off to share the food, people came out of their housing to help and to say thank you. Tears rolled down some of their faces and smiles were as wide as Hilo Bay. They were soaring on wings like eagles.

Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi would like to help many more begin to soar on eagles’ wings as we begin our new journey together of online education through Distance Learning, practice social distancing and develop a mind of discipline and thriftiness during this Statewide lockdown. Periodically, throughout this time, you will be able to access various types of messages of hope from staff and students and all for our KS community. 

A devotional message from Kahu Kaunaloa: Resurrection Power: The Power of Breathing Life into Others

Now that we have gone through Easter, I would like to ask you a question. What Biblical lessons are you holding on to for your encouragement? As I was preparing for an online evening Easter Worship Service with a few family friends I came across a reading regarding the power of prayer for those who firmly believe in Christ’s resurrection from the grave, from death to life, from darkness to light and from weakness to power.

To paraphrase the message, our prayer life is filled with the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. What kind of power is that? The Apostle Paul describes it in Ephesians 1: 19-20,

I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven.

The New Testament was written in Greek which was common among the people. Paul uses the Greek word dunamis to represent the English word power. Dunamis is also the root word for dynamite, and when dynamite is used for excavation its explosive power instantly changes the landscape. Now, if our words of prayer are filled, supported, and aided by the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead, then it means that our prayer life is filled with authority and influence. It means that our prayers have the godly power to change the landscape of our thoughts, our words, our actions, and our purpose. Not only our own lives but think about how this power will help to change the lives of others that you support in prayer?  Amazing right?

When anyone talks about helping others the simple act of praying for someone resonates deep within me because I believe that we are all created to pray for each other with the power of God within us. When someone asks for prayer, do you say, “Ok, I will remember,” or do you stop everything that you are doing, regardless of where you are or whatever is going on and pray for that person? Let me encourage you to remember that the same power that breathed life into Jesus on the third day is ready for your daily use. I am convinced that one of our purposes is to use prayer to resuscitate hope in others. I am not speaking of a blind hope, but a hope that never diminishes and is centered in dunamis of Jesus. Dear loved ones, there is no better time to accomplish this than right now! Breathe life into others!

A devotional message from Hīhīmanu A Kāne senior and state championship wrestler Ezekiel Kamalu Anahu

In times like these, we can look to the word and promises of God. What I found was Romans 8:28 which says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” We may be going through difficult times in our lives but we can trust that God will take what we are going through and use it for his own plan to prosper us. These times can make us appreciate the little things in life, like the simple freedoms of traveling where we want when we want, hanging out with your friends, and even just going to school. So no matter what you may be going through, trust God and his promises.

A devotional message from Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard

Wake up and smell the.... 

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20b

“Aia hoʻi, ʻo wau nō me ʻoukou i nā manawa a pau, a hiki i ka hopena o kēia ao.”

During most mornings I awake to the familiar sound of rain falling upon our metal roof. The rhythmic pitter-patter almost always lures me back to sleep, but as usual, my alarm has already gone off three times! However, in that very quiet moment just before my mind begins to welcome in a flurry of thoughts, there is this constant, gentle and internal nudge to connect with God first!

Pule (prayer) and hoʻonani (praise) continue to be my daily morning regimen. I ask for direction, for wisdom and protection for me, my ʻohana and our school. Once I am done with my brief meditation, it is time to make a delicious cup of kope. After my first sip, “bing” the physiological transformation that is the power of caffeine takes over and I am well on my way to greet the day. What happens when we run out of coffee? Never, we always keep a 2-month supply of Tulley’s French Roast! The main thing for me is this, I will never run out of God’s unmerited grace and holy presence.

A devotional message from Kumu Shonnie Calina

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

Na ke Akua nona mai ka manaʻolana e hoʻopiha iā ʻoukou me ka ʻoliʻoli, a me ka malu i ka manaʻoʻiʻo ʻana, i nui ai hoʻi ko ʻoukou manaʻolana ʻana ma ka mana o ka ʻUhane Hemolele. - Roma 15:13

The word hope is often defined as a “wish”, and while there is a hint of a wishful attitude in hoping, God’s meaning of hope is a bit different. It means to “trust in and have confident expectation in God’s promises.”

God has made numerous promises and has not broken any one of them. His word is paʻa. In Hebrews 6:13-20, God’s word says it is impossible for God to lie. He made promises so we will know His character and that we know, without doubt, we can take refuge in Him. That means the many truths that He has already given us will not ever change. He will always be with us, take care of our needs, hear our prayers and love us in a way that no earthly love can even come close!

Jesus taught that troubles and hardships will come, but that through Him, we can have peace because He has already overcome and won the battle of this world! That is a promise!

I often think of Liliʻuokalani who, while imprisoned in her own hale, wrote mele about forgiveness.  I think of Chiefess Kapiʻolani, while undergoing cancer removal surgery, without anesthetics, reflected on the pain that Jesus endured on the cross, and was able to bear the pain of her procedure.  That is what powerful hope looks like when it is alive!

As we live in uncertain, difficult and scary times, keep your hope, your trust and confident expectation, in Jesus Christ.  He has made His way certain and provides strength and wisdom in the difficulty and His perfect peace in  times of fear.

A devotional message from Kumu Kensy Apaka 

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ - 1 Corinthians 11:1

E hahai mai ʻoukou iaʻu, e like me aʻu iā Kristo. - 1 Corinthias 11:1

My grandpa used to make this “oosha” sound when he sat down; so did my dad.  When I got older, I did too.  The other day, my daughter sat down and made some noise too – she’s a toddler.  Those around us will pick up on our words and attitudes, our mannerisms and actions.

We’ve been thrust into a difficult time, yet one that offers a unique opportunity to be with ‘ohana.  When we’re with them, what are we modeling?  Are we showing kindness, displaying generosity, engaging in forgiveness, and ultimately sharing aloha?

The apostle Paul was dead-set on modeling Christ wherever and to whomever he went.  He sought to set the same example as the one he’d be given, the one demonstrated by Jesus.  And he kept that in the forefront of his mind always.

Let us also model the attitude of Christ with those around us – one of kūpono and aloha.

 

More inspirational messages and a daily devotional calendar can be found on the Our Faith page: https://www.ksbe.edu/our_faith/.


Nā Leo o ka Manaʻolana – Voices of Hope! is a new series to bring inspiration and positivity to our lāhui in this time of great challenge. Together, through hope and through Ke Akua, we can overcome all challenges before us.




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