Spiritual Warfare; October 26, 2023

Posted on October 27, 2023 by jgarrott

Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

This second half of the chapter is such an accurate description of a major part of society today that it ought to give anyone pause. However, this verse specifically is so accurate that even a former president, reliably reported as having indulged in such things, explicitly called out “some obscure verses in Romans” as teaching that should be ignored today. What is different about perversion today, as compared to a few generations back, is not the nature of the perversion itself, but of the strong, vocal insistence that such perversion be accepted as normal, even normative, and the vigorous push into elementary and even preschool school systems. It has been slow coming, but thankfully there is now strong and growing pushback against that, and society is in turmoil because of it. When you add that battle to the military battles that are occurring in Ukraine and Israel, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of Christians are convinced that these are the Last Days, with Christ’s return for judgment just around the corner. I can’t say that I disagree with that assessment, but the danger for believers is in thinking there is nothing we can do or should do to correct the current situation. That thinking is a lie of the devil! We are to stand for righteousness on behalf of our children and neighbors, countering the devil’s lies with the truth of God. Nothing happening now is actually new; a knowledge of history is vital for perspective. After all, Paul was writing to the situation in the world as it was 2000 years ago! We need to remember and apply the words of James: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) That doesn’t mean we won’t have trouble, as Jesus explicitly told us, (John 16:33) or that we might even be martyred, as Paul himself experienced. However, it does mean that the end result of it all will be glorious for us, as Paul noted. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) The devil tries to block us with fear of temporal troubles, but we need to push forward with anticipation of eternal glory.

This of course applies to me as it does to every believer, but the devil’s pressures aren’t equally distributed in the earth. The devil figures he has Japan in his pocket, so he hasn’t attacked here in the same way he has in the US. However, I can certainly see that “He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:12) I’m not to let my feeling of End Times distract me from daily, active faithfulness toward my Lord. I’ve had friends who were so concerned about where we might be on this timeline or that, that they couldn’t see or apply themselves to the tasks the Lord had set before them. That again is a deception of the devil, and I’m to be aware of it and stand against it. The world is indeed a mess, but as the song based on Revelation 2 and 3 says, “He who overcomes will stand.” I am to be so familiar with God and His Word that I immediately recognize and resist everything that is not of Him, and leave the consequences up to Him.

Father, thank You for this powerful reminder. It is stronger than I expected, though I knew what this chapter held. Help me indeed listen accurately and obediently to You in all things, so that Your will may be done in and through me for the blessing of many, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Personal Faith; October 25, 2023

Posted on October 26, 2023 by jgarrott

Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Two differences in translation between the NIV and the Japanese strike me. The first is that where the NIV says “received grace and apostleship,” the Japanese says, “received the work of an apostle of grace.” The NIV seems to place emphasis on “apostleship” as an office, whereas the Japanese emphasizes that it’s a job to do. Likewise, the Japanese brings out the meaning of “apostle,” which is, “one who is sent, a messenger.” The second difference is that where the NIV says, “among all the Gentiles,” the Japanese says, “among the people of all nations.” That may be a quibble on my part, because as a Jew Paul was used to thinking and speaking in terms of “the Jews and everyone else,” but on the face of it the Japanese includes the Jews on an equal basis, along with everyone else. All of that aside, the biggest thing that hits me from this verse is “the obedience that comes from faith.” (The Japanese agrees with many English translations and says, “the obedience of faith.”) Whereas some people might take this as “obedience to the tenets of our faith,” to me it is much more the simple reality that if we really believe Jesus is the Son of God, we will be obedient to Him. (That’s the feeling of the NIV.) When we view Christianity as an organized religion we get into all sorts of mess. It is indeed a religion, as we define religion, but at its heart it is a relationship with the Lord, and we lose sight of that to our peril. That is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion, because no other religion posits a very personal Lord and Savior like Jesus. Jesus Himself defined it in terms of love and obedience: “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) Again, Jesus said that the greatest of the Old Testament commandments was to love God. “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38) You can’t love someone you don’t believe is real, and if you really love Him, you will be obedient to Him.

I’m reminded of something I read not long ago from an interview with Jim Baker, who had a spectacular fall from being a “televangelist” into adultery and all sorts of mess. The interviewer asked him “When did you stop loving Jesus, that you got into all that.” Baker replied, “I loved Him, I just didn’t fear Him.” I think Jim Baker didn’t know what genuine love was. I too have disobeyed God because of failing to fear Him, all the while thinking I loved Him, but Jesus’ words are very clear. My disobedience put the lie to my claims of love. My faith is inseparable from my love for Jesus which is inseparable from my obedience to Him. James pointed out that even demons believe in Jesus, but they certainly don’t love Him or want to obey him. (James 2:19) I must not let my “faith” stray from my personal relationship with the Lord of Glory, who loved me enough to die for me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You have taught me over the years about love, faith, and obedience. May I continue to grow in that and lead others to do likewise, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Choosing to Believe; October 24, 2023

Posted on October 25, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 28:24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

We are responsible to share the Gospel, but we cannot control how it will be received. As Paul shared the truth of God, some believed but some “would not believe.” The Japanese puts that as, “made no attempt to believe.” Faith is a gift, but it is also a choice. It is true that the Gospel can seem “too good to be true,” but it is only when we choose to receive it that we experience all of its goodness. The thing is, the choice to believe isn’t just at the moment of salvation. Each one of us faces challenges to our faith. If that weren’t the case, how could our faith grow? God isn’t being mean to us when He gives us such challenges, He wants us to be strong, mature disciples who recognize and appropriate the incredible abundance He has for us. My wife once had a vision of a stairway to heaven, with angels coming and going on it, bringing gifts to believers. Every gift must be received for it to be effective, and that starts with faith.

I have certainly experienced this. After I was introduced to the Charismatic Movement in 1973 (in a Baptist church!) I started seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but experienced nothing. It wasn’t until about a year later that someone told me, “How do you receive anything from God? By grace through faith, right? If you believe that God has promised you His Spirit, then ask Him to baptize you, believe that He is true to His Word, and thank Him for it, without placing any conditions on how it happens.” (I had quoted Luke 11:13 to him when he asked if I believed God had provided His Spirit for me.) That night I tried it, exactly as he had recommended, and felt nothing. However, two days later I abruptly realized I was talking to a total stranger about Jesus, Acts 1:8 came to mind, and I knew God had been true to His Word. In the years since then I have been challenged many times as to whether I was going to believe God, or believe anything else. Every time I have chosen to believe God, I have been blessed. (I wish I could say that was 100% of the time, but I’m certainly not perfect.) As I minister to others, whether they are Christians or not, I am to speak the truth in love and pray that they receive it in faith, but not feel guilty if they fail to do so. I’m also not to accuse myself if I feel bad about their failing to receive, because even Jesus wept over Jerusalem. (Matthew 23:37)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the privilege of sharing Your truth, whether it is received or not. I do pray that more and more would receive, to rise up as a mighty army for You, breaking the chains of the enemy on this nation  for the salvation of multitudes, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Sharing Faith; October 23, 2023

Posted on October 24, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 27:25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

It’s amazing the impact the faith of one person can have. Enough had happened already on this trip for everyone, and not just Paul’s companions, to feel like he was some sort of holy man or guru, and that prompted them to pay attention to what he said. By this time they were ready for any good news! Those around us may not have such an impression of us, but we still have the opportunity to impart faith by our words, however many or few might receive them. It is interesting to me that where the NIV says, “I have faith in God,” the Japanese says, “I have faith because of God.” Faith is a gift, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and like all gifts from God we are accountable for how we use it. We might believe and receive the benefits of that faith, but how much better if we share our faith so that more people will be blessed by God? We don’t know who will receive and believe for themselves, but if we don’t share, they won’t have the chance to believe. As Paul had written sometime previous to this, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14) We tend to think of “preaching” in a formal and/or negative sense, but this isn’t that at all. Rather, it is proclaiming God’s truth, whatever the circumstances. A popular saying goes, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” Faith isn’t quite like that, but it is demonstrably true that the more you share faith, the stronger your own faith becomes.

This is something I have experienced for myself and I have observed in others as well, sometimes to my amusement. I’ll never forget one man who hadn’t yet been baptized, even though he had been coming to church for several years because of his wife. We were in a restaurant after going Christmas caroling as a church, and he vigorously presented the Gospel to a young man who was only peripherally connected to the church. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before the first man was baptized, and he has recently completed seminary studies, after retiring from his previous job! As a teacher, I’ve also experienced the reality that one of the most effective ways to learn something is to teach it to someone else. If we want our faith to grow, and we should, we need to share it!

Father, thank You for this reminder. This could easily be another message, but this coming Sunday being a 5th Sunday it will be just music and testimonies. Show me when, where, what, and how to share, so that the abundance of Your grace to me may have the full effect that You intend, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Holy Boldness; October 22, 2023

Posted on October 23, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 26:29 Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Since yesterday I’ve known I would be writing on this verse. I almost read the whole chapter in anticipation, but I restrained myself. This is such a magnificent statement! Paul is talking to a king here, and is totally unintimidated, despite the fact that he is a chained prisoner. The level of courage, of boldness, is off the charts, and it is abso­lutely typical of Paul. His personality certainly had a lot to do with it, but I think that his going to heaven from being stoned and then being sent back (Acts 14:19-20, 2 Corinthians 12:2-5) had perhaps even more to do with it. Paul knew that he was a representative of Christ Jesus, (2 Corinthians 5:20) and as such had more real power and authority than any earthly king. The thing is, that is true of every genuine believer. We are never to let that puff us up, but we should also never back down. We didn’t earn that status, but God granted it to us in His love and grace, and as John said, His perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4:18) To the degree we take our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances and fix them on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2) we will be filled with His supernatural peace and assurance, and nothing will shake us.

Excitement has risen in me even as I have written this. I have tasted this boldness, and I want to walk in it continuously. I know that requires humility and holiness, which I will be speaking on this morning, but I have been convinced for many years that when God’s children wake up to whom they are in Christ, the world will be transformed faster than we would believe. We must not forget that all of this doesn’t insulate us from trials and suffering, as Paul’s own life demonstrated, and Jesus Himself stated, (John 16:33) but God wants us all to walk in the assurance of the ultimate outcome, which will be glorious beyond words. We are not to let this assurance make us rude or obnoxious, but we are never to hesitate to speak the truth in love. (1 Peter 3:15-16, Ephesians 4:15)

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. There’s a lot on the schedule today. Help me live out Your truth every moment so that everyone may be touched by Your Spirit, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Giving Testimony; October 21, 2023

Posted on October 22, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 26:17-18 “‘I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'”

What a beautiful, succinct yet complete, exposition of an absolutely magnificent commission! It’s no wonder that King Agrippa was nearly won over, and actually may have been, considering the rest of the chapter. Paul had no trouble expressing this because this was how God had said it to him in the first place, and he had probably shared it countless times. I think this is an excellent example of what Peter was talking about when he said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) After all, in verse six he has just said, “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.” Many Christians are oddly hesitant to share their personal testimony, whether it’s from a feeling they can’t do it well, or that it’s just too mundane, or from shyness or a heightened desire for privacy, or whatever. No excuse holds water before God, because we are commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and that requires sharing what we know of the saving grace of God. However, practice indeed makes perfect. It is wise to practice, if that’s the right word, by expressing our experience of God with brothers and sisters in Christ. If they are sensitive to Holy Spirit, they will encourage us and ask questions that will make it easier to bring out the important points. We don’t need to express it in theological terms, and indeed, doing that will make it less effective in winning people to faith. We just need to be open, sharing what God has done for us, in awe of His love for us and for the person to whom we are talking.

I’m not a “gifted evangelist,” but I am certainly a talker, and as I have written recently, as an MK/TCK I tend to try to explain myself to people. That gives me a tendency to drown people in words, and that’s not a good idea! I need to keep working on my sensitive obedience to Holy Spirit, so that I will say what He wants me to but no more. That “no more” part can be hard for me! I think I’m growing there though, and that’s a comfort. However, I still tend to preach at the drop of a hat! I am to be fully humble, allowing God to use me if He so chooses, but not demanding that He do so. I want to meet His appointments and not go barging in on my own.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the gift for words that You’ve given me. May that always be used as You intend and in no other way, as it has too often in the past, so that Your purposes for me may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Repentance; October 20, 2023

Posted on October 21, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Honest evangelism is always risky, at least to some extent, because it requires a call to repentance, and people don’t want to acknowledge that they are guilty. We have no idea what Felix was guilty of, but it’s clear from his actions that he didn’t have a clear conscience. It was actually wise of him to feel afraid, but what he did in response to his fear was not at all wise. Avoidance doesn’t change reality! His actions showed that he was not righteous or self-controlled, and had every reason to fear the coming judgment. Some preachers avoid talking about sin because they don’t want to “drive people away,” but that shows that they are more interested in numbers than in leading people to salvation. The Gospel is good news not because it says we are innocent, but because it says that repentance is possible. Far too many church members have never faced the fact that they are sinners, and have no hope apart from the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The only real risk in that is in people thinking that because they are sinners whose sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus, it doesn’t matter what they do now. Even Paul had to face that distortion directly: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2) If we don’t talk about sin because we want people to feel “comfortable,” then we have abandoned the true Gospel. That’s not at all to say that sin is all we are to talk about. God’s promises are absolutely glorious and they are very real, but we must never forget that repentance is a firm requirement, for ourselves or for anyone else.

As I have written before, I was liberated from a habitual sin by something Peter wrote. “But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:9) I have learned that if I dwell on what I have done, I’m far more likely to do it again. God’s forgiveness and cleansing are real, but the devil lies to us and insists on dragging up things that have already been dealt with. It isn’t “Into bliss and out of blister,” as my grandfather used to put it, because it is a living out of the holiness that we have in Christ. As Paul said, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) In my efforts to win people I am never to gloss over the reality of sin or the need for repentance.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me be always fully responsive to what You want to say and do through me, so that Your truth may go forth undistorted, shattering the lies of the enemy and setting people free, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Humility; October 19, 2023

Posted on October 20, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 24:16 “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”

I wonder how many people feel this way? Or rather, actually live this way? This requires self-awareness without self-centeredness, and that is a tall order for most of us. We see examples all around us of people who seem to be the opposite, living totally for themselves and not realizing how obvious that is to those around them. I could give examples of various public figures but that wouldn’t be fair because, not only are there so many of them, we all have somewhat of this tendency. What is required is a fundamental humility that we could all use more of. We first of all have to acknowledge that we are created beings, and as such are accountable to our Creator. As Isaiah said, “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” (Isaiah 29:16) Some people formulate this into a philosophy of atheism, but even people who don’t go that far often complain to God about things instead of being faithful with what is placed at their disposal. We need to be aware of our Creator and striving to please Him, which is the attitude Paul is claiming here. We need to remember that we aren’t the center of the universe. The flip side of that is being aware also that we aren’t the only person in the universe, and that we are created to interact with the people around us. We can’t please all the people all the time (or fool all the people all the time) but as Paul said to the Romans, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) We are all born with a stubborn, self-centered streak, and we need to stand against it. (There are people who seem to be exceptions to this, but they are rare indeed.) We aren’t to make ourselves doormats, but we are to consider how our lives impact those around us and strive to be instruments of God’s blessing, rather than irritants. Some people have that irritating thing down to an art! We are to be true to what God shows us and not be controlled by people’s opinions, but we’re back to what Paul told the Romans. He had already written that letter before the events around today’s passage, so we know he practiced what he preached. He is certainly worthy of our emulation.

Of course I’m preaching to myself here, because this is an area in which we all need to keep growing. I’ve known of God from infancy, yet I have ignored Him more times than I could possibly count. I have been self-centered to the point of being an introvert, happy if I had books and maybe some machinery to tinker with, ignoring everyone around me. God fixed that one by pairing me with one of the most social, outgoing people on the planet, and after 54 years, a good bit (emphasis on the good) has rubbed off on me, to the point that some people are disbelieving when I say I’m an introvert. That said, I’ve still got plenty of room to grow. Pride still rears its ugly head, and I have to strive to keep a clear conscience, just like Paul did. That said, I have experienced that God is incredibly patient and gracious, and He keeps working in and on me so that He can work through me at times as well, and I am deeply grateful.

Father, thank You for this. When I started writing, I had no idea You were giving me the message for Sunday! Help me express what You are saying clearly, so that each person hearing may receive what You know they need, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Discrimination; October 18, 2023

Posted on October 20, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 22:22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

Human beings can be amazing, sometimes in good ways and sometimes in bad. This is a bad way! The level of prejudice expressed here is pretty remarkable. The initial uproar had been about false accusations that Paul had brought a Gentile into the temple, and all it took was the mention of Gentiles by him to trigger murderous intent. They listened rather quietly while he gave his testimony that indicated that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, but the moment he mentioned Gentiles, they wanted to tear him apart. We have just seen the mirror of this, sadly enough, with Hamas terrorists murdering babies simply because they were racially Jewish. This is horribly ugly whatever labels are used. Similar things have happened in India, with mob action against Christians simply because they were Christian. The devil is all about division and hatred, because he and the angels that followed him were cast out of heaven because of his pride that lusted after the worship that is due only to God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) In contrast, Jesus famously prayed for unity. (John 17) We need to be very careful about knee-jerk reactions against anyone, but be humble before God and realize that we are dependent on His grace. All discrimination comes from a desire to feel superior, when on a cosmic scale only God is superior.

I have encountered discrimination in various directions all my life, growing up as a Caucasian in Japan, as a missionary kid in a military dependents school, and in various other ways. And I can’t say I haven’t practiced it a bit myself. That last fact makes me all the more aware that we are all flawed and in need of grace. I’ve had to come to the awareness that I’m not capable of generating such loving grace on my own, so there too I am dependent on God. That said, I have also experienced God’s supply in this area, forgiving people who have been despiteful against me. I recently saw a video testimony of a now Messianic Jew who had been virulently anti-Christian, and he said he could imagine Jesus saying, “I want that one!” God loves to flip people around, and I’ve got to remember that He is more than capable of turning an enemy into a brother.

Father, thank You for this awareness. Thank You for how You have used me to demonstrate Your love to people, including the neighbor who died a couple of days ago, as well as to his children. Thank You that the children seem to recognize that love. I don’t know whether that neighbor cried out to You while he had the opportunity, but I pray that this experience would draw his children to do so, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Truth and Lies; October 17, 2023

Posted on October 18, 2023 by jgarrott

Acts 21:36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”

The whole story of Paul’s arrest is a perfect example of the reality that you can’t reason with terrorists or mobs. The “Jews from the province of Asia” (verse 27) were upset at Paul’s success in that pro­vince and so manufactured lies to whip up a mob against him, and they were sadly successful at that. We are seeing that sort of thing constantly all around us today, as unscrupulous people of various persuasions use all sorts of lies to whip people up about the subject of their choice. The whole pandemic thing was one example, when governments took a very real, though engineered, disease and used it to control whole populations with assertions that had little to no basis in actual scientific fact. Right now the world is in the middle of a war that the only real basis for it is antisemitism, but horrible suffering is the result. Rational statements are in danger of being drowned out by the uproar, just as they were at Paul’s arrest. Believers, and actually rational people of all stripes, need to step back and consider the bias of whatever “news” sources they have, and not be tricked into mob action. Jesus is the truth, (John 14:6) and God’s truth sets us free, (John 8:32) but the devil is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44) The devil is an expert at taking facts out of context and twisting them into lies to control and destroy people. As James said, we’ve got to submit to God and resist the devil. (James 4:7)

I’ve got to be as careful of this as anyone. I too am partial to “confirmation bias.” The problem is, we all like to be right, and so grasp onto things that make us feel our opinions were correct. I have strong opinions about a lot of things, but I’ve got to be humble enough to hear truth that contradicts those opinions. At the same time, I’ve got to remember that rational argument is useless in some situations. I need to speak the truth in love, but not be surprised when the truth produces opposition.

Father, I am really saddened at the way lies take over the narrative so often, but certainly not as much as You are. Help me stand in Your truth, and especially the truth that You are our Creator who loves us so much You sent Your Son to die as our Savior. Help me communicate that truth effectively to as many as will receive it, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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