God’s Guidance; August 8, 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022 by jgarrott

Psalm 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies–
make straight your way before me.

It’s interesting how word order in a sentence changes the feel of it, even when it doesn’t change the actual meaning. The Japanese renders this as, “O Lord, because there are those who lie in wait for me, lead me by Your righteousness. Please make Your way straight in front of me.” That doesn’t feel the same as the well-known musical setting of this verse! David had plenty of visible human enemies. We might have that, but even if we don’t we certainly have the devil who is always out to “steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10) And then we have our own ignorance and foolishness to contend with! We have plenty of reason to ask God for His guidance. With us, the perennial problem is whether we will follow God’s guidance when He gives it. That goes back to the verse I preached on just yesterday: “For God does speak–now one way, now another– though man may not perceive it.” (Job 33:14) God can be guiding very clearly, and we still decide to take a left turn! Men are notorious for not asking directions, but this problem doesn’t respect gender. It all boils down to pride, just as it did in the Garden of Eden, when Eve thought that disobeying God might make her be like God. (Genesis 3:5) Joy Dawson, who died recently, wrote an extremely helpful guide to hearing from God, and one of the main points was “dying to the issue about which you are praying.” In other words, completely surrendering the issue at hand to God. That’s more easily said than done! We have our own ideas and desires, and when God’s guidance conflicts with those we are all too likely to ignore God. We need to remember that we indeed have an enemy who is lying in wait for us, and his intentions are never good. With that awareness, we need to submit fully to the only One who can truly protect and guide us. (James 4:7)

I am eternally grateful for the way God has guided me, often in spite of myself. I referenced some of that in yesterday’s message! I have issues every day where my choices make a difference. I’m not to abandon the mind God has given me, but I must always remember that my mind is never enough. I need God’s guidance! However, I’m not to be anxious about it, but rest in the assurance that God will indeed guide me, if I will simply be quiet enough before Him to hear Him. I am fairly often asked for advice, for guidance if you will. I must not reject such requests, but always seek to point those who ask to the only One who can be completely trusted. I know that God has used me many times in such situations, but I must never presume I already have the answers. Guidance is ultimately God’s business, because only He knows the true destination and what we will encounter along the way.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for yesterday and all that You did in it. Thank You for today, and Your plans for it as well. My schedule looks very full, but You always make enough time for everything You intend for me to do. I do ask for discernment as I evaluate my Speech Therapy students this morning in their performance examination, that I would be fair and accurate. I ask also for skill and guidance as I set up my photo exhibit this afternoon, and also for things to go smoothly as Cathy meets the piano tuner this afternoon for him to evaluate the piano we received. May all of Your plans be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Physical Stewardship; August 7, 2022

Posted on August 11, 2022 by jgarrott

Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

This is a very important declaration of faith, particularly with the current increase in sleep disorders. Sleep has been an issue for as long as we have records, but these days people are not only busy, they have constant electronic distractions that can rob them of proper rest. David’s impediment to sleep was the fact that he had many enemies, some of them quite literally out to take his life. That would be true for some occupations today, particularly on the battlefield, but the ordinary “road warrior” often has sleep problems too, anxious about whether he will make his quota and earn enough commission to support his family. The answer to all such circumstances boils down to faith. We need to accept how little of our lives we actually control, and choose to trust the One who not only can control it all, He has our best interests at heart. What we can control is how we respond to all the distractions that are thrown our way. We don’t control the distractions as such, but we can control how we respond to them, turning devices off, limiting screen time, and that sort of thing. Many studies have shown the great importance of our sleep schedule in terms of physical and emotional health. Choosing to do all we can to get appropriate rest is part of the stewardship we owe our Creator. It’s like someone gave you a car but you only added fuel when necessary and never changed the oil or had other maintenance done. Not only would the car not last very long, the person who gave it to you would be none too happy either. The best maintenance plan for human beings is to seek the Manufacturer’s instructions and trust Him to follow through.

I learned automotive maintenance the hard way, starting from total ignorance. I knew that oil had to be added when low, but I had no idea it, and the filter, had to be changed periodically. I drove one car to the point that the oil filter was completely clogged, the oil couldn’t circulate and so boiled, and the engine block cracked and caught on fire. I certainly don’t want to do that with my body! I have had times of insomnia, but I have learned that choosing to thank and praise God in my heart as I lie in bed is far and away the best way to get to sleep. Verse four of this chapter is very applicable: “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” (Psalm 4:4) Any strong emotion can keep me awake, and failing to release it to God is sin. I need to let Jesus be Lord of every moment of my life, both internally and externally.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the good night’s sleep I just got! Help me be a good steward of everything You place in my hands, from my body to my time to my abilities to my possessions, so that Your purposes may be fulfilled for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Infinite God; August 6, 2022

Posted on August 11, 2022 by jgarrott

Psalm 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear
and rejoice with trembling.

This verse captures some of the complexity of fallible, finite creatures like us relating to an infinite, perfectly holy God. He doesn’t need us, but we can serve Him just the same. The awesomeness of His majesty is more than we can fully contemplate, but there is incredible joy in it. By very definition there are problems to the finite relating to the infinite, but God, being Love as well as being infinite, makes it possible anyway. However, ever since the Garden of Eden mankind has tended to take those issues lightly, presuming on God’s love and grace and assuming a level of equality with Him that is absurd even to think about. God, being Love, truly wants us to rejoice on many levels, but to do that fully we have to grasp just how amazing His grace really is. A Christian song from within the past few years says, “I am a friend of God,” based on John 15:15, but when we presume on that we get ourselves into deep trouble. As this verse says, we need to serve Him with fear and rejoice with trembling.

I could be a poster boy for this issue. I was raised to love Jesus and know that God loved me, and I am more than grateful for that. However, that didn’t translate into a sufficient fear of the Lord for too much of my life. I can’t say I’ve got it down perfectly even now. As a pastor I seek to help people understand God’s love for them, but to do that they’ve also got to understand how totally holy He is, and how hopeless they are without the atoning work of Christ on the cross. I’ve never been a “hellfire and brimstone” preacher, and in general I think such preaching is counterproductive, but I must not neglect teaching people about the penalty for sin, and specifically their sin. One of the messages from the Pastors’ Conference in June was on that subject, but I have been unable to resurrect it properly in my memory, and I have no recording of it. I need to be quiet enough before the Lord to let Him speak it directly to my heart, just as He caused it to resonate in the conference. I too need to serve Him with fear and rejoice with trembling!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for constantly working on more levels than I could possibly grasp. Help me not overthink things, but obey You fully and rejoice with childlike simplicity as Your child, purchased with the blood of the Lamb. Thank You. Praise God!

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Hearing God; August 5, 2022

Posted on August 10, 2022 by jgarrott

Job 33:14 “For God does speak–now one way, now another–
though man may not perceive it.”

Elihu is something of a mystery because he wasn’t one of Job’s “three friends,” and he appears suddenly from chapter 32 and gives a long discourse that runs all the way through chapter 37, longer even than the space given to the Lord, who is recorded from chapter 38 through 41. 32:6 calls him “son of Barakel the Buzite,” and says he was younger than Job and his friends (as does 32:4). He isn’t mentioned in the Lord’s rebuke of Job’s friends (42:7-9), so who is he? A young man in our church over 20 years ago was fascinated by Elihu because he was a young person speaking wisdom (which is how our church member liked to think of himself) and he advanced the idea that Elihu might have been a manifestation of Christ. I’m not at all sure about that, but he does speak some good truth. This particular verse is something I’ve tried to get through to people for as long as I’ve been in ministry. The world says that people who “hear from God” are mentally unstable at best, because the devil is terrified that we will learn to listen accurately to God and do exactly what He says. That is of course a huge lie, as is everything the devil does. You could say that learning to hear God and obey Him is our prime purpose in being on earth! Most of the ways God speaks that are listed in this chapter aren’t very pleasant, but God speaks in pleasant ways as well. He tells us of His love through the love of parents or other family members, for example. The devil wants us to be afraid to hear God, much as the Israelites were afraid at Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 20:18-19) Moses said that was to teach them to obey God, (Exodus 20:20) but the devil distorts that to make us not want to hear God at all. And then there are the lying spirits that do such things as tell mothers to kill their children, all the while claiming to be God. If you’re afraid you’ll mishear God, then immerse yourself in the Bible; He’s not going to contradict Himself!

The idea of hearing God has never seemed strange to me, but then my upbringing wasn’t exactly ordinary, being an MK and all. I have long thought, and stated, that the first time I heard God speak to me in what might as well have been an audible voice was about 35 years ago, but I now realize He, or at least an angel, was who said “Don’t do that” when I was seriously attempting suicide as a college student. Distinct voices like that have indeed been rare for me, but looking back I can see that God has spoken to me countless times in various ways, and I’m deeply grateful. I only wish I had been more obedient! I remember one time when I had been praying in tongues by myself for a while and I asked the Lord for the interpretation. I’m not sure if what followed was an interpretation as such, but I was blown out of the water by the words that came from my mouth, as God told me He was pleased with me and my faithfulness, and He would use me. I am at times sharply aware of my weakness and foolishness, but God is strong enough and wise enough to use even me, so that’s more than enough reason to listen to Him as well as I can.

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace and faithfulness. That You would care so much about such insignificant creatures as we are is indeed mind boggling. Help me communicate Your love and grace effectively to those around me, so that they too may learn to be aware of You speaking to them, and respond with gratitude, obedience, and joy. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Accountability; August 4, 2022

Posted on August 10, 2022 by jgarrott

Job 22:21-22 “Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.
Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.

As came out yesterday, the problem with Job’s friends was not that what they said was wrong so much as that it wasn’t submitted to God before it was said, and then spoken in love. Eliphaz’s remarks in this chapter are true enough, but they are spoken down to Job, when it is clear that Eliphaz himself didn’t have an intimate relationship with his Creator. “Conventional religion” is entirely prone to becoming a matter of slogans and prescribed steps, when God desires our hearts so that He may express His heart to those around us through us. That said, His heart isn’t weak in the least, and at times He can be a rather strict parent, so we must not confuse His grace for permission to do whatever we like. The Book of Job as a whole is an exposition of Jesus’ statement that “In this world you will have trouble,” (John 16:33) as I brought up two days ago. We aren’t to let the troubles of living in a fallen world distract us from the reality that God is our Creator, and He loves us.

I have been convinced of God’s love for as long as I can remember, but that doesn’t mean I’ve always walked in obedience to Him. I had the huge advantage of living with parents who lived out their faith on virtually every level. They weren’t perfect any more than I am, but their commitment was complete, and I was greatly blessed by that. However, there were things I could “get away with” in living with them, and I tried to “get away with” things in relation to God as well. That doesn’t work! As Paul said very clearly, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12) Jesus went so far as to say we are accountable for every word we speak! (Matthew 12:36) Being definitely a man of words myself, that hits close to home! I need to be very careful that my words aren’t speaking down to my hearers, but rather lifting them up, even when they are words of correction. I’m giving a final examination to one of my classes this morning. Such things are definitely a type of formalized accountability. Even now I can predict with a high degree of accuracy which students will do well and which not, not so much for their performance in class as their attitude. The subject is Medical English, which will be important to them as medical professionals whether they like that fact or not. I too have things I have to deal with that are important whether I’m happy with that fact or not! I am to deal with my students with compassion, but still grade their tests fairly, knowing that’s how God deals with me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I hadn’t expected it! Thank You for knowing what I need to hear when, and for speaking to me so faithfully. May I apply and live out all that You say to me, and not deceive myself (James 1:22) but act as Your agent for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Job’s Friends; August 3, 2022

Posted on August 9, 2022 by jgarrott

Job 8:20-21 “Surely God does not reject a blameless man
or strengthen the hands of evildoers.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.”

The big problem with Job’s friends was that they spoke truisms rather than experienced truth, platitudes rather than comfort. Not having experienced what he was going through, they spoke down to him, effectively pushing him further down rather than lifting him up. That remains a problem for us today. It is all too easy to pontificate on the basis of theory, when what we all need is God’s truth worked out through human experience. We tend to do on many levels what we see going on in politics around the world at this point. Lots of governments are acting on the basis of theories that seem nice and sound logical in an academic setting, but their results are disastrous in practice. Much of Europe is in an energy famine because of the political situation with Russia, brought on by their simplistic “green” theories about climate change. America has that as well, along with the contrast of essentially the opposite situation of just three years ago. All of that is on the macro level, but we have the same tendency on the interpersonal level as well, just as Job’s friends did. Life is messy, and if we’re not careful it’s easy to lose sight of God’s fundamental truths. In ministering to one another and in dealing with ourselves, for that matter, it’s important to say, “I don’t know,” whenever that is appropriate. We need to discern and hang onto God’s truths, starting with His holiness, grace, and love. Most of life is not in black and white, but that doesn’t mean at all that there is no distinction between right and wrong. It is better to be in the place of Job, suffering and all, than in the place of his friends, unmoored from God’s character.

I recognize myself in Job’s friends far more than I would like. I am very familiar with the Bible, having read it through for the first time by the time I was 10 and then many times since, in quite a few translations. I’ve got all the theories down pat! I am all too prone to make pronouncements, preaching at the drop of a hat, when people need the touch of God’s love. As Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians 13, preaching and even martyrdom are meaningless without love. At the same time, I need to be careful that I don’t descend into humanistic love that excuses instead of forgives. Many people have been tripped up by that, and I don’t want to join their number. I need to speak God’s truth in God’s love, and I certainly can’t do it in my own strength. However, God can and will do it through me, if I will be yielded to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that I could minister to the brother who lost his wife last week. Thinking about my own situation brought his into sharp focus. Help me see everyone around me through Your eyes and be Your agent to them, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Job’s Joy; August 2, 2022

Posted on August 9, 2022 by jgarrott

Job 6:10 Then I would still have this consolation–
my joy in unrelenting pain–
that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Job went through a lot. Whether he actually existed or whether the book was written as an extended parable we can’t be sure at this point, but his name is synonymous with unearned suffering even today. However, he did earn for himself the joy he mentions here, as God Himself acknowledges at the end of the book. (Job 42:7) There is a satisfaction and a peace to integrity that can be had no other way. Jesus referenced this directly, in one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Whatever happens to us in this life, and it can be horrendous, we can still aim for what I would call Job’s joy: the joy of faithfulness to our Creator. That joy has been experienced by martyrs down through the centuries, and it is available to all believers even if they aren’t called to such terrible suffering. In last month’s interdenominational Early Morning Prayer meeting, the speaker talked about a woman to whom he had ministered many years ago who suffered horribly with leukemia. She had called him in the middle of the night, telling him how she had just come down from the roof of the hospital, having gone up there with the idea of jumping to her death in order to end her suffering. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he quoted Luke 9:23 to her: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” She took that to heart and the difference was dramatic. She became positively radiant with joy, and the hospital staff, as well as her family, were amazed. In less than two weeks, God took her to be with Him, and her joy was indeed complete. She truly discovered Job’s joy!

I haven’t had anything approaching Job’s sufferings but my wife has, and her faithfulness is an inspiration to many. I cannot say how I would respond to her level of physical and emotional pain, but it is certainly a blessing to me to live with her. She manages to be positively magnetic in her approach to life, and she accomplishes far more than most people with half her problems. People are drawn to her to a degree that is occasionally even inconvenient! I am honored beyond words that she has chosen to live her life with me, and I get to see and hear God through her, even when she isn’t aware that is happening. Her faithfulness to her Lord is an example and inspiration to all who know her, and I get to live with her 24/7!

Father, none of us would choose suffering, and we never fully understand it. Thank You that Your thoughts and ways are indeed far above ours. (Isaiah 55:9) Whatever I experience in however long You keep me here, help me indeed walk in Job’s joy, as an example to those around me and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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The Book of Esther; August 1, 2022

Posted on August 4, 2022 by jgarrott

Esther 9:26 Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.

The Book of Esther commemorates a major event in Jewish history, but it is the only book in the Bible that never mentions the name of God. It is certainly a tale of God’s deliverance, but God’s hand in it all is implied rather than expressed. The “mover and shaker” in the story is Mordecai, who had raised Esther because she was an orphan after the fall of Jerusalem. (Esther 2:7) For believers today, the high point in the story comes at the end of chapter 4, when Mordecai tells Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” And she responds, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:14, 16) Of course the result is a great deliverance for the Jews in Persia, resulting in the only Jewish holiday that is not mandated in the Pentateuch. As this verse indicates, even the name isn’t from Hebrew, and so needed to be explained. All of that aside, the fact remains that this was a miraculous deliverance, reversing the plot of someone who was obviously inspired by the devil and turning it around for blessing for the Jews. This certainly brings to mind Romans 8:28! Not all of God’s miracles are overtly “religious.” We need to have open hearts and eyes to see Him at work and give Him the credit He is due.

God has worked for my blessing in countless ways, and probably the vast majority of them would not be recognized as “acts of God” by anyone without faith. I am not to fall into a secular mindset, but remember constantly that God is intimately interested and involved in His creation, and specifically in my life. After all, Jesus said that He even keeps track of how many hairs I have on my head! (Matthew 10:30) I am to make use of the opportunities God gives me to point out His works to those around me who don’t know Him, so that they too may have their eyes opened to see and recognize Him, and turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Father, thank You indeed for the opportunities You give me to testify of Your goodness. Thank You for all the testimonies that were given in the service yesterday, and especially for the man who came and seemed to enjoy everything so much. He seems hungry for You, and that’s exciting. I pray that he would quickly commit his life to You, the only One who can save him, so that he may join us in Your family and in turn draw many others as well, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Leadership; July 31, 2022

Posted on August 3, 2022 by jgarrott

Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

It is interesting, and meaningful, that Nehemiah specifies that God had given the people great joy. There was joy in accomplishment, but this was more than that, a recognition that God had acted on their behalf and rescued the city that bore His name. Nehemiah specifically includes all gender and age groups in his description, in addition to naming the leaders to a degree that tangles the tongues of non-Hebrew speakers. A few of the names we recognize, such as Ezra, but most are complete unknowns to us. Nehemiah, however, was careful to give credit, showing how and why he was such an effective leader. And throughout his account, Nehemiah gives God the credit, from the first to the last. That’s why this brief book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to grow in leadership. God gives each of His children different gifts, and Nehemiah was bountifully blessed in that of leadership. (Romans 12:6-8)

I have never felt I was particularly gifted in leadership, and indeed in Motivational Gifts testing (based on Romans 12) I come out quite low in that area. I am prone not to give credit properly, just as I am not very good at delegation. However, I am growing, and I would say I am a better leader now than I used to be. The past two days have been a reminder of the difficulties of going it alone, since we had a death in the church and none of the other church members were free to help out. The load on Cathy and me was quite heavy! However, the Lord got us through, and the family involved was blessed. I think the non-Christians were actively drawn toward faith, particularly as the Lord gave me multiple opportunities to speak His truth to them, and not just from the pulpit. I do pray that the seeds that were sown would bear abundant fruit for eternal life, for the whole extended family to be drawn into the family of God.

Father, I do thank You for all that You did over the past three days, actually. I continue to pray Your comfort for the widower and his children in particular, and I pray that my leadership, in the church and otherwise, would consistently lead people to Christ, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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God’s Joy; July 30, 2022

Posted on August 3, 2022 by jgarrott

Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

This is a very famous phrase, rightly enough, but the Japanese translation flips the meaning in a way that is quite possible from the English, but it’s hardly ever understood that way. To rephrase it in English, it says, “The Lord rejoices in your strength.” We take it as, “When you rejoice in the Lord, you are strong.” The interesting thing is, that last understanding has been the experience of countless believers down through the centuries. Part of the reason for that is in a quote from Henry Ford that my brother-in-law (a retired professor of Engineering) has as his standard email sign-off: “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” When we focus on God and rejoice in Him, we allow His power to flow through us, but when we focus on our problems and our abilities, we essentially turn our backs on God. Only hubris can keep us from seeing the logic and the truth in that. The people here had been weeping because they understood how badly they and their ancestors had ignored God’s rules, and Nehemiah is telling them to shift their focus to God Himself, and off of how badly they had blown it. Essentially he’s saying, “God’s happy, so you be happy too!” This is something we all need to be reminded of occasionally. We get bogged down in our circumstances and our mistakes, and forget to look up and see the God who isn’t surprised by anything and who loves us anyway.

This is something I need to remember as much as anyone. I too am immensely prone to being self-centered, failing to look to God and so failing to really see the people around me. With one of our members who has been in a nursing home dying Thursday afternoon, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden preparations for the wake last night and the funeral that will be this morning. However, the Lord’s presence was clear and strong yesterday, and I know He will carry me through today as well. He gave me a beautiful opportunity to witness to the deceased’s two sons-in-law on a personal basis, and they seemed to receive it well. Today He will give me opportunities as His representative both in the funeral and later at the crematorium. (Japanese families wait while the cremation is taking place, and take the ashes home with them.) By God’s perfect plan tomorrow is a 5th Sunday, so I won’t be preaching and so don’t have to worry about a sermon. I will certainly have a testimony to give, though! When we fix our focus properly on the Lord, we can indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in Him.

Father, thank You for continuing to teach and train me. Help me genuinely learn it all, to grow more and more into the likeness of Your Son. I do pray for the widower and their children and grandchildren. May Your Spirit rest on them all, comforting them in this time and bringing those who aren’t yet committed to You to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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