Rewards; July 23, 2022

Posted on July 29, 2022 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 15:7 “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

I once heard a very moving message on this passage, but the speaker focused particularly on verse two, talking about what a simple prophecy it was, but how it had motivated Asa to do great things for the Lord. That’s true enough, but I think this verse that concludes the prophecy also had a lot to do with Asa’s response. It’s interesting to note that in the Japanese of this verse, “you” and “your” are both plural; this wasn’t just to the king, but to all who would join him in seeking God as it says in verse two. We humans are very prone to go into something with enthusiasm, but then give up when it gets difficult. That’s no way to grow, and it’s no way to get the deep satisfaction that every one of us desires. That’s one of the problems with society today: children aren’t taught to hang in there and do the hard stuff. This word of encouragement is something we all need. Jeremiah, Paul, John, and the writer of Hebrews all repeated this Word from the Lord, (Jeremiah 31:16, 1 Corinthians 3:8, 2 John 1:8, Hebrews 10:35) so we’d better take it to heart! We can’t accomplish anything strictly on our own, but when we apply what God has provided for us in obedience to Him, then we will absolutely be rewarded.

As a child I learned the satisfaction of completing projects I set for myself, but I wasn’t very good at responding to external demands. School was easy for me, and I didn’t really learn how to buckle down and study until I was in college. By God’s good grace I failed two subjects my Freshman year, even though I had tied for the highest SAT score of any entering student and was in the Honors curriculum. That taught me the very valuable lesson of not being presumptive! I’m very grateful that my parents never stopped me from attempting anything because it was too difficult, (they sometimes stopped me from doing things that were too dangerous, or even illegal) but I was never forced to take on external tasks, and that’s what led to my problems in college. In serving the Lord I’ve learned that it’s the tasks He sets for me, and not ones that I dream up for myself, that bring the satisfaction, and indeed the results. Going back to this verse, it does me very little good being strong if that’s being headstrong, not listening to what God is saying. I’m at the stage of my life when I do think about rewards, and particularly eternal rewards, and I know I have nothing to worry about. I would like to see more results with my physical eyes, but even if I don’t, I’m to rejoice to see them through the eyes of faith.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I deal with students all the time who don’t know how to apply themselves, and expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter. I pray for them that they may learn the joy and satisfaction of working hard for something, so that they may grow to be the people You intend them to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Relating to our Creator; July 22, 2022

Posted on July 28, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

We have a persistent tendency to feel like if we give something to God, He owes us. The fallacy in that is pointed out by David here. God is the Creator of absolutely everything, so nothing tangible has any real meaning as being “given to” God. What we can give to God, and what He desires, is actually intangible, but that doesn’t make it less valuable. What God desires of us is our love, devotion, honesty, and commitment. Those can be wrapped up in the term, worship, and Jesus said that God actively seeks those who will worship Him like that. (John 4:23) Imagine that! We can give God something He really wants! That awareness should fill us with joy, because He has given us so much. The thing is, our attitude toward material things has a big impact on us emotionally and spiritually, so giving back to God what He has provided should be an inviolable priority for us. Otherwise, our hearts will fixate on the material and value that instead of God, and as Paul famously said, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) When we succumb to materialism, we ascribe to the idea that “He who dies with the most toys wins.” However, as has been pointed out, that person is still dead! It really doesn’t matter how many “toys” we have. The point is to recognize that absolutely everything, including life itself, comes from our Creator, and so give Him the gratitude and obedience that He deserves. Like spoiled children, we tend to say, “He didn’t give me this thing I wanted, so He’s mean and I won’t play His game.” The foolishness of that is beyond words! There is much that we don’t have the “mental horsepower” to understand – not even Einstein did – but God has revealed His character to us in countless ways, so we can choose to love and trust Him. That is what He desires of us, and it is the only path to the glory for which we were created.

This is something I have known on some level for a long time, but my appreciation of it continues to deepen. I have seen God provide in ways that were definitely miraculous, even if they didn’t involve creating gold bars out of thin air. I have seen people with the assurance of eternal life leave this life with peace and joy, and I have seen people without that assurance leave this life with terror and desperation. There’s no question which is better! My own commission is to teach people about their Creator, so that as many as will may accept the eternal life that He offers. Doing that involves rearranging our priorities and our perspective, but that’s what we’re on this earth to do. Paul put it this way: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) That’s what I need to keep doing myself, and it’s what I need to lead others to do as well.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I feel like I have a lot of things to do today, and it makes me want to retreat and run away. Help me do each thing in turn, allowing You to set my schedule and give me the strength and wisdom for each task, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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The Joy of Giving; July 21, 2022

Posted on July 28, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 29:9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

For a people who love God, it is a joyful thing indeed when their leaders prioritize God and give to Him. We tend to rejoice when things are given to us, but it is a much purer joy when things are given to God. There was no personal greed in what is described here. In all honesty, there was probably some rivalry as to who could give how much, but that’s in a different category. There should be joy when we can give as well. In talking to the Ephesian elders on his way to Jerusalem, Paul quoted Jesus as saying something that isn’t recorded in any of the Gospels, yet seems very much in line with everything else Jesus said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) That was in the context of Paul himself having lived a giving life, rather than seeking to get material things for himself. We are taught by society to be covetous and envious, but that is a strategy of the devil. In God’s economy, the greater joy is in giving.

I will always be grateful for how my parents did Christmas presents. Rather than all the children tearing into their packages at once, we took turns, adults as well as children, opening one gift at a time. Every gift was understood as having come from someone specific, and thanks were to be expressed. I well remember my joy at seeing a gift I had chosen be opened and appreciated, even when the funds for the purchase of the gift had come from my parents. “Giver” is not a major motivational gift for me, (Romans 12:6-8) but I still get a lot of joy in seeing my gift meet another’s need. As a pastor, I am blessed indeed to see the people give to God, just as this passage describes. I realize that I have spoken on giving with more frequency in the past year than I have at any other time in my ministry, even when we were struggling to get this building and land paid for. God alone knows the reasons for that. I dreamed a few days ago about receiving a huge sum myself, and it wasn’t a particularly pleasant dream! I am to keep my priorities in line with God and His kingdom, delighting to be part of His “supply chain,” so that His will may be done on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do pray that everyone in my care would discover the joy of giving, not just to advance programs that You desire and intend, but for their own spiritual growth and blessing, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Worship Teams; July 20, 2022

Posted on July 24, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 16:41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the Lord, “for his love endures forever.”

This last part of the chapter doesn’t specifically reference the joy of the Lord, but it is certainly references the joyful activities of the day. Both books of Chronicles are written from the perspective of the Levites, and lists of names appear in several places. This particular section stands out to me because of names I’m familiar with from the attributions of Psalms, specifically Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun. In other words, David was far from being the only musician and poet involved here. I like what this verse says about “those chosen and designated by name.” In other words, the Worship Team was made up of people who were recognized as good, dedicated musicians by others, doubtless including David. Many churches today use worship teams, and that can be a very good thing. However, there are two major cautions involved. The first is that musicianship isn’t the only, or even the most important, qualification. If they are to lead worship, they must be genuine worshipers themselves. That relates closely to the second point, and that is that they aren’t to be performing, but rather leading the congregation to worship. Too many churches focus on a stage production, leaving the congregation as no more than the audience. That is hardly worship! Professional Christian musicians have the same issue: they are pleasing to God to the degree that they lead others to worship Him. Some get caught up in the same cult of personality that many secular musicians promote, and that can degenerate into a genuine abomination. There are indeed many examples of people who were brought to the Lord through being involved in worship teams, but they are definitely the exception. Non-believers should at the most be a small minority, and have no voice in such questions as the selection of music. As a side note here, the pastor should be the Chief Worshiper. They may not be a formal member of the worship team, but they too must remember that they are in the service to worship God. If they are focused on giving a good presentation of their sermon, then the probability of that sermon being the Word of the Lord to the congregation is very low indeed.

This is of course very close to home for me. It’s only been in fairly recent years that we have had worship teams other than Cathy and me. Worship through music is a joy and a delight to me, but I must be careful that it is genuine worship, and not showing off. Our younger daughter is the music minister in her church, on top of her “W-2 job.” Her other job does give her satisfaction and joy as well as income, but her heart is in raising up people to worship God. When she comes to visit us here, she has people who are already trained to lead effectively in worship. She’s far better at that than I am! I too desire to raise up a people who will worship God in spirit and in truth, not only in the church building but throughout their lives.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Thank You for all You have done in and through me in this area over the years. Thank You for the anticipation I have of worshiping You before Your throne! May I indeed be more and more effective in raising up disciples who will worship You as You desire and deserve, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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The Lordship of Jesus Christ; July 19, 2022

Posted on July 24, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 16:31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

In reading this I lost track of how many musical arrangements have been created with these words. This is certainly a glorious example of David’s gifting as a Psalmist before the Lord. That said, the words are more than just inspiring to sing. We need to let them sink into our minds and hearts, grasping the deep truths they represent. One thing that hinders that, I think, is the way we almost always represent YHWH, the covenant name of God, as LORD, and then we downgrade it to simply Lord. As came out just yesterday, Westerners have very little grasp of what monotheism really means. We forget, and many Christians don’t even know, that Baal is also translated Lord. We need to be very careful what Lord we serve! It is of utmost importance that the New Testament confession of faith for salvation is, “Jesus is Lord.” That’s what got so many believers killed, because the Roman Empire demanded that its subjects say, “Caesar is Lord,” and a genuine follower of Jesus Christ wouldn’t say that. This is an issue today in Moslem countries, as well as in communist ones like China and North Korea. A doctor from Shanghai recently told me that in his experience Chinese communism is a religion, which is why they crack down on every other religion. Western Christians can’t know how to deal with such things unless they genuinely understand the implications of their own confession, Jesus is Lord. To get back to this verse, it is actually a very joyful thing indeed that the Creator reigns, that He is Lord of the universe and there is no other. That’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “May Your name be acknowledged as holy. May Your rule and reign be established and Your will be done in the earth, just as it is in heaven.” When that is current reality, every problem disappears!

Japan is currently not a Christian nation by any means, and in recent years America has been getting very far from its Christian roots. I must never take anything for granted, but actively seek and proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every situation. I need to remember that I am an ambassador, a representative of the Kingdom of God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) My words and my actions are to be in full alignment with and submission to the will of my Lord. A Japanese pastor was recently elected to the Upper House of the Diet, and there are a number of ordained people in American politics. I don’t have any such title, but I must never discount my potential for influence, because God can do anything at all through anyone who is fully yielded to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I had a disturbing dream this morning of being given an astronomical amount of money. In the dream and even after waking up I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of it all. Help me remember that You have already provided the riches of glory, not to mention all authority in heaven and on earth, through Christ Jesus my Lord. Help me be the steward of that that You want me to be, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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The Name of the Lord; July 18, 2022

Posted on July 23, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 16:10 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

One thing about the Biblical period, and particularly that of the Old Testament, that we don’t identify with is the matter of rival gods. Missionaries of course deal with it, particularly in countries like India, but the average Westerner takes either monotheism or atheism as a matter of course. That removes the impact of the first half of this verse. The Japanese translates it as, “Make the Lord’s holy name your pride.” In other words, “We know Yahweh. How good is that?” In fact, we don’t understand all the fuss about “the Name of the Lord.” We just call Him God and are done with it! We have no emotional connection to other gods with other names. It’s actually a very big deal that the Moslem confession of faith is, “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” Put in Christian terms, we could be saying, “There is no God but Yahweh, and Jesus of Nazareth is His Son, the Messiah.” That would be obeying the first half of this verse! We don’t use the covenant name of God very often, largely, I think, because of the command not to take it in vain. (Exodus 20:7) We shouldn’t do it lightly, but I think we would profit from being more familiar with it, at the very least. The second half of the verse is of course why this passage came up under the theme of The Joy of the Lord, but the form leaves the question open as to whether this is a command or a prayer. The thing is, if we genuinely seek God we will find Him, just as He told Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 29:13) and encountering Him in repentance and faith brings unspeakable joy that can be had no other way. We miss out on so much joy because we fail to seek our Creator with all our heart. When we do fully encounter Him, He indeed becomes everything to us, as Dennis Jernigan put to music so memorably. Then we indeed “glory in His holy name.”

Growing up in Japan I was surrounded by other gods (and still am), but only a few names stuck with me. There were so many Shinto deities – the Japanese themselves call Japan “the land of 8 million gods” – that names tended to blur. Then, Buddhism claims there are no gods, but at the same time demands veneration of various “incarnations” of “the Buddha.” Early missionaries were at a loss as to what word to use for God. The early Catholics chose “Lord of Heaven,” which seems pretty good to me, but Protestants didn’t want to copy the Catholics and used the word that is applied to Shinto deities, when it is so broad as to mean essentially “spirit,” rather than any transcendent Being, and now we’re pretty much stuck with that, even though it doesn’t really click for the average Japanese. A few years ago a Bible translation came out that used Creator as the term for God. That’s theologically fine, but it becomes two words in Japanese and thus is awkward, keeping that translation from really catching on. I use the common Shinto word in song lyrics because of compactness, but in talking with individuals I often say Creator, particularly when explaining the concepts of accountability and sin, which are both very weak in Japanese culture. No language is perfect, but Francis Xavier, one of the first missionaries to Japan, said that Japanese was “A language invented by the devil to hinder the spread of the Gospel.” I can understand that feeling! I need to depend on the Holy Spirit at all times to communicate God’s Word through all the barriers, so that as many as will may repent and believe for their salvation.

Father, thank You for this reminder. The challenges are huge, but then they always have been. Likewise, nothing is too difficult for You, and it never has been. May I depend fully on You, so that indeed Your Name may be acknowledged as holy and Your rule and reign be established as Your will is done, as perfectly here as it is in heaven, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Listening to God; July 17, 2022

Posted on July 23, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Chronicles 15:13 “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”

The story of bringing the ark back to Jerusalem is familiar to most people who went to Sunday School. One of the biggest lessons to be taken from it is stated here: we need to do things God’s way. I’ve heard people say that God “wasn’t fair” in zapping Uzzah for trying to keep the ark from falling off the ox cart they used in the first attempt, (1 Chronicles 12:9-10) but the whole point was that they were in a sense trying to manipulate God, doing things however seemed good to them, instead of seeking God’s directions. Instructions for transporting the ark are given very clearly and repeatedly in the Pentateuch, which was the Bible they had at the time. I’m sure they thought they were doing a good thing, using a new cart and all that, but the point was that they didn’t seek God for what He had to say about it. People today might think, “God doesn’t talk to me,” but do they search the Bible to find out what He has already said about the subject in question? We don’t realize that failing to seek God is placing ourselves on God’s level, or even above Him. That’s exactly what Eve did in Eden, when she yielded to the devil’s lies about the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: she trusted her judgment over what God had clearly said. (Genesis 3:5-6) We need to do better than she did, and seek God first.

I will never forget the first time I heard God speak to me in what could have been an audible voice. I was driving at the time, worried about some issue and praying as I drove, begging God to speak to me and tell me what I needed to do, essentially praying non-stop. When I paused for breath, I heard the Lord say, with utmost clarity, “Well then, shut up.” I was so shocked, I’m thankful the Lord kept me from wrecking the car! When I recovered from the shock, I started laughing, realizing how silly I was to ask God to speak and then failing to be in a listening posture, and instead just rattling at Him. Some people have trouble believing God is really listening to us. I don’t think I’ve had that problem, but He’s certainly taught me to be active in listening to Him – not that I’ve done it that consistently. I have experienced Him speaking in what seemed like an audible voice a very few times, but feeling a very clear impression from Him is frequent, and I recognize His voice every time I open the Bible. I have received prophecy quite a few times and I have been used in prophecy many more. For that matter, I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve been praying out loud and been surprised and moved by the words that came from my mouth. God even uses my own voice to speak to me! As a pastor, I’m deeply grateful to be able to hear God myself, but I want that for every believer. I don’t want them dependent on me! I tell them frequently that God loves us all and speaks to us all, and I seek to teach them to listen.

Father, thank You for speaking to us so graciously, even grabbing our attention when necessary. Help me indeed listen constantly, consistently, and hearing, help me obey You completely, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Being Used by God; July 16, 2022

Posted on July 19, 2022 by jgarrott

1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord;
in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.

God works with imperfect people and imperfect circumstances. Hannah is often lifted up as a paragon of faith and dedication, but she was just as human as we are. It seems clear that the enemies she speaks of here at least include Penninah, her husband’s other wife. Her distress all along was as much over her status as a barren woman as it was over wanting to raise a child. It’s not that she didn’t love Samuel, but she was just as self-centered as we are. This is not to put her down, but to point out what I said at first: God works with what is available. Some years ago I heard it said that God isn’t looking for ability, He’s looking for availability. I have also heard it said that He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Those can seem like trite truisms, but they are far from it. The bigger you think you are, the harder it will be for God to use you. Jesus put it this way: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) The rich don’t see their need of God, and so aren’t likely to seek and receive salvation. They are far more likely to feel like God needs them, rather than the other way around! God is looking for people like the repentant tax collector that Jesus talked about. “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” (Luke 18:13) Hannah gave her son to God, and he was mightily used and she was greatly blessed as a result. Her motives weren’t perfect, but God accepted them and it all ended up being vitally important in His plan of salvation, since Samuel anointed David who was the progenitor of the Christ. We aren’t to keep picking at ourselves, but rather give ourselves to God as we are, and allow Him to clean us up.

Once again I am reminded of my father’s saying, “Give all you know of yourself to all you know of Christ. The more I know of myself, the less worthy I understand I am! And that makes God’s grace all the more amazing, because He does use me to bless others and bring glory to Himself. There was a time in my life when I was so prideful that I thought any church into which I walked was blessed indeed. That’s wrong on so many levels I can’t even name them all! When God gave me a glimpse of my heart after that I was absolutely devastated, but God knew I was a stinker to begin with! He exercised grace and patience to a degree I can’t measure, and here I am almost exactly 50 years later, still growing and still stumbling occasionally, but deeply grateful. God can use anyone!

Father, thank You for this insight and this reminder. I had never thought of how self-centered Hannah was. I ask You to use me to open other people’s eyes to how You want to use them, faults and all, so that we may be a willing, grateful people, fully available and useful to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Happiness; July 15, 2022

Posted on July 19, 2022 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 26:11 And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

It seems clear to me that “rejoice” here might be better interpreted as “enjoy.” In the overall context, the command was given repeatedly to share the bounty of the land with the Levites and the resident aliens, and that is what this seems to be talking about. From verse one of this chapter it is a very clear, explicit statement that all the good stuff comes from God. Here, God is saying to be happy about it all! From the next verse it talks more about the tithe being given away in the third year, and it also calls the tithe “the sacred portion,” whether it is consumed by the producer or given away. I think we’re back to the point of the tithe being a reminder that everything we have comes from God. When we lose sight of that, tithing becomes nothing more than a tax, and not an action of worship. God is our supply on every level whether we realize it or not, and the better we do realize it, the better we will enjoy and rejoice in it all. Pride of accomplishment isn’t a bad thing, but only if we realize that it is God who has enabled us to accomplish it. That makes it be more gratitude than pride per se. There are plenty of wealthy people who don’t genuinely enjoy what they have, because they don’t give God any credit and their pride and selfishness poisons it all. The way to enjoy blessings is to recognize where they came from! I really like a refrigerator magnet we had at one point that said, “Happiness is seeing a beautiful sunset and knowing Whom to thank.” Very true!

I really think this is a major key to my life. A psychology professor with whom I teach has commented repeatedly that I’m a very happy person. I would tend to agree! God has been incredibly gracious to me, in spite of my inadequate response to Him. That’s something to be glad and grateful for! I desire to respond to Him more and more accurately and fully, because I know that is the path of greatest blessing for me and glory for Him. I desire that each person in this church likewise recognize how good God has been to them, so that they too may respond in gratitude and obedience, and great joy. We have some who seem always to be anticipating negative things. That’s no way to be happy! Negative things come, just as Jesus said, (John 16:33) but when our focus is on Him, we can rejoice regardless.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I feel like I’ve got another message for the church! Help me know what to do with and about all the good stuff You show me, so that as many people as possible may be blessed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Giving to God; July 14, 2022

Posted on July 18, 2022 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.

This is an important principle that is also picked up in the New Testament. In fact, Jesus spoke to His disciples about it very pointedly as they were watching people give offerings at the temple. (Mark 12: 41-44) Paul also addressed the issue specifically when he said, “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12) It’s all a matter of heart attitude. I keep saying it, but we keep forgetting it: God doesn’t need anything we could give Him. What He does want is our hearts, as we recognize that everything we have comes from Him and give back to Him in proportion to His blessings to us. It should give us joy when our tithe increases, because that means God has given us more. I have known people who choked when their increased income meant a bigger calculated tithe, and they drew back from giving. That’s loving money instead of God!

I have rejoiced to be able to tithe for almost 50 years now, and in recent years we’ve increased that to 15%. God is good, even though my income hasn’t been as much as the available deductions for either the US or Japan for quite a few years. It is odd to me to feel so unhindered financially when I see others with much greater “cash flow” seeming to struggle. I can’t help but feel it’s because we have made God our first budget item for so long. I’m speaking on Money this Sunday. I don’t want to brag, but I do want to make it clear that God is in no way stingy. I want the believers to come to the liberty of the Holy Spirit in their giving, so that they may experience the abundance of God not just materially but in every other way as well. This is in no way “Prosperity Gospel,” but a simple matter of priorities, just as Jesus said. (Matthew 6:33)

Father, I’m always hesitant to speak on money and giving, out of a fear of what people will think of me. Help me take my own focus off of myself so that I will be effective in helping others focus on You, Your kingdom and Your righteousness, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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