Faith; January 11, 2022

Posted on January 13, 2022 by jgarrott

John 11:40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

This whole story is loaded with marvelous quotations of Jesus. I’m so thankful that John went to the trouble of writing his Gospel to add this sort of thing to the record, even though Matthew, Mark, and Luke had already been circulating for a few years. I’m reminded of one preacher who, to emphasize the depth of a period of depression and burnout that he had experienced, said, “I couldn’t even get a message out of JOHN!” It is indeed easy, and delightful, to open this Gospel almost anywhere and share the Word of the Lord. This particular statement by Jesus has two elements: our faith, and God’s glory. God’s glory is unchanging, and essentially infinite. Our faith, however, is another story. We may think, and probably do, that we would like to see the glory of God, but our lack of faith often blinds us, not only to God’s glory but to all sorts of things about Him and what He is doing. I am personally convinced that there is no such thing as a “coincidence.” Causative factors are almost without limit, but nothing “just happens.” Thinking too deeply about that quickly exceeds the limits of human intellect and understanding, but a study of the “if … then” statements in the Bible can go a long way in growing our hearts. Faith is enormously important, but we are quick either to discount it or to get it confused with wishful thinking. A study of the lives of the apostles should help clear that up. Their faith was exemplary and they did many miracles, but their lives were far from easy, and all but John left this world as martyrs. Faith is a gift, but it is also a choice, and must be exercised to be effective.

This is certainly preaching to me! I have complete assurance about a number of things, but my faith often comes up a little short in various details. It just occurred to me that faith is an example of quantum physics, in which something can be either plus or minus or both at the same time. Like the father of the epileptic boy, I am forced to cry out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) I think Peter alone recorded that particular quote because he identified with it so strongly, having literally walked on water, but also having denied that he even knew Jesus. I have moments when my faith is a strong encouragement to those around me, and also moments when it’s no stronger than wet toilet paper. The marvelous thing is that the result of my faith isn’t dependent on me, but on Whom I believe. Like Paul, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) That, ultimately, gives me all the peace I need. I just need to remember it!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed walk in the faith You have provided for me, accepting it and exercising it, so that Your glory may be manifested. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God Meeting Needs; January 10, 2022

Posted on January 13, 2022 by jgarrott

Luke 24:33-34 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

Paul also notes that after His resurrection Jesus revealed Himself to Peter first among His male disciples, (1 Corinthians 15:5) but we should also remember that Mary Magdalene was actually the first of His followers to see Him. (John 20:10-18) Women were definitely “2nd class citizens” in those days, but Jesus elevated them to a degree that was shocking to those around Him, and eventually transforming to society. While many rabbis were insisting that females shouldn’t be educated at all, Jesus welcomed Mary of Bethany to sit at His feet along with the male disciples. (Luke 10:38-42) The thing is, Jesus knew what each person’s need was, and met it. Mary Magdalene was one of those who had watched Jesus’ burial and was prepared to anoint His corpse, only to discover He wasn’t in the tomb. Peter was the one who had actively denied that he even knew Jesus, and was totally torn up over that fact. Jesus knew that Peter needed a special touch in order to believe he really could be forgiven, so Jesus granted him that. Don Francisco’s song, He’s Alive! is a powerfully moving dramatization of that encounter that I believe is probably very accurate, even though we have no description of it in the Bible. Mark is the record of Peter’s recollections, but I don’t think Peter wanted to draw extra attention to himself, so he didn’t describe that particular experience. What we need to remember is that as Jesus said, God knows exactly what we need, so we need to trust Him. (Matthew 6:8)

I’ve had many experiences of God knowing what I needed better than I did, and meeting the specific need. I’ve also had many experiences of being sure I needed something when God said otherwise, and provided something that actually was better. Yesterday in the service we had a total, and blessed, surprise when a couple came in who were strangers to us. When they introduced themselves after the service we found that they are dedicated Christians from another prefecture, moving here because of the husband’s job transfer. The wife has been active in their church’s music ministry, teaching voice and leading a Gospel choir. They expect to be here a minimum of five years, and were familiar with our church from having found us on the Internet. It was a fascinating confirmation of God’s plan that I said things in the message that matched perfectly a new direction their home church is taking in this year! The wife and their son will actually be moving here at the end of the school year in March, but the husband has already started work, and they have already located a house, rather than the company-provided apartment where the husband is right now. They will meet a need we were very aware of, but had no idea how to fill. God knew! As He told me many years ago, I just need to rest, relax, and rejoice!

Father, thank You for Your overwhelming grace. May I respond to that grace as You want me to, fulfilling all of Your purposes for me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Acting in Faith; January 9, 2022

Posted on January 12, 2022 by jgarrott

Luke 17:14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

I have always loved this story, and it teaches us several things. In the first place, these 10 men were respectful, staying at a distance but addressing Jesus with terms of honor and respect. They had obviously heard stories of Jesus healing people, and it would seem they sought Him out, filled with hope. Jesus’ response wasn’t what we might expect today, going to them  and either laying hands on them or commanding the disease to leave, or both. Rather, He simply told them to do what was required for them to be certified as healed, and in faith and hope they obeyed. That is the point of this verse. If they had set conditions on their healing, wanting Him to do something dramatic, they probably would not have been healed. The simple act of obedience based on faith was powerful indeed. We are prone to ask God for things but fail to believe that He has provided them. James’ remarks on the subject come to mind. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” (James 1:5-8) Of course, that also brings us face to face with the quality of our faith. Peter got out of the boat and took steps on the water, but as soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. (Matthew 14:25-31) We have to cry out with the father of the epileptic boy, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Going back to James, he was very strong on people demonstrating their faith by their actions. That’s what these 10 men did, and we would do well to learn from them.

I have had times of acting in faith and seeing God come through, and I have had times of presumption, substituting wishful thinking for genuine faith. That difference can be subtle, and can really trip me up! I need to remember that on my own I am unreliable, but God can keep me straight if I will let Him. I need to remember Jude’s glorious benediction: “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25) I am not to doubt my own faith – which seems like a contradiction in terms, but it’s based on the reality that faith itself is a gracious gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Just yesterday I was remarking that I had lost my “joy of living,” but that comes entirely from taking my eyes off of my Lord, however unconsciously. I am to fix my eyes on Him, (Hebrews 12:2) and rejoice that He is going to bring everything to a glorious conclusion.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I needed it! Thank You for the assurance You’ve given me as to some of our activities for the next couple of months. Help me neither run ahead nor lag behind, but walk in step with Your Spirit so that Your will may be done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Serving God; January 8, 2022

Posted on January 11, 2022 by jgarrott

Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”

I don’t remember how many years ago this first struck me, but it has stayed with me since. We rebel at the idea of being owned, but Paul has some pointed words on the subject. “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16) Slavery was very much a part of society in New Testament days, and everyone understood the concept. Sadly enough, there are actually more slaves today than at any time in history, but it is being done “under the radar,” so to speak. One of the ironies of human existence is that we are truly free only when we are fully obedient to our Creator. He owns us in point of fact, and the better we realize that, the more fulfilled and happier we will be.

With all of that in mind, what grips me about this verse is my awareness of how partially I have done what God wanted of me. My greatest desire is to hear Him say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) but I am very aware of times when I have gone only part way, or have even gone off on a tangent entirely. On my own, I’m not entitled to even a pat on the head, much less the riches of glory that God has prepared for me in Christ. As Jesus says here, I’m not to be focused on rewards but on obedience. That’s what brings the best rewards!

Father, this is much less than I usually write, but the message is a simple one. Help me apply it fully. May I be a reliable servant, fully trustworthy, so that Your purposes may be accomplished through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Savior; January 7, 2022

Posted on January 11, 2022 by jgarrott

Luke 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

This verse jumped out at me because of yesterday’s reading, where Jesus says that His blood is to be “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28) The meaning of His name is specified in Matthew, where the angel tells Joseph in a dream, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Yeshua, the Hebrew form of Jesus, means, “Yahweh is salvation.” That He was to be named that was indeed stated by Gabriel at the Annunciation. (Luke 1:31) Everything about Jesus, from before the Incarnation through right now, when He is interceding for us, (Hebrews 7:25) is focused on our salvation. He is indeed “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) If we grasp this about Him, then the only logical course is to acknow­ledge Him as Lord. Indeed, the Japanese word for “Savior” is specifically, “Saving Lord.” Further meanings for the character “Lord” include “owner” and “main/chief.” English speakers sometimes separate “accepting Jesus as your Savior” and “making Jesus your Lord,” but that doesn’t work in Japanese, and I personally think it is an impossibility. Either Jesus is your Lord, or He isn’t your Savior. It’s not that our attitude changes His character, it’s that salvation includes submission to His Lordship. As someone was pointing out on Facebook just yesterday, the irony of human free will is that we are truly free only when we choose to do God’s will! We want to “be saved” and at the same time do our own thing, but that doesn’t work. None of us follows Christ perfectly in this life, but our heart commitment must be to Him, His kingdom and His righteousness.

This is the central point not only of my life but of that of every human being. As Paul wrote to Timothy, God desires the salvation of everyone, (1 Timothy 2:4) so that is to be my focus as well. I cannot rightly claim to be a follower of Christ and not care about the salvation of others. At the same time, I’m not to beat myself up over those who fail to accept the salvation that God offers through me. It is reasonable to be saddened by such refusals, and spiritual warfare is to be done on behalf of such people, but the outcome is ultimately between them and God. I’m reminded of a quote I heard recently from Donald Trump, of all people. “Our country has a Savior, and it’s not me.” I must never descend into a “Messiah complex,” thinking that I myself can save anyone. At the same time, I’m to keep myself available for God to use me in saving people, because He can use anybody or anything. Yeshua is Lord indeed!

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do pray for the sadly confused person who called me yesterday. I pray that Your truth would indeed penetrate their heart and cancel the lies of the enemy so that they would be set free indeed, receiving Your full salvation for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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The Blood of Jesus; January 6, 2022

Posted on January 10, 2022 by jgarrott

Matthew 26:27-28 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

In this church we almost exclusively use Paul’s retelling of this scene, from 1 Corinthians 11, which he obviously had learned from those who had been present, but this is the account of someone who was in the room at the time. Paul specifies Jesus giving thanks before breaking the bread, as does Matthew, but he isn’t so explicit about the cup, as Matthew is here. It is the further detail about the cup that strikes me right now. We aren’t used to the idea of killing a lamb to seal a covenant, but it was a common concept in Old Testament times, as Hebrews 9 explains in some detail. Jesus was literally giving thanks that His blood was going to be poured out for the forgiveness of sins. I don’t think we can really grasp the full magnitude of what Jesus did for us. God does reveal it to us in degrees, sometimes in a flash of revelation, but our minds are too small to contain it all. This is something we need to come back to again and again, falling at Jesus’ feet in gratitude and adoration for His incredible love and grace. I’m reminded of the prostitute who wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. (Luke 7:36-48) It isn’t until we grasp how much we need forgiveness that we receive that forgiveness in full. It isn’t until we grasp how necessary the cross was that we receive all its benefits. As Jesus taught in His story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, (Luke 18:9-14) those who don’t understand they need forgiveness don’t receive it. We don’t need to run out and do something horrible just to understand that we are sinners, we need to understand that we already are sinners, unfit to lift our face to God because of our attitudes and actions, even if we are thought to be exemplary by our peers, as was the Pharisee in Jesus’ story.

I’m preaching to myself here. Even after God gave me a glimpse of the blackness of my own heart, way back in 1972, I have still had times of feeling self-satisfied, insufficiently grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice. I’m not to be constantly picking at myself, but I am to have the constant awareness that it is only by the grace of God that I stand. I should so live that I can say with Paul, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:4) When I deal with others, I am never to look down on them as did the Pharisee in Jesus’ story, but rather recognize that Jesus’ blood was as essential for me as for them; none of us have any hope apart from Christ. I will not be effective in persuading others to accept Jesus’ salvation if I am not fully grateful for it myself.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the person I encountered just recently who had been told they were “too sinful to be a good Buddhist,” but who was hungry for salvation. I pray that our interaction with them, along with the materials I gave them, would enable them to believe and receive, as a shining example to all who know them and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Provision; January 5, 2022

Posted on January 10, 2022 by jgarrott

Matthew 15:36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

It is of major importance that, as multiple Gospels record, Jesus performed a major miracle of provision twice, and not just once. We get anxious about all sorts of things, but few things do that more thoroughly than not having enough to eat. Jesus had already taught very clearly and explicitly on the subject: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33) The crowd gathered on this occasion was seeking Jesus ahead of anything else, so Jesus met their physical needs as well. It is also worth noting that both here and in the first instance of miraculous provision of food (Matthew 14:13-21) Jesus gave thanks for the seemingly insufficient supply, before He multiplied it. If we fail to be thankful for what we do have, why would God give us any more? Ingratitude blinds us to what God has already given us in His grace, and it also tends to blind us to what He is wanting to give us. Gratitude is the key to many of the good things in life, and it is entirely up to us. We can choose to be grateful in any circumstances, even if it’s just being grateful that what we’re going through isn’t going to last forever. Such gratitude blunts the pain, spreads the peace, and multiplies the joy. An entitlement mentality is a horrible curse, and it’s currently endemic in much of the world. When we think we deserve all the good things we already have, we not only won’t be grateful for them, we’ll be resentful that we don’t have more. I doubt any of the multitude who were fed on this occasion complained about the lack of vegetables!

I’m thankful that I was raised with an awareness of this principle. Two things stand out in my memory of how my parents raised me in relation to this. The first was that if a food appeared on the table, I had to eat at least some of it. I still don’t like liver, but I love the onions that were cooked with it! As a result I have few strong dislikes when it comes to food, and can enjoy a wide variety of dishes. The other was that we had a firm principle that gifts came from someone, and that person was to be thanked, whatever we thought of the gift. Our Christmas mornings were deeply gratifying as each person opened a gift in turn, and we all took note of who that gift came from. I very early learned that it was more joyful to have someone be delighted with a gift I had chosen for them than it was to receive something myself. Gratitude among people blesses both parties! At this point in my life, if I start taking inventory of all that God has provided for me there’s literally no end to it! I have every reason to be grateful, and I must not let momentary disappointments rob me of the blessings involved with that.

Father, thank You for Your overwhelming provision of everything, from life itself all the way down to such things as tissues to blow my nose. May I be the steward You want me to be of all of that, doing with it what You intend, so that Your purposes may be fulfilled in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Commitment; January 4, 2022

Posted on January 9, 2022 by jgarrott

Matt 14:14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Jesus’ level of dedication is shown by far more than what we call Passion Week. Here, He had just heard of His relative John being beheaded in prison, and He wanted some time to Himself. However, when presented with many people in need, He met their needs rather than focusing on Himself. The only time He had to Himself was how­ever long He was on that boat, but that couldn’t have been very long. In contrast, we get upset when our schedules are interfered with and generally focus on ourselves, period. It is indeed important to take care of yourself, and that is an essential part of our stewardship of what God has provided to us, but when our focus is on ourselves we miss a great deal of what God intends for us. Some people take pride in being driven, saying “I’d rather burn out than rust out,” but too often that isn’t out of obedience but rather pride, wanting to see themselves as essential. We aren’t to insist on being used, but we are to hold ourselves available for whatever God wants to do with us, knowing that His rewards are always better than whatever we had dreamed up for ourselves.

I’m in the middle of more training in this area. Yesterday we were able to do some good ministry, but it was a long day and I had my own ideas of how I wanted the evening to go. However, God had other plans, and ministry by electronic means continued. In the process of that, I discovered that I had never taken my phone off of “mute” after the service on Sunday, and so had missed some important communication. And in all of that, it worked out that I will be getting calls this morning, when I am to be involved in various other things. By the time I went to bed I was not in good shape emotionally, and the fault ultimately lay with me and my reactions. I am forever telling people that selfishness/self-centeredness  never leads to genuine happiness, but I get caught up in it myself! I am not to resent calls on my time, but rather give all of my time to God, since He has given it to me in the first place. I am not to be surprised at my mistakes, such as failing to take my phone off of mute, but rejoice to be reminded of my own foolishness and fallibility, so that when I do things right I may remember that I have done so only by the grace of God. I have always delighted in unexpected “divine appointments,” but I need to rejoice also at the ones that feel like impositions in the moment. At the same time, I’m not to neglect myself, physically or emotionally. My father died at 64, and his failure to take time for personal maintenance was a big factor in that. I sometimes wonder how much else he might have done for the Body of Christ had he lived longer. I’m not to skimp on maintenance, but my focus is to be on doing whatever God has for me in that moment, for His glory alone.

Father, thank You for this reminder. As I said to Cathy last night, I don’t like being emotionally fragile. However, that too is pride. Help me recognize, on the deepest level, that I can indeed do nothing apart from Christ Jesus my Lord, (John 15:4) and so stay fully connected, doing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Idolatry; January 3, 2022

Posted on January 9, 2022 by jgarrott

Jonah 2:8 Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

This is a very profound and true statement that deserves a lot of thought. Jonah himself was probably thinking of literal idols, statues to be worshiped, but this is actually much broader and deeper than that. An idol can be anything that takes the place of God in your heart. For some that is money, for some it is “science,” (I put that in quotes, because genuine science is not like that) for some it is personal power and prestige, and the list could go on and on. Clinging to anything ahead of God, even your own family or your own life, is ultimately a loss for you. It’s not that God is mean or is an egomaniac, it’s just that our hearts have to be lined up with Him to receive all that He wants to give us. Getting our priorities wrong, as Jonah says, forfeits (the Japanese says “throws away”) the grace that is prepared for and directed toward us. It’s amazing how much trouble we have grasping that important fact. We have made something of a joke of idolatry, calling performers “idols,” and for some people they actually are. Idols that are external to us are relatively easy to identify, but it gets much more complicated when we let things like our own talents and abilities take the place in our hearts of the One who gave them to us. Some people idolize their occupation, and when retirement is forced upon them such people tend to die rather quickly. As I’ve said already, the list can go on and on. The point is that God has to be first in our hearts for us to line up with the flow of His grace and blessings, which are unending if we are positioned to receive them.

I’ve tasted this first hand, letting various things usurp God’s place in my heart from time to time. That never works out well! I will forever be grateful for God showing me my own heart for a brief instant way back in 1972. I felt at the time like it nearly destroyed me, and all I could do was kneel and cry out, “My Lord and my God!” I wish I could say that my priorities have been pristine ever since, but that’s certainly not been the case. I have let my own comfort and pleasure rise above Him more times than I could count, not grasping that I was forfeiting the grace that He had prepared for me. The devil is a very skillful liar, and sadly, my own sinful nature cooperates with him all too readily! It took being swallowed by a whale to bring Jonah to his senses. I don’t want to be that dense!

Father, thank You for Your unending grace toward me. Help me indeed stay lined up with You so that Your grace may flow through me unhindered, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Cancel Culture; January 2, 2022

Posted on January 8, 2022 by jgarrott

Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Politics and politicians haven’t much changed throughout human history. Political assassinations are still attempted with great frequency, and are sadly successful at times. Physical assassination might be slightly less common these days, but character assassination is very much the order of the day, and for exactly the same reasons that have always prevailed: jealousy and personal advantage. The current rage of “cancel culture” is this taken to an extreme, and it is just as evil as it has always been. Since we can’t eliminate the devil and those influenced by him, the best resistance (James 4:7) is precisely what Daniel did: live an exemplary life. To be honest, that is going to enrage our enemies all the more, because it makes them look all the worse by comparison, but it puts us in God’s camp because it is submission to Him, just as James said. It’s interesting to note that the accusations used in character assassination are seldom if ever things the accuser wouldn’t do. Projection is very much the name of the game! That said, great faith, patience, and wisdom are called for in resisting such attacks. Daniel famously did not allow the attacks to deter him from devotion to God, (verse 10) and that is the example we need to follow. Our “den of lions” might not be as literal as his, but it could be as difficult to survive. We need to remember that God hasn’t changed, and just as He rescued Daniel, He can rescue us.

I’ve never been in large-scale politics, but I’ve come under attack in church settings as a pastor. I resigned one church on a point of principle, and one of those against me was profane that he wasn’t able to fire me! I’ve also had “whisper campaigns” that resulted in groups of people leaving the church. I’m never to dismiss criticism out of hand, but submit it to God for Him so show me any validity and need for repentance. At the same time, I am to maintain a thick skin, allowing God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) to deflect the “flaming arrows” that are aimed at me. I am to walk in humility and assurance, which can be a difficult balance at times! Above all I am not to fear, either the devil or those controlled by him, knowing that He who is in me is far greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Father, thank You for this reminder. I have no idea what attacks may come against me in this year, but I know that You are more than able to deal with them. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, continuing to grow as You desire and doing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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