Pride vs. Wisdom; July 21, 2025

Posted on July 22, 2025 by jgarrott

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

Pride is a funny thing. It creates false expectations in the one who has it, like inflating a balloon, and when that balloon is popped, it seems disastrous. The humble person, in contrast, is grateful when they are able to do things. Dennis Prager has said many times that he tries to have no expectations, of himself or others, and that way he’s never disappointed. However, at the moment he’s recovering from a broken neck, which sometimes requires breathing assistance via a tracheostomy. That naturally makes him unable to speak, and he has been a public speaker all his life, since his early 20s. That is putting an entirely new picture on the question of expectations! True wisdom carries the awareness that we wouldn’t even exist apart from the grace of God, and so generates gratitude for God providing so much, enabling us to do so much. One of the “features” of aging is the gradual loss of abilities that were once possessed. Properly understood, that brings humility, which contributes to the storied “wisdom of the aged.” That too is part of God’s gracious plan, but we often rebel against it. There’s another old expression: “There’s no fool like an old fool.” Age doesn’t guarantee wisdom! Genuine wisdom starts with humility, recognizing that we are finite, created beings, but our Creator loves us anyway, and so focuses on hearing and obeying Him.

I feel like I could write a book on pride, since I was so mired in it for part of my life. I wasn’t a “bad” person, but somehow I thought I deserved all the good stuff God had given me. Big mistake! I was devastated when God tapped me on the shoulder and, when I turned, showed me a mirror to see the state of my own soul, just for a moment. Had it been any longer, I couldn’t have endured it. I have always had a high IQ, but I had to learn the hard way that doesn’t equal wisdom. At this point, inability sometimes equals frustration, but that’s not the same as shame. Yesterday the Lord enabled me to do many things, and it was in general a very good day, but I forgot to do something important for someone, and I will have to make up that mistake. I’m still learning! My point is to stay focused on my Lord, listening to Him and doing what He says, in gratitude for His truly amazing grace.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You indeed for all that yesterday held. Help me recognize and follow Your guidance each moment of today, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Way; July 20, 2025

Posted on July 21, 2025 by jgarrott

Proverbs 10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

This is a truth I have observed over the years, and it can be very ironic. For those who are committed to God, His ways are indeed a stronghold, providing inner peace and security whatever the world is doing. However, to those who are committed to doing their own thing, ignoring God and His rules, His ways mess with all their plans. If the rebellious person repents and turns to God, then his plans are still destroyed, but in their place he receives God’s good plans, which are far better than whatever he had imagined. We see that around us all the time. Those who are opposed to God kick and scream at every effort to turn society toward genuine righteousness, correctly seeing that such change would foil their personal plans. For those who seek God, it can be downright incredible at times. “How can they oppose this?” Such conflict is at times simply a matter of opinion, but it is more and more obviously a matter of the spiritual forces behind each side. That said, those on the side of righteousness must remember that their real enemy is never the people they see with their eyes, and so pray for repentance and restoration, even for those who are actively persecuting them. (Matthew 5:44)

This is something I’ve become increasingly aware of over the years. Some would say I’m becoming “intolerant,” but God’s truth is indeed absolute. I must be humble, knowing above all that I don’t know everything, but I must not descend into moral relativism. As I was driving round blessing the churches of Omura this morning I was thinking about how strongly I disagree with some of them on some points of theology, for example, but they are still my brothers and sisters in Christ. That said, there’s a world of difference between someone who’s theologically misguided or confused and someone who maintains a façade of religion to hide their rebellion against God. I’m to pray for them all, that God’s Spirit of Truth would convict and correct as called for – and that He would do so for me as well. I have always agreed completely with C. S. Lewis’ observation that when we get to heaven, we’ll all discover we were wrong somewhere. As James said, I’m to submit myself fully to God and resist the devil, (James 4:7) for God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Yesterday I was reminded several times of my own foolishness, and I wasn’t in a very good mood by the time I went to bed. Help me release everything to You and flow with Your Spirit throughout today, so that I may be Your instrument of blessing to all around me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Violence; July 19, 2025

Posted on July 20, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 149:6-7 May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples.

Not exactly a pacifistic picture! We like to think of things like Jesus welcoming the children, (Matthew 19:14) but the Bible has lots of scenes of violence of all sorts, all the way through Revelation. Jesus was clear that we aren’t to seek violence, famously saying in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) However, we aren’t to shrink back from it when it confronts us. I find the motto, “Peace through strength,” remarkably Biblical! There’s no telling how much destruction was prevented by America’s recent surgical strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and it was done at a time of night so as to inflict an absolute minimum of human casualties. Some people complain that the Bible is contradictory, and on some levels it seems that way, but life itself is contradictory, because we never see the whole picture. Only God sees everything, and we have to be at peace with that. Just yesterday I read a story of violence being done against a man – to keep him from conducting an “honor killing” of his own daughter! We are called to be children of God, not doormats. However, we must remember what James said: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20) We are to be both strong and gentle, acting as God’s agents and not just acting on our own impulses. Jesus indeed made a whip and cleansed the temple, (John 2) but that was hardly a frequent occurrence. God is to be our judge and our guide, on all levels.

My father was a conscientious objector in WWII, to the point that the FBI thought him suspicious, after he was returned to the US on a prisoner exchange ship, but he also agreed to my buying an air rifle as a teenager, and didn’t express objections when I was drafted as an adult. I certainly didn’t enjoy basic training in the Army, and even wrote and performed a poem that almost got me court martialed, because of my reaction to the total focus on killing “the enemy.” I am grateful never to have been in combat, but I know what I am capable of, given the right tools. I am not to be a “knee-jerk” anything, but rather seek and allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words and my actions, so that God’s will may be done for His glory.

Father, this is a rather surprising morning meditation! Help me be continuously focused on You, first and foremost, so that I may be Your agent for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Truth; July 18, 2025

Posted on July 19, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 145:17-18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.

We have no indication at which point in David’s life he wrote this, but it is in a sense a very generic hymn of praise. Even so, that doesn’t make it any less true. Platitudes become that way because they essentially go without saying. However, sometimes we forget truth if we fail to say it. That’s the complicated thing about liturgy. It is rote, unchanging from time to time to time, but it was originally drawn up because it is true. The devil is constantly lying to us, and we need reminders of the truth to stand against that. Of course, the ultimate Truth is Jesus Christ Himself, as He told us in the Upper Room Discourse. (John 14:6) Knowing Him is what sets us free. (John 8:32) That is why it is so dangerous that the devil has promulgated the idea of “my truth” and “your truth.” God’s truth is not subjective! I think it was Karl Barth who, when asked what was the deepest truth he had found in all his study of Theology, replied, “Jesus loves me. This I know for the Bible tells me so.” The most important truths are often the most simply expressed.

I was raised by a father who held Absolute Honesty as one of his core principles, and I benefited greatly. That said, I have learned that there is a distinction between facts and truth. Scientists pursue facts, but they might miss the truth in the process. Interestingly, sometimes fiction can convey deep truth! I am a man of words, and I need to be very careful that my words are not only accurate, but true. I don’t always succeed! The whole question of facts vs. truth applies to every area of life. We have a friend who has lung cancer. That is a fact, and on the basis of the medical facts, the doctors told her she had six months to live – a year and a half ago! The truth is that she is a dedicated child of God, and her life is in His hands. At this point she is needing an increasing level of oxygen supplement, but she has no pain to speak of, and her digestion is working well. I feel sure she is a great blessing to the staff of the hospice ward of the hospital where she is. The stress on her husband is very real, but I’m sure he is grateful for each minute he gets to spend with her. The facts of their circumstances don’t change the truth of God’s love for them and His presence in them.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I need such from time to time! In all the facts of my life, help me stay firmly grounded in the truth of Your love, grace, and power, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Priests; July 17, 2025

Posted on July 18, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 132:16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
    and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

Reading the Bible in different languages gets really interesting at times. This is a passage I’m quite familiar with, because verses 14-16 have been put to music in a little chorus I learned years ago. However, there are two differences in the Japanese that catch my attention. The first is that where the KJV and the ESV say “shout,” the Japanese says “sing,” and the second is that where the KJV and ESV say “saints,” the Japanese says “devoted ones.” I then checked the NIV, as printed above, and discovered it agrees with the Japanese! It is very dangerous to get dogmatic about Bible terminology, because we don’t have the emotional or linguistic or social context of when it was written. That said, all the translations agree that the priests will be clothed, or wrapped, in salvation. This is in direct contrast to verse 18, that says Zion’s enemies will be clothed with shame. As I have written before, salvation can have many different meanings to different people, and even to the same person at different times. After all, it’s the noun form of “safe,” which can be as casual as making it on base without being tagged or thrown out, in baseball. At the other extreme, of course, it means eternity with God, rather than being separated from Him forever in hell. In context, the usage here is much more on the lines of eternity in heaven. When the priests, those charged with being intermediaries between God and man, are properly “wrapped in” salvation, people who earnestly seek God have every reason to sing for joy! Sadly, there are people in religious office who don’t know God themselves, so at best they merely parrot words, rather than impart life. Everyone who is charged with shepherding God’s flock needs to examine himself or herself to see if their own relationship with God is worthy of emulation. We can’t generate that on our own, but we can choose to receive what God offers us, in all humility and gratitude.

I was ordained by human hands as a minister of the Gospel on April 1st, 1979. I’ve always said it was appropriate that it was done on April Fool’s Day! What is more important, though, is that God chose me and commissioned me, and I chose to respond. When we were in conflict with what was then called the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission board, my wife very wisely said, “We’d rather be Lord sent than Board sent.” As it turned out, He indeed sent us out, without any human organizational backing. However, I’m never to rest on past experiences, but keep pressing in for more of my Lord. I don’t want my “salvation robes” to get dirty or tattered! Peter makes it clear that every believer is a priest before God, (1 Peter 2:9) but God has installed me as a gift to the Body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12) and I must never back down from that.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do need to be reminded of my commission from time to time! Help me indeed fulfill all of Your purposes for me, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Harvest; July 16, 2025

Posted on July 17, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

This brief Psalm is dearly loved because it is such a beautiful message of hope. These verses have been set to music multiple times, and the songs are fighting for dominance in my head! This Psalm is a reaction to the Jews returning to their land after the Babylonian captivity, which was a demonstration to them that indeed, nothing is impossible for God. (Jeremiah 32:17) We know that in our heads, but life has a way of slapping us in the face, and we forget. We need to remember that God has a plan and it is going to be fulfilled, and it is a good plan. (Jeremiah 29:11) We are to apply ourselves fully and not be presumptive, but at the same time leave it all in God’s hands. These verses are particularly applicable to missionary or evangelistic work, because of Jesus’ famous parable of the seed being the message of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 13:1-23) There are countless frustrations and even tears involved, but the Psalmist reminds us that there will be harvest. We are never to forget that.

Of course, as a missionary pastor, I cling to this! We’ve been in Omura now going on 44 years, and though the Lord has brought people of many nations to Himself through us in that interval, our current attendance on Sunday mornings runs around 20 – which is at least much better than the less-than-10 it was just a few years ago. The thing is, it’s not about numbers, but about specific individuals. We have had some triumphs, but we have also seen people we had witnessed to for years die without a sign of commitment to Christ. That is heartbreaking. We have certainly learned that we ourselves can save no one, but that God can use even us to save people. Right now there is one man I’m working with particularly, but there are many more that we earnestly want to see come into the Kingdom. I am not to give up on any of them, but focus on faithfulness. I really want the Lord to return, but I also want to see massive harvest in Japan before He does!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your plans, even though we see just hints of them. Help me trust You fully and obey You faithfully, so that I may be useful to You in all that You want to do in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Joy in God’s Word; July 15, 2025

Posted on July 16, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 119:111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.

Verse 11 and verse 105 are the most famous in this longest chapter in the Bible, and reasonably so, but we should not let the familiar keep us from noticing other facets of God’s truth. This verse strikes me because, properly understood, it should allow any believer to live in peace and joy. The whole Psalm is about the Word of the Lord, particularly as expressed in the Torah. Since every verse, all 176 of them, references that, the Psalmist used a number of words as synonyms, and translators have been equally varied in how they have expressed each of those synonyms. The point to remember, however, is that all of them point to the same thing: what God has said and is saying to us. In this verse, the Psalmist is claiming God’s Word as his eternal heritage. That means it can never be taken away from him for all eternity. That’s a pretty amazing statement, but it’s true for everyone who genuinely believes, in all humility. When we grasp that, then God’s Word indeed becomes the joy of our heart, whatever is going on around us. That doesn’t mean “easy street;” Jesus clearly said that in this world we will have trouble, (John 16:33) and sometimes that trouble threatens to tear us apart. However, if we let the Word of the Lord fill our heart, we can have peace and even joy in spite of it all. After all, Jesus also said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Luke 21:33) That’s repeated in all three synoptic Gospels! When we truly grasp that we have an eternal heritage, the mess of this transient world won’t shake us.

I was incredibly blessed to be raised in a home where God’s Word faith in it were absolutely foundational. I commented in the message this past Sunday that the best thing about having been raised a Baptist was their focus on the Bible. I am continuing to grow in my application of it, because just like Paul, I won’t be perfect on this earth. (Philippians 3:12-14) It is a joy to teach the Bible, because as many have noted, one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others. At this point the Lord is preparing me for a broader teaching ministry, and I am to be faithful and diligent, not taking anything for granted. As familiar as I am with the Bible, the temptation is to wing it, whatever I’m asked to teach on, but that is hubris. God’s Word is my eternal heritage, but I must never treat it lightly! That said, the study that is called for is no burden, but rather a privilege and joy.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for sharpening my focus in various ways. Help me truly be the tool, the servant that You desire, so that Your will may be accomplished in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Spiritual Warfare; July 14, 2025

Posted on July 15, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 119:15 I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.

Verse 11 is justly famous, and I memorized it at a very young age, but this verse too is important in the objective stated in verse 9, a young man keeping his way pure. For that matter, it applies to older guys, too! This verse deals with visual temptations, and the world is full of those today to a degree that would have been unimaginable when this Psalm was written. Pornography is a major scourge, and the electronic means to proliferate it continue to expand. On top of that, modesty seems to be a forgotten concept in many corners, so exposure to visual temptation is unavoidable. This verse gives two important clues for resisting all that. The first is meditating on what God has said. The Japanese term for “meditate” used here is very interesting. It literally means, “to dye thoughts.” Fabric is dyed by letting it soak in a coloring solution. When we let our thoughts “dye” in God’s Word, we are very well protected against the mental temptations that are the starting point for the majority of sins. The second point is literally what we choose to look at. (Translating that “consider” seems to weaken it, to me. The Japanese says, “fix my eyes on.”) In the world today, visual temptations are unavoidable, as I’ve already mentioned. However, there’s a difference between seeing and looking at something. We are to be aware of our surroundings, or we might as well be blind. However, we choose what we fix our attention on. Both my desktop computer and my cellphone sometimes flash screens at me that, if clicked on, would lead to pornography, with my having done nothing to invite such. That’s the world we live in. The solution is to fix our eyes on the way God lays out for us.

As I have already indicated, this is personal for me. Even age 76, I’m still a man! However, as verse 11 says, I have stored up a lot of God’s Word in my heart, and the more I let that color my thoughts, the more secure I am. I am concerned for my sons-in-law and my grandsons, and I pray for them. Life in this world is a constant spiritual battle! Part of my calling as a pastor is to equip believers with the armor God provides, (Ephesians 6:11-18) training them to fight as God intends. Jesus is already the Victor, and in Him we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that when I do as Your Word says, I am secure. Help me be a faithful coach and guide to those around me, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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God’s Eternal Goodness; July 13, 2025

Posted on July 14, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 118:28-29 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

This Psalm has many famous lines, and I was quite torn as to what to write on this time. However, these two verses are worthy of being remembered and quoted constantly, besides having been set memorably to music. We need to be aware of God constantly, that He is not just God in the abstract, but our God, and that awareness needs to be filled with gratitude. Out of that gratitude, we need to worship Him. So often we think of worship as something we do on Sunday mornings in church, but this is talking about a consistent, prevailing attitude. Verse 28 is addressed to God, but verse 29 is an exhortation, to ourselves and to all who will listen to us. We are to be consistent in expressing thanks to God, and encouraging others to do likewise. We are to be aware of the goodness of God and seek to make others aware of it as well. The last line gets translated many different ways, with English Bibles using phrases like “steadfast love” and “mercy.” The Japanese says, “grace.” All of those are certainly representative of God! We do, however, need to remember that He’s not going to change on us, being nice for a while and then being mean. There’s a reason this says “forever!” There is a security in knowing God and His character that can be had no other way, because nothing but God is indeed, forever. That’s why He alone can offer eternal life, as it so famously says in John 3:16.

My life is dedicated to communicating the truth found in these verses, but I’ve got to be careful to keep remembering it myself. I am all too prone to proclaim a truth and then turn around and act like it’s not true. That’s the height of stupidity! I need to live out verse 28 here, as well as proclaim verse 29. My life should be a testimony to the truth of this passage, not because I have everything easy but because God brings me through everything He brings me to. I need to remember that I can indeed handle everything through the One who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) Some people are ready to receive that message, but many are not. I am to love them all, and pray for them to receive God’s gift of faith, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the opportunities You are opening up for me to be teaching on spiritual gifts. Help me not “wing it,” but be faithful to prepare properly, guiding people into Your truth so that they will bear the fruit You intend, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Salvation; July 12, 2025

Posted on July 13, 2025 by jgarrott

Psalm 118:14 The Lord is my strength and my defense (or song);
    he has become my salvation.

As I read this I was regretting that I hadn’t extended the reading to the end of the Psalm when I made up the list, and then I noticed that the 2nd half is tomorrow’s reading! This particular verse has long been a favorite of mine, probably because of my coming from such a musical family. The Japanese specifies “song of praise,” and I think that’s an important distinction. There are lots of songs that aren’t expressions of the Lord, unfortunately. I think it’s interesting that it says the Lord has become my salvation. He is the only Savior, but it is when we turn our hearts to Him in the obedience of love that He becomes our salvation. It’s been many years since I first heard the explanation that salvation in Christ is like a huge fortune deposited in a bank in our name. It might be there, but until we believe it’s there and go to take possession of it, it does us no good. Evangelism is telling people the money is there, but too many people either think they don’t need it, or that you must be lying to them, because they don’t deserve it. Frankly, they don’t, because none of us do, so that’s why it’s all by grace through faith. When we really get His salvation into our hearts and minds we are strong indeed, and we can’t help singing His praise!

As I have mentioned before, I really love the little chorus that goes, “You are the words and the music; You are the song that I sing. You are the melody, You are the harmony, praises to You I will bring. You are the Mighty God, You are the Prince of Peace, You are the King of all kings. Now I return to You the song that You gave to me; You are the song that I sing.” I consistently used singing as a tool in teaching speech therapy (since it is an effective tool for that purpose) and I would teach my students that song, explaining that it was the reason for my singing so much. You could say that song is an expansion of this verse! I have received Christ as my salvation, and I need to let Him pour through me as strength and song, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve been quite aware of You using me the past few days, and I’m deeply grateful. May I be ever more available and useful to You, for Your purposes to be accomplished in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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