God’s Control; December 24, 2017

Posted on December 27, 2017 by jgarrott

Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

In reading this account we recognize that Luke wanted to peg these events in historical context, but we perhaps overlook the fact that God used a very godless emperor to bring about the fulfillment of a prophecy about His Son. Actually, the Roman Empire was used in various ways to advance God’s plans. Roman military might generated the Pax Romanum, the “Roman peace” that enabled free trade and travel throughout the Roman Empire, which in turn enabled such things as Paul’s missionary journeys. And actually, it was Roman persecution that forced the believers to disperse and consequently evangelize, instead of staying in a self-congratulatory “mega-church.” I think we give the devil a lot of credit for things that are actually part of God’s plan to bring as many people as possible to salvation. It’s not that God is exactly happy about all that goes on, (He made it very clear to me personally that He is not) but that nothing takes Him by surprise, and He uses everything to bring about ultimate good. (Romans 8:28) We get tied in knots over all sorts of things, when that emotional energy would be far better used in drawing people into the family of God.

This is a further Word to me not to be anxious about what is going on here, but rather to keep seeking God and listening to Him obediently, leaving the results in His hands. I am very prone to think I know how things should be, and to get upset when they aren’t. I’ve got to trust that the God who could use a godless empire and turn it around until it called itself the Holy Roman Empire can turn my circumstances around for blessing, and for His glory. I will not see all the results of that in this life, but I’ve got to be at peace with that. After all, Mary and Joseph didn’t realize that their actions would echo throughout all eternity! Several years ago the Lord told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. I’m slow to learn really how to do that! However, the process is growing and shaping me into the likeness of Christ, (Romans 8:29) and that’s certainly something for which to be grateful.

Father, thank You for Your grace to me in so many ways. Thank You for so consistently speaking to me through Your Word, and for the privilege of sharing that with others. Thank You for the two services today, and that we can expect non-believers as well as believers to attend. I pray that everyone You want to be here would be, and that Your will would be done in and through everyone in attendance, for their blessing, for the blessing of others, and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Serving God; December 23, 2017

Posted on December 26, 2017 by jgarrott

Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Joseph sometimes gets overlooked in the Christmas story, but he was a vital component of God’s plan. Here, and later when they needed to escape from Herod, (Matthew 2:13-14) he exercised enough faith to act in obedience to a dream. How many of us have that kind of faith? God chose His Son’s foster father carefully, and it was obviously an excellent choice. I’m sure there were times when Joseph wished He had chosen someone else, just as there were with Moses and Jeremiah, just to give a couple of examples. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and His choices are always right. Sometimes they are provisional and change, as in the case of King Saul, for example. However, such examples are rare. As I see it, if we are worried we will be a Saul, we almost certainly won’t be, because we’ll be seeking God’s help most earnestly. A far more common issue is people who refuse to serve God because they can’t believe that God is big and strong enough to overcome their weaknesses. That seems to be particularly strong in Japan, where volunteering is sometimes seen as a kind of showing off. Joseph’s lesson for us is to offer all we have and are to God for Him to use however He pleases, trusting that God will provide everything necessary, in terms of ability as well as resources, for us to accomplish His will.

I have run through the gamut on this issue, from feeling I was the best thing since sliced bread to feeling totally incompetent and unable to do anything. God has allowed me to go through that to teach me that indeed, I can do nothing apart from Him, but if I will abide obediently in Him, I will bear abundant fruit for His glory. (John 15:5) We have been going through another training period, with seemingly declining fruitfulness in recent years culminating in intense spiritual attack over the past few months. In the process He has shown me yet again that He is able to do anything at all, and He is even able to use me to do it. I believe He is bringing us into an extended season of real fruitfulness. I am to keep my eyes on Him and look forward actively to what He is going to do, both to avoid traps and to make the most of every opportunity, (Colossians 4:5) for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your grace. At times it is downright overwhelming! Thank You for what You are bringing us through. Thank you that the operative word is indeed, through. Thank You that what You have prepared on the other side is glorious indeed. I do pray Your very best for everyone involved, both those in this church and those who are not yet in it. I pray that each one would be given the courage to choose to follow and obey You, for their salvation and eternal blessing and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Eternal Plans; December 22, 2017

Posted on December 25, 2017 by jgarrott

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

This verse is of course famous as the one the scribes quoted when Herod asked them where the Messiah would be born. (Matthew 2:3-6) However, two things in it stand out to me. The first is that God’s plans are from eternity. God doesn’t get in a fix, saying, “What am I going to do now?” He knew before He created the universe what would happen when He did so, and He did it anyway because He is love, and He wanted children as objects of that love. That’s why the Old Testament has hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah, demonstrably written hundreds of years before His birth. As has been pointed out, the odds of one person fulfilling even a fraction of those prophecies by chance is beyond astronomical. That’s why it is so extremely ironic that the scribes in Herod’s time didn’t go seek the child themselves, and also that devout Jews today don’t recognize Jesus as their Messiah. It does no good to know Scripture if you don’t apply it. (James 1:22) The second thing I get is that God deliberately chose the insignificant (Bethlehem) as the location of His greatest Gift. That fits in perfectly with what He said through Paul: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29) God is sovereign, and as has been said, God plus one is a majority. We are never to think we are too small or too weak for God to use us. It is when we think we are so strong that of course God will use us that He has to set us aside.

This is all extremely applicable to me and to this church. This church is numerically the smallest in the city at this point, but God has given us the vision of Omura again being the foremost Christian city in the nation, as it was 450 years ago. Even the name, Omura, means “big village,” which doesn’t sound very impressive. All of that is prelude to what God is going to do for His glory, and for His glory alone. The past months have been intensive, and at times painful, training in faith and trust, but yesterday He put into place the last piece of the puzzle in terms of our purchasing a plot of land next door, to provide parking for the expansion that He says is coming. I am to keep the focus on Him, in my own heart and in the awareness of the believers and the surrounding community, so that as His plans unfold His name may be acknowledged as holy, as His kingdom comes and His will is done.

Father, thank You for Your plans, even when they don’t agree with ours – or especially so! Thank You for knowing far better than we do what needs to happen and why. Help us trust You fully, growing and moving and speaking as You intend, so that the massive harvest of souls that You desire may be brought in successfully, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Being Like Christ; December 21, 2017

Posted on December 25, 2017 by jgarrott

Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

It is interesting that the Japanese in this verse seems to point back to verses 2 and 3, whereas the English clearly points forward to verses 6-11. However, either way it is clearly talking about a fundamental humility that is all too uncommon. That actually is hardly surprising, because we consider Christ to be so far above us that we could never be like Him, when one of the very reasons He came was to show us, as a human being, what human beings are supposed to be like. Paul talks repeatedly about our being “transformed into His likeness” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) We tend to give up before we start! The thing is, we can’t possibly do that on our own, any more than a surgeon could perform heart surgery on himself. However, God can do it, and we need to choose to cooperate. We tend to hold back for any number of reasons, but the more we choose to be like Christ, the more His presence will fill us with peace and joy. Again as Paul said, we can do it through Him who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)

I have just been through a very intense lesson in this. The temptation to lash out and/or throw in the towel was intense, but God brought me through. God provided two brothers, at separate times, to come alongside me and speak on my behalf when I essentially couldn’t open my mouth. It was further confirmation that God’s plans for me are good, whatever lies the devil might be telling me or telling others about me. The road ahead is still long, but in Christ it is sure. I have learned that I’ve got to be much more careful to bring others along with me, rather than running on ahead by myself. As someone with teaching as my primary gifting, I tend to feel like dumping truth on people should be sufficient to change them, when it hardly ever it. Since last year I have been exposed to teaching on what is called “Coaching,” in the church setting. Initially I heard that as being a replacement for teaching, which naturally didn’t sit too well. However, at the most recent seminar it was made clear that we need teaching, coaching, and example to get the message of life in Christ across fully. I think I’ve done fairly well about the example part and teaching comes almost automatically to me, so it is indeed the coaching I need to grow in. That’s where imparting faith and vision comes in, and that’s where I have obviously failed up to this point.

Father, thank You for Your grace. Going through the rock crusher doesn’t feel very good, but I had some hard spots that needed crushing. Thank You. Help me indeed choose the attitude of Christ consistently, so that many will be drawn to repentance and faith through me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Perspective; December 20, 2017

Posted on December 24, 2017 by jgarrott

Isaiah 11:3-4 He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.

This description of the Messiah is in perfect agreement with several other comments about God in the Bible, notably 1 Samuel 16:7. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” By nature we are limited to what our five senses tell us, but God has no such limitation. On top of that, our reasoning and deductions are definitely low-level, and God’s are not. (Isaiah 55:9) And that doesn’t even bring into the picture the fact that God, being outside of time, sees the end from the beginning and knows the potential consequence of every word and action. All of that is to say that it is far wiser to listen carefully to God than it is to try to figure everything out ourselves. That’s not to say we aren’t to use the minds God has given us, but it is a reminder that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) Seeking God and listening to Him, fearing Him more than we fear our enemies, our circumstances, or even our own weaknesses, is always the first and best course.

This is an extremely timely Word. We have a church board meeting this afternoon to come to a formal decision about the purchase of property next to the church building. The devil has been attacking every individual involved, trying to distract us from what God would have us do. I am not to trust my senses or my intellect, but let the Holy Spirit be in complete control of my thoughts, words, and actions. I am to trust that God’s plans for us are indeed good, and allow Him to pour faith into each of us. I am to trust Him to heal strained relationships and draw us all closer to Him, allowing Christ to build His Church for His glory.

Father, thank You for being God. Thank You also for my brother pastor who was so encouraging to me yesterday. You indeed lifted me out of the pit of despair through Him. Thank You. Thank You also for fixing the intractable computer problem Cathy had, and for the faith lesson involved in that. Help us indeed receive all the lessons You give us, to grow as You intend into the full likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Christ the Head; December 19, 2017

Posted on December 24, 2017 by jgarrott

Colossians 1:17-18 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

I’m getting two things from this as I read it right now. The first thing is the answer to a major question of astrophysicists: what holds the universe together? The term, “cosmic glue” has been used, and recently we hear discussion of “dark matter” and “dark energy.” It’s not wrong for scientists to investigate such things, but here we have the ultimate answer: Christ the Lord. Just as He told His disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) the same applies to the whole universe: apart from Christ it couldn’t and wouldn’t exist. That’s a far stretch for a lot of people, not to mention those who don’t want to accept the existence of God at all! However, it’s one of those truths that is there whether we believe it or not. The other thing I get is more immediate and personal, and that is the Headship of Christ over the Church. We have all sorts of human organizations that purport to be the Church, but denominational labels don’t begin to define the Church. Christ’s Headship applies all the way down to the local level. We tend to think of pastors and priests as the heads of their respective congregations, but in reality they are more like janitors. They have responsibilities, duties, and rewards, but they aren’t in charge. At the same time, the congregations themselves aren’t in charge. When in a person the body won’t do what the head tells it, that’s a major medical problem and is called paralysis or a number of other things. Local congregations get into all sorts of problems over this issue, ranging from dictatorships to anarchy. We don’t have the physical neurons connecting us to the Head, so each part is responsible to seek the Head and listen to Him. The Bible is clear that pastors are shepherds responsible for the flock, and as such they have spiritual authority, but they must remember that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, (1 Peter 5:4) and they are subject to and accountable to Him.

This is an intensely personal and timely issue at the moment. This congregation is in a crisis of leadership. For various reasons I failed to prepare the flock properly for a major move, and now some are in open revolt. For a congregation as small as this, that threatens the complete dissolution of the church. I have made major mistakes, but there are many other factors in play as well. The source of it all is the enemy of our souls, who is dead set against this church growing and maturing and advancing the Kingdom of God. I have got to remember at every juncture that Christ is the Head, and be active both in my submission and my obedience to Him. Objectively speaking, it is fascinating how this sort of thing arises when money is involved. Our faith and our obedience are both challenged by money issues, which is why Jesus talked more about money than about heaven or hell. I’ve got to operate in full humility, but at the same time not try to duck the responsibility God has given me as shepherd of this flock. God is going to bring us through this, but I certainly can’t do it myself. I must remember that people are never the enemy, but also never slack off in resisting the devil, who is indeed the enemy of our souls.

Father, the battle is intense, and the temptation to throw in the towel is very real. Thank You for those who are praying for us. Thank You that Jesus is interceding for us, as You reminded me two days ago. You have told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. That is humanly very difficult indeed, but by faith I know that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Thank You. Praise God!

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Growing Faith; December 18, 2017

Posted on December 22, 2017 by jgarrott

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

This verse is quoted often, and with excellent reason. It is an incredible miracle of grace that we are able to approach the throne of God at all, much less boldly or with confidence. However, Jesus took all our sin and shame on Himself, and it was nailed to His cross. Jesus’ body was taken down, but our sin and shame stayed on the cross. As I often tell people, that work of the cross is effective only when we receive it by faith. You aren’t going to get into a lifeboat you don’t believe is real. There are actually many levels to faith, which is why we need to keep growing spiritually as long as we are on this earth. Believing that you are a sinner and Jesus died for you so that you could be made right with God is saving faith, but at the point of salvation you are an infant, and babies need to grow. It is interesting to me how much trouble some people have with believing that God is greater that their weaknesses. They believe in eternal salvation, but they can’t believe God will enable them to overcome their character flaws. As a result, they don’t try, and live lives of defeat, just waiting to be “taken out of all of this” and go to heaven. That’s a major reason the idea of “the rapture” is so popular. In a sense their salvation is incomplete, because it doesn’t include the redemption of their lives on this earth. Circumstances can be horrendous, but as Paul said, in the middle of anything at all we can be “more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37) That comes only with believing fully in the completed work of Christ, and thus coming boldly before the throne of God.

This is a very timely reminder. We are in the middle of an intense battle, and I’ve got to keep my focus on Christ in order to have the boldness I need. Jesus not only told us, “In this world you will have trouble,” He followed that up with, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) I am in real need of “taking heart” right now! The challenges of the moment seem immense, but there is no challenge, no enemy, that is greater than my God, and I need to rest in peace in that assurance. Frustration comes from the conflict among what you want to do, what you need to do, and what you have to do. I need to trust God to know my needs better than I do, and flow with His spirit on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for getting us through the day yesterday, and for the night’s rest. Thank You for reminding me this morning of the breathing exercise I learned from Fr. Kopp 30 years ago, breathing in the God of peace and breathing out the peace of God. That’s good not only for getting to sleep, which is how I have used it, but also for defusing moments of intense conflict. Help me make good use of the tools You have given me, without relying on the tools themselves instead of on You. May I continue to grow in faith as You intend, so that the works of the enemy may be defeated and his strongholds torn down, in me and in others, (2 Corinthians 10:4) for Your will to be done in Your way for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Prayer and Intercession; December 17, 2017

Posted on December 21, 2017 by jgarrott

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

This verse is a promise of the highest order. It should be a source of immense comfort and assurance for every believer in Jesus Christ as Lord. That the Son of God, an eternal member of the Godhead, is praying for us is absolutely mind boggling. I can understand the thinking behind the practice of praying to Mary or various saints, but this verse blows all of that out of the water. Nothing can compare with Christ Himself praying for me! Why should I seek another heavenly intercessor? It is very true that we are to pray for one another on this earth. That is part of the privilege of participating in what God is doing, but it is for this life, rather than the next. The point is, just as Jesus, as our High Priest, no longer needs to offer sacrifices because His sacrifice of Himself on the cross was for all eternity, in the same way He is eternally praying for us, standing on our behalf before the Father, so that we may be cleansed, healed, and accepted as holy. The more fully we get that into our heads and hearts, the more fully and joyfully we will serve Him, allowing Him to use us in whatever way He sees fit.

I am at the point of needing a great deal of prayer because of the intensity of the spiritual warfare I am encountering. I desire and appreciate the prayers of every brother and sister in Christ. However, when it comes to being accepted before God, I have complete peace, because Jesus is interceding for me. The struggles I face are with those who are deceived and motivated by the enemy of our souls. I am first of all to be submitted to God, but then I am to stand firm against the devil and what He is trying to do through people. The struggle is exhausting, but God has told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. I can’t do that on my own! All of that is intensified and complicated by having a daughter and grandchildren here for Christmas. I am caught in a seeming whirlpool of circumstances and emotions. I’ve got to keep my focus on Christ, who always lives to intercede for me.

Father, You have always brought me through everything in the past, and You will bring me through this as well. Help me be so submitted to You that I say only what You are saying and do only what You are doing, so that Your will may be done fully and purely through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Learning Through Suffering; December 16, 2017

Posted on December 21, 2017 by jgarrott

Hebrews 5:8-10 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

There’s a difference between sin and having to learn stuff. Jesus had no sin, yet He “learned obedience” through what he suffered. (The Japanese specifies “many sufferings.”) I’d say He got a perfect score! Certainly He passed the exam in the Garden of Gethsemane with flying colors. The lesson for us is not to complain about what we suffer, but seek God for what He is trying to teach us through it. Too often we kick and flail against suffering, or at best just endure it, when God always has a higher purpose in allowing it. In fact, our attitude toward events and circumstances often dictates whether we perceive them as suffering or not. If we trust fully that God has our best interests in mind, then things become much easier. God told Paul it was hard for him to “kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14) We tend to do a lot of kicking, when God is just seeking to lead us on the right path.

I’ve been having a pretty rough time recently, so this is very timely. Just within the past few days things have piled up, and my patience and trust have been stretched. By God’s grace they won’t break, and I need to remember that. God has used even my weaknesses to accomplish good, and I’ve got to trust Him to continue to do so. The next three weeks promise delights and challenges. I need to respond rightly to both, so that the delights will outweigh the challenges! Just yesterday I gave an exam to my nursing school students, and the scores were all over the place. It is very clear that the determining factor in pass/fail was attitude, even more than ability. It’s a short, 15-week course. Those who had decided from the start that “this is going to be a drag” didn’t do well. Those who were more open minded did much better, even though they had thought they “weren’t good at English” (the subject is Medical English) or that it was difficult. Since I see that in my students, I need to apply it myself! God’s “school” isn’t easy, but He supplies the Holy Spirit as a Tutor, and graduation is certainly something to look forward to!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that Ann and the boys arrived safely last night, even though we were confused about their schedule. I do pray that every minute of their stay would be the blessing that You intend, for them and for us. There is a lot going on that is unrelated to their presence. I pray that I would keep my eyes on You and not lash out at people, even when they are clearly being deceived by the enemy. I pray that in every detail Your perfect will may be accomplished, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Alienation; December 15, 2017

Posted on December 17, 2017 by jgarrott

John 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

I think we generally gloss over this verse, because most of us have not experienced anything near the level of rejection that Jesus did. His own siblings didn’t really accept him until after his resurrection. Alienation is a timeless problem, and many have experienced it to some degree, but none to the degree Jesus did – and He did it for us. That’s why it was so absolutely devastating for Him, in taking our sins on Himself on the cross, to be alienated from God. Already rejected by men, (Isaiah 53:3) for our sake He was rejected by God. (Matthew 27:46) Thankfully, that rejection was taken care of once He had fully atoned for the sins of mankind. However, that had to be more painful even than the physical agony of scourging and crucifixion. I don’t think most of us really grasp that, and therefore we fail to grasp the depth and magnificence of His love for us.

I have had a lifetime of training in this very issue, and recent events have brought that to a head. I was born and raised in Japan, visiting the US at intervals for a total of about 18 years, but to this point have lived 51 years in Japan. I’d say the single, most painful spot in my soul is knowing I will never be accepted as Japanese by the Japanese. 43 years ago, right after I had brought my wife and children to Japan for the first time, we were staying with my parents in Fukuoka, and a representative of the Southern Baptist mission board came for a visit. There were quite a few Southern Baptist missionaries in the Fukuoka area, and we went with my parents to a meeting that was held in a regional restaurant. During that meeting the board representative asked me a serious question. At that point (and it still may well be) the Southern Baptists had the largest Protestant missionary organization in the world. I was asked why MKs (Missionary Kids) from Japan had more emotional/psychological problems than those from any other country. At the time I couldn’t give a good answer, but in the years since I have become convinced of the answer. I went to college at a Baptist school in America, and there were MKs from many countries there. Those from, for example, African countries, loved the country where they were raised, but they didn’t really identify that as their home country. In contrast, I remember two brothers who were born and raised in Argentina who felt totally accepted as Argentine, and because of the Vietnam War that was going on at that point, planned on dropping their US citizenship on graduation, to avoid being drafted. I was in neither category. Though I was born in Japan, that did not grant me citizenship. I identified with Japan to a very high degree and considered it my home, but the Japanese sense of racial/cultural uniqueness excluded me from acceptance. In my one year of high school in the US, one of my nicknames was “Jack the Jap,” because Japan was what I knew and identified with. I didn’t, at the time, recognize what was going on, which was why I was unable to answer the question from the mission board representative. The source of the emotional/psychological problems of Japan MKs is a milder version of the very alienation Jesus experienced. I found out just last night how much of a hindrance that has been to my ministry, when someone explained that my deep-seated anger on that issue has driven people away from the church. (I also found out that my perfectionism has been a real issue, but that is somewhat easier to address.) Japanese are very touched and impressed that my parents chose to be buried in Japan even though they died in the US. It has been painful to me that they express the same feelings when they find I expect to be buried in Japan, and not at all because my parents are buried here. If I am to be fully effective, I have to accept the alienation as part of my cross, knowing it was one Jesus bore, and not let that pain interfere with His love pouring through me to draw people to repentance and faith.

Father, thank You for continuing to work on me. I pray that my past mistakes would not keep me from the fruitfulness You desire for me. There is much going on. Help me release it all into Your hands, allowing You to work in and through me for the sake of the Body of Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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