God’s Provision; September 2, 2017

Posted on September 4, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 1:6 All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.

We have no clear indication whether those who gave all these things to the returnees were Jews or Gentiles. All we know for sure is that God used people to meet the needs of those He had called to serve Him. I’m sure that those who received all these gifts were rather overwhelmed, but this is simply yet another illustration of the reality that God is never at a loss for provision. If necessary He will multiply a small gift, as when Jesus fed over 5,000 people with one boy’s lunch. (Matthew 14, John 6, etc.) The point is trusting obedience on the part of those to whom He has given a task. George Mueller is well known for having run an orphanage on nothing, essentially, not telling anyone of his needs but just praying about them and having people show up with money or supplies when needed, sometimes within minutes of a deadline. His faith was certainly stretched, and many have had their faith grown by reading about him. The irony is that however many such stories we know about, we tend to have trouble trusting God when we are the ones needing the supply. I wonder if God laughs at us sometimes? However, we must not forget that God’s provision demands careful, accurate stewardship. If we use His provision just as pleases us, rather than in obedience to Him, we will not only find that provision dries up, we will also be called to account for it. Even Paul was very careful in that area. (2 Corinthians 8:20-21) We are to trust God, but we must not be presumptive or careless.

We are in the situation of needing a great deal of financial supply within the next month. The amount involved is somewhat mind boggling at this point, but that’s not a problem for God. I’ve got to walk carefully, knowing whom to ask for advice, dotting all the “i”s and crossing all the “t”s. I’m frankly not very good at that. I am to function as something of a “faith engine,” encouraging all who are involved but not feeling I am to do it all myself. I must remember that this is God’s project and everything about Him is holy, and act accordingly.

Father, thank You for the enormous encouragement You have given us over the past 36 hours. Thank You that we could visit a facility yesterday that is similar to what we are planning. Thank You most especially for having been put in contact with another church that has already done what You are leading us to do, so that we may learn from them. Help us get the advice we need from the sources You indicate, so that in every detail we may proceed as You desire, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Political Leadership; September 1, 2017

Posted on September 2, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 36:23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:
“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.'”

When you think about it, this was a pretty remarkable decision and proclamation on the part of Cyrus. I can’t help but wonder what sort of dream/vision/revelation he had to bring him to this point. We need to remember that everywhere it says LORD it’s talking about God’s covenant name, written YHWH, which would have distinguished Him from the assorted Baals, since that name is also translated as lord. That title was probably given to Marduk, who was a major god of the Babylonians, and they had several more as well. The point to us is that however He did it, God the Creator of the universe revealed Himself to Cyrus the Persian and told him that the Jews were His people and He wanted them to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem. In other words, God used someone who had no covenant connection to Him to accomplish His purposes. Frankly, that hurts our pride. Where does He get off, using someone who hasn’t been committed to Him when we’ve served Him for so long? That sort of reaction is remarkably common. At the moment, Donald Trump is implementing various policies that bolster Biblical morality and religious freedom in America, but some look at his personal history and despise him anyway. He hasn’t lived like a dedicated Christian for much of his life, but at this point he is showing clear evidence that God has gotten through to him, however He did it. That’s cause to rejoice! Mr. Trump is still far from a perfect human being, but then so are we. The point for us is to seek God and His purposes and not focus on who He chooses to use. The Lord’s Prayer is still valid for every believer to pray!

I was certainly no fan of Donald Trump. Before he ventured into politics I frankly despised him, from what I knew of him, which was certainly not a very Christian attitude! In the primaries I was for Ted Cruz all the way, because I saw in him someone who lived out the faith he proclaimed. In the primaries Mr. Trump reinforced all the negative opinions I had of him! However, as he started to express his policies, especially after he clinched the nomination, I started to realize that he was someone God could use. At this point, seeing how he has been treated, I think Mr. Cruz is blessed not to the the target of such incredible attacks! I see that my responsibility is to pray for the president, just as Paul said. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) I am to pray for God’s control of his tongue and his “Twitter finger,” and for God to refine and guide the team of people that is gathered around him. I am to pray a hedge of protection around him, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He has great authority and thus great responsibility, and he needs all the help he can get. Light and darkness are coming into sharp focus, and I need to be active in and for the light.

Father, it frankly feels strange to be so emotionally involved in politics, since I never used to be. Help me be fully committed to You and Your kingdom, and not to any individual or system, so that I won’t miss whatever part You have for me to play in Your plans, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Following Leadership; August 31, 2017

Posted on September 2, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 35:1 Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.

This account goes into great detail about all that was done, and by whom, for the great celebration of Passover. It was probably the fact that such observances had been overlooked for so long that made Josiah want to do this on such a scale. I’m sure God was pleased with what they did, and the people were greatly blessed. The thing is, however, that this didn’t prevent the judgment that came on Jerusalem and Judah just a few years later, within the lifetime and ministry of Jeremiah, who was already serving as a prophet at this time. The contrast between Josiah and the few kings who followed him doubtless made things all the more painful to Jeremiah. Big celebrations of faith can be wonderful and aren’t to be discouraged, but they are nowhere near as important as daily faithfulness. Yesterday’s reading pointed out the importance of leadership, but people also have to consent to be led. As a negative example, Hitler would have gotten nowhere without the German people following his leadership. Each individual is accountable before God. We forget that to our peril.

I am not to run from leadership, but at the same time I am not to accuse myself over people who refuse to be led. Jesus died for all mankind, taking the penalty for our sins on Himself, but each person is still responsible to recognize and acknowledge their need for the salvation He has provided, and choose to accept it. I don’t save anyone, but I do proclaim salvation in Christ to them. I am to seek effective ways of communicating the Gospel, but I can’t force anyone to accept it. You could say that God’s banquet is self-service: He puts it out there, but we have to take it for ourselves. God has challenged this congregation with a project that is huge, considering our current numbers. I am to be tireless in sharing and explaining what has happened to this point and what is going on now, but acceptance and participation are up to each individual. A problem with my ministry in the past has been a tendency to assume more knowledge and understanding than people actually have. I need to make the effort to break things down sufficiently so that people own this project themselves, trusting You to provide but offering themselves as part of Your provision. It’s God’s idea, but we are personally responsible for how we participate.

Father, thank You for all that You are doing. Thank You for the increasing participation in prayer meeting! Thank You for the message You’re growing in me for Sunday. I ask Your anointing this morning as I get that outline prepared, and then on Sunday as I deliver the message. May Your Spirit through me open people’s hearts and minds so that they will indeed seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, putting us all in line with what You are doing for the salvation of many and for Your glory.; Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Leadership; August 30, 2017

Posted on September 1, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 34:33 Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers.

The story of Josiah is told in a little more detail in the parallel passage in 2 Kings 22-23, but any way you look at it, he was pretty impressive. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, (2 Chronicles 35:25) and probably contributed to the prophet’s formative years. That said, this verse points out the vital function of leadership. As long as King Josiah was alive, those under him didn’t deviate from God’s way (once he got them back onto it). However, once he was gone, the people strayed again. In Protestant churches today we give at least lip service to the concept of the priesthood of the believer, but that doesn’t mean leadership isn’t important. America wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in today if more pastors had been the leaders God called them to be, speaking out against the evils of the day. As it is now, simply preaching a message on Biblical morality will get you branded as a “bigot,” preaching “hate speech.” If Biblical morality had been proclaimed and practiced by more church leaders in the previous 70 years, that wouldn’t be the case. Looking back, however, shows us that the “sexual revolution” of the ’60s and ’70s infected the Church too, and leaders didn’t lead or led in the wrong direction. As James points out, “[those] who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) If you are going to lead God’s people, you’ve got to lead them in obedience to Him, and set the example for such obedience.

Since I entered seminary in 1976, this hits me squarely. A previous pastor of a church I served in the US had major problems because of being unable to assert leadership in the case of the adultery of one of the deacons. It practically killed him, and the church was still suffering from the fallout when I got there. My tenure wasn’t the smoothest, but I think I left them better off than I found them. That’s not to say I was bold in my leadership. Actually, leadership has been something I have been tempted to shy away from over the years, and that hasn’t been good. Right now we are in a major project, which naturally requires clear leadership. I’m not to draw back, but finish well, so that the church may be firmly set on the course the Lord has for us. I am to teach and admonish, (Colossians 3:16) and I am to receive teaching and admonition. I am to keep our focus on God, on His kingdom and His righteousness, and not on any of the many worldly considerations that clamor for attention. As was rightly pointed out, everything we do needs to draw people into the family of God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your patience with me as I have tried to get out of the leadership role You assigned me to. I pray that my leadership, for as long as You have me in it, would indeed draw people to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Humility; August 29, 2017

Posted on September 1, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 34:27 “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.”

I have completely lost count of how many times the Bible says God likes humility in His children. You could just about say that pride is at the root of every sin, because willful disobedience is certainly rooted in pride. However, thinking about it rationally and objectively, a 2-year-old whose favorite word is NO wouldn’t survive very long without their parents., or at least some adult. The appropriate attitude before God is to realize that we are certainly no more capable of genuine independence than a 2-year-old, and that Daddy certainly knows best. We have such trouble grasping that God’s regulations are always for our good. We think He is restricting us, when really He is protecting us. We forget that we have a crafty enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and so we fall for his lies. God doesn’t ask humility of us to keep us down, but rather to build us up. Our pride, our boast, should be in our Father who loves us. Many a small child is convinced their father can do anything. Well, we have a Father who really can! However, we’ve got to let go of our self-sufficiency as well as our insecurities and choose really to trust Him, for all of His blessings to be manifested in our lives.

Right now we are in training in this, but then, all of life is training in this! We take a few steps and stumble, but if our hearts are right with God He is always there to catch us. I am learning more and more thoroughly that I can indeed do nothing apart from Christ. (John 15:5) The difficulty at this point is in knowing what my part is in cooperating with what He is doing. Like Paul, I must not be afraid to work hard, (Colossians 1:29) but at the same time remember that anything good that happens is His doing. Like everyone around me, I am a bundle of contradictions. I need to release and commit myself to my Lord, contradictions and all, so that His perfect plans may be fulfilled in and through me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This is a truth that can be hard to communicate. I pray that Your Spirit would indeed work through my words and my actions to impart it to Your children, so that together we may be and do all that You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Youth; August 28, 2017

Posted on August 31, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 34:3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.

We really have very little emotional grasp of what life was like back then. Current life expectancy in developed countries would have been unimaginable to them, because there were so many ways to die. Josiah himself died in battle at 39. That was all the more reason to get an early start on life! Since they made him king when he was 8, after his father was assassinated, the 8th year of his reign was when he was 16, which the writer acknowledges was still young. When we think about the activities of 16-year-olds today, this is all the more impressive! With considerable wisdom he waited four more years before making his move to rid Judah of idolatry, but the course was set at 16. There are many impressive young people today, but in general we expect too little of them, especially in matters of faith, and so fail to challenge them to be and do all that they can be for God. Teenagers have impacted the world in various ways down through the centuries. In a negative way, many of the members of the notorious MS13 gang are even in their early teens. For the most part they were sucked in by their need to belong, to be accepted as part of something, which is often acute at that age. Those caught in that net have not been given the acceptance and sense of purpose they needed by adults with a firm grasp of morality, and the results are tragic. We need to accept and value young people as they are right now, challenging them to be all they can be. We never know when we will encounter another Josiah!

Thinking back, I was still 16 when I started college, and I made a lot of decisions around then that have impacted my life ever since. Some of those decisions were good and some not, but most of the adults around me weren’t really aware of the decisions at the time I made them. Even so, I had a far more supportive environment than most young people, I think. Right now I have very little interaction with anyone under 18, but a man in this church is wanting to get a ministry to teenagers going, and I need to be fully supportive of that. I need to help people “remember their Creator in the days of their youth,” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) so that they may make the best use of their lives, however long they might be.

Father, when we are so involved in planning for an elder-care facility, this isn’t something that’s been very big on my radar. Thank You for bringing it to my attention. I pray that the middle school/high school ministry would indeed catch fire and many young people be born again, to live their whole lives – and throughout eternity – as Your children, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Listening to God; August 27, 2017

Posted on August 31, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 33:10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

This is a very sad statement that could be repeated many times about many different people. The idea that the Creator would indeed care about and speak to His creation seems absurd to many. Even such minds as Einstein, while seeing that the complexity of the universe demanded a Creator, couldn’t bring themselves to accept a genuinely personal God. The thing is, so long as we think He’s impersonal we think we can get by with ignoring Him. If He genuinely cares, as the Bible insists He does, then we are personally accountable to Him, and many people don’t like that. However, if we refuse accountability, then we are also refusing salvation: you can’t have it both ways. Either God doesn’t care, or we are responsible to listen and obey. Just as it was with King Manasseh, God in His mercy will allow circumstances that cause us to recognize our dependence on Him and cry out to Him, but how we respond is ultimately up to us.

God has indeed spoken to me many times and in many ways, but I haven’t always listened. As the Bible says, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) He has spoken to me through various individuals, through reading the Bible, and even directly. My response has sometimes been good, but I feel it has at best been incomplete. I find myself thinking about what Jesus said: “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.’” (Luke 17:10) I can’t even say I’ve done everything I was told to do! I desire to listen accurately to God, but all sorts of things seem to get in the way. I need to remember that God is greater than any or all of those obstacles, and rest in the assurance that He will guide me. Right now I find myself second-guessing my own decisions, and the devil is attacking my mind with doubt. I need to remember that God is greater than my weaknesses, and He can and will use even my mistakes for blessing and for His glory. (Romans 8:28) His Spirit in me is greater than the devil! (1 John 4:4)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Resting, relaxing, and rejoicing in You can be difficult at times! Help me let go and trust You fully, with the little things and the big things, so that I may be fully obedient, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Active Obedience; August 26, 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 31:21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

This passage gives us a glimpse of the duties of the Levites that I don’t recall seeing anywhere else. When people were bringing their offerings of foodstuffs to the temple, that in turn had to be distributed to all the priests and Levites who were eligible to receive it, and here we have a listing of who did what. However, the key element in all of this is expressed in this verse. Hezekiah got it all set up and running properly because he sought God first and foremost. (It’s interesting that where the NIV says, “he pros­pered,” the Japanese says, “he met his goal.”) Seeking God and working wholeheartedly are certainly the keys to success! We seek God because we know we can’t do it on our own, but we work wholeheartedly in service and obedience to Him. Too often we either fail to seek Him in the first place, trying to accomplish things in our own strength and wisdom, or else we become passive, expecting Him to do it all without our participation. Neither course works! We need to remember, and believe, what Jesus said: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) At the same time, we need to follow Paul’s admonition: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23) The wisdom and power are God’s, but we are often called to participate.

This is something I have tried to operate by for quite a few years now, but I can’t say I always succeed. Right now is certainly more training in it. I can’t do or provide what is needed on my own, but that doesn’t mean I’m to be passive. It can be very hard to balance the demands of the larger project with all the little details of my life apart from that project. I’ve got to remember that though I can’t keep it straight, God can, and so make listening to Him my first priority. That of course fits perfectly with what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 about seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. I’ve got to remember that it’s His Church and His world and His plan, and commit myself to humble, joyful participation as He directs.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for what You enabled us to get done yesterday. Keep me from the poison of resentment about anything I am called on to do. May I indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, just as You have told me to do, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Tithing; August 25, 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 31:10 Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”

When God’s people get right with Him, the blessings are abundant. What was brought to the temple was simply a proportional representation of the blessings to the whole nation. That they returned to the Lord genuinely and in large numbers is indicated by verse one of this chapter, when it speaks of the people continuing the destruction of idols as they went back to their homes. They had encountered Yahweh in truth, and they weren’t going to abide that trash any more. The flip side of that is that they were instructed in tithing, and they followed through. Over the years I have encountered many people who resented tithing, and/or insisted that it was just for Old Testament times. In a sense they are right: in the New Testament, everything belongs to God! A tithe is simply a reminder that God is the source of everything; it’s more for our sake than His. As comes out here, it is also God’s plan for supplying the needs of the priests and Levites, which in New Testament terms would be the pastor and church staff. (verse 4) When God’s people are in right relationship with Him, the Church never lacks for supplies.

I was taught tithing from childhood, but somewhere along the line it went by the wayside. Sometime around the birth of our second daughter in 1973, I started to feel under conviction about that. We were in a very tight situation financially, so much so that Medicaid paid for the c-section and related care. Cathy and I knew we should tithe, but we never had a tenth left over at the end of the month. Finally we decided to trust God enough to give a tithe as soon as the money came in. What do you know, we even had a little left over at the end of the month! We have tithed faithfully ever since, and though we have had somewhat tight periods, our needs have always been met. This church has also been pretty good at giving, particularly considering the size and financial status of the congregation. I don’t receive net income from the church when you consider what I give, but as a matter of principle I receive a tithe of the general offerings. The only real way to increase that is to increase the number of members. That’s not a very good motive for evangelism, but it’s a fact of life. Right now we are involved in a project that couldn’t be internally financed even if every member liquidated all they have. That’s a good reminder that God isn’t limited by our weaknesses. As God supplies, however He does it, I need to keep the church’s focus on Him rather than on the finances. Frankly, that’s not so easy even for me. I need to lift my own eyes to Him, even as I have been telling others to do for many years, and rest, relax, and rejoice in Him.

Father, thank You for all You are allowing us to experience. Help us learn all that You want to teach us in this, as well as be faithful to fulfill the part that You have for us to play, so that all of Your plans for us may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Unity in Obedience; August 24, 2017

Posted on August 26, 2017 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 30:12 Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord.

Genuine unity comes from God. We know from Jesus’ high-priestly prayer (John 17) that unity among God’s people is His desire and design, so we should seek it with assurance. In this particular instance, God directed the king and his officials, and the people had unity in doing what they were told. Often in churches we have people who say, “Well God didn’t tell me that,” and there is a rupture in unity. That’s one of the problems with democratic church government. Of course, the flip side of that is the problem of church leadership that isn’t listening to God. As our Scripture for the Year proclaims, we are indeed all priests and kings (1 Peter 2:9), but God does set shepherds over His flock. (Ephesians 4:11-13) As Paul says, a major purpose of such shepherds is to lead the flock into unity of faith and purpose. The devil hates such unity and will use every trick at his disposal to thwart it, so we’ve got to be on our guard. Every one of the devil’s weapons is a lie, but the flip side of that is that lies are his greatest weapon, because we are so gullible. To maintain unity we have to stand on the truth of God, and thus be set free from the lies of the devil. (John 8:32)

Right now we are involved in a major project, and the devil is coming at me in a full-court press. I can name several missionaries who got involved in real-estate-related projects whose work has seemed to peter out into nothing, and I am being told I’m doing the same thing. However, this wasn’t something I wanted to do in the first place, and I see too many things coming together to not see God’s hand in it. At the same time, I see huge challenges/obstacles, and frankly, I’m tired. One factor is that the Lord has recently brought a brother to join us who has a real burden for evangelism, who called us to account at our called business meeting, saying that if we were doing this project to bring souls into the kingdom of God then we should give it all we’ve got, but if not, we shouldn’t touch it. That brother has just started an outreach on his own to middle school and high school students. I’ve got to keep my focus on God’s kingdom and His righteousness and rest assured that He will supply everything I need, especially for the things He directs me to do. (Matthew 6:33)

Father, I find myself wanting to know better how to submit to You, so that I may better resist the devil and have him flee. It’s no fun to wake up in the middle of the night, under mental attack. Help me trust You fully without being passive, doing faithfully all that You have me do without feeling I have to supply the wisdom or power necessary. As You had me pray in the prayer meeting last night, help me hear and obey You, not leaning on my own understanding, so that You may make Your path straight ahead of us, (Proverbs 3:5-6) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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