Government; September 7, 2017

Posted on September 9, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 7:24 “You are also to know that you have no authority to impose taxes, tribute or duty on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants or other workers at this house of God.”

How about that! This is the earliest mention I’m aware of of tax exemption for churches! Taxes were a big deal back then, no less so than today, so this declaration on the part of Artaxerxes was huge. Government often seems to be in the way of a lot of things (even though there are valid things that can be done best through government), but government is not above God. Sometimes politicians and bureaucrats seem to feel they are above God, but that is a sad delusion. Some governments, like North Korea, for example, actively set themselves against the God of the Bible. That can be terrible for believers on this earth, but it accomplishes nothing in the long run. Right now the whole world is anxious about what North Korea might do, but even if it is the trigger for a nuclear war (the worst possible scenario) it won’t ultimately block God’s plans. Human governments of all sorts are limited to this earth, which means they are strictly temporary. The only problem with that is that our physical bodies also are temporary, but the abiding hope of the believer is that there is far better to come. Paul famously tells us to pray for government leaders, for the express purpose of improving society. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Government that functions as God intends can indeed be a good thing, but we are not to be dependent on even a good government. Rather, we are to recognize that we are accountable first to God, and then to human authority. There have been many forms of government down through the millenia and none of them have been – or are – perfect, because human beings aren’t perfect. Modern democracies give the populace far more voice in government than past forms of government, so every believer should seek God’s will in what part they are to play. However, we must remember that God is, after all, God, and never think that any human institution has more power than He does.

It seems a little strange to me that at this stage in my life I am so much more interested in government than I ever was as a young person. I have become something of a “news junkie,” and I’ve got to remember to let God show me what is and what isn’t important. At this point Japanese government regulations tend to be a real irritation, but I’ve got to remember to submit first to God and then to the government. I am to thank Him for His sovereignty over all things, and submit everything to Him in prayer. He can thread any bureaucratic maze! I am to thank Him for the high level of public safety and the reasonable level of personal liberty in Japan, while at the same time finding my own safety and liberty in Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the visit we could make to the group home yesterday, and for the hope that it gave us of being able to get through all the red tape ourselves. I continue to ask for wisdom for each of us involved in this project, and above all faith that it is Your project, and You are going to see us through to a successful outcome. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Asking; September 6, 2017

Posted on September 8, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 7:6 The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

This points out a very important truth that comes out again and again throughout the Bible: God provides, but He often uses people as His instruments to do so – even non-believing people. There is also another truth here: often, we have to ask for what we need. That truth is most famously found in the words of Jesus: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) We generally take that as telling us to ask God for things, but sometimes it means we are to ask people. Actually, this applies in many human interactions. James said, “You do not have, because you do not ask God,” (James 4:2) but that applies to asking people, too. Our passage says Ezra got all he asked for because the hand of God was upon him. That’s a very important point. Jesus spoke many times of asking “in His name.” That doesn’t mean just tacking His name onto whatever request we come up with, but rather asking in line with His character and who He is. Ezra was making requests of a Gentile king, but he was doing so as a representative of the God of Israel, so God saw to it that his requests were granted.

I find myself in precisely this position today. I believe God is going to provide all the funds we need for the land, building, and operating expenses for the senior-care facility He is directing us to build, but I’ve got to ask for those funds. I’m not to be pie-in-the-sky about it, but have a concrete business plan drawn up. Right now I don’t have enough information to be able to flesh out that business plan, so I’ve got to do the necessary research. One thing that is a complete question mark right now is how many employees we will have and what we will pay them. That being the bulk of our operating cost, having that nailed down is essential. I need to be proactive in seeking out and setting up visits to similar facilities in the area. We have made contact with a church-run facility in another prefecture and their attitude is very helpful, but we need to know what the local pay scale is for such workers. I am to operate in faith, but be hard-headed and practical at the same time. I am not to miss God’s provision, of information, money, or anything else, for failing to ask!

Father thank You for this very clear, specific Word this morning. Help me follow through in full obedience. Thank You for all the things You are doing to assure us that this is Your idea and You are in charge. Help each of us involved to recognize and fulfill our part in Your plan, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Solutions; September 5, 2017

Posted on September 8, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 6:3 In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:
Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid.

This is one of the more delightful stories in the Old Testament. The enemies of the Jews tried legal means to block their rebuilding of the temple, and it backfired on them big time. Darius located the original decree by Cyrus, and he not only validated it, he ordered the enemies of the Jews to provide for its fulfillment! God indeed has a way of turning things around, using people and circumstances that would seem to tear His children down to instead support and strengthen them. As Paul said, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) We are quick to panic at what faces us, but God sees the end from the beginning, and His plans are good. That’s not to say that our way will be easy; Jesus promised that in this world we would have trouble. (John 16:33) Likewise, the lessons and discipline God knows we need are often pretty unpleasant at the time. Just as it says in Hebrews, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11) The point for us is to trust God and look forward to what He is going to do through whatever we are experiencing. We won’t see the final results in this life, but even the mid-term results can be a huge blessing, and we need to look forward to them.

We are in the middle of this, but then this is the story of all of life. When we focus on the difficulty of the moment it can seem like a huge mountain. Sometimes God wants to strengthen us by having us climb it, but sometimes it disappears in a moment, just as in this story. The thing is, we don’t know which it will be, or whether (most probably) it will be something in between. Paul went through a lot of stuff, and we need to remember what He said about it all. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) The thing is, I may have learned that secret, but as a pastor I am to teach it to the flock. It’s not a lesson we learn very easily! I can’t change anyone’s heart directly, but I can speak the truth to them in love, and allow the Holy Spirit to impart that truth to their hearts so that they may receive it and be set free from the traps of the devil. (John 8:32)

Father, You know who is struggling, and how. I ask Your grace and mercy for each of us, so that together we may receive and walk in all that You have planned for us, allowing You to replace our weakness with Your strength, (Isaiah 40:31, 2 Corinthians 12:9) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emotions; September 4, 2017

Posted on September 6, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 3:13 No-one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

Intense emotions of various sorts can indeed become jumbled both to an outside observer and to the person himself. Emotion can and does cloud thinking and reasoning. It can at times be very inconvenient. However, it is indeed the “spice of life;” without it, existence is grey indeed. One of the more pathetic things I have seen is people who are over-medicated for bipolar disorder. Their emotions of all sorts are flattened, and they just exist. That’s no way to live! I personally think emotions are one of the ways in which we were created in God’s image. (Genesis 1:27) Some people protest that is anthropomorphizing God, but the Bible speaks many times of God’s emotions in various ways. How that would be is a mystery, since He certainly doesn’t have our human endocrine system secreting hormones of all sorts. However, Josephus reported that Jesus was known for mood swings, going from laughing to crying and the like. Some people would insist that was because He was mentally unbalanced, claiming to be the Son of God, but I think it was because He was having to deal with His Father’s emotions in the confines of a human body. In any case, emotions are part of what it means to be human, and we aren’t to run from them. At the same time, we aren’t to be controlled by them. We are to accept emotions of all sorts as gifts from God, and seek Him for how we are to be stewards of those emotions. That includes negative emotions, because if we never knew sorrow, for example, we couldn’t appreciate joy. That’s one reason the devil attacks us in the area of emotions: the more pure and holy something is, the more he wants to steal, kill, and destroy it.

I certainly have my share of emotions. However, in general I am more the cerebral, dispassionate type. I say that, but honest self-examination says that is probably an illusion. I do have a gift for objective thinking, but that can lead to a kind of pride that is very dangerous. “Objectivity” can be simply another word for lack of empathy. If I am indeed to love my neighbor as myself, (Matthew 12:31) that means getting emotionally involved. At the same time, emotions can shake us around like a terrier with a rat. As I mentioned, Jesus seems to have had to deal with that. I am to submit my emotions, along with everything else, to God, because He has a good purpose for every detail of how He created me, and I am to rest in that assurance.

Father, yesterday was a good example, with a wide variety of emotions. Thank You. Help me indeed apply the emotions You allow me to have in the way You intend them, so that in every way I may be and do what You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving to God; September 3, 2017

Posted on September 4, 2017 by jgarrott

Ezra 2:68-69 When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings towards the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.

When you think about it, this was a pretty remarkable offering. These people were described as “heads of families,” but those families had been in exile for over 70 years. Half a ton of gold and 3 tons of silver is a lot of money! Perhaps this reinforces the veracity of the Book of Esther, where in chapter 9 it describes the triumph of the Jews over their enemies. It says they “didn’t lay their hands on the plunder,” (Esther 9:10, 15, 16) but I wonder if the government didn’t give them the resources of their enemies, rather than it being “plunder.” In any case, these heads of families had a lot of money at this point, and they gave it for the rebuilding of the temple. It certainly wasn’t enough for the total cost, but it was a start, and they did what they could. God later provided the rest of the resources they needed through the Persian government, actually, but these believers were given the opportunity and privilege of giving what they could. The principle of giving in proportion to what we have been given is repeated in the New Testament. (2 Corinthians 9:7) God never asks us for anything He hasn’t given us in the first place, and He gives us the privilege of participating in His “supply chain.”

This is extremely close to home for us right now. We first began to believe that we would be able to purchase land next door to build a senior-care facility when one of the believers said they wanted to give the money to buy the land, when some major funds came in this month (which was over a year in the future at that point). Recently we found out that they had been mistaken as to the timing of the funds coming in, but meanwhile we had signed a contract and made a down payment on the land. Part of what they were expecting has come in, but now they are having second thoughts about giving what they have available. That is certainly frustrating, but it teaches us to rely on God and not people. If they hang onto what they have promised, they are keeping company with Ananias and Sapphira, (Acts 5) and that is dangerous company indeed! I am not to threaten, but I am to make it very clear that they aren’t dealing simply with people, but with God. I need God’s anointing and wisdom in talking with them, that they may be liberated from this trap the devil has set for them. God will provide all we need, but we all need to get in line with Him.

Father, as You have reminded me, I can’t change anyone, but You can. I continue to pray for each of the people involved in this project that they would recognize Your leading and follow it. May we all rejoice to participate in what You are doing, in whatever way You direct, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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!

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment