January 7, 2016

Posted on January 9, 2016 by jgarrott

Isaiah 8:12-14 “Do not call conspiracy
everything that these people call conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
and he will be a sanctuary.”

It is very interesting to read this shortly after information has been declassified and released proving that there was indeed a conspiracy around JFK’s assassination. Conspiracies abound, as do treaties and agreements, open and secret, but we aren’t to be obsessed with them. (“Treaty” is an alternative translation for “conspiracy”in this passage.) God sees through it all, whether it’s open or secret, and He is to be our focus. Right now the supposed agreement between Iran and the US is big news, and for good reason, but God is bigger than it all, and He is far more powerful than even a nuclear, terrorism-sponsoring Iran. Right now His Spirit is working within Iran and drawing more and more people into the Body of Christ, just as He has been doing in China for the past 50 years. Those who are in Christ don’t need to fear such countries, but rather stay focused on God, His kingdom and His righteousness. For most of world history, common citizens have had very little impact on national/international policy; representative democracy is a very new arrival. We are to exercise our rights vigorously, but not in fear. The various schemes of the devil should not surprise us, but if we are fully submitted to God, He is our Holy Place and we have nothing to fear, just as this passage says.

I have been aware of world events ever since I had a superb English teacher in the 7th grade, who required us to follow a topic in the news each week, clipping newspaper articles and writing summaries of each day and each week. It was excellent training in critical thinking as well as writing, and I have profited from it in the over 50 years since. For the past 8 years, leading up to and throughout the current US administration, I have been increasingly involved emotionally in what has been going on. This passage is a good and pointed reminder that I’m not to be afraid, however indignant I might be. God is still God, whatever conspiracies/treaties/whatever are going on in human governments, nationally or internationally. I am to trust Him and find my peace in Him, however little peace there might be around me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I am indeed emotionally invested in this year’s US presidential election. Keep me from letting events shake me or make me anxious. Rather, help me focus on what You are doing, that generally doesn’t get reported in the news, and keep myself available to You for whatever part You have for me to play in it, so that Your will may indeed be done on this earth, as perfectly as it is in heaven, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 6, 2016

Posted on January 8, 2016 by jgarrott

Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

This truth is more obvious than ever in the modern world, with not only cosmetics but cosmetic surgery, not to mention Photoshop. There are countless women with, at times, striking physical beauty who are paraded before us by various media, but the sad impression is that for the majority it is no more than a shell. Interestingly, I know some women who do fear the Lord who have steadily gotten more beautiful with age. I can think of one off hand who is currently beautiful indeed, but I saw a picture of her as a young mother and I almost had to wonder what her husband saw in her! However, he too is someone who fears the Lord, and he also has gotten better looking with age! This is a reminder of something the Lord told Samuel long ago: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Peter (a married man) put it this way: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4) It can be very difficult to gain independence from the world’s standards, and self-image problems are a major issue today. However when by the help of the Holy Spirit we switch over to God’s standards, everyone benefits.

I had a student show up for an exam last year wearing a remarkably perceptive T-shirt. It said, “Men fall in love through their eyes, but women fall in love through their ears.” There is a lot of truth in that! Whereas anyone can make poor decisions, I’d say that women have the advantage when it comes to choosing a good partner. I personally was blessed incredibly in that area. I’ll concede that my wife first “caught my eye,” as the saying goes, but it was the depth that I found in her through talking about a wide variety of things that convinced me this was the one with whom I wanted to spend my life. Good decision! She has never been big on makeup, and her skin has benefited to the point that she is the envy of many of her lady friends. However, the inner beauty Peter spoke of radiates from her to the point that many are drawn to her. She is careful of her appearance but that is not her top priority, and she certainly doesn’t have much to worry about. I am blessed beyond measure, and I give God praise and thanks.

Father, I’ve thought for a long time that this chapter was talking about Cathy. Thank You for Your incredible grace. She’s been going through a lot physically/medically, and there’s more on the immediate horizon. I pray Your full healing for her, but more than that, I pray Your anointing, the full assurance of Your presence, so that Your peace may fill her and radiate from her, drawing all who see her to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 5, 2016

Posted on January 8, 2016 by jgarrott

Proverbs 3:25-26 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.

There are some real differences in translation between the NIV and the Japanese, but they don’t affect the over-all thrust of the passage. Where the NIV says, “the ruin that overtakes the wicked,” the Japanese says, “even when the wicked come at you.” Where the NIV says, “the Lord will be your confidence,” the Japanese says, “the Lord will be by your side.” Either way, though, the point is that genuine wisdom depends on God, and He is faithful. There are many things in life with the potential to make us afraid, and that is what the devil wants to use them for. The reason God allows them to exist is that He wants us to learn to trust Him, refusing to be afraid regardless of the circumstances. The peace that can be had through trusting God is available no other way, because it is independent of circumstances. That’s what Paul was talking about in Philippians 4:6-7. That passage gets quoted often, but how often does it really get applied? Trusting God isn’t a matter of lip service, it’s a decision of the heart, of the will. When that is at the core of our being, nothing can shake us.

This is a lesson I’ve been learning over the years, allowing it to work down from my brain into my heart. That process isn’t complete yet! Recently I’ve been having some fairly intense training in that area, but right now I feel like I’m being given a break. It’s rather pleasant! I need to receive the rest and refreshing the Lord has for me at this point, because a month from today my wife will have an MRI preparatory to brain surgery, and that will certainly be an exercise in trusting God. I am not to borrow anxiety ahead of time. As Jesus said, each day has enough troubles of its own! (Matthew 6:34) Rather, I am to “live in the moment,” resting and rejoicing in the assurance of God’s power and love, the knowledge that nothing is too difficult for Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for this “break time” you’re giving me. Thank You that I could be Your agent of blessing at the funeral yesterday, and that I felt the blessing was received. Thank You that I’ve been able to sleep a bit later the past couple of mornings. It’s interesting how something as simple as that can impact me. It’s been many years since You first told me (that I heard it) to rest, relax, and rejoice, and I’ve not been too quick in learning to do that. Thank You for Your patience with me. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You whether my circumstances are calm or hectic, whether I am seeing fruitfulness or not, simply trusting You with everything, so that Your purposes may be fulfilled in and through me on Your schedule, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 4, 2016

Posted on January 5, 2016 by jgarrott

Proverbs 1:29-31 Since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord,
since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

The Bible makes it very clear in countless places that we bring trouble on ourselves by our actions. Romans 6:23 is justly famous: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” However, this passage fleshes that out a little bit. Frankly, reading this brings to mind the gang culture in the US right now. That “gangsta” would be a style anyone would want to emulate is beyond me! Not long ago a young boy was killed by police in a tragic incident because he was emulating a “gang banger” with a very realistic toy pistol, waving it around like he was going to shoot someone or something. That is tragic indeed, and the culture that produced it is clearly a work of the devil. Wisdom is in all-too-short supply! All such foolishness originates with the choice mentioned here: not to fear the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 hits the nail on the head: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” When we choose not to fear God, all sorts of stupidity follows.

I was raised to fear God, but as I’ve written recently, I didn’t learn that lesson terribly well. I now realize that I have no one but myself to blame for various problems I experienced, but it breaks my heart that society today teaches people to blame anyone but themselves for their problems. That is denying the truth in this passage, that we all “eat the fruit” of our actions. I deal with people all the time who can’t seem to get that through their heads, and they suffer for it greatly. I am not to look down on them but remember that it is only by the grace of God that I am not currently in their place. I am to keep speaking the truth in love, praying for their eyes to be opened, but not yielding to their delusions. If God’s grace was sufficient for me, it is sufficient for them as well.

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for the young people who were in the service because of being home for the holiday, reminding me of the impact I have had on their lives. Thank You for the wake of the dear friend last night, reminding me that You can bring people into Your family even in old age. I pray that I would indeed not grow weary in doing well, (Galatians 6:9) but allow Your Spirit to carry me along and operate through me, working Your works on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

January 3, 2015

Posted on January 5, 2016 by jgarrott

Psalm 118:13-14 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

This Psalm was written by someone who genuinely loved God, had experienced Him personally, and wanted everyone to know it. That’s why it is quoted several times in the New Testament, including by Jesus! (Matthew 21:42) Parts of it have been set to music many times, including verse 14 right here, which certainly seems appropriate when it speaks of the Lord becoming the Psalmist’s song. The thing is, it could and should be the testimony of every believer, because as Jesus said, in this world we have trouble, but when we are in Him, we experience victory. (John 16:33) Circumstances can indeed push us back to the point we think we can’t take it any more, but in such times we can really discover that the Lord is indeed salvation. Each person walks a different path, but God is there for everyone who will turn to Him. The problem comes when we fail to turn to Him, when we depend on our own resources. The quicker we realize our own resources aren’t up to the task, the better off we are!

I find these two verses are very descriptive of my immediate situation. Emotionally I feel quite “pushed back,” and my margins are pretty slim. However, when I focus on the Lord and praise Him, His peace and strength flood into me. My circumstances don’t change necessarily, but my response to them does. This is further training in trusting God and walking by faith rather than sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) The thing I need to be most careful about is not to wallow in my own misery, being self-centered about it all, but to keep my eyes and ears open to my Lord, to be, do, and say what He desires, so that I may fulfill all His plans for me, which I know are the ultimate good I could possibly experience.

Father, thank You for Your grace. Thank You that I did listen to you this morning, to stop in on the early mass at Uematsu Catholic Church, to be an encouragement to Fr. Kamisaki and a blessing to the believers there. Thank You that his homily was about not being self-centered! Thank You for the service here this morning, and that we’ll be able to attend the wake of a dear friend tonight. Thank you that she is someone we will see again before Your throne! May we indeed be Your agents every moment of the day, experiencing Your grace, Your salvation, even as we are conduits of that grace and salvation to others. Thank You. Praise God!

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

January 2, 2016

Posted on January 3, 2016 by jgarrott

Psalms 112:1 Praise the Lord.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
who finds great delight in his commands.

This Psalm could be said to describe the ideal life, so it’s appropriate that it starts with this verse that describes the touchstone for all such blessing. The NIV and some other modern translations translate everything in this verse, but the Japanese, as well as many English translations, start it with the original Hebrew: Hallelujah! I really feel the meaning of that term has been communicated widely and well enough to use it freely, and it is certainly an integral part of Christian worship the world over. That said, the rest of the verse is rather interesting, because we don’t usually associate fear and joy or delight. However, looking around us today, it’s obvious that those who don’t fear God don’t really care what He has to say, much less delight in it. We have to start with the fundamental awareness that God is God. In other words, we have to realize that He is both omnipotent and perfectly holy, so He isn’t going to put up with sin. When we realize how sinful we are, that should give us a healthy fear of God! However, that very same God teaches us how to be obedient to Him and walk in His grace and mercy, and that is indeed something to rejoice about. The person who realizes how fundamentally scary God is, but at the same time how loving, compassionate, and merciful He is, is blessed indeed, because they have a firm moral compass to guide them through life.

I was raised with a knowledge of God, but my fear of Him was all too often deficient. That led me to count on His blessings without being careful of my obedience, and I tripped up pretty badly, more than I like to think about. As a pastor I don’t want to give people the image of God sitting up in heaven with a big stick, just waiting to whack us when we get out of line. Far too many people have that very image, so they spend their lives trying to avoid God. Rather, I need to give people the understanding that God is omnipotent and holy, but the consequences of our sins are things we bring on ourselves; God has provided absolution and cleansing through the blood of His Son. When we are in Christ, we have nothing to fear. This is of course the Gospel I preach, but so few seem to believe and receive it! However, I am never to give up, but keep proclaiming the power, holiness, love and grace of God, so that as many as will may be saved.

Father, just yesterday I was talking with other missionaries about the pall that is over this nation, oppressing the people spiritually and blinding them to the necessity and possibility of salvation. I pray that in this year You would break through that pall, dispelling the darkness with the light of Your truth, so that the many who are already drawn would be set free to follow through and come into Your kingdom, drawing many others with them, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 1, 2016

Posted on January 3, 2016 by jgarrott

Prov 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

I am actually more familiar with this passage from where it is quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6, which is of course quoting the Septuagint translation of this. In any case it is a vitally important truth, both for our relationship with God and for human parenting. Our response to discipline, either God’s or our human father’s, governs a great deal of how we turn out in life. Some human parents fail miserably in their interaction with their children, even to the point of their children dy­ing from either abuse or neglect. I read of such a case just yesterday. However, those are mercifully in the minority, and our heavenly Fa­ther will never either abuse or neglect us. Even in extreme cases, though, the response of the child has a greater impact on the long-term effects than the action itself. Especially in relation to God, if we respond with humility and repentance, correcting our behavior, our emotional and spiritual growth will be rapid and we will enjoy the best He has to offer us. However, if we respond with resentment and rebellion, we will experience a never-ending sequence of discipline until we decide to change. Actually, the scariest situation is when God takes His hands off, because that means we have consigned our­selves to hell. (Hebrews 6:4-6) When God checks us and exposes our sin we should be deeply grateful, because it means that He loves us and hasn’t given up on us. That’s what this passage is saying.

I am very grateful to be aware that God continues to discipline me as I need it. As a parent and as a pastor I am aware that my own ap­plication of discipline has been far from perfect. Since my daughters are in their 40s now they are pretty much out of that category, but as a pastor I am often in situations of needing to apply appropriate dis­cipline. Sometimes I do it well, sometimes not so well, and some­times I fail to do it at all, and that generally produces the worst re­sults. I am to seek God’s wisdom in applying discipline and I am to pray God’s grace for those who receive it, that they may respond well and receive the benefit as well as the momentary discomfort. I am always to speak the truth in love, or I will benefit no one. However, I am not to remain silent out of a fear of people’s response, because that is loving me more than loving them, and I am commanded to love them as I love myself. (Matthew 22:39)

Father, thank You for Your faithful discipline. Thank You for not giving up on me through the years, and that I can rest assured You won’t give up on me even now. I ask for courage and wisdom to be the spiritual father You want me to be. At times it is very difficult, but there too I recognize that You are growing me even as You are growing them. Help us all grow in Your love and grace, so that together we may be the children, the family, that You desire, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

December 31, 2015

Posted on January 1, 2016 by jgarrott

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.”

Existing as we do in the flow of time, we tend to frame everything in the context of what we have already experienced. That’s why time seems to pass more quickly the older you get, because we experience time as compared to how long we already have lived. The thing is, God is outside of time. Since He created the physical universe He is not defined by it, and physicists will tell you that time is a function of that physical universe. Here He is telling us to be more like Him, you might say. Rather than being limited by what we have already experienced, He is telling us to open our minds and hearts to things that, as far as we have experienced, are impossible. The specific examples He gives here are a road in the trackless desert and rivers in the dry wasteland. Just yesterday I saw a satellite picture of a road in North Africa that had been completely blocked by a sand dune, illustrating the futility of man-made roads in the desert. However, the underlying point of this passage is that God provides the seemingly impossible so as to enable us to do what He has planned. The context here is the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity, which actually hadn’t happened yet, so the people were going to need roads to travel and water for their journey, and God is saying, “You’ve got them.” We face different challenges, but whatever we need to meet those challenges is no problem for God, even if it is completely outside of our previous experience. God is saying, “I’ve got it covered. Just do as I say.”

This is a message I really need to receive right now. Cathy and I were praying just last night about how we feel burned out, and how we cannot expect the church to be energetic if we aren’t. God knows what we need better than we do, and we need to trust Him for it. It is exactly as Jesus expressed so clearly in Matthew 6. There the specific issue is physical provision, but seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness is applicable for every other need as well. We are painfully aware of our lack of strength and ability when it comes to bringing in the harvest, which is all the more reason our focus needs to be on Christ, rather than on what we want to do for Him, much less on our own abilities. God is not limited by our past or even by our present. We need to trust Him to bring about whatever He desires in every area, yielding ourselves to Him in grateful obedience.

Father, thank You for this reminder. None of this is new information to me, but I have grown weary and dull in applying it. I ask for a fresh infusion of Your Spirit. I am reminded of a line from Star Wars: “There is no try. Just do.” Help me stop trying, and just do what You say, in Your strength for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

December 30, 2015

Posted on January 1, 2016 by jgarrott

John 1:29, 35-37 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

John was beautifully fixated on his commission, whatever it meant to him personally. This is precisely what his father Zechariah prophesied over him at his birth, that he would prepare the way for the Messiah. (Luke 1:76) It is very clear that he had made his purpose clear to his disciples from the beginning of his ministry, because two of them immediately left him to follow Jesus. Now that’s a true minister of God! Not many people willingly surrender their own territory, so to speak, to another, but that was what John was all about. What he said about Jesus is of course of extreme importance. This was the first public declaration of Jesus’ ministry by a human being since the angel had declared it to the shepherds at his birth, and as such must not be overlooked. John was saying, in no uncertain terms, that Jesus was there to die. I wonder how John and Andrew, John’s two disciples here, understood that? They probably thought it was allegorical in some way, because there was certainly no tradition of human sacrifice in Judaism. However, the only thing that wasn’t done to Jesus was burning on the altar. Tradition tells us that John (the apostle – I wonder if there was ever confusion while he was a disciple of John the Baptist) was young at this time, 16 or perhaps even less, and it would be hard to overstate the impact of this experience on his life. Tradition also tells us that he was the only one of the 12 to die a natural death, well past 90, so he had plenty of opportunity to live out the commitment he made at this point. Both John the Baptist and John the son of Zebedee are magnificent examples for us to follow, as we follow the Lamb.

I confess to a certain kinship with John the Baptist, because the majority of the people who have entered the Family of God through my ministry have gone on to serve Him in other locations, literally around the world. If they had all remained here, this would be a very different church indeed! However, I am not here to build “my ministry,” but the Kingdom of God, so I am to leave things in His hands. Like John the Baptist, I am consistently to point people to Jesus, and let Him assign them to serve wherever He wills. Like John the apostle, I am to live my life in close fellowship with my Lord, communicating His love and grace to all who will receive it.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all the people who are indeed serving You in many different places now, whom You brought into Your family here. I confess to looking at current numbers and getting discouraged. Forgive me. Help me indeed seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, allowing You to use me however You desire, so that Your purposes for me may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

December 29, 2015

Posted on December 31, 2015 by jgarrott

John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

I think the first chapter of John is one of the most glorious passages in all human literature. Choosing a verse to write on is no easy task! However, this verse includes a translation difficulty that is important to notice. The Japanese here agrees with the traditional English translation, that is, “The darkness has not overcome it.” However, the NIV and some other modern translations say “has not understood it.” That brings to mind a difficulty in translation between Japanese and English that has caused some real problems in various international negotiations. When Japanese say, “We want you to understand our position,” an emotionally accurate translation would be, “We want you to agree with our position.” Japanese society values consensus very highly, and Japanese meetings seem interminable to Westerners, because they will talk until a consensus is reached. (In other words, until the hold-outs give up to get along.) There is no emotional understanding of, “I understand you completely, but I don’t agree with you.” When the Greek language is at the root of much Western philosophy, I wonder if there isn’t a similar conflation between “understand” and “overcome.” That said, those who walk in darkness really can’t understand those who walk in the light, nor can they overcome them. Even to the point of martyrdom, those who are in Christ Jesus are overcomers. (Romans 8:37) That’s why Jesus could say, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) This is simple but not simplistic. Life on this planet can be very complicated and difficult! However, those who are in Christ know that this world, and the devil who is in it, do not have the final say. Christ has overcome death itself, and those who are in Him share in His victory.

I cannot write on this without thinking of Corrie ten Boom, who was a shining proponent of Christus Victor theology. Some people poo-poo that as simplistic, but it carried Corrie through circumstances that would probably cause her opponents to crumble completely! I am in a very different struggle, but at times I think it is no less intense. I need to be firmly settled on the reality that I have no strength or wisdom of my own that will do me any good, but that Christ has all the strength and wisdom that could ever be needed. As He has told me, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, not being passive but certainly not being anxious. I’m in an intensive curriculum in that area! I need to remember at all times that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world, (1 John 4:4) and rejoice! (There’s a reason John is the New Testament character, other than Jesus, I would most like to emulate!)

Father, thank You for the assurance of victory. Help me rest in that, not letting circumstances shake me but resting, relaxing, and rejoicing in You indeed, so that I may give the devil nothing, but rather walk in all that You intend for me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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