December 28, 2015

Posted on December 31, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

This section, from this verse to the end of the chapter, is really focused on Joseph. It shows that he was as human as the rest of us, with normal fears, but it also shows that he was committed to obeying God, regardless of his fears. That’s a pretty good example for us to follow! It is interesting that Joseph the son of Jacob, way back in Genesis, was also a dreamer who heard from God and who understood what dreams meant. Both of them were unwavering in their commitment, being obedient to God regardless of the consequences. In this particular case, God had provided materially for the young family through the magi. We don’t know quantities, but it is possible the gold they brought was sufficient to support the family for a couple of years, even. That said, fleeing to Egypt in the middle of the night was hardly an easy thing to do, and the specific information that Herod was going to try to kill Jesus was a strong motivator. As they say today, it was a “credible threat.” Joseph was obedient, and was again obedient when God told him to go back. Just recently I read something that made a lot of sense. Joseph would have liked to go back to Bethlehem, because there people didn’t know Mary had been pregnant before marriage, but God used Joseph’s fear of Herod’s son to overcome his fear of people’s opinions in order to get him back to Nazareth. God knows our weaknesses and failings, and sometimes He even uses those to accomplish His purposes!

I’ve not been much of a dreamer, but I have learned to hear God through His Word. The question is, have I been obedient to what I have heard? I can say definitely that my obedience hasn’t been perfect; I’ve also had to learn repentance. I need to learn from Joseph not to bemoan my weaknesses but rather give them, too, to God for His use. Yesterday, with my back hurting, I did better at delegating than I usually do. It’s not entirely pleasant for God to have to place physical restraints on me to get me to grow! I need to keep my ears tuned to Him at all times, not being passive but actively seeking His will and applying myself to do it, whatever that means for me. Everything that I have comes from Him, so I need to keep it all at His disposal, to do His will on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for all You did yesterday, and for getting us through it. Thank You that it was the last major item in the busyness of the season. Help us relax and recuperate as we need to, but in no way slack off from seeking and following You. May we spend each moment of each day as You desire and intend, so that Your will may be done in Your way, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 27, 2015

Posted on December 29, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:2 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

The magi may not have known much about Christ, but what they knew, they acted on, even at considerable personal expense and inconvenience to themselves. This is in stark contrast to so many people today, who know a lot of the facts about Jesus but basically can’t be bothered. These men apparently didn’t even have the Old Testament, and that makes you really wonder just what information they did have. Today we have so many translations of the Bible that it’s hard to keep track of them all, and the Gideons even give Bibles away for free, yet we fail to seek out the Savior for ourselves. It is no good knowing the facts if you don’t act on them, just as James pointed out. (James 1:22) I have always liked the aphorism, “Wise men still seek Him.” If we know that we are sinful and we know that God has provided a Savior, it is the height of folly not to seek Him. The problem comes in a lack of willingness to confess our sinfulness. John nailed it when he said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If we know that and fail to act on it, we could hardly be called wise!

I’ve certainly had my times of not recognizing my own sinfulness, and I’m sure I am blind in some areas even now. However, I have learned the blessing of forgiveness, and I’m not about to let go of it! I have had various “career choice” opportunities throughout my life, and I am grateful to have been led to where I am now, focused on seeking the Lord myself and helping others to do likewise. There are some who are impressed at my “sacrifice,” when as I see it, it was the only logical choice. I am constantly reminded that I can accomplish nothing good in my own strength and wisdom, but God does choose to use me in various ways, and I am deeply grateful. Today I will be preaching on gratitude. I desire that all would recognize the magnitude of God’s grace toward them and respond in humble obedience, but I can’t force that to happen. I’ve got to keep my focus on Jesus, and allow His Spirit to use my words and actions to draw people to Him.

Father, this is the last Sunday of an eventful year, but then every year is eventful in one way or another. Help me indeed practice the truth You have given me to share this morning, focusing on Your grace and blessings and not on the “bumps in the road.” May Your words through me open the eyes and hearts of those who hear, so that together we may move into the new year as Your obedient children, rejoicing in You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 26, 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

It is interesting that in English, the passage about the sword piercing Mary’s soul is stuck on at the end, but in Japanese, that is connected to the earlier section and it is the revealing of the thoughts of people’s hearts that is given at the end as the reason all of this will happen. In either case, it is certainly true that people’s reactions to Jesus reveal the thoughts of their hearts. Someone who is in rebellion against God is going to react very differently to the Gospel than someone whose heart is tender. I think it’s very significant that Simeon said, “falling and rising,” rather than “rising and falling.” We have to fall from our pride before we can rise by the grace of God. We have to recognize and acknowledge that we are low before we can be lifted up. The Bible is loaded with passages that talk about the dangers of pride, and how God is close to the humble. Being close to God is more than enough reward for humility! However, very often we don’t even recognize our pride. Sometimes our pride feels like humility to us! Any time we think either that we don’t need God, or that our problems are too difficult for God, we are mired in pride. Self-sufficiency is fairly easily recognized as pride, but refusing to release ourselves and our problems to God often is not, even though it is pride nonetheless. How we respond to the love and grace of God, revealed through His Son Jesus, indeed reveals the thoughts of our hearts.

I have had more struggles with pride than I could even list, much less explain, here. I’ve come to the conclusion that pride is indeed the original, root sin. Lucifer wanted God’s praise and glory for himself, and so he was cast out of heaven. (Isaiah 14:12-13) Eve thought she could become like God, and so accepted the devil’s bait. (Genesis 3:4-6) Any time I trust myself and my own judgment over what God tells me, I am operating in pride. It is sad to realize how often, even now, I fall into this trap. However, God is more than able to lift me out of it, so I praise Him! As a pastor I often deal with people who are convinced their problems are too big for God to fix. What I try to communicate is that God needs to fix them first; then He will deal with what they see as their problem. Even when I can help with what they see as their problems, I can’t fix the root problem, which is them. Only God can do that, but He is more than capable, so I’ve got to trust Him with it all.

Father, thank You yet again for Your grace. Thank You for the awareness that I have no room to think I’m superior to anyone to whom I minister. May I not give up on anyone, but be earnest on their behalf against the lies of the devil, so that Your truth may be planted deep in their hearts and they be set free indeed, (John 8:31-32) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 25, 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

We can imagine the shepherds’ joy and excitement at this point, and it can make us happy simply to do so. That was doubtless an experience they remembered, thought about, and probably talked about the rest of their lives. The thing is, though for most of us it is far less dramatic than what the shepherds experienced, all of us can taste the joy of things being as God has told us. Most fundamentally, the Bible tells us what will happen when we repent and believe, and when we experience that it is joy indeed. However, it certainly doesn’t stop there. The Bible is filled with if-then statements, and every one of those is a promise from God. Some of those aren’t so happy, telling us what will happen if we ignore or reject God, but even then, they are demonstrations of the faithfulness of God and His Word. I think we would have much more joy in our lives if we were more aware of how God fulfills His Word to us. Too often, because we don’t usually have visions of angels, we don’t recognize that God is speaking to us, and in turn don’t recognize that things turn out exactly as He says. If we were spiritually alert, I think we would recognize such moments frequently. The thing is, God never lies. That might seem to go without saying, but because we have learned by painful experience that people aren’t like that, we have trouble trusting God for it. Keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open will give us much more of the sort of joy the shepherds experienced.

I have certainly learned the faithfulness of God, by years of experience. That should teach me to rejoice in advance, knowing that if God said it, that settles it, but my human frailty gets in the way all too often. I proclaim the Word of God to people all the time, both in church and out of it, but I’ve got to live it out in trusting obedience more faithfully myself. I need to remember, and rejoice in, God’s promise that His Word never returns to Him without accomplishing that for which He sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) I know I speak His Word, so what am I worried about? My anxieties come over whether people receive and believe the Word for themselves, and so receive the benefits. I desire that all do so, but I cannot force them to do so and God will not force them to do so. I need to pray God’s mercy on them so that they may repent, believe, and receive, for their salvation and God’s glory.

Father, thank You indeed for Your faithfulness. Thank You for getting us through the Christmas Eve service last night. Attendance was not as we had desired and even expected, but You did good things, and each person present was here at Your direction. I pray that each person in this church would choose to place You first in their priorities, and so receive all that You have for them and escape the devil’s traps, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 24, 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 2:1-2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

Luke, as a scientific man, wanted to peg the events he was recording in the flow of history. Westerners, who are so totally used to the current calendar that is pegged to the events Luke recorded, have trouble grasping the difficulties of dates back then. Japanese have a somewhat easier time, because the traditional Japanese calendar starts over with the reign of every new emperor, making this the year Heisei 27. I was born in Showa 23, and my 90+ year-old friend who died this year was born back in the Taisho period. Young Japanese today can’t relate to that, except with “You’re old!” Traditions die hard, but Japan as a whole is converting to what they call the Western Calendar. It certainly makes calculations easier! Back when Luke was writing, the Roman system was very similar to the Japanese, and whereas Augustus had a fairly long reign, some emperors were only on the throne a year or two. That made a grasp of when things happened rather difficult! Also, Augustus commanded two different censuses, so Luke specified this was the first, and gave the further connection of it being while Quirinius was in office. Even so, it’s no wonder Pope Gregory’s scholars were off by a few years when they designated the year of Jesus’ birth, from which to start counting. Even months were called different things in different parts of the Roman Empire, and the Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles rather than solar, so it’s no wonder we don’t know the exact date of Jesus’ birth! Luke did the best he could to establish that yes, this really happened, as a specific event in the flow of history. For that we should be grateful, certainly, even if we might wish it were more specific.

I’ve been aware of the difficulties in dating Jesus’ birth for as long as I can remember thinking about it, but that has never hindered my understanding that it is worth celebrating. Atheists love to point to the difficulties, and to all the various pagan/syncretistic influences in how we celebrate Christmas, but they deliberately overlook the main point: God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to earth to be born as a human baby, to grow up and take the penalty for the sins of mankind and then overcome that penalty, death, to give the hope of salvation to all who will believe. Personally speaking, I am at this point rather burned out on a lot of Christmas traditions and activities, but I must not let that distract me from rejoicing at the miracle of God’s love. Had there been no Incarnation, I would have no hope at all. Tonight we will have a candle-light service to remind ourselves, and more importantly, to inform others, of the love of God. I need to let the Holy Spirit fill me with grateful appreciation for God’s grace, and then give me the words to communicate that grace to all who gather here, for their salvation and God’s glory.

Father, You know my current situation far better than I do. I wish I understood my own feelings at this point. I desire to rejoice in You and I recognize that I have every reason to do so, yet I feel emotionally exhausted and numb. However, You used me at the City Christmas, even though I felt even worse than I do right now. Help me indeed wait expectantly on You so that You may replace my strength with Yours, (Isaiah 40:30-31) and through me draw all of us closer to Yourself, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 23, 2015

Posted on December 24, 2015 by jgarrott

Matthew 1:24-25 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

It’s interesting that I’ve seen several messages/devotions this year that focus on Joseph. It’s certainly true that he tends to get the least attention of the figures in the Christmas Story, even less than the shepherds or even Herod. However, he had to have been a pretty remarkable man, considering that God chose him to raise His Son. He certainly demonstrates a very high level of faith and obedience in the little we know about him. He not only swallowed his pride and accepted a pregnant bride, dealing with all the social issues involved, he also did not claim his conjugal rights until after the baby was born. Catholic tradition notwithstanding, there is no reason to think that the various siblings of Jesus that are mentioned in Mark 6:3 were other than the natural children of Joseph and Mary, but all of that was on hold until after Jesus was born. Joseph was a man who placed obedience to God before everything else. His gentleness and tenderness toward Mary are evident, and he had to have been an exemplary father to all of Mary’s children, Jesus included. In today’s world where accurate fatherhood is in such short supply, we need to pay attention to Joseph and follow his example.

I was blessed with a very good father, but certainly not better than I’m sure Joseph was. I have tried to be a good father to my children, but I’m not the best judge of how I’ve done in that department. As a pastor I not only deal with parenting issues in others, I am also a spiritual father to many. The challenges are at times immense! I don’t have the same parameters, particularly in the area of discipline, as I would with biological children, and I am not with them as constantly as I was with my biological children, but otherwise, practically everything else is a pretty close parallel. I can no more guarantee that all will turn out well than a physical parent can, and I’ve got to be at peace with that, yielding it all to God. Paul dealt with that issue all the time, with spiritual children scattered all over the Mediterranean area. Like him, I’m to pray for my spiritual children but at the same time release them to God, recognizing and accepting my own limitations while remembering that God has no such limitations. Just as He guarded and guided me through my often erratic path, He can and will guard and guide them, for their blessing and His glory.

Father, it’s often difficult to release my spiritual children to You. Help me do so, with expectant faith and vibrant trust, so that I may not get in the way of what You are doing in their lives, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 22, 2015

Posted on December 24, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 1:76-77 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.”

This was of course a prophecy that was very specific to John the Baptist, but in a very real sense it applies to every Christian. We cannot save anyone, as much as we might like to, but we can give people knowledge of the salvation that is available to them in Christ Jesus. We are not saviors, but we are to be conduits of God’s salvation that is available only through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus. Some people receive the knowledge and never act on it, which is tragic indeed, but it is their responsibility. However, without that knowledge, how can they believe and be saved? Paul expressed this very clearly: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14) Many are put off by the term, preaching, thinking either of a boring sermon or of having to go to seminary before being qualified to share the Gospel with anyone. Both ideas are sadly mistaken. This isn’t talking about formal sermons, it’s talking about communicating the love and grace of God. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, “Preach constantly. When necessary, use words.” Words ultimately are necessary, but words by themselves aren’t sufficient. Paul is indeed talking about using words, but it is in line with what Peter said on the subject: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) As far as the second misconception goes, of needing academic credentials before you can share the Gospel, we need to remember that seminaries didn’t exist for several centuries after Pentecost; simply knowing the Gospel qualifies you to share it. When we really understand that we aren’t saving anyone, we’re just sharing the information they need so they can receive the salvation God has for them, then everything becomes much simpler and less pressure.

This is something I know very well, and yet I am torn up at how few people receive the message I share. I accuse myself in countless ways of being a poor communicator. Frankly, that doesn’t help. I’ve got to trust God fully and simply be faithful. I am to stand firm in faith, being instantly obedient however my Lord directs me, but not beating myself up over what my eyes see as my “legacy.” That is in the hands of the Lord, and He is my sure reward.

Father, I need renewal. I need recharging. I can easily think of things that would really give me a jolt of energy, (like people I am praying for getting right with You) but they are not things I can make happen. Help me indeed be anxious for nothing, but simply rest, relax, and rejoice in You. I’m concerned about such little things as the probability of rain for our Christmas caroling tomorrow night, and about whether anyone will show up for our Christmas Eve candlelight service. Help me release things into Your hands without being apathetic or resigned. There are some fine lines there! Help me receive fresh hope and anticipation from You by Your Spirit, so that Your joy may radiate from me and draw others to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 21, 2015

Posted on December 24, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 1:63-64 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.

Zechariah had learned his lesson! He obviously had communicated his experience with Gabriel to Elizabeth, because they were in agreement on the baby’s name, but I doubt that many, if any, of the neighbors knew the details. We have the record of what Zechariah said in his praise to God in the following verses, and it is clear that the nine months of being unable to speak had drawn him closer to God and better able to hear Him. As I tell people frequently, God never picks on us; everything He allows in our lives has the potential for blessing. Sometimes that includes some pretty horrible stuff, but if it draws us into a closer, better relationship with our Creator and Lord, it’s worth it. Joni Tada has spoken and written extensively on that, having broken her neck as a teenager and lived in a wheelchair ever since. However, she has blessed countless people and her own relationship with God is sweet indeed. Zechariah’s nine months of silence were trivial in comparison! The whole question is whether we accept and learn whatever it is that God is wanting to do and teach us in what we experience. We have the freedom to either accept or reject it, but it’s pretty obvious which gives the better result!

I’ve not had major health issues myself, and I tend to feel I haven’t had many trials. However, looking back objectively, I realize I’ve been through quite a few things that felt like pretty severe trials at the time! The thing is, the blessings they have brought have erased the pain, and sometimes even the memory, of the trials. I doubt very much whether Zechariah dwelt on how long he had been unable to speak, as he was raising his son John. When we focus on the negatives, we often miss the positives! At this point my wife is still recovering from major back surgery, and she faces brain surgery in February. Actually, she has quite a “rap sheet” when it comes to medical problems! However, God has grown and blessed her, and me too, in the process of it all, and we know that everything on this earth is just a process and a prelude to prepare us for eternity with our Lord. When our Lord is Himself love, (1 John 4:8) that’s a good thing indeed!

Father, thank You for all You allow us to experience, whether it feels good at the moment or not. Thank You for getting us through the day yesterday, including the programs at the nursing home. Thank You for the privilege of being Your representatives to those people. I pray that the words we spoke and sang would continue to work in their hearts and minds and draw them to You. Thank You for all that this week holds. I look forward to the end of the busyness, but keep me from missing any of Your blessings because of the poison of resentment. May I be Your agent for Your will to be done, every moment and in every situation, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 20, 2015

Posted on December 21, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 1:51 “He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.”

As Jesus said, everything bad starts in our hearts, in our minds. (Matthew 15:18-18) That’s why we need to be most careful of what we take in, to fill our hearts and minds. A lot of the filth that the devil heaps on us through the world is easy to recognize but some is not, and pride can be one of the most subtle of those, especially for Christians. After all, it’s possible to be proud of your humility! Two things in particular are necessary, from our standpoint. The first is simply attitude, choosing to submit to God and seeking Him at every turn. The second comes from that, and is more action-oriented: taking in the Word of God. As Psalm 119:11 so famously says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The best way to protect our minds and hearts is to fill them with the Word of God. The more full we are of the Word, the less room there will be for the devil’s junk. Thinking we’re OK without it is the most dangerous of attitudes. As Paul said, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12) He is a good example for us, because he had his struggles with pride, (and apparently other things too, to read Romans 7) but his final attitude is expressed quite eloquently in Philippians 3:7-14, of never thinking he had “arrived” but always pressing in for more of God. That is the opposite of the attitude Mary was talking about, and when we have it, rather than being scattered we are drawn close to God and enjoy fellowship with Him.

I have certainly experienced this truth from both sides. Growing up in the home I did, I was given quite a foundation of Bible knowledge from an early age, but even so, pride almost completely derailed me. Having Bible knowledge doesn’t do much good if you don’t acknowledge that you need it! I thought I was a great Christian, when I was indeed “proud in my inmost thoughts” and felt I could get along just fine on my own. How foolish! I won’t try to list all that got me into, but I was on very dangerous ground indeed. However God, in His incredible grace and mercy, tapped me on the shoulder, and when I turned around He had a mirror, and I saw the blackness of my soul. All I could do was fall to my knees and cry out, “My Lord and my God!” I am eternally grateful that He did that for me, rather than just discarding me as I deserved. Today I seek to draw others to the repentance and faith that bring salvation, but I know full well that I can’t do it on my own. I desire to be drawn closer myself, and be used by Him for His purposes and His glory.

Father, when I think back over all You have brought me through I am amazed at Your grace and patience. Just as You didn’t give up on me because You knew what You would eventually do with me, help me not give up on others, but rather entrust them to You and be Your agent of grace, truth, and love to them, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 19, 2015

Posted on December 21, 2015 by jgarrott

Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

The Japanese for this verse brings out two nuances that are missing from the English, or the NIV at least. The first (going from the word order in the English) is the degree of blessing; it is literally, “How blessed!” We really don’t know the magnitude of the blessings we receive by faith, and probably won’t really grasp them until we look back from before the Throne to praise God for all He has done for us. The second nuance is the degree of faith. The expression in the Japanese indicates a fully settled and completed matter, and is used for such things as when you have used something up completely. Mary held nothing back in her faith, even though at this point she probably had no objective physical indication of her pregnancy. This degree of faith really is a gift from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9) but it is more available than most of us realize. Faith is ultimately a choice; we choose to believe. If that were not the case, then unbelievers would have no responsibility for their lack of faith. The more faith is exercised, in little details as well as big ones, the stronger it gets, and as this verse indicates the blessings are limitless. So, what about situations where what we believed for didn’t happen? We are very prone to decide what God should do, instead of asking Him what we should do, in genuine humility. God is under no obligation to fulfill our wish lists! Recently I’ve run into the phrase, “unintended consequences,” several times in relation to the situation in the Middle East. That’s an appropriate phrase for every area of life, actually. We don’t know what will happen down the line if a particular thing happens (or doesn’t happen) right now. We need to let the Holy Spirit guide our prayers (Romans 8:26) so that we ask for, and receive, God’s best for us. Mary actually didn’t ask for her pregnancy, but when God said it was hers, she received it, and what a huge thing it was. It included incredible heartache and difficulty, but those were far outweighed by the blessings, for her and for all humanity.

I’ve prayed for enough things over the years to be able to look back and be thankful many of them weren’t granted! Rather than trying to work up faith for a wish list, I need to be quiet enough before God to hear what He is saying to me, and then be absolutely sure that everything He has said is going to be as He has said it. I’ll never forget the time, quite a few years ago, now, that I was lying in bed, not consciously praying, but thinking, “There are so many things I wish were different.” To my great surprise, the Lord spoke to me, in one of only two times (so far) I have heard Him so clearly, and He said, “How do you think I feel?” That certainly put a new perspective on things, and I must not forget it. We live in a fallen world, and until the Lord makes all things new, (Revelation 21:5) stuff is going to happen that is far from optimal. I need to trust Him to bring blessing even out of those less-than-optimal things, (Romans 8:28) and walk in His peace that passes human understanding. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Father, You’ve been taking us through a training course in this, and there’s more to come. Thank You. Help me not miss the blessings You have for me, and for those around me, by insisting in my own heart how things are supposed to be. Help me indeed pray as Jesus taught us with my whole heart, that Your kingdom would come through Your will being done perfectly, whatever that means, especially when I have no idea what it means. Thank You. Praise God!

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