December 8, 2015

Posted on December 11, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

I sometimes wonder what it must have been like to be Isaiah. He was given such magnificent revelations of the coming Messiah, and of the heart of God toward His people, yet tradition tells us his martyrdom was by being sawn in two. Internal evidence indicates he came from a wealthy family, probably nobility, yet he discarded it all to follow the God who spoke to him, answering His call with, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) The question framed in this verse perhaps occurred to him often! He was blessed with marriage and children, but even to the point of what he named his children he was totally committed to communicating what the Lord showed him. That’s what makes this verse so plaintive. “Who has believed what I’ve seen?” He did not doubt the Lord who spoke to him, but he doubtless wished that more of the people to whom he spoke would believe what he had to say. However, genuine believers from that point onward poured over his writings to learn of the Messiah of whom he spoke, and from the evidence of the Dead Sea Scrolls, we can say that the Essenes were a people genuinely prepared to receive and acknowledge Jesus when he began His ministry. That they would have carefully preserved a complete scroll of Isaiah’s writings, in virtually the exact form in which we have them today, is nothing short of miraculous. Isaiah may have felt unbelieved and unappreciated in his day, and he certainly met a horrible end to his physical life, but he was mightily used by God, and I’m sure his place in heaven is secure indeed.

Of all the Old Testament characters I have always felt the most affinity for Isaiah, for whatever reasons. I very early realized that Isaiah had more to say about Jesus than anyone outside of the Gospel writers, and in some ways he expressed more of the theological basis for Jesus’ ministry than they did. Isaiah 53:6 is one of the earliest Scriptures I remember memorizing, as part of my activities with Royal Ambassadors at the annual mission meetings. Isaiah is the one prophet who consistently writes of the Suffering Servant, not leaving out the triumph in the end but not glossing over any of what He would endure in the process. I think that agreed with what I saw of the world, even from childhood. I would be pleased if I don’t have to endure the sort of martyrdom that Isaiah did, but even that would be a small price to pay to know God’s heart and speak it. I too have times of crying out, “Who is believing what I am saying?” but I am to trust God and be faithful, knowing that it’s all about Him and not me in the first place.

Father, thank You for this further reminder. Thank You for what You have been bringing me through in recent weeks. Thank You that it does finally feel somewhat like it’s through, instead of just into! Thank You for the various opportunities You have provided for me to speak Your word over the next three weeks, particularly. May I do so with boldness and joy, so that Your Word through me may accomplish everything for which You send it, (Isaiah 55:11) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 7, 2015

Posted on December 8, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due to me is in the Lord’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.”

For any dedicated believer, when you start reading Isaiah 49 it’s hard to stop! God knows what we need to hear, and His heart is with us. Probably every Christian worker, whether “professional” or not, has needed this verse at times. That’s hardly surprising, since it’s obviously Messianic, which means it was on Jesus’ heart at least once! If Jesus felt this way, who are we to complain? We don’t know the results of our labors, and that’s really just as well. If we lived in a tit-for-tat world there would be no room for grace, and that is a description of hell, not heaven. We all feel this way at times, but Paul encourages us to “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:58) and Hebrews 10:35 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” Rewards are in a sense tricky business. If we are working for the reward, it becomes empty. If we are working out of love for our Lord, the rewards are indescribably wonderful. The same Jesus, who said, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty,’” (Luke 17:10) also spoke the accolade that is the ultimate goal of every true servant of God: “’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21) We can’t even imagine what it is to truly share the happiness of Christ! We aren’t to work for the reward as such, but we are to know that our labors for the Lord aren’t wasted, whatever it might look like at the moment.

This is certainly a reminder I need from time to time! A couple of weeks ago we had a grand total of four in the Sunday morning worship service, counting my wife and me! At the same time, the reach of the messages on the church website, as well as my blog, continues to expand, and we get almost constant feedback from people who are touched by our daily lives, even though they don’t show up in church. I certainly can’t sort it all out and rate it for “effectiveness,” but God is aware of every detail. The effort involved in all the seasonal events around Christmas can be extreme, but God knows what is going on there as well. I am to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, knowing that He is love itself and more than generous. I long to see people come into His family in droves, growing strong and mature in Him, and I haven’t seen that yet, but I am never to give up. I cannot know His timing, but I do know His character, and that should be enough.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for rescuing me from the “slough of despond” that I’ve been in recently. Help me indeed delight in all the events from now through the end of the year. I frankly can’t do it on my own, but You can enable me, just as You told Paul. (Philippians 4:13) May Your joy through me draw others to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 6, 2015

Posted on December 8, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 42:13 The Lord will march out like a mighty man,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.

This is not an image of God that we visualize very often! It seems somehow primitive to us, uncivilized, but we forget that Jesus made a whip of cords and drove the merchants out of the temple. (John 2:15) We tend to have a very “sanitized” image of God, which leaves us without the fear of Him that the Bible is so insistent is necessary. I am reminded of a video I watched yesterday of the A10 “Warthog” close-support aircraft. It may not seem elegant to some people, but boy, does it get the job done! It’s no wonder that those who don’t want America to triumph want to get rid of it! When we insist on God being all elegance and sweetness and light, we are forgetting our enemy, and that is precisely what he (our enemy) wants us to do. He is making a big stir right now, because he knows his time is short, (Revelation 12:17) but that’s all the more reason for us to be anticipating God’s overwhelming victory. Whether we will see it in these bodies or not is up to Him, but we shouldn’t be anxious about it. Life is indeed a battle, and we are in the middle of it. But we have a Commander who is guaranteed to win, and that should give us peace and joy.

I am as prone as anyone to be down about losing skirmishes, so I’ve got to remember that this is the ultimate war, and the outcome is settled. As the saying goes, I’ve read the back of the Book, and we win! I am not to underestimate direct opponents and so lose skirmishes needlessly. However I am also not to fear any opponent, because the One who is in me is greater that my opponent, regardless. (1 John 4:4) I am not to pick fights needlessly, but I am never to run from them. I have never been fond of conflict, and I’m not even a particularly competitive person, but I am not to miss the victories God has for me by trying to avoid the conflict in the first place. The next couple of weeks look hectic in the extreme, and that is conflict of another kind. I am not to withdraw, but press forward boldly, not in my own strength or wisdom but in that of the One who has called and sent me, knowing that if I am faithfully obedient, His victory will be manifested for His glory.

Father, thank You for this strong encouragement and reminder. I overslept by more than an hour this morning, according to what I had planned, but You knew that I needed the rest. Thank You. I pray that moment by moment today I would rest, relax, and rejoice in You, allowing You to use me to bless all who see or hear me, pointing them to You and manifesting Your victory for your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 5, 2015

Posted on December 8, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 40:9 You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is your God!”

This whole chapter is so glorious, it’s hard to know where to begin. It figures prominently in the libretto for The Messiah, and the closing verses about how God strengthens those who depend on Him have been lifesavers, sometimes quite literally, for countless saints. This particular verse is especially appropriate for the Christmas season, because it is what the celebration of Christmas is supposed to be all about: proclaiming the Messiah. I’ve recently had some conversations about the commercialization/degradation of Christmas, but no amount of that can destroy the basic message: God has come to earth as a human baby, to take our sins on Himself and redeem all who will believe in Him. Here in Japan very few people really know that message, so there’s all the more reason to proclaim it boldly. The problem comes for those who are most familiar with it, because it becomes “same old same old,” and that saps the joy out of it. When we know the Christmas songs better than we know our own address and can quote the relevant passages in Matthew and Luke verbatim, it can be hard to get excited about telling the story yet again. However, as the hymn expresses it, “I love to tell the story, for some have never heard.” When we spend all our time in the cocoon of church, that’s hard to grasp. At Christmas, of all times, it should be easier, and certainly delightful, to expand our field and talk with those who have a distorted idea, or even no idea, what all the hullabaloo is about.

This next week I will have two school class Christmas parties in which I will tell the Christmas story. I’ve done this for over 30 years, and to my knowledge I’ve never had a commitment to Christ as a direct result, but that doesn’t mean the seed isn’t being sown. Then on the following Sunday afternoon we will have a joint Carol Sing of the six churches in Omura (4 Protestant, 2 Catholic) in a public shopping arcade, hoping to influence holiday shoppers. It’s possible some of those shoppers do actually attend some of the Christmas services for which we hand out fliers, but I’ve not personally gotten much feedback. And then there are the special services themselves, and the people who come once a year but don’t seem to grasp that Jesus is Lord 365/24/7. From a human perspective it can be very draining, but I must remember this Scripture and never stop proclaiming, “Here is your God.” If I don’t, who will?

Father, thank You for this reminder, and for how You are indeed renewing my strength. It’s clear I have none of my own! Help me walk in grateful obedience moment by moment, whether the task at hand seems secular or religious, so that all of Your purposes for me may indeed be fulfilled, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 4, 2015

Posted on December 5, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—

I started to write on verses 2-5, but decided verse 2 gave enough of the thrust of what I was getting from this. It frequently comes to me, when I read prophecies and descriptions of the Messiah, that all these passages are talking not only about Christ Himself, but about all who will believe and abide in Him. Jesus said so very clearly: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) Other than sinless perfection and substitutionary atonement, everything that describes Jesus should describe me, if I am fully submitted to and abiding in Him. That’s a real mind-blower! The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is available to every believer, and that fact is one of the major themes of the New Testament. This verse is perhaps the clearest on that theme in the whole Old Testament, so we really need to take it to heart. It should not be strange when Christians act like Jesus, it should be an everyday occurrence. Those who are in Christ don’t necessarily have a high IQ, but they know more of God than any atheistic university professor. They don’t necessarily have what the world would call a particular “skill set,” but they are able to decide what is right and do it. That is a far better resume than the majority of government officials, not to mention “captains of industry” and the like. They probably don’t have so much of this world’s goods, much less recognition (though there are exceptions) but it isn’t an issue for them, because they know what is really important. On this earth we don’t have sinless perfection, but this is the lifestyle that is made available to everyone who will fear God and repent of their rebellion and unbelief, abiding in Christ in all humility and joy.

Wow! I don’t know that I’ve ever written a clearer description of the life to which I aspire, the life that I know God desires for me. I am at times painfully aware of how I fall short of that, simply because I depend on myself instead of on God. It’s obvious that I can’t do it apart from Him, but that should go without saying, because this is describing life in Christ. I cannot stay in Him 24/7 on my own, but He is able to keep me, and I’ve got to keep that as my focus. This month is one of great pressure, ironically because of Christianity. I am to let the pressure force me more and more into the mold of Christ, transforming me from what I have been to what He is, because that is what I am in Him. My body is going to be busy, but if my heart is fixed on Him, I can be at rest and peace in Him whatever is going on around me, so that He may shine through me for His glory.

Father, thank You for expressing this so very clearly. Help me walk it out in moment-by-moment faithfulness, so that all Your purposes for me may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 3, 2015

Posted on December 5, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 7:9 “‘If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.'”

Isaiah 7 is most famous for the prophecy of Immanuel in verse 14, but the the prophecy as a whole is much longer, going for most of the chapter, and probably those hearing it at the time didn’t pay much attention to the “Immanuel” business. This statement, however, may well have grabbed their attention, and it applies for all the ages. Paul points out that God has given each of us a measure of faith, (Romans 12:3) but it is up to us to stand in the faith we have been given and apply it to our circumstances. I think everyone has experienced times of failure in this area, not living up to the faith they already have and suffering badly for it. That’s always tragic. Sometimes we are amazed at the level of faith we see in some people, but they didn’t get there all at once, they got there by applying the faith they had at the moment, and God grew and increased their faith. The devil tries to convince us that our faith isn’t up to the task, whatever the task might be. That could be true, if you’re looking at tomorrow’s task, but God has already given you enough faith for today’s task, and if you will exercise it, you will discover that by tomorrow, it is sufficient for tomorrow’s task as well. However, as Isaiah points out here, if we don’t stand in the faith we have already been given we will cut and run, refusing the growth and extra supply of faith that God offers us. God never picks on us, but He constantly gives us opportunities for growth, in faith, holiness, and everything else good. If we will walk in trusting obedience, we will advance beyond anything we – or anyone else, for that matter – would have thought we were capable of.

I will freely confess to not enjoying some of the opportunities for growth the Lord gives me, but I am grateful for the results. (Hebrews 12:11) I have learned the truth of this statement by Isaiah the hard way, and I have also learned the converse: if I do stand in the faith I have been given, I will stand for eternity, not because of my own strength but because of the One in whom I believe. Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 1:12 is the best security anyone could ask for: “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” Challenges to faith are daily, even constant, but God supplies what is necessary, even when it might not feel like it at the moment. I am to rest in peace in Him, walking in faithful obedience, and leaving the results up to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You allow me to go through, whatever it feels like at the moment. Help me not drop the ball out of unbelief but walk tall and strong as You enable me, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 2, 2015

Posted on December 5, 2015 by jgarrott

Psalm 89:15-16 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long;
they exult in your righteousness.

The Japanese, following the Hebrew, if I understand correctly, says, “learned the shout of joy,” but “learned to acclaim You” is not a bad interpretation. The point is, we do need to learn to worship the Creator, the only true God, because their are so many counterfeits out there. We were created with an innate impulse to seek God and a capacity to know Him, at least to some degree, but the devil does all he can to distract and distort that, and he is far too successful! In this season of the year, when we should be focused on the incredible grace of God in coming to earth to be born as a human baby so that we might know Him better, we are instead caught up in greed and politics and human schemes of all sorts. We need to learn better to acclaim Him, and not man or his works. There is nothing more blessed than to walk in the light of God’s presence, in fellowship with Him, but we seek to replace that with technology and physical pleasure and the like. How foolish! This season, for all its flaws of historical timing or whatever, is still a magnificent opportunity to share the good news of God’s grace and love with others, so that they too may learn the true “shout of joy.”

This is truth I have to remind myself of every year, because all the busyness of the season drains me badly. I remember one year when my number one request for Christmas was a good night’s sleep! This year there are different factors, but the stress level is still very high. I need to remember “the shout of joy” myself, and rest, relax, and rejoice in the light of God’s presence. God’s grace has not changed, and it is still sufficient. His love has not changed, and it still applies to every person I encounter. His power has not changed, and it is still available to be manifested in and through my weakness to draw people to Him, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I needed it. Help me be Your agent each moment of today, not deciding ahead of time what needs to happen but letting You pour Your grace out onto, into, and through me. May I be an unclogged conduit for that grace to flow freely, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 1, 2015

Posted on December 2, 2015 by jgarrott

Psalms 68:19-20 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

I actually have little idea why this particular Psalm was included in the listing I have of Advent Scriptures, nor why I chose it for today, except that the Lord knew I would need it today! I have sung verse 1 and verse 4 set to music for many years, and I have used verse 6 many times in various contexts. However, right now it is verse 19 that especially resonates in my soul. Jesus specified that we are to take up our crosses daily, (Luke 9:23) but that is possible because of what is stated here, that He daily carries our burdens. We are responsible to apply ourselves and make the choice of obedience, but when we do that, we discover that the power comes from God. When Paul talked about how much he labored for the Gospel, he specified that it was God’s power working in him (Colossians 1:28-29) that made it possible. When we are faced with impossible tasks – and especially when that includes putting one foot in front of the other on a daily basis – we need to remember this passage, that it is God who daily carries our burdens. He is faithful, which enables us to be so as well.

Emotional exhaustion is a very real issue for me at the moment. As the pastor of a small church, a great deal devolves on me. At the same time I am considered the “elder” of the local ministerial association, which also means more pressure, and none of that includes the secular teaching I do, and it’s all complicated by health issues. Christmas has been high-stress for me for quite a few years, but this year seems to set a new record. I need to remember this passage, as well as the messages the Lord has spoken through me just recently. The Luke and Colossians references above are from within this past month! I am in a constant practicum of the truth the Lord allows me to speak, which is probably a good thing. My concern is that I not yield to the “fight or flight” impulse but choose to trust and obey on a moment-by-moment basis, allowing God’s peace and His power to flow through me by His Spirit, touching those I am with and drawing them to Him, instead of withdrawing and/or lashing out, as my flesh prompts me to do.

Father, thank You for this clear Word. Thank You that I was asked to speak at the prayer breakfast on the 16th – yet another responsibility, yet opportunity. Help me indeed make full use of the opportunities You provide (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5) so that as many as possible may be drawn to You in repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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November 30, 2015

Posted on December 2, 2015 by jgarrott

Genesis 22:8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

This whole story is foundational to the salvation narrative in a number of ways. This verse specifically prefigures Christmas, because that was when God provided His Son, the Lamb for the offering. He would live and grow for over 30 years after his birth, but His fate was settled from before His birth. The Christmas story is perhaps almost too familiar, and we lose the impact of what God did. That God would love us so much is still outrageous on the face of it, but we have let it become a truism and take it for granted. In America in particular Christmas has become a commercial frenzy, to the point that I have little if any interest in visiting at that time of year. In Japan they are picking up on the commercial end of things, tying it to their traditional New Year’s celebrations, without the any foundation of faith in society as a whole at all. Churches have a huge challenge, as well as opportunity, at this time of year. Many schedule baptisms for Christmas, if they have any recent converts, and Christmas music is common as BGM in stores, though secular tunes predominate. The point is, the average Japanese has little if any grasp of what Christmas is about, much less that it has any connection whatsoever to them. That is the challenge: making the connection. Sadly, Americans are rapidly becoming equally disconnected from the true meaning of Christmas. Those who know that meaning need to let it pervade and motivate them, so that the Good News of what God did over 2000 years ago would penetrate into more and more hearts, changing lives and so changing society, for salvation for mankind and glory for God.

I have had a growing tendency toward burnout at Christmas over the years, perhaps reaching a peak this year because of multiple circumstances. (At least I hope it doesn’t get worse!) It is a real challenge to focus on the glorious meaning behind all the things that are too familiar. I recognize the spiritual battle, because I am surrounded by people who have no idea what it is all about, which presents me with all sorts of opportunities to share in one way or another. I need to let the Holy Spirit renew the wonder and joy of Christmas in my own heart so that I won’t be lax in sharing it with others. I realize full well the history of when and how we celebrate, recognizing that there is very little Biblical underpinning for most of it, but at the same time the basic fact that God loved us enough to become a human baby is more than worth celebrating, and needs to be communicated as broadly and as effectively as possible. I need a fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit for that purpose!

Father, thank You for the church Christmas activities that are opportunities for outreach, and that I’ll be having two school class Christmas parties in which I’ll be able to present the true story of Christmas. I pray that I would not draw back from any of it, but let Your Spirit, Your power infill me and carry me along, so that what comes through is You and not me, drawing people to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 29, 2015

Posted on December 2, 2015 by jgarrott

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

This is an extremely well-known passage, and rightly so, because it is very important. There are all sorts of implications and ramifications to it, but I’d like to focus on one in particular. English translations, to my knowledge, all use the word “government” in this passage, but to us today that conjures up images of politics and bureaucracy, and that is certainly not what this is talking about. In its place, the Japanese uses the word for sovereignty, that is, the right and authority to rule. To me that clicks far better, though the meaning isn’t so really different. The problem is not with the word, government, but with what we have allowed government to become. It is important to note that this speaks of the increase of His sovereignty. In other words, we don’t see everything submitted to Him at once, just as it says in Hebrews 2:8-9. The point is, “Hang in there, it’s coming.” Today we have every reason to be disgusted with all sorts of governments, on national and local levels. Our focus should be on the reality that the sovereignty of Christ will be manifested more and more, and our job is to make sure we are submitted to it. As we are submitted to Him, His sovereignty is manifested through us, but only to the degree we are faithfully obedient. Humanistic theocracies are a terrible idea, because we tend to get intoxicated with power, and that never ends well. Paul makes it clear that human governments are originally God’s idea, (Romans 13:1-7) however flawed they might be. That doesn’t mean we aren’t to work for their improvement! That said, the sovereignty is Christ’s, and we must not forget it.

I never used to be a particularly political person, but the events of the past few years have brought me into increasing involvement. As concerned as I am, I must remember that God has ultimate authority. I must never take things into my own hands, as did the recent shooter in the Planned Parenthood clinic. They were manifestly in violation of Biblical principles, but he was manifestly listening the the devil instead of the Holy Spirit as to how they should be stopped. When we “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33) that means submitting to His sovereignty in every area of our lives. When we truly do that, He takes care of everything else, just as He said.

Father, there is much that is upsetting about human government these days. Help me, help all Your children, look to You and trust You, submitting fully to the sovereignty of Christ so that indeed Your Name may be acknowledged as holy and Your kingdom come as Your will is done in and through us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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