July 2. 2015

Posted on July 4, 2015 by jgarrott

Job 14:14-17 If a man dies, will he live again?
All the days of my hard service
I will wait for my renewal to come.
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Surely then you will count my steps
but not keep track of my sin.
My offences will be sealed up in a bag;
you will cover over my sin.

It is amazing to me that this depth of insight into God’s salvation would have been recorded so long before Jesus, or even Isaiah. Some scholars say that Job predates Moses, which would make this all the more astounding. Verse 14 has a difficulty in translation which the NIV renders as “renewal,” with a footnote of the alternative “release,” but the Japanese renders that sentence as, “I will wait until the one who takes my place will come.” Jesus came to take our place on the cross, enabling us to rise from the dead because our sins have been taken away. To me, this passage says exactly that, and I am amazed. God has indeed been speaking His truth into the hearts of mankind ever since the Garden of Eden, but relatively few have heard him correctly and even fewer have been fully obedient. Paul speaks of how all creation proclaims God, (Romans 1:20) and Psalm 19 is an extended statement by David on that theme. I have been familiar with those passages for a long time, but that such a specific statement of salvation would be in such an old text blows my mind.

As much as I tell others about the omnipotence and omniscience of God, even I forget it sometimes, practically speaking. I exhort others to see the greatness of God and expect great things of Him, and yet I fail to do so myself. The irony is extreme. I need to listen to my own sermons! God isn’t my lackey, to do whatever I want, but indeed nothing is impossible for Him. (Luke 1:37) I know those words and on some level I believe them, but my faith has a lot of room for growth! Last night the Lord had me pray for something that on the face of it seems impossible, but I must not dismiss it, because God who revealed His plan of salvation in Job can reveal His salvation to the hearts of the people of Omura. We are seeing the tremendous favor and good will that we have been given with so many, many people, and God is more than able to convert that to repentance and faith for salvation. I am not to give up on anyone, but advance boldly against the gates of hell and tear them down to release the captives. (Matthew 16:18, Luke 4:18-19)

Father, years ago You told me not to be amazed at what amazed others, but to expect great things of You. Thank You for renewing that in me right now. Help me be active in my obedience, knowing that the plans and the power come from You, for a massive harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

July 1, 2015

Posted on July 4, 2015 by jgarrott

Job 13:5, 7 If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?

My first response to verse 5 was, what a delicious put-down! However, particularly in the light of verse 7, I realized that it can be literal truth. I’m reminded of the secular proverb, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Particularly for religious professionals, the temptation to pontificate can be overwhelming, but often it is just that: a temptation from the devil. When we rattle on out of our own heads rather than humbly communicating what God is saying we do exactly what verse 7 says, speaking falsehood and deception in God’s Name. Nothing could be more dangerous. Recently the Pope has made pronouncements that are perhaps sincere, but are humanistic to the point of damaging the office. That’s simply the most visible example; lesser figures do the same with depressing frequency. In the Old Testament there are several places that denounce false prophets who claimed to speak for God but were most interested in personal profit. There are countless examples of that sort of thing today, and as Jesus said, they can be distinguished by their fruit. (Matthew 7:15-29) Even the best of us need to learn when to be quiet, because saying anything would be speaking for ourselves and not for God.

I have had more than one experience of delivering prophecy when God stopped talking and I didn’t. What a horrible feeling! Having had such an experience just previously, I was delivering a Word in a service quite a few years ago when I felt the flow stop, so I did. Immediately, with no pause whatsoever, another person on the other side of the room picked it up and completed the prophecy. That was a powerful lesson to me! I honestly don’t remember the content of the prophecy, but the experience itself was what the Lord wanted me personally to understand. I am not to speak out of my own head and pretend it’s God! That’s not to say I can’t have personal opinions or that I am never to share them, but it is to say I am to be very careful how I say anything, lest I be doing what verse 7 says. Last night in telephone counseling I was quiet for so long that the person on the other end of the line stopped to confirm I was still there, but if I had said what I was thinking, it would have destroyed our relationship. Sometimes I recognize that being silent is the wisest thing! I am to rejoice to be God’s mouthpiece and keep myself available for that purpose, but not push myself forward and never tack God’s Name onto my opinions.

Father, thank You for this Word. It rather surprised me! Help me indeed be silent when I should, as well as speak when You want me to, so that Your Word may accomplish that for which You send it (Isaiah 55:11) and my words not get in the way, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God.

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

June 30, 2015

Posted on July 1, 2015 by jgarrott

Jude 1:20-21 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

I have heard verse 20 used many times as instructions to pray in tongues, but I think that misses the focus. I personally happen to be somewhat in the position of Paul that he expressed in 1 Corinthians 14:18, but I think that focusing on that here misses the overall point, which is essentially the same as Philippians 2:12, which says that we are to “work out our salvation.” I happened to preach on “Progressive Salvation” on June 21st, and this would have been a good Scripture to use. The thing is, as Jesus explained so clearly in the Parable of the Talents, (Matthew 25) we are responsible for what we do with what we are given, be that time, ability, financial resources, or whatever. Here Jude is focusing on faith and the love of God. We are responsible for what we do with those, too! We are to seek to grow in faith, choosing to trust God when the devil tempts us to deny Him, and we are to choose to abide in the love of God. How do we do that? Jesus stated it very clearly: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:9-10) As any parent of a 2-year-old will tell you, obedience is a choice. We can see that in children, but as adults we tend to forget it for ourselves. Actually, that’s choosing not to obey, just as a little child whose favorite word is “NO!” God wants us to grow, as good stewards of all that He has provided for us. That happens only by His grace, mercy and power, but it happens a lot more and a lot faster if doing so is our conscious choice.

This is certainly something I can confirm from personal experience! I’ve learned the hard way that thinking you’re already mature is no way to grow, and that thinking you’ve got everything together is no way to receive God’s supply. I am indeed to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, as He told me to, but at the same time I am to be applying everything I have toward getting closer to Him, to being more available, more transparent, more useful. That’s part of the paradox of the Gospel (which was my sermon title on the 7th). I’ve been given the privilege of teaching others, and I must not take it lightly. I must not forget that “We who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) I am to teach and encourage each believer to recognize what they have been given and apply it fully, for their own benefit and the benefit of those around them and for God’s glory.

Father, You know better than I do that I’ve not been the best steward of all that You have poured out on me over the years. Help me continue to grow in every area so that I may be a child fully pleasing to You, for Your glory indeed. Thank You. Praise God!

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

June 29, 2015

Posted on June 30, 2015 by jgarrott

2 John 1:4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.

The more I think about this verse the more I am struck by it. The word that jumps out at me is “some.” I would expect John to express joy if all of her children were walking in the truth, but he rejoices even over some. (Whether the “chosen lady” is an individual or a code word for a church is open to debate, but it seems evident that this is talking about more than just biological children.) Sometimes the sheer numbers of people who don’t walk in the truth as God has commanded can be overwhelming, but John chooses to rejoice over those who do. There’s a powerful lesson here. If we focus on the negatives we will lose sight of the power and grace of God, and will see the devil as bigger and stronger than he is. Right now the world is in quite a mess, and that mess has come home to America in a way and to a degree that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. The mess is not to be ignored, much less accepted as normal or right, but our focus needs to be on what God is doing. Sometimes things need to get dark for the light to be seen more clearly. Some people are waking up and discarding the compromises that have robbed them of fellowship with God and His children. Some people are taking stands and proclaiming God’s truth in love in the face of all the lies. Some people are living as the people of God, and that is reason to rejoice.

Just yesterday a fellow American Christian living in Japan sent us an email that said, simply, “I fear for your grandchildren.” Humanly speaking there’s plenty of reason for that. I earnestly desire that they fit in the category John was talking about, and I desire that they not have unnecessary trials and temptations. I can pray for them, but direct input into their lives is limited to say the least. My prayers for them should not be anxious, but rather filled with the assurance of knowing to Whom I am praying, trusting Him to take care of them. My concerns are certainly not limited to my biological descendants. Those in this church are at least to some degree my spiritual children, and I have many more who are geographically separated from us. I need to pray for all of them the same way I do for my biological children and grandchildren, not trusting them to do the right thing so much as I trust God to guide and protect them. I am to pray that their number increase, but I am not to be discouraged at how few they seem to be at this point. As I wrote my friend last night, God is still God, and He is faithful.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. I needed it! I pray that You would help me see beyond the negatives that surround me and indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, allowing You to do through me all the good things that You have prepared in advance for me to do, (Ephesians 2:10) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

June 28, 2015

Posted on June 30, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 3:17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

This is a very interesting statement, because it accepts, very calmly and without making a fuss about it, that we are going to suffer. It brings to mind Jesus’ statement in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble, but rejoice! For I have overcome the world.” Peter was present at the time Jesus said that, and I’m sure his life in the interval had confirmed the reality of it. Today we seem focused on avoiding suffering to the point of absurdity, and doubtless miss a lot of joy, satisfaction, and accomplishment in the process. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that suffering is supposed to be fun, but in many places we are assured that suffering can bring results that are worth the trouble. Two come immediately to mind: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11) “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71) What we’ve got to remember is that God isn’t mean; He doesn’t pick on us. The devil frequently tries to make us think that is how God is, but the devil’s certainly a liar. From our perspective we often may not see the purpose in whatever suffering we are experiencing, but as the old Southern Gospel song says, “We will understand it better by and by.” What Peter is saying, phrased in modern terms, is, “Get over it! Life includes suffering, so don’t use it as an excuse to do evil.” This certainly isn’t an excuse to seek out suffering. An American going to a Muslim country and then denouncing Mohammed in public is almost certainly not being obedient to God. However, such a person actively demonstrating the love of Christ might still be at high risk of suffering, but would be much more likely to be in the will of God.

There have been Christians down through the centuries who have actively sought martyrdom, but I think that is a sad, self-centered aberration. However, seeking to avoid suffering at all cost is even worse! I have known both types of Christians, and the zeal of the former is easier to channel and correct than the spiritual lethargy of the latter. Spiritual courage is following God regardless of the immediate consequences, knowing that the long-term rewards will be more than worth it. That is what I am to aspire to. America has just entered a time of much greater risk for true believers than at any point since its founding, with the supreme court “discovering” a “right” that is in direct violation of God’s Word, not to mention common sense and even biology. It is sad to feel blessed not to live in America! I am to pray for God’s plans to be fulfilled, even if they involve suffering for His children – and mine! I am to pray that God’s family would stand strong in the face of evil and proclaim the truth in love, just as Franklin Graham is doing with great faithfulness. And certainly I am not to despair, but remember that God is still God, even when the road ahead seems dark.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I wasn’t thinking of the Supreme Court decision when I started writing, so thank You for pointing it out. Help me lead this congregation well, not in conflict avoidance but in bold obedience to You, regardless of circumstances or risk of any sort, so that all of Your plans for us may be fulfilled, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

June 27, 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

This verse is so familiar I almost didn’t write on it, but the truths in it are so glorious and so deep that they bear a lot of repeating. The very first thing this touches on is one of the great mysteries of existence, and that is God’s choosing. Stuck as we are in the flow of time, we can’t even imagine, really, what it’s like for God who is outside of time and perceiving it perfectly all at once. Free will is real, but God already knows how we will choose, and so He makes His choice. The people to whom Peter were writing were a decidedly mixed bag of assorted nationalities from all social levels and backgrounds – just like the Church is today. You could hardly have called them “a people,” but that is exactly what Peter does here. He then heaps on some remarkable descriptives, and we need to realize that these apply just as much to believers today as they did back then. We are royalty, exercising the authority of God. We are priests, interceding between God and man. We are holy. We are God’s personal possession. Wow! We tend to forget the wonder of that, if we ever really believe it in the first place. However, we must remember that all of this is for a purpose, and if we deviate from that purpose we are off course at best. That purpose is to declare the marvelous works of God to all who will listen. Sadly, few Christians actually do that, and those who do are often considered “fanatics.” If that is fanatical, then every Christian on the face of the earth is called to be a fanatic! This is not saying that every Christian is to be a “full-time evangelist.” Rather, it is saying that we are to be giving God the credit for what He has done, most especially in our lives. Talking about the good things he has done for others isn’t bad and can be quite enjoyable, but we need to recognize and talk about what He has done for us. Actually, it is an interesting reality that telling someone else expands and cements our own appreciation and understanding of the grace of God.

My life has certainly been an illustration of the grace and mercy of God. I do seek to tell others, and it is sad to me that the majority either think I am bragging or that God must love me more than He loves them. Neither is true! They too can join the ranks of God’s chosen by their own choice. Expressed in human words that seems paradoxical, but it is glorious reality. As a pastor I desire that everyone in this church understand and fulfill the purpose for which they were created and chosen. In my experience and understanding, we were created for fellowship with our Creator and we were chosen to be His agents and representatives, declaring His works not only to our fellow human beings but also to the “principalities and powers,” (Ephesians 3:10) though we have very little grasp of that dimension. I am to be faithful in my own obedience and I am to call all believers to do the same. There can be no greater joy, blessing, satisfaction, peace, what have you, than fulfilling the purpose of our existence.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This verse is familiar for a reason! Help me live it out consistently, building up the Body of Christ for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

June 26, 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter was someone who loved Jesus having seen Him, to a degree matched only by John, perhaps, but He was also present when Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) We are in the same situation as Peter’s immediate readers, not having seen Jesus physically but having apprehended Him by faith. The question is, though, whether our faith has filled us with inexpressible joy. If it hasn’t, then we have some growing to do! This isn’t the same thing as “happy, happy, happy” all the time, but rather a deep-seated awareness that “my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25) (It is fascinating that such a declaration of faith was written so many centuries before Jesus walked the earth!) Those who are shaky as to whether Jesus really rose from the dead, for example, don’t have that joy. That’s because they don’t have the assurance of the three tenses of salvation: past, present, and future. If you don’t know in your heart that you have been forgiven of your sins and saved from their penalty, that you are being saved from the power of sin, even though you stumble occasionally, and that you will be saved from the last vestige, the very presence of sin, then you won’t have the fullness of joy that Peter is talking about here. When you have that assurance, then you are indeed receiving the salvation of your soul, and that is true joy.

This is something I try to help people understand, and at times am mystified at their inability to do so. It goes without saying that a non-believer won’t understand it, but the problem comes with Christians who don’t really seem to be there. It’s almost like they are “half born again,” stuck in the birth canal, so to speak. I think repentance is probably key here. They may have an intellectual understanding of the facts of the Gospel but haven’t really grasped that apart from the grace of God, they are destined to rot in hell. I am not to run around pointing fingers at people’s sins, but I am to pray for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8) Until we understand we are lost, we can’t really be saved! That’s rarely an issue for people who have done horrendous things, but it often is for those that society would call “good people.” I need to help people understand that, as the Lord had me say at the wake the other night, comparing sins is like acorns comparing height.

Well, Father, I had wondered what You wanted me to preach on Sunday, and now I know! This ties together last Sunday’s message and what You had me say in the wake and funeral. Thank You for the overflowing evidence of Your presence, Your gracious guidance. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice in You, staying out of Your way so that You may use me freely to build up the Body of Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

June 25, 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015 by jgarrott

James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

It is interesting that this letter of James, one of the most practical and hard-hitting in the whole Bible in the area of avoiding hypocrisy, would end on this note. He has talked about various ways that each of us is capable of “wandering from the truth,” but here he is saying that those who have done so can return, and that we can be involved in that. That’s an extremely important truth. Some people focus on Hebrews 10:26-27, (If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.) but few people genuinely taste God’s salvation and then depart from it so thoroughly. James is pointing out that bringing wanderers back is a noble and fruitful endeavor. I’m reminded of the Lord’s words to Ezekiel about being a watchman. (Ezekiel 33:7-9) The people we seek to draw back to the truth may not respond to what we say and do, but we will have discharged our responsibility toward them. However, they may respond, and that is what James is talking about. Repentance works! We aren’t to be running around condemning people, but rather speaking the truth to them in love (Ephesians 4:15) so that they may be drawn by that love into right relationship with God.

I am certainly reminded of the man whose wake we held last night and who will be cremated today. Before he came to Christ he was an alcoholic, and some of the things he told me about his past activities certainly aren’t fit for expression. However, some people led him to the truth, to the One who is Truth, (John 14:6) and he was indeed born again. We are able to give him a joyful sendoff, because we know He went to be with his Lord. His past sins, which were indeed many, were thoroughly covered over, just as this passage says. I need to remember him as I relate to all sorts of people, never thinking that anyone is beyond the reach of the grace and mercy of God. It is the ones who think they are OK who are in the greatest danger! I must remember that it is only by the grace of God that I myself am able to walk with Him, and never fall back into blind pride. I am to warn people in all love and humility, so that they too may know the truth and be set free. (John 8:32)

Father, thank You for Your presence in last night’s service and for the assurance that You will be present today as well. Thank You for the powerful testimony that was given to the few non-Christians present. I pray that the seeds that were planted would bear fruit in them as well, so that this death would result in much life, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

June 24, 2015

Posted on June 25, 2015 by jgarrott

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Biblical standards of wisdom and this world’s standards are often at odds. As has been said, in God’s kingdom, the way up is down. We confuse wisdom with knowledge, and we say that knowledge is power, but pursuing such knowledge leads most to inflated egos. The more we know of God, on the other hand, the more we understand our own inherent sinfulness and our total dependence on the grace of God. That is wisdom! In the Old Testament that attitude is referred to as “the fear of God,” and statements like, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” (Proverbs 9:10) are well known. The better we understand our place before God, the more we will operate in humility before Him and with gentleness and respect toward the people around us. The better we understand our place before God, the more we will get out of the way and let Him operate in and through us, because His power and wisdom are, quite literally, infinitely greater than ours.

I am in an intensive training course in this right now, with the sudden death of a long-time member of this church, on top of an already busy schedule. Every time I take my eyes off of the Lord, I simply want to run and hide. I am responsible for messages at the wake tonight and the funeral tomorrow, as well as deciding and printing the programs for each, and that is on top of everything else this week already held. With so little emotional/physical margin, anger is one response, and that is simply destructive and in no way helpful. This is an opportunity to let Christ shine through me, but I can’t make that happen. Rather, I’ve got to operate moment by moment in awareness of my total dependence on Him. Like Paul, I know that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) The problem is in remembering and trusting that, keeping my focus on Him rather than on myself. However, I know that He can enable me to do that, too!

Father, this is certainly a graduate-level course in Rest, Relax, Rejoice! Help me not rebel against it in resentment, but rather rejoice indeed that You will enable me to do everything I need to do. Help me take each thing in turn, not throwing my hands up at all that lies ahead but taking one step at a time. I do ask for clear guidance and anointing now as I prepare the remarks for tonight and tomorrow, and I pray for clarity and wisdom in deciding the details of the program. Help me not fear the eyes of men, but keep my eyes on You and allow You to operate in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

June 23, 2015

Posted on June 25, 2015 by jgarrott

James 2:12-13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

You would think that this passage would be a powerful curative for legalism, but the legalistic seldom seem to recognize that this is in the Bible. Mercy is very closely connected to grace. It doesn’t deny that wrong has been done, but it withholds retribution. Those who pounce on deviations from what they see as Biblical orthodoxy have run completely afoul of this passage. It’s not that Biblical truth is in any way unimportant, but rather that love is far more important. Paul said, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1) He also pointed out the futility of piety without love in 1 Corinthians 13. John went so far as to say that “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It goes without saying that love is merciful. This also relates closely to one of Jesus’ most horrible stories, of the man who refused to forgive a little when he had been forgiven much. (Matthew 18:23-35) To get back to what James said, he didn’t just say that mercy is superior to judgment, he said that mercy triumphs over judgment. In other words, no contest. Any time we forget how much mercy, grace and forgiveness have been lavished on us, we are in deep trouble.

I have never been one to nurse grudges, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respond strongly to some things. When people are insensitive to me, I’ve got to remember how often I’ve been insensitive to others. Actually, when people offend me in any way I need to remember that my sins nailed Jesus to the cross. I need to be obedient to what Jesus said: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me remember this consistently and extend to others the mercy that I so desperately need, so that together we may walk in what You intend for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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