March 15, 2015

Posted on March 19, 2015 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

When you think about it, this is an incredible promise. It says that repentance is always possible, as long as you are alive. The sad thing is how many people fail to avail themselves of this promise. Moses has been talking about Israel going into open idolatry, which they indeed did later in their history. You might think that God would give up on them totally at that, but not so. It would be impossible to overstate the mercy of God, but it hinges on one point: repentance. Here that is expressed as “seeking God with all your heart and soul.” The Greek word used in the New Testament is somewhat simpler, and means turning, that is, turning around, or turning from one thing to another. However, we get all fuzzy and accept as “repentance” what certainly doesn’t involve the whole being, and really doesn’t turn from sin. That does no one any favors! Proclaiming grace without repentance is one of the more pernicious lies of the devil, and he’s doing it a great deal today. People want to be told God accepts them as they are, without turning from things the Bible clearly states are hateful to Him. God loves us too much to do that. When we place pleasures ahead of seeking and obeying God, we haven’t repented, and that is dangerous territory indeed. English-speaking people need a fresh revelation of what repentance is all about. In addition to the Hebrew and Greek terms, Japanese uses a term that means “regret and start over.” That says it pretty well. John the Baptist put it quite clearly: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) In other words, real repentance will produce changed behavior. We must never forget that.

I’ve had my own tussles with repentance. On one issue I didn’t really get free until I grasped that I really was forgiven. The liar, aka Satan, really plays tricks with us on this whole issue of repentance and forgiveness. His name means “accuser,” and that is certainly what he does. Especially with repeated sins he tells us, “See, you never repented at all. You might as well hang it up and dive into the sin.” That is effective, as I found, only when we fail to grasp that as 1 John 1:9 tells us, the moment we acknowledge our sin before God and ask Him to cleanse us, His forgiveness is operative in our lives. Peter said that people who fail to live in what Christ has done for them have “forgotten that [they have] been cleansed from [their] past sins.” (2 Peter 1:9) When that got through to me it set me free to walk in the repentance I had already chosen. When we desire to be holy before God and we know we are forgiven, then repentance when we stumble is almost automatic, and it is certainly not a burden.

Father, the whole issue of repentance and forgiveness is so vital to everything. Help me communicate it clearly by the power of Your Spirit so that many may be set free from the lying traps of the devil, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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March 14, 2015

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jgarrott

Exodus 33:13 “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Here we have an illustration of why God was pleased with Moses: he kept seeking to know more of God. In any area of life, the moment we think we know everything we lose our edge. That goes doubly when it comes to God, because He is by definition infinite. Sometimes we encounter “religious professionals” who are really just going through the motions because they aren’t pressing in for more of God. That’s tragic both for them and for those to whom they minister. Another point to note here is that Moses wasn’t just seeking to know more of God for himself, he was doing it because he had been given the charge of leading God’s people. That is equally true for every pastor and priest, but we forget it all too often. Any time a church leader forgets that it is God’s Church, the Body of Christ, then they and their people are in deep trouble. I’ve seen churches that were the pastor’s kingdom, not the kingdom of God! Anyone in a position of church leadership must operate in genuine humility, because they are certainly in need of God’s mercy! Christians, who operate under the New Covenant, sometimes look down on Jews, who operate under the Old Covenant, confident that Christians have the fuller revelation. However, there’s not a theologian alive who understands everything about either the Old or the New Covenant, much less walks it all out faithfully. We all have unlimited room to grow in our knowledge of and obedience to God, and the better we understand that, the better off we will be.

This has actually been something of a trap for me, because I have been tempted to look at my own level of knowledge of the Bible in comparison with that of those around me, rather than in comparison to the infinity of God’s love, grace, and holiness. I remember one time when I was much younger that I actively felt I was blessing any church I attended, when actually I was very far from the Lord. When He tapped me on the shoulder and held up a mirror for me to look at when I turned around, I was devastated, realizing that it had been a miracle of grace that He hadn’t squashed the loathsome bug that I had become. My progress since then hasn’t been constant, but it’s continued for over 40 years and I’m deeply grateful. I am currently leading what looks like a very small part of the Body of Christ, but I have the deep conviction that my actions extend far beyond what is visible. If I am to be faithful to my assignment I’ve got to keep pressing in for more of God, knowing Him better, yielding myself to Him better, allowing Him to speak and act through me better. After all, it’s for His people, the Body of Christ.

Father, thank You for the incredible honor and privilege of acting as Your under-shepherd. You know how I’ve rebelled against that in the past. Help me press in to know more of You so that I will be more effective as Your agent on every level and in every way, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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March 13, 2015

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jgarrott

Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

The whole story of Sodom is extremely relevant for America today, for obvious reasons. Those in the homosexual camp try to insist that the sin of Sodom was lack of hospitality, but that is a real stretch. Actually, the violence displayed by the men of Sodom is all too common among homosexuals today, with the preponderance of pedophilia being homosexual. The theme for the readings from this point being mercy, it’s important to note that it was because of God’s mercy that the angels forcibly removed Lot, his wife and daughters from their home. At first glance, abduction might not seem very merciful! After all, they had to leave everything behind, and were literally penniless refugees. I am reminded of an interview I saw recently on the Internet with a young Iraqi Christian girl living in a refugee camp. She said she missed her home and village, and especially a particular friend, but she recognized that God had been merciful to her and her family, and she even sang a very touching worship song. We sometimes fail to recognize God’s mercy because we want His indulgence instead. However, God is holy, and trying to ignore or forget that is ultimately fatal. We don’t recognize God’s mercy, or our need for it, because we fail to fear God. In Psalm 36 David wrote very incisively about those who ignore God: “There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.” (Psalm 36:1-2) Such a person will not receive God’s mercy because he doesn’t acknowledge that he needs it.

Well, this certainly seems like a downer! However, as I have experienced countless times myself, God gives us opportunities to recognize and confess our sins, and that is mercy indeed. I am never to think I have earned His mercy, because it is all grace, that is, unmerited favor. I must be quick to repent and receive His forgiveness, but never cheapen that grace by taking it for granted. Forgiveness does not come without repentance! Thinking it does is the very definition of “cheap grace,” as Bonhoeffer wrote so powerfully. As a pastor I must not be a purveyor of cheap grace, but insist that repentance and faith are the keys to a relationship with a merciful God.

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace and mercy. Help me indeed never take them lightly, for myself or as I speak with others. May we as a church worship You in righteousness and holiness, not overlooking what You hate but letting Your love flow through us in power, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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March 12, 2015

Posted on March 16, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 5:2-3 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

It would appear that pastors have faced the same pitfalls ever since the 1st Century! Peter’s words of caution resonate as relevant to all who observe the Church, as well as those who serve in it. It is a sadly simple matter to start naming examples of Church leaders who have fallen into the traps Peter mentions, but that in itself benefits no one. The important thing is for believers to be on the lookout for signs of these problems in their leaders, and to pray for them to be able to avoid them. However, I have seen churches that were so eager to keep their pastor from being greedy for money that they hardly paid him enough to live on! That puts the pastors in real danger of despising the work to which they have been assigned, and again benefits no one. We have all seen pastors who were “control freaks,” strangling the church by insisting everything meet their approval, but there can be a fine line between avoiding that and becoming irresponsible. I think the bottom line is that pastors are at least as much in need of the grace of God as anyone else, and they and their flocks need to recognize that and act accordingly.

I’ve tripped up on several points in this list. First of all, I didn’t really want to be a pastor but rather a Bible teacher, and I’ve grumbled about it more than I like to think about over the years. However, God has both grown and blessed me in it, and the thought of retiring is not a happy one. I’m thankful for Moses’ example! I’ve also had trouble with the opposite poles of micro-managing and of being irresponsible. I have tended to micro-manage because I thought I could do it better than anyone else, but even in instances where that is true it doesn’t allow for growth in anyone else. I have tended to be irresponsible because I have sloughed off tasks that seemed unpleasant or “didn’t fit my gift set.” Needless to say, none of those things have brought good results! It is a comfort to me that I have improved over the years, but it is hardly a source of pride that it took me so long to do so. I have had greater success than many, proportionally speaking, at raising up young pastors, but I have the sneaking feeling that they have looked at me and decided they could do it better! I need to flow in the grace of God more and more, for myself and for those I lead, so that His plans for us may be fulfilled on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for appointing me to ministry and for Your incredible patience with me in all the stumbling I’ve done in the process. Help me indeed be an example to the flock, both when they are watching and when they are not, because You are always watching, and You know my heart. May I be an open channel of Your blessing to them, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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March 11, 2015

Posted on March 14, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Peter has been writing throughout his letter about a Christ-like lifestyle, and this is in the natural flow of that. The thing is, if we are really living as the Holy Spirit guides us, we are going to be pretty different from most of the people around us. Some will hate us for it, because comparison with how we live makes it obvious how badly they live, and they’d rather attack us than change. However, some will see our peace and joy that come from the hope we have in Christ that Peter mentions, and their hunger to have it themselves will cause them to ask us about it. That is ultimate, “organic” evangelism. It’s not a memorized spiel, much less “hitting them over the head with a Bible,” but Peter points out that we do need to be ready. That means thinking and talking about our own experience of salvation, encountering Jesus Christ even though we’ve never seen Him with our eyes. It means having an ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit so that it won’t be a “long distance call” when we ask Him to speak to someone through us. That done, we’ve got to be careful we don’t fall into spiritual pride so that we come across as holier-than-thou. If we will do that, then those who attack us will indeed be ashamed, and may even come to repentance and faith for salvation themselves.

I have felt for a long time that this was the most natural, effective form of evangelism, but I haven’t known well how to make it happen. Living and ministering in Japan I am seen as “other,” so even those who admire me don’t see that they could or should be like me. That has been a major frustration. Another factor in Japan is an extreme sense of personal space. With the population density, and given the fact that in traditional architecture rooms are divided by sliding paper doors, “don’t ask, don’t tell” is taken to extremes. I remember my shock several years ago when a lady in our neighborhood group committed suicide by driving her car off a cliff; no one in the neighborhood had any idea she was so overloaded with troubles. I have no real idea how to overcome those two factors with any consistency, so I pray. I pray not only that I would be more effective in communicating the Gospel, but also and especially that the believers in this church, who don’t have the “other” barrier, would be emboldened to share more and more among their families and friends. I am also to train them as disciples of Christ so that their lives will increasingly reflect Him, drawing people to His light. I can’t make that happen in my own wisdom and strength, but God can use me to bring it about, and I’ve got to stay available.

Father, I’ve preached on this passage numbers of times over the years, but still, I don’t think anyone in this church besides me has ever led someone to salvation. I ask You to change that, and to change me in whatever way necessary to make that happen. May we be a body of believers who so radiate Your love, Your grace, that people are drawn irresistibly, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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March 10, 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Verses 13-17 seem very appropriate in the US right now. Authority is being misappropriated and misused by some, and that is causing a very understandable reaction. However, we will make it through much better if we will follow this verse. Some would say that there are many who are not worthy of respect. In some cases that’s true, but every human being is created in the likeness of God, however much they have violated that in the years since. As verses 13 and 14 tell us, sometimes our respect is to be for the office someone holds, even if they seem unworthy of that office. That can be a difficult line to walk at times, but God will give wisdom and self-control. We need to remember that Peter was writing in a time when genuinely representative government was unheard of; believe it or not, we have it better! There are numbers of situations that we can and should work to correct, but the fact that we have the right and the possibility to do so was unimagined when Peter was writing. Christian activism on all levels seems to me to be quite desirable, but it must be on the basis of this verse, with respect for all and honor for government, all on the basis of knowing that God is God, and He’s in control.

Since I live in Japan my participation in the American scene is limited to absentee balloting and signing online petitions (though many would like me to contribute financially). Most importantly, I need to pray. A major point of prayer should be for the truth to be revealed, as Jesus assured us would happen. (Luke 12:2) Fortunately, various organized deceptions seem to be unraveling, and I am to be grateful. At the same time, I am to pray that God’s truth would be revealed very clearly to as many as will receive it. There are huge lies in the area of morality that are being pushed strongly as truth. I am to pray for the pastors of America to rise up and speak the truth in love with all boldness, rejecting political correctness however much doing so rocks the boat. If a preacher’s pulpit is more important to them than the approval of God, then they deserve neither. I am to be clear and consistent in my own preaching, casting down the devil’s lies (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) and proclaiming God’s truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Father, thank You for the assurance that You are still in control, no matter how chaotic things look from human perspective. Help me trust You on every level, walking in faithful obedience all the time, so that all of Your plans that involve me may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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March 9, 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by jgarrott

1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

This passage appears to be ignored by a remarkable percentage of church members today. Statistics from America, at any rate, indicate that the TV viewing, clothing, Internet usage and the like of church members is virtually indistinguishable from those who are not church members. Frankly, it casts doubt on those church members’ salvation. We need to remember that we are not just saved to heaven, we are saved from the world. When we forget that, we no longer function as salt and light in society, and Jesus said when that happens we are “no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:13) Ouch! Several years ago Don Francisco came out with a song that included the line, “Holiness. It’s the Lord’s command, not the Lord’s request.” Sadly, some people equate holiness with long faces and sour dispositions, when nothing could be further from the truth. Being holy doesn’t take the fun from life, it saves you from all the hangovers! All sin is ultimately destructive, but it wouldn’t be a temptation if it didn’t provide some short-term rewards. The problem is in having enough maturity to hold out for the greater, future reward. A tolerance for delayed gratification is almost universally recognized as a primary indicator of maturity. Submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7) is an indicator of spiritual maturity. In commanding holiness God isn’t being mean, He is pointing us to the greatest possible peace, satisfaction, and joy that are available to us as His children.

In counseling couples and in teaching on parenting I often talk about how selfishness never leads to happiness; it can only give momentary pleasure. Selfish people are very poor at resisting temptation! I find that a remarkable percentage of emotional and even mental problems come from the person having a mirror perched a few inches in front of their nose, so to speak. When they can’t see anyone but themselves, the lack of perspective throws them off pretty badly. I’ve tasted that myself, and know that the ultimate key to mental and emotional health is found in Hebrews 12:2. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When I find myself tempted to be less than holy, this is the answer. When I find myself overwhelmed by circumstances, this is the answer. When I find myself anxious about the future, this is the answer. It is the perfect antidote to selfishness. At the same time, when I realize that Jesus went through all He did specifically for me, I am given an assurance of God’s love that can carry me through anything.

Father, thank You indeed for Your overwhelming love. Thank You that You are indeed holy, and You enable me to be holy. Thank You for the joy and peace You provide that can be had no other way. Thank You that I can have that joy and peace even in the middle of a miserable cold, as I am right now. Thank You for all You are doing in and around me, on more levels than I am aware. Help me be fully yielded and available to You at all times, so that as Your holy servant I may do Your will in Your power on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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March 8, 2015

Posted on March 9, 2015 by jgarrott

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

This is a very powerful, important verse that is ignored in far too many churches by far too many people. This is not talking about the natural world, the beauty of nature and such, even though there is idolatrous nature worship. Rather, this is talking about the world system with all its glitter, perhaps exemplified by Hollywood, though not limited to that. It is certainly exemplified by the porn industry! I’d say that an alternative term would be humanism, that is, placing mankind, human motives and ambitions, as the ultimate, the “greatest good,” if you will. That is replacing God with man, and it certainly separates us from God. Political correctness is a manifestation of this, because it places man-made rules ahead of truth, often replacing the truth with a lie. We get trapped into that by not wanting to offend, but failing to tell someone they have a fatal disease that needs to be treated and cured is not kindness. We want to fit in, not to rock the boat, but when society around us is not submitted to God, then fitting in becomes rebellion against God. Frankly, most of us don’t want the persecution that Jesus promised would come to those who were true to Him. (John 15:18-20) However, the rewards of following Jesus are greater than everything in the world put together. (Mark 8:36) Priorities can be tricky. We may say we love Jesus while our lives demonstrate that we place the things and the approval of the world ahead of Him. That’s only fooling ourselves.

This is something I have to be very careful about myself. Some Internet pages have teaser ads for things like “See how much money these porn stars make.” That’s wrong on every level, yet it still tugs at my flesh. I couldn’t count all the “get rich” stuff that pours in, some of it seeming pretty reasonable, even. I am certainly reminded of Paul’s statement that “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10) When I place money ahead of purity of devotion to God, I have stepped into idolatry. I really think the love of money is just another face of the love of the world that James was talking about. I am to be a good steward of everything God places in my hands, but I am never to value those things ahead of God and my relationship with Him. “Loving the world” probably looks a little different for every human being, so each of us should not be judging whether their neighbor is doing that, but rather keeping tabs on their own priorities. As a pastor I am called to help people recognize how they have been blinded by the world and the devil, and that can be awkward to say the least. I’ve got to love God and love my neighbor enough to speak the truth, with clarity and grace, at all times. (Ephesians 4:15)

Father, once again I have described a task that is beyond my ability. Thank You that it isn’t beyond Your ability. I ask You to do it in and through me, purifying and strengthening my love for You and for my neighbors, so that I may be the servant, the child, that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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March 7, 2015

Posted on March 9, 2015 by jgarrott

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

This seems to me like a pretty good yardstick for evaluating wisdom! Lots of people claim to be wise, or are even acclaimed by others as wise, but this is a pretty good guideline for seeing if that is appropriate. James had a unique perspective on this, because he grew up as Jesus’ younger brother. Having an older brother myself, I wonder what it was like, growing up with a brother who was always right in word and deed. That’s not the same thing as doing everything perfectly; I don’t think Jesus was able to run as an infant, or even cut a straight line the first time He picked up a saw. However, I’m sure Jesus demonstrated “wisdom from above” even as a young child, and this is what it looked like. As the Old Testament points out, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10) If we don’t start from the foundation of God, everything we build will be false, including wisdom. Isaac Newton is widely considered one of the greatest geniuses of history. I recently watched a BBC documentary on him that pointed out that all of his thinking was based on an unshakable conviction that everything exists because of an omnipotent Creator. He had some troubles with the definition of the Trinity, but he accepted the Biblical account as reliable. That accounts for a lot! When we encounter people who claim wisdom yet deny God and the Bible, we can rest assured that whatever they are saying, it is a house of cards that will not stand.

I was greatly blessed to grow up in a family that valued intellect, but always on the foundation of faith. I have never thought that faith and genuine science were at odds. For one thing, I had relatives who were respected scientists as well as very strong Christians. For myself, I have had to learn that the devil constantly tempts us to ignore our faith when making decisions. That’s never wise! I have had to come to the awareness that ultimately, God’s smart and I’m not. When I operate on that foundation, I’m far better able to express His wisdom, that is the “wisdom from above” that James talks about, in my daily living. That’s not to say that I’m to be straitlaced. As Dr. Richard C. Pettigrew wrote in one of his poems, “There’s such a thing as too much sense. We need a little nonsense to keep us sane.” I think I would add to James’ definition, “True wisdom doesn’t take itself too seriously.” Actually, that’s probably covered in his saying it is humble, so I don’t need to add anything at all!

Father, thank You for Your wisdom, and that You supply it to those who trust You. It’s like James wrote in the first part of his letter: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) Help me never trust my own wisdom but always seek Yours, so that I may bear Your fruit for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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March 6, 2015

Posted on March 9, 2015 by jgarrott

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This is a truly magnificent pastoral prayer/benediction. The focus is on God rather than on the one being blessed, much less the one doing the blessing. It reminds us that Jesus is the Great Shepherd, so all the faults and mistakes of merely human shepherds are superseded and overcome. That doesn’t let pastors off the hook in terms of dedication and faithfulness, but it is a reminder that the results don’t ultimately depend on them. It also reminds us that the covenant sealed with the blood of Jesus is eternal, and can never be broken. Further, it speaks of God as the God of Peace. There is much that would deny us peace on every level, and it is only in God that we find the peace that our hearts yearn for. This isn’t a passive, boring peace but an exciting, active peace that progresses to ever greater and deeper joy, and the world can’t really imagine it. With the object of the prayer firmly established, he goes on to specify his request, and here too the focus is on God, that those being prayed for would be made perfect in doing good things, that is, what God wants. The result of believers doing God’s will is to be, and certainly will be, glory to Christ throughout eternity.

Paul gave some slightly more detailed prayers/benedictions, (Ephesians 3:14-21 comes to mind) but this one appeals to me because of the pastoral focus. I have always felt inadequate as a pastor, and at times envious of friends who have seemed more gifted in that area. Preaching has never been a problem for me – it doesn’t take long for me to start preaching whoever I’m with! However, pastoral ministry, the day-to-day nitty gritty of caring for the sheep, has not been my strong suit. Over the years I have gotten better, but I am sharply aware that it is a choice, and not just something that comes naturally. That may be an advantage, now that I think about it! I am also lacking in administrative gifting, but it has been pointed out to me that Moses didn’t have that either, yet God called him to a task that required an enormous amount of administration. His inability kept him humbly dependent on God, and that was a good thing. I have to be no less humbly dependent on God, but I can have the assurance that Jesus is indeed the Great Shepherd of the sheep, and He can and will do the job through me if I will allow Him to do so.

Father, thank You for pointing out to me just now as I wrote how You have indeed grown me as a pastor. Thank You that I’ll be able to go with a young man to the doctor this morning. There seems to be a very real possibility of melanoma, made worse by how long he’s put this off because he was afraid of surgery. I ask Your grace and mercy for him, and I stand against this attack on his health and potentially his life. May the diagnosis and the decisions to follow be accurate, not just medically but according to Your plan. I pray that he would gain from this the good that You promise, that the plans the devil means for evil would be turned around for great blessing, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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