November 18, 2014

Posted on November 19, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 12:12-13 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees! “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

The first 11 verses of chapter 12 are dearly loved, and I have written and preached on them more times than I can remember. However, I’m not sure I’ve ever written or preached on these two verses, and they too are powerful. They bring to mind Isaiah 42:3, quoted about Jesus in Matthew 12:20. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out .” The point is, God is not about “the survival of the fittest.” rather, He “chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29) We are all too prone to “shoot the wounded,” as the saying goes. Some people twist this around as an excuse not to confront sin, but that’s like putting a band-aid on cancer. The Bible doesn’t tell us to ignore problems, but rather to reach out a helping hand. Too often the devil deceives us into disqualifying ourselves, encouraging us to focus on real or imagined weaknesses instead of on our all-powerful Lord who can overcome them. These two verses are a logical continuation from verse two, that tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. If we will do that, we will indeed be strengthened and find that our way has become straight and level.

These verses have come into sharper focus since my wife has developed Parkinson’s Disease. As is well known, that is a disease that attacks all sorts of motor functions, but she is putting up quite a fight! In fact, unless she is particularly tired, people generally don’t notice her tremor, even. However, she goes to physical therapy two times a week and is very careful what shoes she wears. Sometimes getting dressed in the morning can be quite a struggle for her. She seeks, and receives, wisdom as to what to do and how to do it, and is far more accomplishful than many who face far fewer obstacles. She is an inspiration! As I seek to help her, strengthening her and making her path easier as best I can, I need to remember that I need to do the same for those with emotional and spiritual handicaps. I am not to condemn them or “hit them over the head with a Bible,” but come alongside them, lending a hand and encouraging them, so that they may recognize and appropriate the provision and strength that are theirs in Christ. After all, God’s strength is made perfect in weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Father, thank You for this reminder, particularly on Cathy’s birthday. She has a very full schedule, most of it focused on others rather than herself, which is so typical. I pray that I would be the support she needs and deserves, doing all I can to make this a happy day, leading to many, many more. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 17, 2014

Posted on November 19, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 11:39-40 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

This is an extremely important passage, and should finish off the “name it and claim it” crowd. Being finite and temporal ourselves, it is all too easy for us to forget that God is infinite and eternal. He sees everything all at once, while we certainly cannot. Just because something doesn’t happen in our time frame doesn’t mean God hasn’t fulfilled His promise. It is a given in psychology that tolerance for delayed gratification is a major indicator of maturity. God wants mature children, so He deliberately doesn’t meet our frantic schedules sometimes. And we can’t tell Him when that is appropriate! God loves to bless us, but He is always more interested in our character than our comfort. If you always give a child everything they demand you will spoil them indeed, literally and figuratively. In fact, you will rob them of ever having true happiness and satisfaction. God wouldn’t do that to us! Tests of faith are seldom pleasant at the time, but faith only grows by being exercised, and the stronger our faith, the more peace and joy we have. Sometimes the most loving thing God can say to us is “No,” or “Not now.” We don’t like that, but our opinion doesn’t change the truth, whatever moral relativists say.

I’ve done my share of complaining about and rebelling against God’s timing, and it hasn’t done me any good! I have also seen God act instantly, to the shock of everyone involved. I’m reminded of the line from the Narnia books: “Aslan isn’t a tame lion.” I have had to learn that God isn’t there to do my bidding, but I am here to do His. In the process, I’ve also learned that His ideas are always better than mine. I can’t wrap my mind around a fraction of all the factors God takes into account. I am left with marveling that He does indeed hear my prayers and act on them. I’m still not really sure why He does it! I myself am still growing in my understanding of and fellowship with my Lord, even as I exhort others to press into Him. I have learned that He is indeed love, just as John said, (1 John 4:8, 16) and that He desires fellowship with His children. That knowledge is enough to get me through whatever I might go through, because I know my experiences will only make me better able to fellowship with Him.

Father, thank You for all You are doing in, around, and through me. Thank You for the good things You did here yesterday. Thank You that You are absolutely to be trusted, and to be trusted absolutely. Keep me growing in trust, and use me to grow others in trusting You as well, so that together we may be the children You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 16, 2014

Posted on November 19, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

As many times as I’ve read this, I had not remembered that here we have the perfect explanation of the dilemma of atheism. As some have pointed out, it is actually more difficult to believe that life started in primordial goo and evolved into all the complex life forms we see today than it is to believe God had a guiding hand in it all. Atheists, in declining to believe in a Creator, set themselves the virtually impossible task of believing in totally impossible odds. It’s far worse than the person who spends their money on lottery tickets because they don’t have enough money for the rent. Computer simulations have been run on super-computers (and yes, I know such things are certainly imperfect) to calculate the odds of our current universe existing by chance, and the odds make the term “astronomical” seem completely inadequate. Actually, recent studies show that we are born with a degree of innate faith in a Creator, and it takes some pretty complicated mental gymnastics to get away from that. There are abundant stories of erstwhile atheists in terror on their deathbeds, because they know they are going to meet their Maker. The Gospel is unique not that it stipulates a Creator, but that it tells us He loves us. That He would love us enough to send His Son to die in our place is absolutely mind boggling. It is sad indeed that so many decline to accept the gift of faith that will enable them to receive eternal life.

Ministering in Japan, I am surrounded by functional agnostics. The vast majority of Japanese practice elements of both Buddhism and Shinto, but without real faith in either. That’s why many would like to add Jesus to their god-shelf, so to speak: they have no concept of exclusive monotheism. My challenge with most of them is not to convince them of a Creator, but to help them understand that there can be only one Creator, and that He loves them. Evolution is accepted unquestioned in public schools, just as it is in the US, and that can be a real barrier. I know, intellectually and by experience, that I can’t get through all of that by my own wisdom and strength, so I’ve got to live in active dependence on and obedience to the Holy Spirit. He can and does get through to people, so I’ve got to keep myself available to Him for however He wants to use me.

Father, this is a constant issue, as You know better than I do. Help me remember that in the end Your solution is good indeed, and not be anxious. I am currently ministering to three people who are medically terminal, and only one of them has openly committed to Jesus Christ as Lord. I ask Your grace for the other two, that they would recognize both their need and Your supply, and open their hearts to You while there is still time, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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November 15, 2014

Posted on November 16, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 10:35-36 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

This chapter is perhaps most famous for verse 31, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” which was the cornerstone of the sermon that sparked the Great Awakening revival in America, back before the Revolutionary War. However, the writer does not stop with that note but goes on to this verse. With the state of America today verse 31 is all too appropriate, but there are many for whom this passage is necessary encouragement. The darker things around us get, and the more turmoil we seem to be in the middle of, the more we need to focus on faithful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage assures us such faithfulness will be richly rewarded. The devil, as always, is a liar. (John 8:44) He is forever telling us that it is no use resisting the flood of dissipation and immorality we see around us. On top of that, even in America these days we are seeing the public shaming and loss of property for Christians that are mentioned in verses 33 and 34. The thing to do is always to ask, what is God’s will, and then do it with our whole hearts. As the Japanese expresses it here, “What is necessary to be able to do that is patient endurance.” We must not forget that we are in a battle, but the outcome is already determined, and those who are with Christ, win!

I don’t feel like I have ever suffered particularly for my faith, but I have certainly had to deal with the flood of filth that is so prevalent in modern society. As a pastor I am constantly dealing with people who are being tempted to give up, in one area or another. I need to tell them not to throw away their confidence! One tool the devil uses to trap people is self pity, I was fascinated, and actually encouraged, to see recently that a study of dysfunctional parenting dealt with the issue of self pity on the part of the parents. It has a hugely negative influence. Like the writer here, I need to tell such people, don’t do it! As long as we are focused on ourselves, we won’t receive the abundant supply of everything we need, that God has prepared and promised.

Father, thank You for this clear Word. I certainly need Your wisdom and anointing to communicate it properly. I can think of several people off hand who are in urgent need of grasping this truth, but a lecture isn’t going to do the job. I pray that You would prepare their hearts and that You would prepare me to recognize and make full use of the right opportunity, so that they may be led out of the trap by which the devil that has robbed them of so much, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 14, 2014

Posted on November 15, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 5:11-12 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

There is some real comfort in realizing this problem goes all the way back to the 1st Century! This passage is the perennial lament of pastors and church leaders down through the centuries. However, it’s important to remember that just as God was faithful back then, He is still faithful today. People with the gift/calling of Evangelist tend to focus on getting people in the door, but people with the gift/calling of Teacher, as the writer of Hebrews evidently was, are more focused on the growth and maturity of people once they have believed. However, both are needed. That’s why different people have different gifting! Everyone is in need of the initial commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord, but everyone also needs a hunger to grow deeper in faith and knowledge so that they will be a better disciple, a better witness. Different people respond to these challenges/opportunities differently. That’s why some people are not saved, even though the Gospel has been presented to them, and why some people never grow in faith once they are saved. It is each individual’s loss, and not God’s fault, as some people would try to insist. It is also seldom the fault of the person who is trying to bring that person to salvation or help them grow and mature. Those who are evangelists and teachers are called to be faithful, certainly, but they aren’t to inflate themselves over the results they see, or beat themselves up over the lack of them. That’s why Jesus, Paul, John, and the writer of Hebrews all talked about rewards. We are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but that doesn’t mean we all have identical outcomes. There will be differences in heaven, though even the lowest level is infinitely better than not making it in. That said, I think we can rest assured there will be no resentment, because everyone will understand why they and others are in their respective places. All who are faithful will have the joy of their master! (Matthew 25:21, 23)

As a Teacher, my heart says AMEN every time I come to this passage. I have a tendency to stress out over how different individuals are failing to grow as I feel they should, but what I have just written should comfort me on that point. Also, I’ve got to remember how much room I myself still have to grow! I am very aware in the area of parenting that different children mature at different rates in different areas. A child who is very bright might be slow socially, for example, while a child with remarkable coordination might not care for books. As a teacher and spiritual father I desire that all grow strong in all areas, but it’s not going to happen, at least not on this earth. I’ve got to remember that each one is individually responsible to God for their stewardship of whatever gifts, abilities, and opportunities they have received – and that includes me. I need to be most careful of my own faithfulness, and leave everything else in God’s hands.

Father, I didn’t expect to write all of this when I started. Thank You. Thank You for the joy of seeing those who do choose to grow. Help me be fully available to You as Your gardener, pruning and watering and fertilizing as You direct, so that You may have the abundant harvest You desire and deserve, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 13, 2014

Posted on November 15, 2014 by jgarrott

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Books have been written about who Jesus was and is, and how we personally answer that question is the most important question of our existence. If He is to us God who became man, taking our sins upon Himself and going to the cross, rising from death on the third day, then we have eternal life in Him, and nothing on this earth can be worse than a temporary inconvenience. If He is to us simply a great teacher and example to be emulated by those who have the moral strength, then this world is the best we’ve got, because we are headed for an eternity of separation from our Creator. Many people think being a Christian is a matter of living a moral life. If you are a Christian you will desire to live a moral life, but it doesn’t work the other way around. Buddhism is all about emptying yourself and negating your desires. We have a Savior who emptied Himself and became a mere human being (Philippians 2:7) so that we might become children of God. This snippet from Hebrews also says that He sustains everything by His powerful word. It is very interesting, and helpful, to read through the four Gospels focusing on the references to Jesus’ words. That goes all the way from Mary telling the servants at the wedding in Cana of Galilee to “do whatever he says,” (John 2:5) all the way to the “Seven Last Words” He spoke from the cross, as well as what He spoke to His disciples after His resurrection. If He said it, that settles it, whether we believe it or not! The image of Roman emperors giving a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to decide the fate of a defeated gladiator is part of popular culture, but that was no power at all compared to the Word of Christ. That’s all the more reason to be as familiar as possible with the Bible, so that we will be better able to recognize when He is speaking to us, to participate willingly and joyfully in what He is doing.

This is of course the central issue of my life. I am addicted to the Bible, but not as a work of literature; it is a record of things my Lord has said and an instrument through which He speaks to me daily. I am to treasure His Word, but not idolize the words on the page; I’ve got to focus on the One who spoke them and caused them to be written. It is my commission and my joy to communicate those words to others, but if I am not applying them and living them out myself, my efforts will be in vain. Japan is famous for having sparse results to all efforts at communicating the Gospel, but that is all the more reason to be sure I am living it out and not just mouthing it. My Lord supports me by His Word; He can certainly communicate that Word through me.

Father, thank You for Your incredible plan. My words fail me, but Your Word will never fail. I ask that You use me more and more to transmit Your Word of life to others, leading them from darkness to light, from death to life, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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November 12, 2014

Posted on November 15, 2014 by jgarrott

Titus 3:10-11 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

This is a very interesting, as well as very stern, passage. It is interesting that divisiveness is considered so very bad, but then, Jesus’ Pastoral Prayer before the cross was that we would be one, as He and the Father were one. (John 17:20-21) Church history is in many ways a history of divisions, and that is sad indeed. However, many of those came about because Church groups strayed from the Gospel, and when God raised up people to call them back to the truth, those reformers were excluded. The letters to the seven churches in the first chapters of Revelation indicate that problem started very early on. However, what Paul is talking about here is someone who generates cliques for their own purposes, generally to gain influence and power (as they see it). The description of such a person here is quite interesting. The NIV says “self-condemned,” but the Japanese spells it out more fully, saying “knowing they are in the wrong, they commit sin anyway.” That can apply to much more than divisiveness! Any time we desire something enough to do it even knowing that it is wrong, we are in deep trouble. The more we squelch our conscience, the greater the danger. The Japanese, calling a spade a spade, says that is depravity. Depravity seems to be quite in fashion in some circles! God’s grace and mercy cover every sin, but they require repentance to be received. Repentance means reviving and listening to your conscience enough to make real changes. If we refuse to do that, we have indeed condemned ourselves.

I have encountered this in my own life, and as a pastor I encounter it in others all the time. I must not be quick to excommunicate people (which is what this passage talks about) but neither am I to be wishy-washy. I am to speak the truth in love, even when that means speaking very strongly. I have never liked confrontation, but running from it benefits no one, and certainly not the person who needs to be confronted. I must not confuse unity and control. I want the Holy Spirit to be in control; trying to take the reins in my own hands destroys genuine unity and drives people away. I am to lift up Christ so that He may draw all to Him, not to me. (John 12:32)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me walk in genuine humility and faithfulness, accurately representing Christ in every area, so that as many as possible may be drawn into Your family, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 11, 2014

Posted on November 12, 2014 by jgarrott

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I had been going to stop at two verses but the Japanese doesn’t hit a period until after three, which indicates the Greek probably goes on longer still. Paul was a good one for long sentences! That said, there’s important truth here. This paints a much larger, and rather different, picture of God’s grace than we usually imagine. We tend to think of grace in terms of forgiveness, of “going easy” on someone or something, but this is saying that God’s grace itself teaches us to live lives that don’t need so much forgiveness. This is very much in line with what Peter wrote about someone who doesn’t act like Christ having “forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.” (2 Peter 1:9) The better we grasp God’s grace, the more holy and obedient we will desire to be. Bonhoeffer wrote about “cheap grace,” and there certainly seem to be a lot of people subscribing to it today. Bonhoeffer knew what it was to pay the price, being hung in a Nazi prison shortly before the end of WWII because he refused to bow to Hitler, but he certainly received a crown of glory on his arrival in heaven. We tend to be too focused on this world’s pleasures and conveniences, to the point that we lose sight of God’s grace and the eternal reward that awaits those who are faithful. We do not serve a vindictive God, but neither do we serve one who can be ignored, which is the same thing as mocking Him. (Galatians 6:7) We cannot approach God’s holiness on our own, either in the sense of becoming holy or of drawing near, which is why we need His grace. Receiving that grace, that holiness must be our goal, that we may have the fellowship with Him for which we were created.

This is a truth I feel the Lord has taken me deeper into over the years. I have discovered that besetting sins lose their grip when we realize and accept that we really are forgiven, and fellowship with God is so sweet as to make everything else pale in comparison. I have discovered those things only by the grace of God, which makes that grace all the more precious to me. As a pastor I deal with people who find that grace unbelievable. That’s true of course of people who have not acknowledged Jesus as Lord, but I find a surprising number of Christians who really can’t believe it either. They believe Jesus died for their sins, but they can’t grasp how that transforms every aspect of their lives. I am to be gentle but persistent, demonstrating God’s grace even as I explain it, so that the lies of the devil may be dispelled and God’s truth set people free, for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your truly amazing grace. Help me be the instrument of grace that You want me to be, so that Your house may be full indeed, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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November 10, 2014

Posted on November 12, 2014 by jgarrott

2 Timothy 4:2, 5 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy is clearly the last of Paul’s letters that we have, and is evidence of a life well and fully spent in service to Jesus Christ the Lord. This section of the letter is particularly poignant as he expresses his desires for Timothy, his son in faith. As such, it is a fitting charge to every minister of the Gospel. It would be possible to have a full semester course in seminary on just these two verses! One way they could be summarized is, “No excuses.” Not circumstances, nor personality, nor gifting is to stand in the way of fulfilling your commission. We tend to become very adept at making excuses, but the Lord sees through them all. After all, He is the one who made us and gifted us and He knows every detail about us, down to the number of hairs on our heads. (Matthew 10:30) It is entirely appropriate to ask Him for wisdom, anointing, strength, and simple endurance for the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but complaining and excuses should be out of the picture. The section between these two verses sounds like a description of people today, which is an indication that the task really hasn’t changed much over the centuries. We need to remember that God is still God, and walk in faithfulness and trust.

I am possibly older than Paul was when he wrote this, and I really identify with his desire to communicate it to the next generation. I have spiritual children who are in active ministry right now, and I have more who are preparing, and frankly, I want them to do better than I did! Actually, I want every one of my spiritual children to realize that they are called and sent by God, whether that means being a “full-time Christian minister” or not. After all, I have lived on “ministry income” for only two out of almost 40 years! I am to lead and teach by example, recognizing that any good they might get from me doesn’t originate in me, but in our heavenly Father. (James 1:17) I, myself, am to be obedient to this charge from Paul for as long as the Lord keeps me here. I don’t have any premonition of imminent termination the way Paul did, but I have no less reason to be faithful. I know from experience that I can’t do it in my own strength and wisdom, but I also know from experience that God can and will do it through me, if I will allow Him to do so.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the privilege of serving You, and for raising up others to do so as well. May we be faithfully obedient in all things, so that You purposes may be accomplished in and through us for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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November 9, 2014

Posted on November 12, 2014 by jgarrott

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is really very interesting that Paul was not directly aware that he was writing about his own letters here. By this point his letters had acquired quite a reputation, to the point that Peter places them on the same level as the Old Testament. (2 Peter 3:16) However, Paul was not bragging, he was stating simple fact. Indeed, this verse was doubtless used as the major criterion when the canon of the New Testament was settled. The thing is, the Bible is useful, it is beneficial. I have read books that I afterwards thought, “that was a waste of time,” but that is not how the Bible is at all. I have read letters that went on for pages and essentially said nothing, but that is the opposite of the Bible. There are many different descriptions of how people came to write the words that are in the Bible, and through the centuries people have gotten into arguments over those descriptions, but the fundamental fact is that the words of the Bible would not have been written without the Holy Spirit. The terminology in this verse indicates they were not dictated, so the personality of each writer comes through, but God’s truth is expressed, which is how people’s words become God’s Word. The level is not the same, but believers today should allow God to “breathe through them,” expressing what God is saying as the Holy Spirit directs, so that they may be God’s agents in their various circumstances, for His glory.

As steeped in the Bible as I have been from childhood, these verses have always clicked with me. I have always found the Bible to be a tremendous help in every way – when I have remembered to turn to it and yield myself to what it says! As a pastor, I regularly and often share the Bible with others, and that is a joy indeed. I certainly understand what Jesus said to His disciples after He had been talking with the Samaritan woman at Sychar, because there is nothing more satisfying than sharing God’s Word when it is really received. (John 4:32) It is an extreme privilege to serve God by sharing His Word, and it is incredibly fulfilling to see His will done in hearts and lives as I am faithful to do so. However, I must never think the Word is just “for them;” I’ve got to take it in and apply it myself. I regularly struggle with the difference between knowing Scripture in my head and applying it in my heart and life. That keeps me humble!

Father, thank You for Your perfect plan, not only sending Your Son as the Savior of the world, but also causing people down through the centuries to record what You were saying and doing, so as to give us the Bible. May I be a “workman who does not need to be ashamed” indeed, (2 Timothy 2:15) communicating Your Word accurately, faithfully, and effectively, so that it may have its full work in as many people as possible, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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