July 30, 2014

Posted on August 1, 2014 by jgarrott

Jeremiah 4:2 “If in a truthful, just and righteous way
you swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’
then the nations will be blessed by him
and in him they will glory.”

This is a fascinating verse. It directly connects the faithfulness of Israel to the blessing of the nations, really to their salvation. When people who claim to belong to God, either Jews or Christians, fail to live appropriately to that claim, then those around them disregard them and the God they claim to serve. However, when they are living in an honest, active relationship to God, then those around them take notice and desire such a relationship themselves. Verbal evangelism is very necessary for many reasons, but if it isn’t backed up by an active relationship with a living God, then it is “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal,” to borrow Paul’s phrase. (1 Corinthians 13:1) People look at our lives, and rightly so. Privacy is important, but it isn’t an excuse for inconsistency between your “public face” and “private face.” Japanese culture has actually formalized that difference, with expressions that mean, literally, “what you set up in front of people” and “your true root.” Sometimes it takes time even for Christians to understand that’s not a Biblical way to live. Some of Jesus’ harshest words were for hypocrites, but hypocrisy can be hard to recognize when it’s institutionalized. We all practice hypocrisy to some extent, and the biggest danger is in failing to recognize that we’re doing it. We don’t need to go around dumping on people because “that’s the way I feel,” but we do need to recognize and live out the love of God. “Political correctness” has it’s roots in not wanting to offend, but it has been twisted to be, in many cases, total hypocrisy, and can sometimes block the truth from being expressed all together.

I have recognized the dangers of hypocrisy all my life, but at the same time I am very aware of the truth in the saying, “It’s easier to act your way to feeling right than to feel your way to acting right.” This whole issue isn’t a matter of feelings, but of obedience to God. I was a drama major in college, so I know a few things about acting! A major reason for the moral degradation in Hollywood is that people are in romantic roles with people who aren’t their spouses, and they start “acting” that way even when they aren’t on the set. As a pastor I am an example and role model to many, so I’d better be sure my life is consistent! If I desire that people receive the truth of God that I speak (and I certainly do) then I had better be living it out myself.

Father, You know better than I do that I have neither the moral nor the physical strength in myself to be fully obedient to Your Word, but You do. Thank You that I can indeed do it all through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) Help me be increasingly effective in communicating Your truth, so that the lies of the devil may be torn down and people set free, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 29, 2014

Posted on July 30, 2014 by jgarrott

Jeremiah 3:15 “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

Leadership is important. Human beings are social creatures, which is why the frequent Biblical metaphor of sheep is so appropriate. It’s not that each individual doesn’t bear responsibility and accountability, it’s that leaders bear more. James 3:1 says that very clearly, and it is born out throughout history. This verse is a thumbnail sketch of what a good leader looks like. In the first place, a good leader is someone who is in line with God’s heart. Because God is infinite, that allows for a lot of individual variation, but the essential elements should be obvious to anyone with more than a passing knowledge of the Bible. That is, a good leader will demonstrate God’s love, His holiness, and His patience. The NIV says that such shepherds will lead, but the Japanese says raise, as in raising children. After all, people are living, growing beings, just as sheep are. A shepherd isn’t simply concerned with getting the flock from point A to point B, he is interested in their being strong, healthy, and more numerous when they get there. A good shepherd is going to lead with knowledge and discernment. (The NIV says understanding.) Shepherds of God’s flock certainly need to have both. I would be the last to insist that a leader of God’s people must have a theological degree; such things didn’t even exist in Jeremiah’s day. However, anyone who would lead God’s people must be committed to knowing more and more of God himself. It’s been well said that the best way to learn something is to teach it, so there’s a very great deal of “on the job training” involved, but it’s got to start with an active, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord. With that as a foundation, there must also be a growing knowledge of the Bible, on an academic level yes, but especially from the standpoint of it being God’s Word indeed. Discernment is also essential, and familiarity with the Bible is of huge help here. A leader needs to be able to distinguish not only between good and evil, but between good and God. Sometimes things that are good in themselves can be hindrances to moving into what God intends.

I could go on and on (obviously) because I’m talking about what I have had to acknowledge and grow in myself. I have been a somewhat reluctant leader. I love to teach the Word, but the nitty gritty of shepherding a flock was never on my wish list! However, the Lord has taught me a very great deal in the process, not just about how to lead, but about me and especially about Him. It has gotten easier since I’ve stopped complaining so much! It helps a great deal to remember that it’s His flock and not mine, so I can count on Him to supply through me whatever is needed. Being aware that I can’t generate it myself is an advantage, not a disadvantage. I am to be faithful day by day, keeping my eyes on Him, and leaving the results in His hands.

Father, thank You for this reminder and encouragement. Help me indeed be the shepherd after Your heart that You want me to be, raising up a solid flock of healthy sheep, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 28, 2014

Posted on July 30, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.

This verse, along with verses 6 and 7, certainly seems appropriate in the light of the current situation in the Middle East. The unending physical and verbal assaults against Israel are remarkable, to say the least. As the Prime Minister has recently pointed out, Israel is using missiles to protect it’s people, and those attacking it are using their people to protect their missiles. In spite of that, the verbal attacks against Israel are deafening. That should produce this response in all who love God and honor His promises. (The current state of the world is a damning statement of how many do not fall into that category!) We live in a time when things are moving out of the gray and are more black and white. It’s not that situations aren’t complicated, it’s that good and evil are far more obvious. It is ironic but telling that a recently popular bit of filth, just made into a movie, is called 50 Shades of Grey. The devil is doing all he can to deny the existence of absolute truth, and with it righteousness. The battle is raging, and trying to stay on the sidelines makes us less able to stand. We need to call and encourage one another to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6) and make our position clear. We are not to be attacking the people of God, but rather standing firm in the face of great evil of almost every description. Factions within the Body of Christ wasting energy by splitting theological hairs remind me of the Medieval discussions of how many angels could fit on the head of a pin! We are not to be silent, but our words aren’t to be directed against brothers and sisters in Christ, but rather at the evil that is so evident around us.

I have been long on conflict avoidance for much of my life, but I feel the conflict has come to me. Actually, the conflict was there all the time, but as long as I was blind to it, I was easily defeated in countless ways. I am not to be silent, but I must be careful that I always speak the truth in love: love for God and love for my neighbor. I am not to hate people, certainly, but I am to hate the evil that has entrapped them, staying submitted to God so that I may stand firm against it myself. (James 4:7) Whether in person or by electronic communication, I am to proclaim the truth of God without fear or favor, allowing Him to work His will through His words that I speak, for His glory. I must be very careful that I don’t go spouting off out of my own head, but always seek the Lord in genuine humility, so that I may not pollute or distort what He is saying.

Father, You give me various venues and opportunities to speak in various ways. May I not be silent, but may I speak only what You want me to, with Your content, timing, and tone. May I not wound needlessly, but may I not draw back from applying the scalpel when You say it is to be used. I know that my anger will never work Your righteousness. (James 1:20) May I let Your love flow through me in all purity, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 27, 2014

Posted on July 28, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 61:11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

This is an interesting image that deserves some real reflection. Garden soil does not force seeds to sprout, it simply provides the right conditions and the right nourishment for them to do so. God does not force righteousness and praise to spring up, but when we are planted in Him, that will be the natural result. Any time seeds and planting are mentioned in the Bible, Jesus famous parable of the seeds and soil comes to mind. It’s recorded in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. In that, the seed is the Word of God and the soil is human hearts. Here, the soil is God Himself, and it would seem that we are the seed. This also brings to mind the Fruit of the Spirit, as Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-23. In all of these, however, there isn’t coercion, or even significant effort, but a natural progression. The lesson from this verse is that if we don’t see much righteousness and praise appearing in our lives, we need to be sure we are planted in the Lord. Just as the father didn’t force the Prodigal Son to stay, but rather waited for him to come to his senses, (Luke 15) even so God doesn’t force us to abide in Him. Much of what Jesus said in the Upper Room Discourse was related to this very issue, and there He used the famous illustration of the vine and the branches. (John 15) When we are worried over what fruit we are producing, we simply need to reaffirm our commitment to abide in Christ. That’s not a struggle, that’s resting, a state of being.

This is something I’m continuing to learn. I’ve had my times of not being concerned about what fruit I was producing, and times of despair that I wasn’t producing the fruit that I thought I should. God says that both of those are foolish. Several years ago now He told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. You’d think I’d know how by now! I am not to be lazy, but the focus of my effort should be to go deeper into Christ, allowing Him to be manifested through me. The more I’m caught up in “I’ve got to do it,” the less good fruit will be produced. When I am focused on me and my circumstances, I get short tempered and open myself up to all sorts of tricks and traps of the devil. When I am focused on my Lord and how wonderful He is, then I am obedient to Him and there’s no stopping the praise that wells up from my heart.

Father, You continue to allow circumstances to teach me this in greater measure. Thank You. Today is a high pressure day in a number of ways. Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You each moment, however busy my body might be. May I be an open channel of Your grace and peace to those around me, rather than an irritant and goad. May I take each task in turn, not being anxious about things down the line but trusting You to provide whatever strength and wisdom are required when they are called for, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me in every detail, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 26, 2014

Posted on July 28, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 60:17-18 I will make peace your governor
and righteousness your ruler.
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.

I must say the current situation of Israel comes to mind as I read this. With rockets raining down on them, devout citizens must be longing for the fulfillment of this prophecy! However, most of them haven’t yet opened their hearts to the Prince of Peace who will bring all of this to pass. Many years ago I learned that a good tool in evaluating people was to examine who their enemies were. Looking at the current situation, that makes me all the more an avid supporter of Israel! That said, we need to consider the spiritual implications for believers of all sorts, wherever they live. When you are secure in your salvation through an intimate fellowship with your Savior, that is a secure fortress indeed. There is no better! Even if our physical bodies are martyred, we have peace and joy through our Lord. The entry into that relationship, that fortress, is indeed praise: recognizing and acknowledging God for who He is and what He has done for us in Christ. You may not be a singer, but you can’t have a right relationship with God without a heart, at least, that sings His praise. Music is a wonderful gift, but this goes deeper than that to heart attitude. You won’t worship and praise correctly without gratitude.

I grew up in a family that loved to sing hymns, and my parents certainly loved the Lord, but even so I moved into a fresh element of that when I became involved in the music of the Charismatic movement. There is fluff and there is trash in that, as there are in any human endeavor, but there are songs that have brought me so close to heaven that I thought my body would give up and let me stay there! Such experiences have caused me to focus on my relationship to my Lord far more than on any system of theology. I have friends who will debate systems of theology for hours, and I respect them for it. However, to me that all fades in importance when I consider the Person of my Lord, and His love for me. As I told people when I first came to Omura, I don’t want to teach them a religion, I want to introduce them to a Savior. Knowledge of God is good, but it is best gained through His Word and fellowship with Him, rather than through what others have said about Him.

Father, You have put me in the position of teaching others about You, about Christ, and about the Holy Spirit. Help me not draw back from that, but keep me focused on relationship with You and with Jesus my Lord by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. May I draw others to seek and receive that relationship for themselves, not through me but directly, so that we may be disciples and witnesses of Christ indeed, drawing many more into Your kingdom, Your family, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 25, 2014

Posted on July 26, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 59:20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.

Throughout the Bible we keep running into references to repentance. I think the average person has very little understanding of what repentance is. Japanese is a little easier than English, because the term is a compound that means “regret and start over.” However, even Japanese have little grasp of how to go about it. This particular verse in Japanese specifies the sin of rebellion, not as in an armed uprising but simply a disrespectful going your own way. The repentance God is looking for is saying, “I’ve had more than enough of my own way. I’m going to follow God in obedience.” God indeed comes as Redeemer to anyone who has that heart attitude. However, we make up all sorts of excuses for not having that attitude. There was a bizarre case recently of a woman who had mailed poison to the US president and others in her husband’s name, because they were getting divorced and she wanted to get him into trouble. At her sentencing, she said, “I’m not a bad person.” There’s proof she hasn’t repented! Repentance requires acknowledging, to yourself and to God, that you are bad and you have acted badly. Only God is good, as Jesus said, (Luke 18:19) and only He can make us good by taking our sins from us through the cross of Jesus Christ. Repentance isn’t saying, “I’m not bad, but I slipped up,” it’s throwing yourself on the mercy of the court. Thankfully, God is marvelously merciful to those who do repent.

As I am often reminded, repentance brings true forgiveness, which frees us from what we have done. Otherwise, we are chained to our actions by guilt, and can’t get free to really start over. That’s why Romans 8:1 is so vitally important: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I have experienced that myself, and I seek to lead others into that understanding and experience. I find that many are deathly afraid of acknowledging their sins because they can’t believe real forgiveness is available. When Peter was forgiven for saying three times he didn’t even know Jesus, all the while Jesus was on trial, then we can certainly be forgiven! I am constantly dealing with Japanese culture, that has a very shallow grasp of forgiveness. The problem is, “forgiveness” is a direct homophone for “permission,” and most Japanese aren’t even familiar with the character that means forgiveness. Therefore, “I can’t allow that” becomes “I can’t forgive that,” and people are caught in the devil’s trap. I’ve got to keep speaking the truth in love as well as modeling forgiveness, so that people’s hearts and minds may be opened for the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s forgiveness to them, so that they may repent indeed.

Father, thank You for the tract You enabled me to write explaining the two characters for permission and forgiveness, and for how it has been received. Thank You that I’ll be able to share it again today in premarital counseling. May the couple understand not only that they need to forgive each other, but also that Your forgiveness is available to them, so that they may repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 24, 2014

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 59:1-2 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.

God’s prophets seldom beat around the bush. This is hardly a “politically correct” response for when people want to know why God doesn’t help them. However, political correctness is hardly, if ever, helpful in solving anything. Some people seem to relish confrontation and some avoid it at all cost. God utilizes it whenever necessary, but doesn’t relish it. The thing is, God is gentle, but He doesn’t lie. We sometimes would prefer nice-sounding lies! As the first verse here says, God is never unable to save. We need to have that fact firmly in our hearts and minds. However, sometimes God’s definition of salvation differs from what we would like it to be. Such times call for real faith, but the end result is always better than what we would have planned. The situation Isaiah is addressing is not that, but what is actually far more common: refusing to obey God rejects His blessing and protection. We do children a terrible disservice if we fail to teach them that actions have consequences, sometimes painful ones. Just as never letting a child fail destroys their capacity for real success, failing to set boundaries and discipline them when they cross those boundaries teaches them to despise all authority, including God’s. When we are “in a fix,” the first step is to analyze how we got there, and if it is by our own doing, repent, that is, turn around and do differently. When we are honestly seeking and desiring to do God’s will, we find that He is indeed mighty to save.

I have, of course, run into this many times. I have learned, and I teach others, that God is never mean, but far more gracious than we deserve. Often we think that we want justice, but what we really want is mercy, because if we got what we really deserved, we would be destroyed. Grumbling is a favorite human pastime, but I have learned that it benefits no one, least of all the grumbler. Any time I run into difficult circumstances I need to thank God for allowing them and ask Him what He wants me to learn/gain from them.

Lord, You have allowed me to go through another trying time recently, with stresses seeming to pile up and burnout on the horizon. Thank You. This has helped me learn to trust You more and better, and to be more honest in my evaluation of my own level of obedience. May I indeed not run from conflict, from situations I’d rather not deal with, but face things honestly, knowing that with Your help I can get through anything. (Philippians 4:13) May I be Your agent of grace to all around me, pointing and drawing them to You, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 23, 2014

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

This chapter is a perfect example of glorious, conditional promises. People love verse 8, the first half of verse 9, verses 11 and 12, and verse 14, but they ignore the rest. What the Lord is saying through Isaiah here is that if we get our focus off of pleasing ourselves and instead concentrate on obedience to God and serving the needy around us, we will find more blessings than we could possibly gain by being self-centered. We are forever approaching things with the attitude of what’s in it for me, and God is saying that’s no way to get the blessings we really want and need. This problem actually goes back all the way to the Garden of Eden. Satan was successful in trapping Eve by getting her focus onto what seemed good to her flesh and her understanding, instead of on simple obedience to God. He pulls the same trick with us today all the time. The thing is, God is not at all adverse to blessing us. As Jesus said, He delights to give us His kingdom. (Luke 12:32) However, we aren’t going to be positioned to receive, recognize, and enjoy the kingdom of God if our focus is on ourselves. One of Jesus’ most famous teachings is in Matthew 6, and it’s really on exactly this point. After going through our fundamental physical needs for food and clothing, Jesus says we need to get our attention off of them and onto being and doing what God wants, and He promises that if we will do that, all of our needs will be met and we will get kingdom blessings as well. (Matthew 6:33)

It has become something of a catch phrase with me that selfishness never leads to happiness, but as much and as often as I say that to others, I sometimes forget it myself. Instead of really seeking God and what He wants for me, I build up images in my mind of what I want and need, and when those don’t seem to be happening I stress out. How foolish! God has more and better in store for me than I could dream up, but as long as I’m demanding that things be my way, as I see it, I won’t get God’s best. I am to be earnest in asking, seeking, and knocking, (Matthew 7:7) but I am to focus that on the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Matthew 6:33) rather than on my physical pleasures.

Father, life on this earth in this body is constant training in this area. Help me not resent that, but rather rejoice that You are indeed transforming me from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18) into the likeness of Christ. (Romans 8:29) May I be and do what You desire, sooner rather than later, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 22, 2014

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 57:1-2 The righteous perish,
and no one ponders it in his heart;
devout men are taken away,
and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly
enter into peace;
they find rest as they lie in death.

I had been aware of the story of Abijah the son of Jeroboam dying young because “he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the Lord, the God of Israel, has found anything good,” (1 Kings 14:13) but I hadn’t had a clear fix on this passage, which is even more explicit. The thing is, physical death isn’t always bad news. I well remember my first response to being told that my father hadn’t waked up after heart surgery a few days after his 64th birthday: “He won’t have to retire.” His death was rough on my mother, but it wasn’t rough on him. We tend to treat death as a tragedy every time, when actually it is a tragedy only for those who are not rightly related to their Creator. My wife had an experience of being absent from her body when her heart stopped, 40 years ago now, and what she experienced has made her eager to go back ever since! The Lord was gracious to me and our daughters and sent her back to us, but she certainly has no fear of death at this point. We fear death only because we don’t understand eternity, and/or we don’t know the Savior who has conquered death.

I deal constantly with those who are dying, because we all are! Our physical bodies are temporal, and we’ve got to accept that. It is a tragedy when people won’t accept it, and especially when they won’t accept the only way past it. My commission and my privilege is to tell people that a guaranteed victory over death is available to them, and that it also brings more peace, joy, and satisfaction to their present life than they could imagine. It is indeed heartbreaking when they refuse that offer. Right now I’m dealing with a brother in Christ who has just received a very unexpected diagnosis of terminal liver cancer. He has amazing peace, and even joy. I do pray for miraculous healing for him, because I covet his testimony, his work in the Body of Christ, but it is very easy to entrust him to God. He and I both know that God’s plans for him are the very best.

Father, I do pray for my brother, and I thank You for for the peace and joy I saw in him yesterday. I do pray for Your healing touch, and I stand on his behalf against every strategy of the enemy that would try to thwart Your plans for him. I pray that however long you keep him here, whether it is years or even days, that he would be effective as Your witness, touching lives and drawing them into Your family, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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July 21, 2014

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Isaiah 56:6-7 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.

I would bet that most Gentiles, and particularly Americans, don’t recognize that this is talking about them. However, “foreigners” here clearly means all non-Jews, that is Gentiles, and that is what the vast majority of the Church is today. Every believer is called to “bind himself to the Lord to serve Him, and love His Name.” Here, keeping the Sabbath is a token of keeping God’s covenant, and it’s an important one. America would never have considered banning public prayer from the schools, much less the Bible, while there were still plenty of “blue laws” on the books restricting commercial activity on Sundays. People around the world have largely forgotten what it is to have a Sabbath dedicated to the Lord. In America I have heard many people talk about “accepting Jesus as your Savior” and “making Jesus your Lord” as though they were two different things, when they are inseparable. That’s a problem in Japan as well, even though “Savior” is written as “saving Lord.” The Pharisees in Jesus’ day recognized that it takes great authority to forgive sins. (Mark 2:5-12) If we will not submit to Jesus’ authority, then we can’t receive His forgiveness. Many understand that the Church in America needs to repent, but I wonder how many realize how deep that repentance needs to go?

The Sabbath is a complicated issue for me. As a pastor, Sundays are one of the busiest days of the week. Jesus touched on that in Matthew 12:5, when He said that priests are guiltless even though they profane the Sabbath. However, that in no way lessens my need to be submitted to God in all things, placing His Word over what I see as my convenience. I certainly need a weekly day of rest. I try to take Mondays, but it’s amazing how fast they can fill up! I will not be effective in drawing others into discipleship if I am failing to be an obedient disciple myself. It is easy to get confused as to what it is to serve God. It’s not a matter of doing things for Him, as though He were incapable of doing them Himself, but of walking in instant obedience. I shouldn’t hesitate when God prompts me to do something, even if that something is taking a nap! He did that yesterday, and it was a blessing I needed. I am not to decide on my own how God needs to be served, but rather ask Him what He wants me to do, and be fully obedient.

Father, thank You for the awareness that I still have plenty of room for growth. Help me be more and more effective as Your servant, Your disciple, so that Your will may be done in and through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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