January 5, 2014

Posted on January 11, 2014 by jgarrott

Mark 13:11 “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

This is not an excuse not to be prepared for preaching! At such times the preacher is not on trial for their faith (usually) but is charged with feeding the flock. (John 21:17) At the same time, it should eliminate much of the anxiety from preaching, because it is a strong reminder that the Holy Spirit does speak through human instruments. The responsibility of the speaker is never to “cook up a message,” but rather to be sensitive, available, and obedient to the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus said, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.” (John 12:49) That reference is at the top of a page I have on the wall right beside the computer where I prepare sermon notes. The page is titled, “Preaching to Change Lives,” and it has done me more good that my preaching class in seminary by far. The material is by Mark Conner of Australia, and it lists “Five questions to ask when preparing a message.” Those questions are: 1. Who’s listening? (audience) 2. What am I trying to say? (purpose) 3. What to say? (content) 4. Who’s talking? (messenger) 5. How will I say it? (method) Of course, each of those has one or more points below it. This is not a recipe for cooking up messages, it’s a guideline on listening to the Holy Spirit for what He wants to say and how He wants you to say it. In situations such as Jesus was describing in this verse, you won’t have time to go through these steps in preparation. The point is to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that you won’t get in His way whatever He wants to say. I’m reminded of the story of the missionary family that was captured by a bandit gang in China a century ago. The family’s 12 year old daughter stood boldly before the bandit chief and his men and declared the Gospel and the judgment of God to them fluently in the local dialect. They were killed anyway, but we know the story because several of those present later repented and became Christians themselves, unable to forget what they had heard through that little girl. That is the sort of thing Jesus was talking about.

I’ve never been on trial for my faith, but in a way I am “on trial” every time I open my mouth. I am to seek to let the Holy Spirit use my mouth at all times, to whomever I am speaking. Preaching is a given, but that’s just one example. It’s been many years since I’ve been hesitant to preach, because I’ve experienced the Holy Spirit speaking through me so many times. However, I must never take that for granted! I have inflicted needless pain on people by my words, and I have displayed my ignorance and/or stupidity more times than I could count. I am always to speak the truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15) letting the Holy Spirit show me “what to say and how to say it,” as Jesus said.

Father, thank You for the amazing privilege of speaking Your words. Thank You for the opportunity I will have this morning. It is a vitally important message, but then, that’s nothing unusual! Help me not try to “get it across” by my own strength or intellect, but allow Your Spirit to take Your words through me and work them into the hearts and minds of my hearers, me included, so that we may be transformed into the likeness of Your Son, as You desire. (Romans 8:29) Thank You. Praise God!

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

January 4, 2014

Posted on January 5, 2014 by jgarrott

Mark 9:41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

The four verses ending with this one fairly shout against the various denominational rivalries that are so evident in the Church today. We are so vigilant against “heresy” that we cut off our brothers! We are not to swallow just any line – after all, Jesus said that we are to evaluate people on the basis of the fruit they bear (Matthew 7:16-20) – but we must realize that anyone who claims Christ is closer to us than someone who claims any other allegiance. It strikes me that anyone whose focus is on enmity, “us vs. them,” has missed the heart of God. There are many who do not belong to Christ, but that is a tragedy; there is no room to gloat that we are the “in crowd.” I’m not talking about the many places where there is active opposition to the Gospel, (which increasingly includes the US) but rather the effort by one group to feel superior by putting down another. That violates the principle of differing gifts and functions in the same Body, as expressed in 1 Corinthians 12, not to mention many other passages.

This particular verse hits my wife and me pretty strongly, because we have been very well received in this town, in many cases because we follow Christ, I think, yet we have had few “converts” in over 30 years of ministry. That’s something we’ve got to release to God! We are to continue to sow the seed of the Word faithfully and pray for the harvest, but we aren’t to go running around trying to decide who is part of the harvest and who isn’t. I’m sure our circle of influence is far wider than we realize! I am called as God’s instrument in engendering faith, but I am not called as a “faith inspector.” I am to proclaim the pure Word of the Lord in all love and power, and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting and whatever else is called for. I have the assurance of this verse that those who respond well to us will not lose their reward, but exactly what that means I’ve got to leave up to God.

Father, I do ask for clear harvest this year. You have allowed us to plant a great deal of seed, and I believe a lot of it has germinated. May this be a year of fruition and harvest indeed, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

January 3, 2014

Posted on January 5, 2014 by jgarrott

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

This amazing promise from Jesus is quoted fairly often, but with very little understanding, I think. In the first place, we have a very shallow concept of what “in Jesus’ Name” means. It’s not at all just a matter of tacking words onto a prayer, it’s living, acting, and speaking in harmony with who Jesus is. It is true that there are degrees of that, and no one is perfect on this earth, but I dare say that there are church meetings where Jesus isn’t present at all, however much His Name might be mentioned. At the same time, two or three people might get together informally but simply out of a love for each other that springs from their common love of Christ, and He is there in glory. The flip side of that is that when we aren’t focused on Him we often aren’t aware of His presence, even when He is there. Two people might be sitting next to each other at the same meeting and one be having sweet fellowship with the Lord and the other wondering when that interminable meeting is ever going to be over. It is only when we progress to the point of true fellowship in Christ, with the Lord and with each other, that the unity mentioned in verse 19 is possible. Lots of people try to claim verse 19 as a blank check, so to speak, without seeking the unity that it explicitly requires. God is not stingy, but neither does He give us what we’re not ready for. This goes back to what Jesus said so famously in Matthew 6:33, that when our priorities are right, we have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I can’t say that I’ve experienced this very often, but I have a strong feeling it’s something the Lord wants me to walk in much more frequently. When the Lord has given us John 14:12 as our verse for the year, this is bound to be part of it. I have experienced a time of fellowship with the Lord so sweet that He told me to ask for anything, and the salvation of a particular individual was all that came to mind. I asked, and they were indeed saved shortly after. However, the unity spoken of here is something I’m not sure I have experienced, and I certainly want to. I’ve been in meetings, small and large, where the presence of the Lord was palpable, but I don’t remember asking for things in unity in those meetings. I need to seek the Lord’s appointments for such meetings, to ask in harmony with His Name so that His kingdom may be established on this earth, for His glory.

Father, this is heady stuff. I’ve desired breakthrough in this nation, as did my parents before me, and I believe You are saying the time is upon us. You are allowing circumstances around the world that are causing Your Church to wake up. May we indeed arise and shine, reflecting Your glory, so that Your Name may be hallowed as Your kingdom comes and Your will is done. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 2, 2014

Posted on January 3, 2014 by jgarrott

Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I don’t know that there’s any passage in the whole Bible that evokes Japanese Buddhism in my mind any more strongly than this one. In some sects they don’t even “pray” as such, but just repeat “The name of the Lotus Sutra, the name of the Lotus Sutra” over and over and over again. There’s at least one sect that specifically teaches that is the way to “salvation.” How sad! That’s why genuine Christian prayers, spoken in the context of an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, are so shocking to many Japanese, and again why so many Japanese Christians, even, have trouble believing they could ever “pray like the preacher.” I have a pastor friend who almost always includes what I call a “weather report” in his prayers, which I find amusing, but it was initially a tool for him to get past formalism on the one hand and making demands on the other. Prayer is both the simplest thing in the world and the subject with the most depth, because it is interaction with the infinite God of the universe. It’s no wonder the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray!

I could never overestimate the blessing of having been raised in a family where prayer was as natural, and as necessary, as breathing. I desire to impart that attitude to all believers, but it’s certainly an uphill struggle! I teach in secular schools on the college level, and I always start each class by praying out loud for my students. (They are private schools, so that doesn’t violate any regulations.) I always provide a space for comments on the final exams I give, and every year I get multiple comments about how my prayers are appreciated, saying they were “refreshing” or “gave me peace.” I’ve never had anyone complain about them. However, going from there to my students believing they could have a relationship with God that would enable them to pray like that is another matter! In this church, most believers are indeed growing in prayer, but we could all stand to pray more. That, of course, is not repeating rote prayers, even the Lord’s Prayer, or even talking more. After all, we have to listen for it to be a conversation! I need to remember, as well as teach, that prayer is very much a two-way street. God is a very good listener, but we need to grow in that area too!

Father, communication with You is the deepest of all subjects. Help me keep growing, going deeper in fellowship with You and leading others to do the same, so that in Christ we may be all that You desire and intend, for our great blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

January 1, 2014

Posted on January 3, 2014 by jgarrott

John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

In thinking about this verse, that the Lord has indicated to me is the theme verse for the year for this church, I’ve been thinking about all that Jesus did. We are all aware of the miracles, from healing the sick and raising the dead to multiplying food and walking on water, but what Jesus proclaimed for Himself is in Luke 4:18-19. Whereas there were physical manifestations in doing those things, they were and are fundamentally spiritual. However, two other things come to me. They are certainly intertwined with the things in Luke 4, but they are distinct in themselves. Those are, speaking the Father’s words in love, (John 12:49-50) and forgiving. (Luke 23:34) It is abundantly clear that those who know Christ are called to be His witnesses, (Acts 1:8) and that calls for speaking. However, we aren’t to just go spouting off, but rather say what God wants us to, when and how He wants us to. However, it’s the last point of forgiveness where we are most prone to trip up, and since it is so fundamental, failure to “do Jesus’ works” in this area can nullify everything else we do. Nothing destroys a church faster than failing to follow Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Sometimes that forgiveness is nothing short of miraculous, as in the young wife just recently who is publicly forgiving those who shot and killed her husband as he was out jogging in Benghazi, just because he was a Christian American. That’s on the scale of what Jesus did from the cross! However, most of the forgiveness we are called to give isn’t so dramatic, so we are far more likely to be tripped up by it, not asking God to enable us to forgive. Things as small as forgiving the driver who cuts us off, or the one who slows down our lane of traffic, can rob us of the peace and joy God intends for us, not to mention negatively affecting how we come across to others as representatives of Christ. In “doing Jesus’ works” we need to start with the basics, and let Him take it from there.

I write from personal experience here, particularly when it comes to driving! I desire to see everyone in this church be vibrant, effective representatives of Christ, so I need to lead the way. I need to cast the vision so they can catch it, but I need to be a living demonstration of it as well. Words alone certainly aren’t going to do the job! I desire, for myself and for them, the full spectrum of what Jesus was talking about in this verse, but I’ve got to start with the basics, for myself and in teaching them, if we are to progress to the “greater works” that He talked about.

Father, it’s exciting that You’ve given us this verse for this year. Last night’s Watch Night Service was a good start, with genuine openness to You and what You are doing in our hearts and lives. Help us indeed walk humbly with You (Micah 6:8) each day, each moment of this year, so that we may be and do all that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

Posted in Christian, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

December 31, 2013

Posted on January 1, 2014 by jgarrott

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

This well known verse is deceptively simple. Whether you translate it as “believe,” as is traditional,” or “trust,” as the NIV and several other modern translations do, it comes across that faith/trust is a choice. This should come as no surprise, because this idea is central to the whole Bible, and particularly the New Testament. After all, there’s no point in commanding something that is automatic! Paul’s statement to the Philippian jailer is a good example: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) Jesus’ statement here also includes self control: “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” We don’t often think of that as something we can control, but again if Jesus commanded it, it’s possible. We don’t like to admit that we really aren’t at the mercy of our circumstances, because doing so accepts full responsibility for how we act. It’s much easier to use “psychobabble” and excuse ourselves, but that isn’t the way to maturity, or even peace and genuine happiness. If we really choose to trust God, then we indeed won’t be anxious about anything but will walk in peace and joy. (Philippians 4:6-7) I frequently tell people that human free will has got to be one of the most valuable things in the universe, because it was important enough that God gave His Son in order to preserve it. If there were no free will, there would be no sin and therefore no need for a Savior. Our time on earth is so that we may learn to exercise that free will correctly, not destroying it but deliberately submitting it to God, just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:39) God delights in children whose wills are both strong and submitted, and such children are happy and blessed indeed.

Once again I have written something that applies as much to me as it does to anyone else. I often deal with people who let their hearts be troubled over one thing or another, and sometimes I’m one of them! Just yesterday I was reminded of how unnecessary that is, as an issue that has severely troubled others and threatened to trouble me is clearly on the road to a good resolution. When I am frantic I have no peace to share with others, so I cannot fulfill the tasks that are laid out for me. Knowing my own weakness, I must never look down on anyone for their lack of faith, but as Jesus did for His disciples, I am to point out in love that they need to keep growing in faith.(Luke 8:25) I don’t want them or me to miss out on any of the peace and joy that God has prepared for us!

Father, thank You for all that You are doing. Thank You for the situation just mentioned, that was good training for me to trust You and give You thanks before I saw the resolution. I pray that Your resolution would continue to be worked out on Your schedule, for the blessing of many. I ask for Your anointing on the Watch Night service tonight, that all present may be fully aware of Your presence and filled with Your Spirit as we go into the new year, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

December 30, 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by jgarrott

Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Not being fluent in Greek I don’t know the nuances of the original here, but it’s interesting that the Japanese gives “cleanse our consciences” as one thing and “separate us from dead acts” as another. However that part is interpreted, there is universal agreement that the purpose of what Christ did was to enable us to serve the living God. We tend to separate “serving God” from “having fellowship with God,” when actually they can’t be separated. It is impossible to serve God as He desires without having sweet, joyful fellowship with Him, and it is impossible to have true fellowship with Him without serving Him. That’s why Jesus said that those who claim to have served Him, but failed to have fellowship with Him, will be sent away in the Judgment. (Matthew 7:21-23) It is only in fellowship with Him that we really understand what He wants us to do, so anything less is just doing our own thing. Yesterday’s message was on “Walking with God,” based on Micah 6:8. We have clear, simple instructions on how to get started on a life of fellowship/service, but it must be our choice to live that way. When we have made that choice, God will take it from there and grow us in our capacity for both fellowship and service, for our great blessing and His glory.

I tried to get this point across in the message yesterday, but God alone is the judge of how successful I was. I myself had a practicum on the issue in the afternoon and evening, experiencing a bit of burnout because of failing to walk in fellowship while I was caught up in serving. That’s no fun! This year’s Christmas season has been more relaxed than most in quite some time for me, but that certainly doesn’t mean I don’t still need to grow in trusting obedience! This week has few set obligations, but conversely it is open for opportunities for ministry and service. I am not to resent the service, but rather focus on the fellowship that makes true service possible.

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held, both what was enjoyable at the time and what was less so. Help me walk in such fellowship with You that nothing will shake my peace, or even joy. May I be so in touch with You that I know and do what You desire each moment, for my blessing and the blessing of those around me, and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

December 29, 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 by jgarrott

Hebrews 5:8-10 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

We have trouble grasping just what, and all, that Jesus went through in becoming a fully human being so that He could bear the penalty for our sins. He didn’t sin Himself, but He still had to “learn obedience,” because our flesh tends toward rebellion, and He shared our flesh. As it points out repeatedly in Hebrews, Jesus knows where we’re coming from because He’s been there. He didn’t sin, but He knows from experience that can be a real struggle. This is also proof that temptation itself isn’t sin. Often the devil tries to convince us that it is, and since we’ve “sinned” by being tempted, we might as well go all the way and do whatever it is. That’s a lie from the pit of hell! We need to understand that “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) It would be hard to overstate the importance of that fact. Temptation itself is not sin, and Jesus understands fully what it’s like to be tempted. When we really get that through our minds and hearts, we are freed from false accusations and able to receive Jesus’ help in resisting those temptations. James hit the nail on the head when he specified that we are first to submit to God and then resist the devil. (James 4:7) If we try to do it any other way, the devil will laugh at us because we are defeated before we start. God wants us to walk in victory, over temptation and everything else, but we need to understand that it won’t necessarily be easy. We too need to learn obedience!

This is as applicable to me as it is to anyone, and that’s saying a lot! I’ve certainly had my failures, and when I am tempted to do those same things again, the devil tries to tell me that the temptation itself is sin, when it isn’t. Running it over in my mind, savoring it, if you will, is extremely dangerous. Rather, I need to recognize temptation but then dismiss it immediately, choosing to submit to God as an act of my will. As a pastor, I need to teach this to the believers, doing more than just dumping information on them but training them, helping them walk through the process, so that they may learn to recognize the devil’s lies for what they are and stand firm against them, for their own blessing and for the glory of God.

Father, this is really important. There is so much I want to teach the flock! I ask for Your wisdom as to what to teach when and how, so that Your words through me may meet hearing ears and hearts, to accomplish in and through us all that You desire and intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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

December 28, 2013

Posted on December 29, 2013 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

It’s interesting that the two most famous Josephs in the Bible, in Genesis and here, were both dreamers who heard from God that way. God uses different means to speak to different people, and to the same person at different times, so it takes sensitivity and practice to be able to recognize Him successfully. We first learn of this Joseph when he is struggling with how to break off his engagement to Mary without putting her in danger of being stoned to death. (Matthew 1:19) It took a great deal of faith to accept what he was told in a dream at that time, (Matthew 1:20-21) but he acted on it, and subsequent events had convinced him he had heard and acted correctly. I would guess that he didn’t hesitate when he had this dream! It wasn’t an easy one to obey, but God had supplied the resources necessary through the magi, and their arrival, as well as the manner of their departure, had prepared Joseph for this dream, I’m sure. Most of us don’t have such dramatic experiences of being guided by God, but that doesn’t mean He hasn’t been guiding us, or at least been trying to do so. We tend to miss guidance from one fundamental reason, and that’s looking at ourselves and our circumstances more than we look at God. If our focus is on how much He loves us and on loving Him in return, then we will be quick to hear and obey however He speaks to us. If we don’t trust His love, then we will be suspicious of His guidance. If we are focused on ourselves, then we won’t believe we can follow His guidance. It has been said repeatedly by many people, but where God guides, He provides, whether it is ability, resources, or whatever. Just as God supplied Joseph with travel money through the magi, He provides everything we need to be obedient to Him, if we will open our eyes and our hearts to recognize it.

I’ve never been much of a dreamer, but it has been my great joy over the years to hear the Lord through His Word and also through prophecy, sometimes through my own mouth and sometimes through others. I wish I could say that I’ve always been as obedient as Joseph was! However, I have an assurance that God is speaking to me, to the point that I have trouble relating to those who can’t seem to hear God at all. He talks to all his children! I had the huge advantage of having parents who both loved me and talked with me, and not just on the level of “Clean your room!” They also loved God and sought to hear and obey Him, and those things combined to give me an expectation of hearing from God. That’s such a blessing! A major part of my task as a pastor has been and continues to be encouraging and training the believers to listen to God. He does speak through me often enough, but I certainly don’t want them thinking that’s the only way they can hear from Him! Whether it’s dreams, visions, reading the Bible, or that “still, small voice,” I want them to expect God to speak to them, to look forward to it, and to hear clearly when it happens, so that individually and as a body we may do His will on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for this clear Word that dovetails so perfectly with what You had already shown me I was to share in the message tomorrow. Guide me now in putting it all together in my notes, and guide me tomorrow as I share it, that Your Word may have its full work in each heart, sharpening our spiritual hearing and lifting us out of the lies of the enemy to walk in all that You have for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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

December 27, 2013

Posted on December 29, 2013 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

The NIV tries to clear up the misconception about the magi showing up the night Jesus was born by starting this chapter with “After,” but the image is pretty firmly implanted in popular imagination. At the very least it was after Jesus was circumcised, because of all the other things that happened. Be that as it may, it is very significant that God so orchestrated things that for those who were looking for it, even astronomical events heralded the birth of the Messiah. It is no accident that the world calendar is divided according to His birth, and even extremely secular sources list Jesus as the “most influential” person who ever lived. In a way it seems unfortunate that the magi didn’t have more specific directions before arriving in Judea, because letting Herod know about it resulted in the slaughter of innocent babies. However, as Simeon prophesied, (Luke 2:34-35) the thoughts in the hearts of many were indeed revealed, even by Jesus’ simple existence. We cannot overstate the importance of the approximately 34 year period that began with Jesus’ birth. The history and fate of the whole human race, the whole universe, actually, turns on this event and people’s response to it. The magi responded with hearts that were tender toward God, investing time and resources to do all they could. If we’re still interested at that point, we’ll be able to ask them all the questions we like when we get to heaven, because they will certainly be there, having made their commitment so clear.

I must never forget the vital importance of the message I carry. I have no more control over how people respond to it than the magi did, but that’s no reason not to share; some people will receive it. I don’t have such a pivotal role in God’s plan as the magi did, but I am to be willing and available for however He wants to use me. That calls for investment of time and energy at the least. I’ve just had a call to assist with a wake and funeral I wasn’t planning for, but they will be an opportunity to demonstrate Christ to people who don’t know Him, so I’m not to draw back. The whole issue of time is one where I keep being tested, which indicates a need for continued growth. I’m not to place my schedule ahead of God’s! I am to make all of my time and resources as available to God as the magi did, for Him to use as He chooses.

Father, thank You for this Word this morning. Thank You that all this didn’t happen in the middle of Christmas functions, at least! Help me be available without being presumptive, assisting in the background however called for, so that all of Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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