October 7, 2013

Posted on October 9, 2013 by jgarrott

Isaiah 7:9b “‘If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.'”

As I recall, this particular turn of phrase struck me the first time I read through the Bible in the NIV translation, well over 30 years ago. The one thing that reading it in the Japanese adds is that “you” here is plural; this isn’t addressed just to King Ahaz. This being a direct quote from God, it certainly bears careful consideration. God allows all sorts of things in our lives to test and grow our faith, but in every case we have to exercise the faith we already have in order to get through the experience successfully. Sometimes we fail to do that, and the results can be pretty grim. However, the failure is never on God’s part, but on ours. God is too good a Father to allow us to stagnate, so He keeps allowing things in our lives to prompt us to grow, but our response to those things certainly affects our rate of growth. The easy way out, every time, is to choose to trust Him, learning all He wants to teach us from the experience as quickly as possible, but often we are stubborn and don’t want to learn, much like a little child throwing a temper tantrum. God is very patient and He doesn’t give up easily, but we tend to put ourselves through lots of unnecessary grief by our refusal to trust and obey.

This is topical and timely for me at the moment, with my wife off of the heart medication she has been taking for 20 years, preparing for tests on her heart today. As the cumulative effects of the medication have worn off, she’s had incidents for the past couple of days. That’s not fun either for her or for me! However, she made it through the day yesterday, playing piano for the worship service and being hostess/mother to all who came. We are being taught to trust and obey one small step further than we have gone before. This is a reminder of the truth that I speak to others frequently, that none of us has a guarantee of tomorrow, so knowing God today is essential. Cathy and I both know God, better than many, I think, so this is further opportunity to grow in faithful obedience.

Father, You know all the scenarios that have played out in my mind, and You alone know whether any of them are even similar to what is actually going to happen. Thank You for this lesson in choosing to trust, even though it has its uncomfortable moments. I do ask for wisdom and skill on the part of those conducting the tests today, for full accuracy of results, and I ask for wisdom and discernment on the part of the doctor in interpreting those results. Thank You that You are Adonai Rophe, the Lord our Healer, and that Your grace is indeed all we need. (2 Corinthians 12:9) May our faith be a testimony to all who are observing us in this time, drawing them to You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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October 6, 2013

Posted on October 7, 2013 by jgarrott

Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know!

Where the NIV has, “Tell me if you know!” I have written in, “Jesus!” However, the Japanese translates that line as, “Surely you know.” The earlier lines of this verse are certainly a description of divinity, so a good Jew would have known that His Name is Yahweh (though a devout Jew would never speak that Name, out of reverence for it). However, no one in those days would have known that His Son’s Name is Yeshua (Jesus in Greek rendering). That makes this verse very interesting indeed. The first five verses of Hebrews speak directly of this point of God the Creator and Christ His Son. It is the high privilege of Christians to indeed know the Name of God, and the Name of His Son. The very label, Christian, of course references the Son, but the question becomes one of whether we really know the One whose Name we bear. Sadly, many Christians often live as if they don’t. In ancient cultures a person’s name was seen as integral to their being, so knowing their name implied a level of intimacy. Today we use names very lightly, to the point of saying “He’s just a name” when we really don’t know someone. God not only knows our names, He knows every detail about us, down to the number of hairs on our head. (Luke 12:7) One of the fundamental reasons for our existence is that we would come to know God indeed, not just as a Name but in genuine depth and intimacy. When we ignore that calling, we miss out on infinite blessings.

The more I have come to know God, the better I have understood that’s why I exist, and the more I have wanted to know God. Even so, there have been more times than I like to think about when I have ignored Him. At this point my life is dedicated to helping others know Him, but I must never stop pressing in myself to know Him better. There’s always more! As Paul said so memorably, everything else in life is rubbish compared with knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:7-11) Even Paul was sharply aware that he had further to go and more to learn. Actually, that’s part of the glory of knowing God, because the vista keeps getting broader and higher and more magnificent the more we press in. The more we know of God the more we understand how incredible His grace is, that He would stoop to love such as we are, but that is the glory of the Gospel I am called to proclaim.

Father, I’m reminded of the words You gave me for a song a couple of years ago: “He filled me with blessings, and said ‘There’s always more.’” Likewise, there’s the song, The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows. That’s why the eternity of heaven is so inviting: there’s an infinity of You to know better and better. Help me be increasingly effective in imparting a hunger for more of You to those I interact with, both in the church and out of it, so that as many as will may indeed press in to You to receive Your full salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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October 5, 2013

Posted on October 7, 2013 by jgarrott

Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;
he defies all sound judgment.

The Japanese renders “unfriendly man” as “someone who closes himself off.” We’ve all known such people, and most of us have been at least tempted to be that way at times. The verse goes on to say that such people are selfish/self centered, and we’ve all been that way more than we care to admit. The interesting thing is that it goes on to say that such behavior defies all sound judgment. We are much more at risk when we fail to realize how foolish such behavior is. Withdrawal from society has been a problem in Japan for quite a few years now, with young people shutting themselves off, hardly coming out of their rooms. That’s a different problem from lonely old people who would genuinely like more human interaction but lack appropriate opportunities. The motives for young people shutting themselves off are varied, but they have the common thread of being self centered, just as this verse says. The same root gives rise to all sorts of emotional/psychological problems, actually. I visit the patients at a large mental hospital regularly, and for many of them, their problem is essentially that they have a mirror parked in front of their noses, figuratively speaking. That is, they are so self-absorbed that they are unable to function in normal society. That indeed defies all sound judgment!

I have been greatly blessed to be married to a very social person for well over 40 years now. That’s all the greater blessing when I realize the strong tendencies I have to close myself off in various ways. Particularly with the current availability of the Internet, it would be possible in my natural self never to come out of my room. However, by God’s grace I realize how thoroughly that defies sound judgment! The best way to have good judgment is to have a right relationship with God, as the Bible says repeatedly. The more we try to cut Him out of the picture the more foolish we become. Those who indeed love Him with all they are will not fail to love their neighbor as well. (Matthew 22:37-39) In dealing with those who have closed, or are trying to close, themselves off, I need to point them first to God. Only He can really pull us out of the self-centered pits we dig for ourselves.

Father, You know who I am dealing with particularly on this issue at this point, but he is far from the first and certainly won’t be the last. I ask for Your wisdom and anointing in my every interaction with him, that the mirror in front of his nose may be broken and he be able to see You again, as well as those around him. Your Word says that Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and that I am sent as He was, (John 20:21) so I claim that for him and for all like him to whom You have me minister, for their deliverance and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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October 4, 2013

Posted on October 5, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.

Once again we have an interesting difference in translation. Where the NIV says “takes delight in,” the Japanese simply says “loves.” Thinking about it, those are indeed two very closely related things. The important thing then, is that God feels that way about His people. What an amazing thought! The second half of the verse expresses what God does because of His feelings toward us. Again the NIV and the Japanese use different but related terms. Where the NIV says “humble,” the Japanese says “poor.” Either way, this calls to mind the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) God’s salvation is available to all, but they have to recognize their need for it, their poverty, before they can receive it. That’s why Jesus said it’s so hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23-24) That should give people pause who are trying to get rich, but sadly, it seldom does. That’s because it’s a matter of heart attitude in the first place, rather than bank accounts. Someone who is fixated on material wealth isn’t going to be seeking God and His kingdom. This is a note we hear sounded throughout the Bible, with Moses stressing it in Deuteronomy and other writers taking it up all the way to the last books of the New Testament. Everyone is completely dependent on the grace of God, but unless we recognize that and give Him the love, praise, and obedience He deserves, we aren’t going to end up with the salvation that is worth more than everything else put together.

This is something I haven’t had to worry much about on the financial level for most of my life, but I have had problems with remembering that everything I have, including talents and abilities, is on loan to me from God, and is to be used accordingly. Just this year I have started receiving my pension from the Japanese government (that I’ve been paying into for the past 32 years). I’ve got to remember that this is simply a method God is using to supply financial need, and not the government itself that is doing it. That’s something most governments would just as soon you not remember! My fundamental need for God’s grace and support has not changed in the least, nor has my responsibility as a steward of what God puts in my hands. My focus must be on God, His kingdom and His righteousness, just as Jesus said. (Matthew 6:33)

Father, thank You for Your provision in every area, in all the different ways You supply it. Thank You most of all for Your love that caused You to send Your Son to supply salvation. (John 3:16-17) May I respond as You desire to Your love, sharing it freely with those around me so that as many as will may accept it for themselves, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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October 3, 2013

Posted on October 5, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

Again and again, especially in Psalms, the Bible stresses the fact that God made everything. Differences in languages bring about different nuances in translations. Once again I wish I knew Hebrew, because English just has “made” and “created,” whereas Japanese has three different words, one meaning to bring into being from nothing, as in the creation of the universe, and two that apply to rearranging things into something else, with the distinction between them being the size/complexity of the task. Here, the Japanese uses the stronger of the latter two words, while the NIV says “created.” There are also some differences in the first part of the verse that come about from the vagaries of English. For example, “make” also means “force,” or “compel,” and “let” means essentially “allow.” However, here “let” is much closer to “compel,” and that’s the way the Japanese renders it, saying, “cause them to praise.” Translation is an art and a skill, rather more than it is a science! That’s why every time we read the Bible we need the help of the Holy Spirit so that we may grasp and understand it the way He wrote it. People who are adamant for one translation or another of the Bible are setting up walls that really don’t exist, not only between themselves and others but also between themselves and God.

This is, of course, the story of my life, since I am an American by heritage, born and ministering in Japan. I am stronger in English than in Japanese, because all of my schooling was in English, but Japanese is completely natural and comfortable for me. However, I am convinced of the validity of the study that was done in Southern California with English/Spanish bilinguals that showed they expressed different personalities depending on the language they were using. I do a great deal of interpreting, since I preach bilingually, interpreting for myself, and I feel that helps a lot in integrating the English and Japanese parts of my personality. I know quite a few bilinguals who don’t interpret much, and indeed have considerable difficulty interpreting. Some of them have such a sharp divide that they feel almost schizophrenic. That applies particularly when the languages in question are as different as English and Japanese. I was talking with one such person just last week, and she is having a hard time of it. I am to be available as a comfort, support, and resource person for such people when I encounter them, because often they know no one else in their same situation, and they sometimes think they really are crazy. I am to help them understand that this too is a gift from God that can be a real blessing if they will accept it, giving them a depth of insight that is not available to the monolingual.

Father, I have felt unique and a misfit much of my life, but You have revealed that I am accepted in Christ. (Romans 15:7) That is an incredible treasure! Help me help others understand that their acceptance doesn’t depend on what they do, how they talk, or how they look, but on Your unconditional love. May I demonstrate that love to them myself, so that they may understand that it exists and so open their hearts to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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October 2, 2013

Posted on October 3, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 145:1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

As much as I love this Psalm (every line is underlined in my Bible) I don’t think the phraseology of this verse has struck me before like it has just now. The heading says it is “Of David,” yet it starts out with “My God the King.” Throughout David’s life, either Saul was king or he himself was, but neither of them claimed deity, so the focus had to be the other direction. By calling God, King, David was reaffirming His sovereignty, above and beyond any authority of man. That’s a vitally important position for any ruler/leader to take. David went through enough in his life to realize that whatever his title, ultimately he was not in control, God was. It is easy to see leaders today, both national and business, who seem to have forgotten that. The Biblical lesson is that they will learn the hard way! Even aside from the Revelation of John, the Bible is very clear that “Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” (Isaiah 45:20) Paul quotes that in Romans 14:11, and in Philippians 2:9-11 he brings it into focus that it is all about Jesus. Ever since the Garden of Eden mankind has wanted to be in control, egged on by the devil, but man’s desires and the devil’s lies don’t change the fact that God is God, period. The moment we forget that, we are in very deep trouble.

I’ve fallen for this trap more times than I care to think about, but like David, I’ve been through plenty to teach me that God is in charge. I still take needless stress on myself by feeling like “I’ve got to fix that situation,” but God is teaching me to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I’ve still got plenty of room for growth there! That applies both to things personal to me and to situations where people seek my advice or help. Humanly speaking I like to be in control, but that’s what generates the stress. I am to be faithful in my obedience, but recognize that the most/best I can do is be God’s instrument. That’s not a passive thing at all, but it does take off a lot of the pressure. There’s a situation going on right now about which I am tempted to get all worked up, but that’s the trap of pride. I am to be faithful in prayer and keep myself available as a tool in answering those prayers, but I’m not to take the situation on as something “I’ve got to fix.”

Father, thank You for how You are growing me in this area, and for the awareness You gave me yesterday of that growth. Help me speak and act in Your love at all times, so that I may be fully useful to You. Thank You for the awareness that the moment I try to take control, I mess things up. Help me leave things in Your hands even while I’m active in my obedience to You as Your agent in the situation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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October 1, 2013

Posted on October 2, 2013 by jgarrott

PS 135:15, 18 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

You can’t accuse the Bible of not calling a spade a spade! This is far from the only place the Bible gets derogatory about idols and those who worship them. Political correctness seems to be a fairly modern scourge, and it gets in the way of both honesty and clear thinking. The point here, that we become like what we worship, is a valid one in every age and culture. Human beings are created to be aspirational, that is to aspire to be like something. That is why what we choose to admire and seek after is so vitally important. Here the Psalmist is talking about physical idols, but we use that term with sad accuracy in referring to entertainment personalities. People become obsessed with them, and indeed become like them, not in the wealth and influence they crave but in the emptiness and dissolution of their lives. On a religious level, it is very informative to really consider the character of the various gods that are espoused. Hinduism, just like Greek and Roman mythology, simply postulates beings that have more power, but also have all the faults and character flaws of those imagining them. Any objective consideration of the life of Mohamed will give considerable insight into those who commit atrocities in his name. Buddhism, in its pure form, teaches withdrawal from everything material, but has picked up countless variations and interpretations to excuse assorted human desires and impulses. Only Christ is a model that, if followed, would result in incredible peace, joy, and satisfaction for all mankind. We indeed become like what we worship, so we need to consider what, in practical terms, we really are worshiping.

This is a very valid point that I need to get across. Most people, to be honest, never really think about this. They don’t consider what they aspire to, and whether it is worthy of such aspiration. I deal with lots of young people in my college-level classes, and I need to point this issue out to them. Since all of my students aspire to be medical personnel, they should be open to the subject. I need to help them understand that people can be good role models, if chosen wisely, but they are ultimately flawed and limited. The only role model who will never let us down is Jesus Christ. That awareness alone could set many on the road to repentance and faith for salvation!

Father, thank You for this very helpful hint for evangelism. I know that I am admired by many of my students, but because of my “otherness” as a foreigner they don’t see me as a role model. That’s fine, if I can help them see that Jesus transcends all nationalities and occupations as the ultimate role model. Help me help them understand that He is You, expressed in human form (Colossians 2:9) so that we may indeed pattern our lives after You, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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September 30, 2013

Posted on October 2, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

This brief Psalm probably isn’t big on anyone’s radar, but it is refreshing in its honesty and simplicity. It is attributed to David, and he certainly had plenty of close scrapes. In modern terms, this Psalm could be rendered as, “Man! If the Lord hadn’t rescued us, they would have eaten our lunch!” We tend to think of the Bible with great decorum, but the people who appear in the Bible, and whom God used to write it, were people just like us. There is a real danger to the current use of the terminology of “saints.” When we hear the term today we tend to think of holy perfection, of people in white robes with pious looks on their faces, but the true Biblical picture is very different. The Biblical definition of a saint is very simply, one who believes in God. In other words, if you believe in God, you are a saint, and you’re pretty far from perfect, aren’t you? The biggest problem with current usage of “saint” is that we tend automatically to exclude ourselves from that category. That has two bad results. First, it lowers our expectations of what God can do through us, and second, it serves as an excuse (though invalid) when we slip up. David should correct our thinking on this, because he was “a man after God’s heart,” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) but he messed up big time. The difference between a saint and someone who isn’t one is expressed in this verse: a saint knows that God is his only hope, but God is more than big enough for the task.

I’m certainly a shining example of the imperfection of the saints! However, I have tasted God’s grace and know how wonderful it is. As a pastor, I constantly deal with people bound by a distorted self image. They can’t see themselves as saints, and so can’t believe God will really use them. That keeps many from witnessing, and it keeps some from even coming to church, because they think they aren’t worthy. If church were only for those worthy on their own merits, every church would be empty! No one is worthy to approach God apart from Christ, but in Christ all are called near. That’s something I’ve tried to communicate for a long time, but many just can’t seem to grasp it. I’m reminded of how someone expressed God’s attitude toward personal evangelism: “You catch ’em, I’ll clean ’em.” What God asks of each one is the honest willingness for Him to clean and use us. That will always be the path of greatest blessing for us and glory for Him.

Father, You know who is struggling particularly with this right now. I pray that I would be fully available for You to speak through, so that Your truth spoken in love may destroy the lies of the devil. I pray that every believer in this church would understand that they are Your saints and rejoice in that distinction, so that all of Your plans for us, individually and as a church, may be fulfilled, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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September 29, 2013

Posted on October 2, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

This short, simple verse is one that is often taught to small children, but it is equally applicable to adults. Far too often we look at gathering to worship as an obligation, or conversely, as though God owed us something because we went to church. The problem is certainly not new though, because even the writer of Hebrews mentioned it. (Hebrews 10:25) As he says, it’s easy to get into the habit of not going, perhaps easier than the habit of going. As the Psalmist knew, going to worship God should be a joy. We can and should worship God outside of special buildings, individually even, but there is a special flavor to corporate worship, and frankly, the devil wants to keep us from it. He supplies all sorts of excuses: the church is full of hypocrites, it’s going to be boring, you aren’t good enough, and on and on. None of those hold up under examination, though all of them have a kernel of truth. There are indeed hypocrites in church, but not going because of that is setting yourself up as better than they are, when you aren’t. Occasionally church may be boring, but the problem there is much more likely to be in the attitude of the one bored than in what is actually going on. (Actually, some churches try so hard not to be boring that they become entertainment centers rather than places to meet God, and that is totally self-defeating.) In all honesty, you aren’t “good enough” to go to church, but accepting that excuse is totally missing the point of worship, which is that God is totally worthy of all the worship we could possibly give Him, and more. All of these excuses and more share one common thread: they are centered on people rather than on God. Worshiping God is a privilege. We need to do it precisely because it allows us to take our focus off of ourselves and put it on God, where it belongs. That is enormously valuable, and refreshing in a way that nothing else can be.

Some might think I am being self-serving in writing this because I am a pastor, but I need to gather with others to worship as much as anyone. I certainly have my times of private, personal worship, but there is a special blessing in corporate worship that can be had no other way. This past Sunday I was at a conference that had nothing to do with organized religion, though I was asked to lead a time of prayer. Thankfully, I went from there to a place called Gospel Town, where I not only attended their Wednesday night service, I also took part in daily 5:30 am prayer meetings. Over my years of pastoral ministry I have encountered all sorts of excuses for not gathering to worship. I’ve learned that I need to confront those in love, not letting the devil get by with lying like that. He is out to steal, kill, and destroy, (John 10:10) and I am not to stand idly by and let him do it.

Father, You know who is struggling with this issue even today. I ask Your grace for them, and I pray that nothing would be able to hinder anyone You are calling to worship You today, either here or in any other part of the Body of Christ. I pray that people would gather with an expectation of encountering You, and not be disappointed. May we all worship in spirit and in truth, by Your Holy Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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September 28, 2013

Posted on October 2, 2013 by jgarrott

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

It is interesting that this anonymous Psalm should be so intimately connected with Christ. He Himself quoted verses 22 and 23, (Mat­thew 21:42) and the crowd quoted verses 25 and 26 on Palm Sunday. (Matthew 21:9 “Hosanna” essentially means, “O Lord, save us.”) This verse was made into a peppy little chorus years ago, and has been sung in countless languages around the globe. It was evidently written in response to a particular victory of some sort, but it strikes me that every day is a day the Lord has made. It’s interesting that the Japanese expression used here in the translation I’m using doesn’t say “made,” as in making a cake, but rather “gained,” meaning “prepared for a specific purpose.” God doesn’t do anything accidentally. One thing He never says is “Oops!” That’s an important thing for us to remember. Every morning we need to ask the Lord, “For what have You prepared this day?” We should have a sense of anticipation, of excitement, looking forward to what the Lord is going to do, what He will reveal. If we choose to have that attitude, we can rejoice and be glad in whatever the day looks like, because we can trust that God is working in and through it.

I have certainly had days in which I wasn’t rejoicing, but rather focusing on things that were difficult or unpleasant for me. What a waste! I have known the truth of God’s sovereign grace for many years, but it’s taking a long time for that to work into the depths of my being. It’s easy to be objective in talking to others about this issue, but it’s not so easy to be consistent in subjective experience. For example, right now my body would love to go back to bed, even though I have had what should have been sufficient sleep. I don’t know why that is, but I’ve got to trust God with it and choose to rejoice in Him. As I tell others to do, I’ve got to choose and learn to rejoice in my spirit whatever my body feels like. That’s where faith really gets tested, but this kind of testing produces growth, and that’s a good thing.

Father, thank You for everything You allow me to experience, whether it feels good at the moment or not. Thank You for the assurance of Your love, grace, and sovereignty. Help me indeed look forward to what You are going to do, today and each day, so that I will not miss any of the blessings You intend for me, and so that those who see me may likewise be encouraged to turn their eyes and hearts to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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