August 8, 2013

Posted on August 9, 2013 by jgarrott

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

The more Moses got to know God, the more He wanted to know of God. That is exactly the way it should be. When someone complains that following God is a lot of trouble, it’s clear evidence they don’t really know Him. I’m reminded of the Beatles’ song, My Sweet Lord, which says “I really want to know you, I really want to see you, but it takes so long.” The futility expressed in the song is hardly surprising, because the lyrics also incorporate Hindu chants! I have wondered, in the years since I first heard that song, what would have happened if someone had exercised the courage to really share the Gospel with the Beatles. They seemed to be searching, but they tried the paths of drugs and Hindu mysticism. I seem to recall hearing that Ringo has become a Christian, but if so, he’s the only one, and that’s sad. We tend to approach God with all sorts of preconditions in our hearts and minds, and as a result we either fail to find Him at all, or we get a horribly distorted impression of Him. From His side, God wants us to seek Him and find Him, and He promises to make it possible if we will let go of our preconditions. (Jeremiah 29:13) It was not just a figure of speech when Jesus said we must come to God as little children. (Mark 10:15)

I too have tended to want God to be this way or that way, instead of accepting and delighting in Him as He is. Doing that is always a problem, because He is far better than we could imagine Him to be. We indeed tend to “create God in our image,” portraying Him as like us, instead of realizing that He has imparted to us just a taste of how He is. (Genesis 1:26) I seek to give people a hunger for God, along with the knowledge and hope that He can be found. I am constantly aware that I can’t save anyone; that interaction is between the individual and God. However, I can let them know that He is not unapproachable, expressing God’s invitation to them and praying that they will open their hearts to the convicting, cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. To do so, I need to keep pressing in for more of God myself, with the assurance that the more I open my heart to Him, the more He will open His heart to me.

Father, this is an incredible reality, that You desire to be in us and us in You. (John 17:20-21) May I both rejoice to know that and act on it, committing myself to total obedience so that nothing may get in the way of that fellowship, that is beyond expressing with words. Thank You. Praise God!

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August 7, 2013

Posted on August 9, 2013 by jgarrott

Exodus 20:1-2 And God spoke all these words:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

Before giving Moses the 10 Commandments, God reminded him, and through him the whole nation, of who He was. Because of their polytheistic background, they were in real danger of misunderstanding just who was giving them these commandments. The ten that follow are justly famous, but I was struck, on reading them again just now, at how every one of them is systematically violated in the US today, certainly not by every individual, but by society as a whole. No other gods – on top of an influx of various religions there is the worship of man that is called atheism. No idols – the TV, the computer, and now a pantheon of portable devices “entertain” to the exclusion of God. Entertainment “stars” are justly called “idols.” Misusing the name of God – where do I start? A clean mouth seems to be the exception today, rather than the standard. Remembering the Sabbath day – the “weekend” is sacrosanct, not for worship but for pleasure. Honor your father and mother – the extreme breakdown of the family is justly indicted as the cause of the vast majority of society’s ills. You shall not murder – and abortion is just that, in sharp contrast to war or execution. Adultery – seldom has any society glorified sex in every form except monogamous marriage to the extend America does today. Stealing – now we’ve institutionalized it and call it “income tax.” False testimony – perjury seems to be the standard mode of operation in the government today. Coveting – class warfare is totally based on this, and the government seems bent on promoting it, not to inspire effort but rather the opposite.

Well, that was quite a rant! As grieved as I am about what I see in society as a whole, I’ve got to start with myself. I’ve got to examine my own life to see how I am measuring up, and the picture is not always pretty. I find I am particularly vulnerable when it comes to accepting the entertainment the world offers, when that is precisely what opens the door for all the rest. I’ve got to stop being a consumer of rot! Not all entertainment is bad, certainly, but I’m not to accept filth just because it’s entertaining! I don’t watch much TV and I seldom go to movies, but I spend a lot of time in front of the computer, and that in itself can be idolatry. I’ve got to be careful to keep my focus on the Lord, or sin will swiftly entangle. (Hebrews 12:1-2) As a pastor I am to be setting the example, and I don’t always do that well.

Father, as Jesus said, I’m in the world but not of it. (John 17:15-16) Help me live as Your child, Your agent, all the time and not just occasionally, so that in fellowship with You I may work Your works for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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August 6, 2013

Posted on August 8, 2013 by jgarrott

EX 15:11 “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?
Who is like you –
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?”

Here we have the response to another lesson that God isn’t just a god, He is GOD. This narrative really gets going with the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3, but it actually never ends. In fact, it is still going on today. Atheism is a modern conceit, because we all have an innate awareness of deity. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Pascal called it a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts. We try to fill that hole with all sorts of things, but only the Creator of the universe is a perfect fit. The Bible is a record of God’s interactions with mankind, but only a small percentage of the world’s population actually digs into it to get to know Him better. There are large numbers of “Cultural Christians” who claim to be Christians but when push comes to shove, they don’t know where to turn because they don’t have an ongoing relationship with Him. We are adept at following all sorts of gods, from fame to wealth to physical pleasure to technology to intellect, but none of them measure up to GOD, who alone is worthy of all our love, praise and devotion. He is amazingly patient with us, but we still run into the consequences of our wrong choices in the end, if we don’t repent and turn to Him.

This of course is what I have dedicated my life to teaching others, and I had better remember it myself! I have quite a track record of turning to other things before I turn to God, most especially the gifts and abilities God has given me. There’s irony for you! I’ve got to remember Him in every detail of my life, because He always knows better than I do. Yesterday I was given an opportunity to counsel and encourage someone who’s in a tough spot I’ve been through myself. I feel the Lord did speak through me to them, because what came out of my mouth was not a humanistic answer. What is called for from each of us isn’t really a “try harder,” but a “trust more and follow better.” I would love to see the Lord confirm His Word through me in dramatic ways, but I can’t make that happen. If I could, it wouldn’t be Him! I need to trust Him enough myself to do what He says and leave the results up to Him. Only then will people come into right relationship with Him, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, I confess to getting tired of “preaching to fence posts” at times. Forgive my foolishness. Help me extend to all the patience, grace and love that You have poured out on me. May I be clear and unapologetic in presenting Your Gospel, speaking the truth in love so that as many as will may repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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August 5, 2013

Posted on August 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Exodus 6:9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.

You could say that timing is everything. Moses had been given a message for the Israelites that they urgently needed to hear, but they were too caught up in their circumstances to receive it. That’s why Jesus said repeatedly, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15, etc.) When He was giving John the messages for the seven churches (Revelation 2-3) He got even more specific: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7, etc.) In other words, if you have even one ear, you’d better listen up! God has spoken through His Word, and He continues to speak to each of His children, but all too often we are like those ancient Israelites, too caught up in our circumstances to pay any attention. What a waste! There are so many reasons to keep our focus on God, and specifically on Christ Jesus our Lord, as it says in Hebrews 12:2. It is only by doing that, that we will maintain hearing ears, to receive all that God wants to tell us for our encouragement, correction, direction, and blessing.

As a pastor I get very frustrated at times over how little people value daily devotions, but then I remember how long it took me to get into that solid practice. Now, I can’t imagine not doing it! I need to have patience with those around me, but not fail to keep encouraging them to make the time and take the time to be quiet before the Lord every morning. When I have experienced such rich blessings, it’s hard to grasp how people consider it an imposition. Soon I’ll be working with someone who is coming back from a spiritually rich environment into the “daily grind,” so to speak. This is an opportunity for me to grow in mentoring, as I teach him that “The God of the mountains is still God in the valleys,” as the song says. I know that he is eager to maintain the relationship with God that he enjoys right now, so this should certainly be a win-win situation.

Father, thank You for Your timing, along with all the rest of Your blessings. Sometimes I chafe and complain at Your timing. Forgive me. Help me listen to You on every level, responding in full obedience with all joy, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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August 4, 2013

Posted on August 8, 2013 by jgarrott

Exodus 3:15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, `The LORD, the God of your fathers – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob – has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”

In a highly polytheistic culture, the name of God was a big issue. It’s questionable whether even Moses had much concept of monotheism at this point, and he himself needed to have it straight. Yahweh (the LORD) had already been used as the name of God, but in this encounter He makes it clear that He is the One who exists; all other gods are fakes and figments. Frankly, that was a hard sell, and He had to demonstrate His power in various ways before it really got through to Moses even, much less to the whole people of Israel. Today there are three major monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and at this point Islam is in a major push to try to wipe out everyone who claims either of the other two. The results are disgusting and often bloody, and certainly distressing, but it must remembered that Yahweh alone really is, and imposters ultimately cannot stand against Him. He revealed Himself uniquely to Moses and the children of Israel, but then He did so very personally, even shockingly, by sending His Son to take the penalty for our sins, and then poured out His Spirit to indwell the hearts of believers. Only the Creator of the universe, the only God who really is, could have done that.

I was raised with the awareness of God and read His Word from an early age, but I have come to know Him intimately as an adult. I minister in Japan, which has a long history and tradition of polytheism. I have had numbers of people attracted to the Gospel, only to turn away when they realized it meant they would have to forsake all other gods. This verse reminds me that if Moses could deal with it, so can I! Actually, before the 1st Century the Jews were the only monotheists around, so I don’t have anything to complain about, compared to the early Church. It’s nice when God demonstrates His power in a dramatic way, but ultimately the most effective witness is a life lived consistently in fellowship with Him, and that is what I desire, for myself and for every member of this church.

Father, last night we attended a summer festival, and like all such in Japan, it was rooted in the worship of false gods. I pray that my presence, in the shirt proclaiming the name of this church, gave people a nudge in the right direction. Thank You for the many people who spoke to us warmly, indicating the impact we have had on them to this point. I pray for germination, maturation, and fruition of all the seed You have allowed us to plant over the years, for a massive harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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August 3, 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by jgarrott

Genesis 26:22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”

Everybody needs room to grow, room to operate. How we use that is our personal responsibility. That’s why little children, even though they have the most need to grow, are given the least “personal space:” they have little ability to deal with it responsibly. That is one of the biggest tensions in parenting. We need boundaries and we need space, and only God has the wisdom to get it just right. At times we wish for more space, and at times we wish we didn’t have to make so many decisions! Physical room to grow, though certainly desirable, isn’t as important as emotional space. The balance is between liberty and security, and we need both. The ideal is to have assurance of unconditional love, which includes “permission to fail,” and solid, appropriate guidelines. God provides both, if we will open our hearts to Him. Fear of failure is closely tied to fear of rejection. Often we fear failure only because we fear what people with think of us if we fail. God already knows our weaknesses, and our failures don’t change His love for us. They do affect the blessings we receive from Him, because as it says, “God cannot be mocked.” (Galatians 6:7) If we reject Jesus as Lord, we send ourselves to hell, but that is not what God desires. Lesser disobedience, as well as simple error, produces lesser degrees of loss, but God is indeed gracious, and He desires to give us the very best. (Luke 12:32)

I had a missionary friend, since passed away, who desired to build a Christian retreat facility, but had difficulty finding someone who would sell him the land needed at a price he could afford. When he did locate some land, it had no water supply, and he was told the geology wasn’t right for a well. He prayed, bought the land, drilled, and brought in an abundant supply of water! Not surprisingly, he named the well Rehoboth. God will always supply enough room, even when we feel hemmed in on all sides. (Psalm 118:10-11) I sometimes feel hemmed in by all the things I am called on to do, so I need to remember this! God has told me to rest, relax and rejoice in Him, so I need to be obedient in order to receive all the blessings He has for me.

Father thank You for this reminder. I need it fairly often! Thank You for leading me through each of the things that pressure me. I have more ahead of me, as I will continue to have the rest of my life, but I know that You will supply everything necessary. Help me rest in that knowledge, walking in Your peace and joy as a testimony to all around me, drawing them to You as well, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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August 2, 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by jgarrott

Genesis 21:22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.

When people really walk with God, other people notice. Often it makes them jealous, as seemed to happen with Abraham. What it should do is provoke admiration and envy, and sometimes it does. At first glance there might not seem to be much difference between jealousy and envy, but actually there is. Envy says, “That’s nice. I want it too.” Jealousy says, “They have it and I don’t. I don’t want them to have it.” Sadly, envy can morph into jealousy, and that’s one reason for persecution. It has certainly been a motivation behind antisemitism, because Jews have good genetics and a strong work ethic, and some people, particularly those without a strong work ethic, have chosen to hate them for it. The same thing occurs in class warfare, which is singularly inappropriate for America. The founding fathers envisioned a land of equal opportunity, not equal outcome. Envy should push people to emulate, to strive harder. Jealousy, on the other hand, causes protests and complaining. We see the same thing spiritually, sadly enough. As happened with Abraham, walking with God brings all sorts of blessings. Those aren’t to be flaunted, but neither are they to be apologized for. There may be material blessings, as there were for Abraham, but those are of minor importance. What is far more valuable are the spiritual blessings of peace, hope, joy, and all the rest. Those can really stand out at times to people who are watching us. That’s why Peter told us to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 5:15) But he went on to say, “But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” We want people’s envy to draw them to meet Christ themselves, and not have that envy become jealousy.

I have been greatly blessed by God, and there have been a wide variety of responses. I’m happy to say that admiration and envy have predominated, but I have indeed encountered people who tried to drag me down to their level, rather than being inspired to climb to mine. I am not to give in to them, but neither am I to despise, much less hate them. I am to seek to make it clear that the blessings I enjoy are by the grace of God, and thus are available to all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. As a Caucasian in Japan, many people assume that I am as I am because of my background, and so don’t seek those blessings for themselves. That’s why I need to train the Japanese believers in sharing the grace that they have received, because it seems much more accessible coming from them.

Father, You have indeed been more than gracious to me. I know that Your grace and love are unlimited, but others don’t have that understanding. Help me help them grasp the reality of Your love for themselves, so that they too may walk with You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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August 1, 2013

Posted on August 4, 2013 by jgarrott

Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”

Some people romanticize being “sent by God” somewhere. This was spoofed in the Blues Brothers movie, when John Belushi’s character said, “We’re on a mission from God.” However, the reality is much more mundane, and sometimes scary. God uses many different methods to speak to people and guide them, but such clear, direct statements as He seems to have made to Abram are rather rare. Since the Bible is a record of God’s interactions with mankind, we naturally have countless examples recorded, and most of them are rather direct. However, there are two good reasons for that. The first is simply for the sake of narrative; it’s easier for the reader to understand. The second is that, particularly in Old Testament days, people had very little framework for understanding even who was directing them. That was certainly true for Abram. However, by New Testament days that was not necessarily the case. Paul’s missionary journeys are an excellent example, as recorded in Acts. The first journey started with direct prophecy, (Acts 13:2-3) but it would appear that most of the direction, for that and subsequent journeys, was much less clear-cut. The passage in Acts 16:6-10 has always been interesting to me in that area, because of the various mentions of guidance, including a dream and other less explicit direction. The point is, God does direct people personally, however improbable that might seem, but it takes faith to receive that direction rightly. Even when God speaks most clearly, we have to believe that it is He who is speaking. One time when the Father spoke to Jesus in an audible voice, some people said it was an angel, and others just said it was thunder! (John 12:29) To hear Him correctly, we have to have the commitment to be obedient. Abram certainly had that, and the world has been blessed as a result.

I could write at length on the subject of God’s guidance, and perhaps some day I will. He has certainly guided me, though for too much of it I have been dense, to say the least. One trick He uses to train me in listening is the matter of changing lanes when driving. If I am really listening to Him as I drive, He will indicate when I should change lanes, and if I am obedient, I progress through traffic very smoothly. However, sometimes I analyze traffic flow on my own, to decide when to change lanes, and that seldom works out well! I am very grateful for that kind of training, because the consequences of getting it wrong aren’t so serious. With more important issues, sometimes I stress out completely! However, repeated experience of God’s guidance does indeed make it easier to “rest, relax, and rejoice,” as He has told me to do.

Father I’m in the middle of that right now, as You know better than I do. As I said in prayer meeting last night, I feel torn apart by all the different things I could to, should do, would like to do, or must do. Help me remember Your faithfulness to guide and empower me in the past, and reject the anxiety the devil is trying to dump on me, so that I may not only do what You want me to do when You want me to do it, I may do so with peace and joy, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 31, 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by jgarrott

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

This verse expresses the two sides of evangelism. First, there is the invitation, expressed by the Holy Spirit, by the Church, and by all who have already responded to the invitation. Then there is the response: thirst, that is, recognizing need, and volition, the choice to receive. Both sides are necessary for someone to be saved, born again into God’s family. All who have heard and accepted the invitation are responsible to express it to others, but we cannot control whether they will accept it or not. That is the challenge, and so often the heartbreak, of evangelism. Those who have tasted the Lord’s goodness want to share Him with all, but it seems many don’t feel thirsty because they’ve been drinking the sewage of the world, or else they don’t have the will to change, and so don’t accept what is offered. Another thing that is sometimes a stumbling block is that the water of life is without cost to us. We like to think we have earned or paid for what we get! The problem is, we could never earn or pay for salvation; it is just too valuable. We have to let go of pride and receive salvation by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

As a pastor in Japan, sometimes I feel like I say, “Come!” until I’m blue in the face, and still get no takers. If I were to focus on that, I would give up! However, there continue to be those who do recognize their need and accept the invitation, and I must never give up for their sake. As a pastor, one of my biggest challenges is helping the believers understand that they too are to be repeating the invitation. They are by definition more effective witnesses to their friends and family than I am, because they have far more connection than I ever could. I need to help them believe and understand that the Holy Spirit can and will speak through them, if they will give Him permission. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment, (John 16:8) and so generates the thirst mentioned here. That’s not our job, but He will use us in the process if we will allow Him to do so. I desire to give the believers a hunger for and anticipation of being used in that way, so that no one around us would go to death without having the opportunity of life.

Father, You’ve placed me in a difficult field to raise a harvest for You. Help me be faithful, allowing You to get the rocks and other junk out of the field, plowing, planting and watering as You direct, and putting in the sickle at Your right time, to bring in a harvest that is all that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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July 30, 2013

Posted on August 1, 2013 by jgarrott

Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is what we have to look forward to! Right now our appreciation of joy and peace is largely affected by our experience of their opposites, but that will not be the case in heaven. Probably, our time on earth will be quite sufficient to give us full appreciation for what comes after! Life on this fallen earth does have pain, sorrow, and all the rest, and we can either grow and be strengthened by it all, or we can become bitter and resentful, even to the point of being unable to appropriate the joy and peace that are available. As a side note, parents don’t want their children to suffer, but trying to protect children from all possibility of suffering can effectively damage those children far more than cuts, scrapes, and bruises ever could. The point of this passage, however, is that once we are in heaven, we are past all of that. I keep coming back to Paul’s phrase in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that all our suffering on earth is “light and momentary.” We could be greatly suffering for years, a lifetime, even, but if our faith and hope are in Jesus Christ, then all of that suffering will seem insignificant once we are with our Lord in heaven, as this passage says.

I remember when my mother was dying of metastatic cancer, and we were told her body was becoming lumpy because of all the tumors. (She was in the US and we were in Japan.) I wept, asking the Lord to take her home, because I knew the reality of what this verse says. Once she was gone, I had peace, knowing that she was receiving her reward for a life well lived in service to the Lord. There were some who could not understand my response, but there were others for whom it was a strong testimony of the hope that is in Christ alone. I do not fear death for myself at all, because that hope is clear in my heart, but I know that when someone passes, it isn’t easy for those who are left behind, so I do my best to be a good steward of the body I have been given. Knowing what lies ahead makes suffering more bearable, but it doesn’t make it pleasant! I am to trust God in everything, seeking to make the most of every opportunity, but leaving time and events in His hands, knowing that His plans are good.

Father, thank You for the assurance that I have in Christ Jesus my Lord. I desire that all around me have that assurance, yet so few seem to open their hearts to receive it. I pray that I would be increasingly effective in communicating the good news of salvation to all, so that a mighty company of people may join me before Your throne, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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