March 1, 2012

Posted on March 1, 2012 by jgarrott

Matthew 8:21-22 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

This is a famously pithy statement by Jesus, and some people see it as harsh, even cruel. However, I agree with the many scholars who feel that the man’s father probably wasn’t dead at the point he was asking this question. This wasn’t, “Let me go to my father’s funeral,” it was, “Let me live at home until my father dies.” Jesus knew that His time of teaching people in person was short, and He couldn’t give this man the luxury of a delay that might be years. This is a very appropriate and pointed passage for Japanese. Family obligations are very strong, and the term “filial duty” comes up far more often than it would in, say, America. Becoming a Christian in the face of family, and particularly parental, opposition is very hard indeed. That’s one reason Japanese students overseas are far more likely to become Christians than those who stay in Japan. Taking them out of the family/social context is enormously liberating. However, such new converts need a lot of support and encouragement when they return to Japan, and far too many don’t receive it, and essentially fall away. Too often, Japanese churches aren’t the warm, vibrant fellowship that drew these young people to Christ when they were overseas, and they aren’t so accepting of the returnees somewhat “non-Japanese” ways. That is certainly a preventable tragedy! However, the bigger problem is the foundational one of placing family ahead of God. Really placing God ahead of anything and everything else isn’t easy for anyone, but it is unquestionably the path of greatest blessing and fruitfulness.

My family has certainly never hindered me from following Christ; quite the opposite, in fact. However, that doesn’t mean I’ve been consistent in placing Christ first in everything. It is hard for people to accept being told by me that they must place God ahead of family when they know I’ve never had to face that particular choice. I must speak the truth in love and never in pride, allowing the Holy Spirit to take my words and make them His, to convict and convince. Most of the Japanese members of this church are the only Christians in their families. That’s a pressure I’ve never had, and I’ve got to remember that. However, I must not let humanistic compassion override the truth of God. I am indeed to speak the truth in love, not letting a misunderstanding of love keep me from speaking the truth.

Father, this is a constant issue for those ministering in Japan, but it is even more acute for those in Islamic countries. Help me have and maintain Your perspective, and never give up proclaiming the full good news of Your kingdom, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 29, 2012

Posted on March 1, 2012 by jgarrott

Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

This is simple logic and totally reasonable, but the problem is, we have such trouble believing and trusting that God really is our perfect heavenly Father. In the first place, our own fathers were imperfect, so our image of what a father should be is distorted. A further distortion comes from the fact that we insist that we know what we need, instead of letting God know what we want and trusting that He knows what we need. On top of that is the problem so many have of not really believing that God actually loves and cares for them. That often has roots in how we were raised, not experiencing unconditional love from anyone. Such a person may have great difficulty trusting God, but when they really get it into their minds and hearts that God does love them unconditionally, the relief and joy are overwhelming. God indeed delights to bless His children, but we have to be of the attitude and mindset that can recognize and receive such blessings before we can really enjoy them.

As I keep being reminded, I was incredibly blessed in my home environment as I was growing up. My parents certainly weren’t perfect, but they actively sought to follow the Biblical pattern of what a home should be. However, that gives me no right to look down on those who have more trouble trusting that God is what and who He says He is. I need to be gentle, patient, and persistent in teaching and leading others to know God as the loving Father that He is. I need to help them understand that as a good Father He doesn’t spoil His children, but He does delight to bless them. Japanese society has considerable confusion between loving someone and being indulgent. That can be a major barrier to their understanding God’s love, because they demand that He indulge their desires rather than giving them what is best for them. (Actually, that problem is hardly limited to Japan, but there is a specific framework for it in Japanese culture.) All I can do is seek to be obedient to God myself in modeling His strong love, even when that is misunderstood and accused of being cold and uncaring. Just as any parent, I need to remember that I am not in a popularity contest for the affections of my children (in this case, spiritual children) and do and say what they need, rather than necessarily what they think they want. That can certainly create short term friction, but it unquestionably produces the best results in the long term.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You have been doing in recent days and weeks, even when it’s felt rough at the time. Thank You that I can indeed trust You to give good things, to provide what is needed and more, for me personally and for this church. Help me lead the flock into that same position of trust, so that we may walk in all You intend for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 28, 2012

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jgarrott

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Human beings have an amazing capacity for anxiety. It comes with our capacity to imagine, to project things into a possible future, and it is perhaps the greatest training ground for faith. This particular passage is focused on physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs are also fertile ground for anxiety. The fact is, focusing on God will relieve us of those anxieties as well, because the more we focus on Him, the more His presence is manifested in us by His Spirit, and He is indeed the source of every emotional and spiritual supply, as well as the physical. The longer and the more closely we walk with Him, the better we understand this. Anxiety is a major tool the devil uses to rob us of our peace and joy, and it is the joy as well as responsibility of every child of God to stand firm in Christ and refuse to let him (the devil) do it.

I have certainly been going through further training in this recently. However, God is wonderfully faithful, and I think I’ve come through stronger, with perhaps a passing grade on the test. I am not invulnerable to anxiety over physical supply, but I’ve seen God work in that area so many times that resisting anxiety is not so difficult any more. My current area of training is in people: dealing with them and their attitudes and actions. I need to remember that people’s response to me is a mirror of their response to God whom I serve. (John 15:18-21) I am not to get conceited, refusing to accept correction, but neither am I to join them in their accusations of me. As Paul learned through years of experience, I am to examine myself, but let God be my Judge. If He doesn’t show me anything needing repentance, then I am to release the whole matter into His hands and refuse to be anxious. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Father, it’s been quite a ride recently. Thank You for the beautiful resolution You provided yesterday. Problems certainly remain, but the anxiety is essentially gone. Help me remember where I am right now emotionally and abide in Christ so that I may maintain this stability. Help me teach and encourage others to do likewise without coming across as thinking I’ve “made it,” that I’m perfectly mature. May I be Your instrument of deliverance and healing for all I encounter, so that together we may trust and praise You, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 27, 2012

Posted on February 28, 2012 by jgarrott

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

This is an extraordinarily important passage that is all too often ignored. We all want to be forgiven, but we don’t want to forgive. Jesus made it absolutely clear that it doesn’t work that way. This is where everyone’s sense of justice is tested. We get incensed when we think we are not being treated fairly, yet we excuse ourselves when the shoe is on the other foot. Likewise, we demand perfection of others, while asking them to excuse our “human foibles.” There are many things the Bible is repeatedly very clear about, and one of the most important of those is that everyone sins. When we are guilty before God, we have no leeway to not forgive people for the things they do against us! A major reason crime reports are so popular is that we like to feel righteous in comparison to the depravity of others. The problem with that is, if you’ve violated God’s laws at any point, you are a guilty sinner, period. We love to rank sins, not because they are of different severity, though they are, but because we want to put our own on the light end of the scale. Again, that ignores the reality that sin is sin, and the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) To appropriate the atonement that Christ provided on the cross, we have to be willing to forgive others.

This is in many ways a very hard Word, and many people choke on it. I am not to draw back from proclaiming it, but I must always do so in love, liberating rather than condemning. Above all, I must practice forgiveness myself. As I am frequently reminded, Japanese have linguistic reasons for confusing forgiveness with excusing, but they aren’t the only ones who do that. I’ve been told that the only way I will be able to get the concept of Biblical forgiveness through to people is to model it, and the person who told me that has just given me an ample opportunity to do that! I need to trust and praise God, being active in my forgiveness and praying for those who seem unable to forgive me for whatever, even when I don’t know what that “whatever” is. Here too, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in God my Savior, trusting Him with outcomes and rewards and asking Him to allow me to see things from His perspective.

Father, thank You for yesterday and all it held. You did some awesome things. Keep me from allowing what felt negative to me to overshadow the way You are progressing Your plans for this church, this city and this nation. I pray that I would be active in my faithfulness and trust, letting Your peace fill me and protect me from the onslaughts of the enemy against my mind and heart. May I be fully yielded to You as an instrument of Your love, grace, and mercy, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 26, 2012

Posted on February 26, 2012 by jgarrott

Malachi 4:2 “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.”

This is yet another statement of the benefits of fearing God rather than fearing anything else. This is a fearful world we live in, and the devil is very much a fear monger. The antidote isn’t denying circumstances, it is saying, “but God is greater.” It all comes down to perspective. For an ant, the curb at the side of the street is a mighty cliff, whereas we hardly pay attention to it. God values us far more than He does ants, but our perspective isn’t much different from theirs, when compared to God’s. Amazingly small things can make huge differences in how we view the world, precisely because our faith is so small. The song, “He’s Alive,” by Don Francisco, is a good illustration of how we should be looking at things. It is told from the perspective of Peter, and deals with his thoughts and emotions from right after the crucifixion to after Jesus appeared to him personally. The point is that for Peter, knowing that Jesus was alive and he was forgiven made everything else fade into insignificance. Our problem is that we fail to appreciate what a big deal it really is that Jesus is risen and we are forgiven. Understanding what a big deal that really is is what enables people to go to martyrdom singing! As it says in Hebrews 12:4, “You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” We become experts at “sweating the small stuff,” instead of understanding the magnificence of God’s grace toward us.

This is dead on target for me this morning, and the Lord has just given me a blessed time of repentance. I’ve spent the last several years telling people to get their eyes off of themselves and onto Christ, yet I have failed to stand in that truth myself. It doesn’t matter what the immediate difficulties are, Jesus is alive and His forgiveness is available to all who will receive it! I have failed to dance like a calf released from its stall, rather choosing to mull over difficulties. Instead, I need to be focused on praise and worship, because my God is far greater than everything else put together. I need to “rejoice, be ever joyful,” as He led me to say in my translation of the Japanese song that is this verse set to music. Anything less is failing to appreciate Him for who and what He is.

Father, thank You for this time of repentance this morning. I certainly needed it! Thank You for all You are doing in and around us. Thank You for giving us such favor yesterday with the owner of the land the church building stands on, that he set such a low price. I pray that all the church members would be encouraged by this evidence of Your provision. Help me come along side them where they are in their faith to encourage them, without allowing them to pull my faith down. Help us all see things as You do, so that we may indeed rejoice in You and allow Your joy to be our strength, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 25, 2012

Posted on February 26, 2012 by jgarrott

Zechariah 13:1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.”

Because Japanese in general is very indeterminate about singular and plural, it is striking that this verse specifies that one fountain or spring will be opened. The Bible never posits multiple paths to salvation, the way Buddhism insists on multiple paths to “enlightenment.” This makes some people say that Buddhism is “tolerant” and Christianity is “intolerant.” Sorry, that argument doesn’t wash. If there is only one way to salvation, then saying there are many does no good to anyone, and greatly decreases the probability of someone finding that one way. Actually, that’s what the devil is after. He hates mankind for receiving the salvation and intimacy with God that he rejected, so he does all he can to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Anyone who has found the singular fountain that cleanses, that is, the blood of Jesus Christ, should know that there could be nothing else with that saving power. Amazingly, many Americans have been so deceived that they accept other religions as equal to Christian faith. I have no such temptation, living in a nation that is filled with idols and false religions of all sorts. However, Japanese are used to practicing two religions, sometimes at the same time, (Buddhism and Shinto) and many have trouble understanding why they can’t just add Christianity as a third. Even genuine Christians have trouble refraining from idolatry when their family setting is strongly Buddhist and/or Shinto.

This is of course a problem I deal with all the time as a pastor in Japan. One missionary friend was rather lenient on this score, using the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 as his justification, since Naaman is convinced that Yahweh is the true God, but he asks forgiveness in advance for idolatry connected with his position in the court of Aram (2 Kings 5:18). I have trouble with that, because it fails to let others know that Jesus is the only Savior. I need to help people understand that they are indeed being watched, and their whole lives should point people to Jesus as the only Savior. We can’t force anyone to believe, but it condemns them to destruction to say, I have Jesus as my Savior, but you can choose any savior you like. Precisely because salvation is found in no one else, (Acts 4:12) I need to encourage all the believers to be lovingly clear on this point to everyone, and especially to those they care most about.

Father, You’ve given me many friends over the 30 years I’ve been in Omura, yet most of them aren’t committed to Christ. How clear have I been about salvation to them? Help me be very clear indeed, by the power of Your Spirit, so that they may be led from deception into Your truth, from darkness into Your light, from death into life, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 24, 2012

Posted on February 24, 2012 by jgarrott

Zechariah 10:3 The LORD Almighty will care
for his flock, the house of Judah,
and make them like a proud horse in battle.

When God visits His people, He doesn’t lift them out of the battle, but rather strengthens them in it. This is exactly as Jesus prayed before His crucifixion. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15) In general, we would rather be lifted out of the battle! However, God has His good purposes for everything He allows us to experience, however hard that might seem at the time. This world we inhabit, though beautiful and wonderful, is under a curse because of mankind’s sin, and it will be that way until Christ’s return. That’s not to cause us to despair, but rather to lift our eyes and hearts to God and rejoice in Him, regardless of what is going on physically and spiritually around us. We’ve got to remember that “In all these things we are more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37) That is easier to say than to do, but it is in learning to walk in it that we are liberated from all sorts of chains and snares and traps the devil tries to tangle us in.

This is exactly where I am right now, which is why the Lord has me preaching on Armor on Sunday, talking about the spiritual warfare that surrounds us. It is easier to give advice to others than to take it myself! The difficulty of course escalates when diverse problems come at the same time, and I’m certainly experiencing that. I need to read and apply what the Lord has caused me to write in recent weeks. That’s certainly proof that someone with Teacher gifting can teach what they can’t do very well! I’m reminded of the person at a summer camp who taught children to swim while the children were in the water and they were standing on the dock, going through the motions. I don’t have the luxury of staying on the dock! However, God doesn’t want “ivory tower” shepherds for His flock, He wants people who have been tried and purified in the fire. I need to rejoice in that and trust Him, remembering that He will get me through.

Father, it’s just as I tell others: the minute I fix my eyes on people and circumstances, I’m tempted to duck and run. It’s only when I choose to fix my eyes on You that I am able to make it through. Help me do that, today and each day. Help me not demand answers for tomorrow’s problems today, but trust You step by step. Help me apply myself faithfully to each task at hand, in turn, and not try to tackle everything at once. That’s a real recipe for panic! I pray that I would be effective in communicating this truth to the believers as well as consistent in walking it out myself, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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February 23, 2012

Posted on February 23, 2012 by jgarrott

Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?”

God’s plans are generally mind-blowing for mankind. We can’t imagine what He’s going to do, and then after He’s done it we can hardly believe it. This is seen again and again and again throughout the Bible, and is quite evident in Jesus’ interaction with His disciples. When the 12 didn’t do any better than they did, we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves! However, that’s not to say we aren’t to desire and allow God to expand our horizons, to help us see by faith and believe, even when our natural eyes don’t yet see. This issue becomes a problem when our lack of faith causes us to draw back from what God wants us to move into. When we are really walking by faith, God will continually open fresh vistas to us, allowing us to see more and more of His plan and allowing us to participate in that plan. That is glorious indeed!

I doubt that I will ever forget the time I was praying with one of the believers from this church, and the Lord spoke a Word of prophecy through me. “Do not be amazed at what amazes others. Rather, expect Me to do marvelous things in, around, and through you.” I don’t know how well I have done about that in the years since then, but at least I haven’t forgotten the Word. I must not let immediate problems distract me from the reality that God is God, nothing is impossible or even difficult for Him, and He has a wonderful plan for us. My life needs to be one of anticipation of what God is going to do next, not anxiety over whether things are going to work out. That’s where real faith comes in! Someone has spoken of “the tyranny of the urgent.” I must serve God, and not external forces that might have nothing to do with Him and His plans for me. I am not to reject things out of hand, but rather submit everything to Him and allow Him to show me what His plans and His schedule are, because only then will I flow with His Spirit to do His will.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I need it regularly! Help me indeed live each moment in joyful anticipation of what You are going to do next, not giving in to the negative “what-ifs” with which my flesh and the devil bombard me. May I be Your agent in leading those around me to do likewise, so that together we may be ready and available for whatever You want to do through us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 22, 2012

Posted on February 23, 2012 by jgarrott

Zechariah 3:3-4 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”
Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”

Joshua was the High Priest, yet he was covered (clothed) in unrighteousness. We tend to forget that “there is none righteous, no not one,” (Romans 3:1) and “all of our righteousness is as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) It is only in Christ that we are “made to be the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) We tend either to be proud of how righteous we are, or think we are disqualified from serving God because of our unrighteousness. Neither attitude is right! Paul dealt with this issue repeatedly in his letters, because it has been a problem from earliest times, and specifically from the beginning of the Church. We aren’t to use that as an excuse to sin – Paul had to deal with that thinking, too – but we are to walk in humility, allowing God to cleanse and remake us, as well as use us for His purposes and His glory. Again as Paul said, God is our judge, and we are to plead the “mercy of the court,” as some defendants do in legal trials. God uses imperfect vessels, and He takes care of whatever cleaning is necessary.

This is a continuing issue for me, both because of my own slip-ups and because of those around me who feel they have disqualified themselves from service. Humanity is fallen, and God works with that. The good news is that He has paid the price to redeem us, and that is what we need to focus on. The only disqualification from serving God is a stubborn refusal to repent, and God is remarkably patient even there. I need to communicate the truth of God’s grace, to combat the lies of the enemy that seek to separate people from God. We have God’s promise that nothing can separate us from His love, (Romans 8:38-39) but we wall ourselves off from experiencing and enjoying that love when we swallow the lies of the enemy. I need to speak God’s truth in His love, so that His truth may set people free indeed.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of serving You. Thank You also for making it very clear that it is completely beyond my own ability, so I have nothing to be proud of. Help me not be anxious about all that needs to be done, today or any day, but rather rest, relax, and rejoice in You so that You may do it all through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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February 21, 2012

Posted on February 21, 2012 by jgarrott

Haggai 1:4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

The book of Haggai is all about priorities. The people had returned from exile to find everything in ruins, and their first thought had been to provide nice places for themselves to live. God had to use the combination of a drought and a prophet to get through to them that He was their Provider and He should be their top priority. Thankfully, they did get the message. However, today it is politically incorrect to suggest that anything is a judgment from God, so disasters get wasted. Justification for that attitude is drawn from Jesus’ response to some disasters of His day, (Luke 13:1-5) but that overlooks the fact that Jesus said everyone needed to repent. People want preachers to tickle their ears (2 Timothy 4:3) and not confront them with how they need to change. Repentance is actually the first order of the day! Practically all Christians are familiar with Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” but they seldom really try to put it into practice. It’s not that we really don’t know what to do, it’s that we fail to follow through. Hedonism is currently a dominant attitude in much of the world, summed up in the famous motto from my youth, “If it feels good, do it.” That’s no way to receive the blessings of God! God desires to pour blessings out on us, but our priorities have to be straight in order to receive them.

I can’t say that I’m innocent here. At the same time, I’m in the position of calling others to repentance. I’d better be sure to keep my own repentance up to date! Priorities can be tricky. We may think they are one way, when honest self-examination will reveal they are another. That’s why we need the help of the Holy Spirit to see ourselves accurately, and we need His help even more to make the changes that are called for. I am to relate to others with grace, mercy, and compassion, but I am not to draw back from speaking the truth to them in love, even if it’s not politically correct. The Bible says many times in many ways that fearing people’s reactions is a snare, and it’s one I’ve fallen into more times than I could count. My priority must be pleasing God, loving Him and loving my neighbor enough to speak God’s truth to him in love, whatever that makes him think of me.

Father, You know my dislike of confrontation as well as I do. Forgive me for valuing my own comfort level above the benefit of a brother in Christ. Help me keep my own priorities straight and call others to do likewise, so that together we may walk in, and enjoy, all that You have planned for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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