December 22, 2011

Posted on December 22, 2011 by jgarrott

Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

I’m not sure I had ever thought deeply before about the fact that Jesus had made the trip from Galilee to where John was, specifically to be baptized. It was probably several days walk, and it was evidently a conscious embarkation on His ministry. We don’t know what the trigger was, but it seems probable that it was the death of Joseph, and that He set out after the standard period of mourning. We also don’t know how well Jesus and John knew each other, since they were relatives, and whether John’s hesitation to baptize Jesus came from direct revelation or simply from knowing what sort of person He was. However, Jesus was not to be deterred, and it is interesting how He chose to explain it: “that we may fulfill all right things.” He wanted to dot all the “i”s and cross all the “t”s before starting His public ministry. As the Son of God, He wasn’t going to claim any privilege and say, “I don’t need to do that.” Today we want to take shortcuts for anything and everything, but that wasn’t how Jesus operated, and His Father certainly responded to His obedience.

In my avoidance of legalism I have tended to go for shortcuts myself. I wonder how many blessings I’ve missed in the process? I need to be willing to dot all the “i”s and cross all the “t”s myself, knowing that God rewards faithfulness. At the same time, I am not to despise the liberty of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17) I don’t have wisdom to keep it all straight, so I need to focus first on hearing God and walking in obedience. I also need to learn from Jesus that there is a right time for every activity, and seek God’s schedule for my life. Just as Jesus didn’t start His public ministry until the Father said to do so, and just as His arrest and crucifixion didn’t happen until the right time, I need to be willing to wait and willing to move at God’s direction, and not insist on my own timetable. At the same time, I’m not to use that as an excuse for laziness or impulsiveness. God knows what I need to be doing and when I am to do it far better than I do, and I need to listen and obey.

Father, thank You for the further training in this that You are giving us right now. Various things are not happening/have not happened on the schedule I would have chosen, and I need to let go of them and rest, relax, and rejoice in You. You have indeed poured grace upon grace out on us, and I need to recognize that and give You the thanks and praise You deserve. I ask for strength and wisdom for today’s activities, and for faith and trust not to be anxious about tomorrow’s. May my trust and obedience be an example for others, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 21, 2011

Posted on December 22, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Even Jesus needed confirmation of who He was and His security in the Father. The point is, the Father gives the confirmation we need. Even more importantly, the Holy Spirit came on Jesus at this time. It has been impressed on me in various ways that while Jesus was on the earth, rather than exercising His power as the Son of God, He operated in the power of the Holy Spirit. He exercised His authority as the Son in forgiving people’s sins, but His miracles were done in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:14, 5:17) What is important about that is that the same Holy Spirit is available to believers today. Some people, like Heidi Baker and others, operate in that power with some regularity, but they are few and far between, at least in the awareness of most of the Church. (Actually, I’ve heard reports from China that would indicate it’s not so rare there.) God doesn’t want us running around like magicians, but He does want to manifest His power and His grace through us for His glory. It’s not a question of whether the power is available to us, but of whether we are available to God. Our goal shouldn’t be the power per se, but rather pleasing God, as Jesus did perfectly.

There have been moments when God has spoken His approval to me, and interestingly, as best I can recall, they have all been at times when I was extremely aware of my own weakness and imperfection. This lines up perfectly with Paul’s experience, recorded in 2 Corinthians 12. As long as our focus is on what we can do, we won’t manifest the power of God. It is only when our focus is on Him that He will flow through us and do through us things we can’t even dream of. Setting out to “do miracles for God” will only end in disappointment and shame. However, recognizing that He can use even such an imperfect vessel as I am, and giving Him full permission to do so, will result in people being healed, delivered, and drawn to repentance and faith for salvation.

Father, thank You yet again for Your all-sufficient grace. Thank You for my exhaustion, which I recognize is more emotional than physical. Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You so that I may lead others to do the same. Help us all lift our eyes to You in obedient trust, so that You may do in and through us all that You desire, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 20, 2011

Posted on December 20, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 3:1-2 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar–when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene– during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.

Three things speak to me from this passage that probably most people would consider somewhat arcane. The first is that Luke is the only NT writer to be careful to place his narratives in historical context. Dating systems were different in different regions, just as Japan is about to finish the 23rd year of the reign of the current emperor, so official documents list this as the year 23. To help all his readers understand when he was talking about, Luke gives not only the year of the Roman emperor, he also specifies who was in authority in each of the regions in which he expected to be read. The second thing is that his dating is only by year. Life was much slower then! Today we routinely deal with seconds and smaller, and the pace of life is frantic for many if not most people. With the historical context established, Luke gives us the most important information: the Word of God came down to John. Apart from that, none of the other information has any real importance. Since John was a common name even then, Luke specifies that this is John the son of Zechariah that he is talking about, since most people didn’t have family names as such. Right after saying this, Luke puts John in Biblical context as well, pointing out that he was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Thus, the total lesson from this passage is that nothing happens in isolation; every­thing is interrelated, and God has known about it from before time began.

This is an important thing for me to remember, especially at this time of year when everything seems so frantic and I find myself longing for a pause button, at least. However much I might think I would prefer to have lived in a slower time, I would doubtless miss a great deal about our present age, and in any case I am where and when I am, as God has ordained it. I need to remember my historical context, and remember that I don’t know my future context, and so trust God with the present moment, one moment at a time. I need to remember that what is really important is God, His plans and my obedience to Him. I am to make use of the opportunities He gives me, without being anxious over what moments I might have missed. I am to let Him use me to bless those around me, without attempting to take credit for those blessings or to manipulate others through them. It all comes down to what He told me just over a year ago now: rest, relax, rejoice. I’ve still got a lot of room for growth in that!

Father, thank You for all You enabled us to do yesterday. Thank You for the little children coming to the church in the morning, and for the opportunity to bless them and the teachers who were with them. I pray that the seeds planted would bear rich fruit in Your timing. Thank You for the people we could visit around noon, and the impact we could have on them. I pray that they would realize that everything You have given us is available to them, and they would reach out to You to receive it. Thank You for all the people we could touch through sending out our newsletter by email. There too, I ask that Your purposes be fulfilled. Today, too, is a packed schedule, especially for Cathy. Help us take each moment from Your hand as You give it to us, delighting in You so that You may delight in us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 19, 2011

Posted on December 20, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

This reminds me of the song title, “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.” People look for God in various ways and in various places, but often fail to look for Him in His house. Frankly, a major reason for that is that many places that purport to be God’s house are devoid of His presence. Not everyone who goes to a church is looking for God, but it is a crying shame when those who do so find nothing to indicate His presence. The physical structure has very little to do with it, but the hearts of those who regularly gather there have a major impact. If they are true worshipers, then anyone who walks in the door is likely to encounter God in some way. If they are concerned with their own comfort and/or prestige, then the probability of a visitor encountering God drops drastically. To get back to the verse, Mary and Joseph were certainly good people, but they didn’t fully understand the Boy they were raising. None of us has a complete understanding of God, so we need to be humble and open for more revelation. We have a tendency to value our religious traditions more than we value a personal relationship with God, and various groups act like that is in their vested interest. However, nothing could be further from the truth, because all our traditions are meaningless without a personal relationship with the Lord we say we worship.

I grew up in a distinct religious tradition, and I don’t think it was a bad one, but I have certainly seen it expressed in ways that were devoid of the presence of God. I have encountered God’s presence in meetings of various Christian groups, some of which I have distinct disagreements with theologically. That’s not to say that theology is unimportant, but it is to say that academics are peripheral to a personal relationship with our Lord. As a pastor, I am to strive always for Biblical form and order in this church, but I must not place form and order ahead of God’s manifest presence. I’ve got to let go of my agenda to embrace Christ. Many people who have attended our services have been aware of God’s presence, but not so many have responded in repentance and faith. Some have even run from it! I am to leave their responses in God’s hands, and simply focus on making Him welcome. As Jesus said, if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. (John 12:32)

Father, in this busy Christmas season it is very easy to get caught up in programs and functions and forget You, and what this season is all about. Thank You for getting us through the City Christmas last night, and that You are going to get us through the week ahead. As we have little children coming this morning and ladies coming tomorrow morning, and then with a Christmas party, caroling, candle-light service, and Christmas morning worship to follow, help us be focused on and open to You, so that You may flow through us to touch everyone who comes through these doors or hears us singing, drawing them to You for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 18, 2011

Posted on December 20, 2011 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:23 And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

This is the most obscure quote in the whole NT, because there is nowhere in the entire OT, even including the Apocrypha, that has the words, “He will be called a Nazarene.” However, as several scholars have pointed out, there are many places that say the Messiah would be insulted, and as is clear from the story of the calling of Nathanael, in Jesus’ day being from Nazareth was insulting in and of itself. (John 1:44-46) I find that answer satisfying in light of the whole of Scripture, and it points up a very important principle: we are to sacrifice our pride to follow Christ. Jesus pointed out to His disciples how He was verbally insulted, and said they could expect the same. (Matthew 10:24-25) That is certainly evident today in the US, where people who stand on Biblical principles are called homophobic, hateful, and a lot of worse things. It is amply proven that the children’s proverb, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” couldn’t be more wrong. Often, wounds generated by verbal abuse are far longer lasting than physical injury. A Christian is called to bear up under both for the sake of Christ, just as He did for us.

I have certainly been on the receiving end of verbal abuse, and I’m sorry to say, I’ve given it as well. James points out the irony of this in James 3:9-12. I am not to respond in kind to verbal abuse, but kindly. (English is an interesting language!) Just as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 53:7) Jesus did not respond to the verbal abuse that was heaped on Him at His trials before Pilate and Herod, to their amazement. To be honest, I have a hard time holding my tongue in such circumstances. As the early Church did, I am to count it an honor to be insulted for the name of Christ. (Acts 5:41, 1 Peter 4:14) At the same time, I am to do all I can to keep my tongue from being an instrument of wounding. Particularly in my teenage years, my tongue was my major weapon, and I used it freely. I’ve got to remember that my true enemy is the devil, and deploy the Sword of the Spirit against him, rather than using his tactics against those he has deceived.

Father, thank You for the growth I have seen in this area over the years. It’s certainly taken a long time! I still have some “hot button” areas that require active submission to You when they are pressed. Help me be consistent in my submission. May my words be instruments of blessing, building people up and setting them free from the traps of the enemy, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 17, 2011

Posted on December 20, 2011 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.”

Sometimes the best course of action is to run away! Sometimes we are to stand and fight, as Paul talks about with spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, and it is true that “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world,” (1 John 4:4) but sometimes we are simply to escape, to avoid direct conflict. This is particularly true in relation to temptation. Paul didn’t say that with every temptation there is a way to resist it, he said there is a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Actually, the NIV renders that as “stand up under it,” which is actually true, but leaves us thinking, “Oh, I can resist that temptation,” and that can lead to our downfall. Some major ministries have been destroyed because of that exact problem. We aren’t to go looking for dangerous situations! We have no reason to be afraid, but we have no excuse to be foolish, either.

My difficulty on this issue is my tendency to avoid confrontation at almost any cost. That’s not good either! As this says, I’m not to go looking for trouble, but neither am I to run from it. In the situation with Herod, it would have drastically affected Jesus’ upbringing if God had supernaturally killed all the soldiers coming to kill Him, or even made the holy family invisible to the soldiers. I am not to try to dictate to God how He is to protect me, but rather listen and obey with the assurance that His plan is best. And that certainly includes speaking the truth in love even when it might generate conflict. I am not to wound needlessly – I do too much of that – but I am not to draw back from admonishing and correcting as the Lord directs.

Father, help me have full assurance and obedience in every situation. Help me escape needless conflict, and help me stand firm in conflict that accomplishes Your purposes. Help me be fearless in prayer, and help me speak to others only what You direct. May my words be free of pride or any other pollution so that they may bring healing and not needless wounding. May I fulfill my place and function in the Body of Christ, so that others may be built up and Your name glorified. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 16, 2011

Posted on December 16, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

Mary and Joseph knew that they were specially chosen by God and that Mary’s Son was extraordinary, but that didn’t make them think they were exempt from following the rules. It is sadly obvious that throughout history people of special gifting, or particularly of special privilege, have tended to think they were exempt from following the rules. That can be disruptive enough when the rules in question are merely human, but God’s laws are often flouted as well, and that is disastrous. Today, the irony is extreme when we see politicians, whose job is to make laws, consider themselves above the very laws they make, and all too often ignore God’s moral laws completely. Getting closer to home, that’s one reason some pastors’ or missionaries’ children turn out so wild: their parents consider themselves above those they lead, and fail to live out the sermons they preach. Mary and Joseph, on the other hand, set a clear example for Jesus from His infancy, and the rules He broke were strictly man-made accretions to God’s Law, and not the Law itself. Sadly, many parents today set the example of considering rules as something to get around and/or ignore as only applying to “other people.” The results of that in their children are painfully obvious.

Here again I was greatly blessed in my upbringing, with parents who sought to live out the Word of the Lord that they taught. That certainly didn’t mean I didn’t break any rules myself, but it meant the standard was always clear. As a parent and as a pastor, I have tried to live the same way my parents did. Yesterday one of our daughters called to thank us for being unwavering in making God, and the Body of Christ, first priority in our home, despite the rebellion that triggered in our children at times. As a parent herself, she has come to the revelation that the first priority is indeed a right relationship with God, and that modeling/instilling that is the best thing parents can do for their children. She acknowledged that we were not perfect parents, any more than she is, but she wanted to thank us for having our priorities straight. She couldn’t have given us a better Christmas present! I am sharply aware of my own imperfections, yet I am also aware of the authority and responsibility God has placed in me in relation to this church and my wider field of labor. I must never think I am above the rules in any sense, but submit myself to God and to His agents at all times, so that those who look to me may not be led astray.

Father, thank You for the great blessing of that phone call yesterday. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me even when I have been less than faithful myself. Thank You for the experience of walking through the steps and bureaucratic red tape of the church registration. Keep me calm and submitted to You in everything, even when things seem nonsensical. May I trust You and walk in obedience, so that Your purposes may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 15, 2011

Posted on December 15, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 2:29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.”

God keeps all of His promises, even individual ones. We don’t know the circumstances, but verse 26 tells us that God had made it clear to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah with his physical eyes before he died. That’s not the sort of promise he would have gone around blabbing to everyone, but he probably shared it with a few close friends to encourage them, friends who were close enough not to think he was bragging. Most people don’t think they’re important enough to God for Him to say anything to them personally, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is the devil who tells us we are worthless! We are not to get inflated opinions of ourselves, (Romans 12:3) but we need to realize that since God loves each of us enough to send Jesus to die for us, of course He is intimately concerned with every detail of our lives. He does speak to each of us in various ways all the time, but most of the time we are too insensitive to recognize it. Much of the time we have either quenched or grieved the Holy Spirit, (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30) which tends to leave Him speechless. However, even when He is talking to us, we often think it’s our own imagination, or simply don’t hear at all. As has come out recently with Joseph and dreams, God uses different methods to speak to different people, but we should all be expecting and looking forward to hearing from God.

I do indeed hear from God regularly, but the question then becomes, how do I respond to what He tells me? Several years ago He spoke a wonderful prophecy through me in a service of this church, promising fruitfulness in His kingdom. I am not to take that for granted, but neither am I to forget it and be discouraged by immediate circumstances, whatever they might be. I am to remember that God intends to use us, in speech and action, and that the results will be glorious. Just as with Simeon, I will see the fulfillment of God’s promises in this life. I need to remember that and keep myself available at all times for however God wants to use me in that fulfillment.

Father, thank You for the reminder that the power is all of You and not me. As I tell others to do, help me take my eyes off of myself and keep them on Christ, (Hebrews 12:2) so that I may walk in such fellowship with Your Spirit that I am fully available at all times for however You want to use me, for Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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December 14, 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by jgarrott

Luke 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

By this point, I don’t think Mary and Joseph even considered any other name! The memory of the shepherds showing up and talking about an angelic herald and choir was very fresh, and each of them had been told by an angel to name the baby “Jesus” just nine months previous. It was part of God’s plan that Jesus wasn’t at all an unusual name, going all the way back to Joshua son of Nun, but it was in this child that the full meaning of the name, Yahweh is salvation, would be fulfilled. Joseph had been told the reason for the name, (Matthew 1:21) but neither he nor Mary could imagine how this baby would “save His people from their sins.” The point is, we don’t know the details of God’s plan unless He reveals bits and pieces to us, but He gives us the privilege of participating in it anyway. We sometimes miss out on blessings by stubbornly insisting on knowing why we are to do things, instead of walking in trusting obedience. God had told Mary and Joseph as much as they needed to know, and they were obedient. Had He told them more, like Joseph would be dead before Jesus began His ministry, and Jesus would be scourged and crucified, they couldn’t have handled it. Not knowing the future is often a blessing! We need to remember that God will never leave us or forsake us, (Joshua 1:5 and more) and that His grace is more than sufficient for us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) If we keep that in focus, then we will be able to walk through whatever life holds, rejoicing to fulfill our part in God’s plan.

I remember my mother’s testimony of being on a plane across the Pacific, flying back to deal with a family emergency and reading the Bible in the Good News (TEV) translation, when that translation was new to her. It renders 2 Corinthians 12:9 as, “My grace is all you need,” and she took that as a direct Word from the Lord to her, and was greatly comforted and strengthened. Thinking back over my own life, there have been a number of things that it was good I didn’t know about ahead of time. My faith was certainly stretched! I need to remember that and allow my faith to grow to cover everything that still lies ahead. I need to remember that God’s plan is good and is for blessing, (Jeremiah 29:11) and walk in joyful anticipation of what God is going to do, whatever things might look like at the moment.

Father, thank You not only for Your plan for me, but for Your patience with me as I have doubted and rebelled at times. It is sometimes easier to remember to choose to trust you in big things than it is in the little irritations. Help me trust You with it all! I ask particularly that You help me trust You in my interactions with the wounded people all around me, remembering that I’m wounded – and a wounder – myself. Help us all trust You enough to let You heal and deliver us, so that Christ may be formed in us, individually and as a body, (Galatians 4:19) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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December 13, 2011

Posted on December 14, 2011 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

For a believing person, there are few things, if any, more deeply joyful and satisfying than having clear confirmation they have heard and obeyed the Lord correctly. This particular verse is for many people their favorite out of the whole Christmas narrative, and as such it has of course been set to music (in a different translation). A little reflection will show the depth of the magi’s faith, because they had gone to considerable expense of time and money, not to mention personal risk, in order to be obedient to what they thought God was saying. Getting word from Herod that there was indeed prophecy of a divine ruler being born in Bethlehem doubtless whet their appetites for the confirmation and fulfillment they were now experiencing. That made them all the more sensitive to listen to God and be obedient, as they were in avoiding Herod on their return trip. One wonders how old they were, and how long they lived after this, because it was doubtless the high point of their whole lives. They had fulfilled their function, which was to make a powerful prophetic statement, and in the process finance the Holy Family’s escape into Egypt.

I certainly don’t expect to play such a dramatic roll in history, but I am to be no less faithful and obedient than the magi. God has used me in various ways and will continue to do so as long as He keeps me here, and it’s not my place to dictate to Him how that will be. Daily I recognize how He touches people through me. I am to take no personal pride in that, but rather grateful satisfaction. It is indeed deeply fulfilling to be God’s instrument! As a pastor, I know that one thing He wants to do through me is to bring others into the desire and expectation of being used by God themselves. Growing up in the environment I did, and then seeing what God has done with me in spite of my weaknesses and failings, it is somewhat amazing to me that so many people seem convinced that God could never use them. It is a sign of true craftsmanship to be able to take the weak and worthless and ugly and turn it into something useful and valuable and beautiful, and God is the ultimate Craftsman! I need to help people see and understand that rather basic, but certainly glorious, truth.

Father, thank You for having us notified yesterday of the passing of one of Your faithful servants, and for arranging that we in turn were able to get that information to others who needed to know. Thank You that I could go to the wake and speak blessing to his sons. May I be an instrument of comfort and encouragement to many, as Pastor Nakamura was, as his sons shared so movingly. Thank You also for being able to grade the exams I gave on Friday. That’s touching people in a very different way! Help me be faithful however You want to use me, always speaking the truth in love, whether it seems “religious” or not, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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