Harvest; August 3, 2024

Posted on August 4, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

This is a famous passage, but one thing jumps out at me particularly right now, and that is that it is the Lord’s harvest. We tend to concede that He is Lord of the harvest, but then we want to take credit for our harvest. Paul did say to the Galatians, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) Likewise, James said, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18) However, we still have to remember that it is His harvest, not ours. This isn’t an invitation to be irresponsible, because we are all accountable to our Lord, but it is a reminder to hold everything loosely, because it doesn’t belong to us. We are to rejoice when He sees fit to use us in bringing in His harvest, but we must not think it is ours. Many pastors become very possessive of the believers in their congregations, but we’ve got to remember they don’t belong to us. When we think they do, all sorts of aberrations occur. We are to be faithful and earnest in the tasks assigned to us, but always remember that the harvest belongs to Him.

This is something I have known on at least some level all my life, but I have had a lot of specific training in it here in Omura. We’ve been operating as a church for 40 years, but the longest any particular believer has been here is a little over half that. We have literally sent people around the world. If everyone who has been an active member here were still here, we would need a much bigger building! When people move away because of work and such the sting isn’t so bad, but we have had people leave and stay right here in Omura. That can be hard to deal with! At the same time, the Lord has indeed sent harvest workers from time to time. A couple from Hong Kong just finished getting all their paperwork straight, and after a couple of years of language study expect to be focused on Omura for their ministry. I am to welcome such people, and at the same time remember that they are the Lord’s workers, and not mine. I am to remember that the Lord chose me to bear fruit that will last, (John 15:16) but what that fruit looks like is His business. I too am a laborer in His harvest field, and my wages are from Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the rather painful training You’ve allowed me to go through this past week. I pray that I would be increasingly effective, not only as a harvest worker but also in training and encouraging other harvest workers, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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The Great Physician; August 2, 2024

Posted on August 3, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 9:12-13 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

It’s interesting that Jesus quoted the same thought that Zechariah did, in our reading from just two days ago! However, Jesus put it in the context of disease – and sin is indeed a terrible disease. Countless people have thought they were too far gone for God to be interested in them, that “the church roof will fall in if I walk in.” However, Jesus explicitly contradicted that lie of the devil. As someone has said, the people who have committed the unforgivable sin aren’t worried about it! If you feel remorse, if you know you are a sinner, then you are in the perfect condition for Christ to save you. Going to the medical analogy, countless people die prematurely because they fail to go to the doctor soon enough, thinking they are fine until it’s too late. Awareness of sin, though uncomfortable, is much like physical pain. We don’t like it, but it is a signal that something is wrong, and needs to be corrected. At the same time, there is such a thing as a spiritual hypochondriac. Any time the Holy Spirit makes us aware we have sinned, we need to acknowledge it to God and ask for His forgive­ness and cleansing. (1 John 1:9) However, we aren’t to be constantly picking at ourselves, so to speak, trying to find new things to confess. We need to be like Paul, who famously said, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:4) We aren’t to carry a load of guilt, but at the same time we are to humbly accept correction, however the Lord provides it. God wants His children to be healthy, first of all spiritually. Physical disease is inconsequential in comparison.

Physically, I have enjoyed generally good health for most of my life. However, sometimes I think my wife has taken my share for me, with back and brain surgeries and Parkinson’s Disease. I am very aware that does NOT mean she’s more sinful than I am! I want to live as Paul did, with a clear conscience but with constant awareness that it is all by the grace of God. Without Christ, I’m as lost as anyone! I have the privilege of sharing the good news of salvation with others, and I must be careful not to come across as “holier-than-thou.” As someone has said, evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. At this point in my life I am viewed as something of a “holy man.” I am indeed to be holy, just as God said, (1 Peter 1:15) but that must be with an acute awareness of the grace of God. I am also not to be “so heavenly minded as to be no earthly good.” I’m good friends with the Physician, and I am to rejoice to introduce others to Him as well.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I pray that in every one of my interactions today I may accurately represent Christ, so that others too may be drawn to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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The Sermon on the Mount; August 1, 2024

Posted on August 2, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him and he taught them.

This section, particularly verses 3-12, is one of the most famous of all Jesus’ teaching. We call it “The Sermon on the Mount,” and treat it as though it were unique in what Jesus said and did. It is certainly impactful and deep, but we need to consider various things about it. In the first place, it was Jesus’ response to all the attention He was getting. Sometimes we forget the different circumstances of that era. For one thing, they didn’t have clocks. Devices to measure time, even sundials, were unknown to the vast majority of people. In consequence, there was no such thing as a “nine to five” job. People generally worked from sunup to sundown, or until the job was finished. They had expressions that indicated time, but they were in reference to sunup, noon, and sundown. Thus, on the day of Pentecost, when Peter said, “It’s only the third hour,” (Acts 2:15) that meant the third hour after sunup, and so around 9 am. That applies here because people didn’t have set schedules, and so were much freer to set work aside and go listen to an itinerant preacher. They also didn’t have any means of magnifying sound, so anyone committed to public speaking had to be good at vocal production/projection. Jesus went up on a mountain to make it easier for the large numbers of people to hear what He had to say. His sitting down was both a social gesture and a practical consideration. In those days, teachers always sat to teach, so the act of sitting was a signal He was ready to start. Also, standing to speak for long periods is very tiring! And the last point is one we tend to overlook completely: “When He sat down, His disciples came to Him.” Those who were committed to follow Him recognized that He was going to teach, and so gathered. That signaled the larger crowd that something was happening, so they gathered too, but His initial focus was on His disciples. Most churches and ministries today tend to be very focused on numbers, but Jesus focused on those who committed themselves to follow Him. He didn’t turn the crowds away and often taught them, as here, but they weren’t His focus. In recent years many people have pointed this out, and some ministries have an admirable focus on discipleship, but we still tend to be distracted by numbers. We’re back to Frank Laubach’s “Each one teach one.” We need to pour all we’ve got into those who are committed to receive it, so that they may in turn pour into others. (2 Timothy 2:2)

This certainly applies to me, since I’ve been in what is called “full time ministry” for many years now. (I don’t really like that term, because I believe ever believer should be “full time,” and because I’ve supported my family through ministry for only 2 years of that period.) I’ve never had huge numbers. This past Sunday we set a record of 31 people receiving Communion at the same time, but over half of those were a missions team from Hong Kong and those supporting them. I want to reach many, but I’ve got to do it by focusing on the few. I’m grateful to say that several people have gone into “full time ministry” (there’s that term again) after being here for a period, and I do believe their fruit is in a sense mine. (Kind of like multilevel marketing!) At the same time, I do pray for a massive harvest in Japan, because the numbers are so great. However, when Jesus focused on 12, it would be the height of foolishness to think I could do more.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It’s always painful when people leave, but You know what You are doing in each life. I do pray for each person You have drawn here, both those who are planted and those who are peripheral. May Your best be accomplished in and through each one, for their great blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Consistency; July 31, 2024

Posted on August 1, 2024 by jgarrott

Zechariah 7:9-10  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’”

The Lord is here having Zechariah quote what He had said many times through many different prophets. Occasionally God says something new for a specific situation, but reading through the Bible, He has been remarkably consistent, not just for the 1000+ years it took for the Bible to be written, but all the way through to today. In a way, that was why it was so shocking when Jesus appeared and said, “The prophecies have been fulfilled. I’m here.” (Luke 4:21) Those hearing Him were just expecting business as usual. The problem with that was that they weren’t really doing what the Lord had already said. This brings to mind the story of the church that called a new preach­er. After the first Sunday several people complimented him on the sermon, but then the next Sunday he preached exactly the same sermon. After the third Sunday of the same sermon, some people came to him about it, pointing out that it was the same sermon. His response? “I know it. And when you start doing what I said, I’ll go on to the next message.” I think God does that a lot! It’s hardly logical to ask God for guidance if we’re not doing what He has already said to us. And the Bible isn’t a book of formalities and ceremonies. It mentions some of those, particularly in the Old Testament, but the Pharisees of Jesus’ day had those down pat, yet their hearts were far from God. Every ceremony, every rule mentioned in Leviticus, for example, is a tool to help us turn our hearts to God and walk in the abundance He intends for us. However, if we just go through the motions and fail to open our hearts to Him, it’s meaningless. The things God had Zechariah repeat to the people aren’t religious, they are expressions of loving your neighbor as yourself, and Jesus said that was the 2nd greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:39) Genuine faith is intensely practical or it’s not faith at all, it’s just philosophy. God’s message to us from Genesis through Revelation is to come to Him and give Him our heart, in full humility and surrender. If we will do that, we will express love not only to Him but to everyone around us, for His glory.

This is something of which I have only become more convinced throughout my life. As I say frequently, James 1:22 was written for me: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Having acquired head knowledge of the Bible at a young age, my life has been a succession of lessons in applying it, understanding that it’s practical and not academic. I have discovered that I’m very good at deceiving myself! There will always be places I don’t understand fully, but I have the assurance that someday I will. (1 Corinthians 13:12) Until then, I am to focus on applying the truth that God has written into my heart, so that others too may repent and believe, for their salvation and God’s glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed apply Your Word in every area of my life, not deceiving myself or anyone else, but proclaiming Christ in word and action, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Unconditional Faith; July 30, 2024

Posted on July 31, 2024 by jgarrott

Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

From verse 17 on, this is one of the most beautiful declarations of faith in the whole Bible. From the beginning of the chapter Habakkuk is talking about all the terrifying things that were going on, being sure God had a hand in it, but not knowing the outcome. In verse two he pleads, “In wrath remember mercy.” However, he concludes with this statement, trusting that however horrible the circumstances, God will enable him to rise above them. We all need such faith! As Jesus famously told His disciples just before He was arrested, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The trick is rejoicing in the Lord in the middle of all the mess, as Habakkuk chose to do. Frankly, few if any people have the moral fortitude to do that on their own, but if we choose to trust God, He will enable us to do it. When Paul said, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13) this is exactly what he was talking about. We can’t do it, but He can and will, if we will ask and allow Him to do so.

I have experienced this enough times that I think I must have the spiritual gift of faith, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, but I still have moments when I really feel punched in the gut. This past Sunday was one of those, but God is working on me, and I thank Him. I keep reminding myself that I don’t see the final outcome, and God’s plans for me, and for those around me, are good. I think that’s what Habakkuk was realizing. I don’t have to know everything that’s going on, and I probably couldn’t handle it if I did. All I have to remember is that God is both omnipotent and loving, and in His grace He has a plan for me that is magnificent. What that looks like on this earth is entirely His business, and I’m not to be worried about it.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I do pray for the people who were involved in the incident on Sunday. I ask that You work in them and in me to tear down the lies of the enemy so that we may indeed walk in the freedom Sister Atsumi talked about in the message, for the blessing of all around us and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Shepherds and Sheep; July 29, 2025

Posted on July 30, 2024 by jgarrott

Micah 7:14 Shepherd your people with your staff,
    the flock of your inheritance,
which lives by itself in a forest,
    in fertile pasturelands.[a]
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead
    as in days long ago.

This whole passage is confusing as to who is saying what to whom, but there is no question it involves God as the Great Shepherd, just as is expressed in Hebrews 13:20. The Bible is full of the image of shepherds and sheep, with kings as well as ministers being referred to as shepherds, and the people as sheep. One of the most famous of those is of course the supreme Old Testament description of Christ in Isaiah 53, where verse six says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Very few people today have much personal experience with sheep and shepherds, so it takes a little extra revelation to grasp all these Bible passages. The point is the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. There is of course a massive difference in intelligence and understanding. That certainly holds between God and mankind, but the distinctions get very muddy when both “shepherd” and “sheep” are human. In fact, a fairly recent construction is “sheeple,” blending “sheep” and “people,” describing when people fail to exercise the discernment they were born with and blindly follow a leader, particularly a politician. God is the only Shepherd worthy of such devotion! That said, there is a lot of responsibility in the role of shepherd. Human leaders are at best under-shepherds, accountable to the Great Shepherd, but far too few of them really grasp that fact. And few of them really acknowledge that, as Jesus said, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Jesus Himself is of course the ultimate example of that, but every human leader needs to take it to heart.

I am in the middle of a rather rough lesson in this principle. Yesterday I corrected someone, they didn’t accept the correction, and the exchange got rather heated. On top of that, their spouse took me to task and said, “Would Jesus have talked like that? You need to be more like Jesus.” I was in a lot of turmoil over that, and contacted a retired pastor friend to consult about it. This morning I woke up to a text message from him, pointing out that an honest reading of the Gospels shows that Jesus’ words weren’t always gentle, particularly when he was correcting people. The last thing I want to do is drive people away, but I must speak the truth in love. Just two days ago the reading focused specifically on that, and God gave me a practicum in it yesterday. Being a good shepherd doesn’t mean pampering the sheep, and it doesn’t just mean feeding them, though that is impor­tant. I am to seek and receive wisdom from the Great Shepherd and apply discipline as called for, because anything less is not true love. How that is received is between the person and God.

Father, thank You for my retired pastor friend, and for the comfort You gave me through him. I do pray for the person I corrected yesterday, that they would be willing to look at themselves honestly and not defensively. I do ask for peace, for that person, their spouse, and for me, that all of us may grow as You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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What God Desires; July 28, 2024

Posted on July 29, 2024 by jgarrott

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

This is a famous verse that is absolutely powerful in its simplicity. It strips away all the trappings of religion and gets down to what really matters. It doesn’t ignore anything. “Justice” almost seems old fashioned these days, but it is absolutely essential for a functioning human society. That, frankly, is one reason for Donald Trump’s current popularity: people see the “lawfare” that has been waged against him as terribly unjust. And then emotions are brought in. Different translations say “mercy,” or “kindness,” or “faithfulness,” but they all say love. This isn’t just an academic, theoretical exercise, it’s something that involves our whole being. And then it brings in the vertical element, of walking humbly with God. That it would specify “humbly” immediately knocks out pride. Pride was the original sin of Lucifer, and it will turn us into little devils too, if we give in to it. The Mosaic Law is simply a much more detailed instruction manual in how to do the things in this verse. That said, we can’t do it right in our own strength, wisdom, and righteousness. That’s why Jesus came to give His life as an atonement for our sins, to enable us to do what this verse says. The average individual knows little to nothing about actually walking with God, but that’s what He desires for and of us. Jesus said it a little differently, when an expert in the Mosaic Law asked Him which of the laws was most important. “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” (Matthew 22:37-40) We cannot ignore God or mistreat our neighbor if we are to live the life, and receive the blessings, God intends for us.

My younger daughter frequently mentions the “vertical and horizontal” elements of life, and she is spot on. The Bible is amazingly consistent throughout in bringing up these two factors. You’d think God had something to do with it being written, wouldn’t you? In my case, I’m very familiar with what is written, so I’ve got to focus on putting it into practice. As I comment frequently, James 1:22 was certainly written for me! Coming back specifically to this verse, pride has always been a snare for me, thinking that I didn’t need my neighbor, or even that I didn’t need God. That is certainly the height of foolishness! I need to meditate on this verse and let it work into every part of my being, so that I may put it into practice and so please my loving Creator, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It points up my weakness that I need such reminders! Help me indeed put Your word into practice on every level every moment, so that Your will may be done in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Speaking the Truth; July 27, 2024

Posted on July 28, 2024 by jgarrott

Amos 5:10 They hate him who reproves in the gate,
    and they abhor him who speaks the truth.

Prophets and truth-speakers often get a rough reception! Of all the Old Testament characters I like Isaiah the best, but reliable legend has it that he was sawn in two, along with Jeremiah, who was stoned to death in Egypt, and the list could go on and on. People don’t like to hear what conflicts with their preferences and preconceptions! We recognize that easily when those being hard-headed are in opposition to us, but we don’t see it so easily when we are the guilty party. The thing is, falsehood is one of the few things that are impossible for God. Genuine humility means acknowledging that God is always right, whatever we think or desire. This means that we need to be truth-speakers as well. The Japanese expression here is “speaks completely straight.” Many cultures, Japan included, are shocked by such speech. America is noted for frankness, but these days that’s very much on a case-by-case basis. Americans can be as devious as anyone else! We aren’t to go around hurting people needlessly with our words, but we must remember that ultimately, truth is always kinder than a lie. That can lose us friends in the short term, but in the long term it is always the better course. Jesus was very frank with the Pharisees, but it was out of His love for them. It ultimately got Him crucified, but He came through that with the greatest victory in all creation. Everyone likes to be liked, but if that in itself is our goal, then our lives will be shallow at best, and likely end up completely separated from Christ, who is Truth. (John 14:6)

I had the great blessing of being raised by a father who held absolute honesty as one of his guiding principles. As a result, though I have demonstrated that I am quite capable of deceiving myself, (James 1:22) I generally accept truth when it is presented to me. I like it that way! I do get defensive at times, and I’m certainly not always correct, but I choose to be on the side of truth, whatever the consequences. Even if people detest or abhor me for it! That said, I must always be careful to speak the truth in love, just as Paul pointed out. (Ephesians 4:15) If people respond well, praise God! If they don’t, then so be it. I do need to seek God for when to speak and when to be silent, because there is indeed a time for everything, but if I am being obedient to the Holy Spirit, then the consequences are in His hands, whatever they might seem like in the short term.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed walk in Your truth on all levels, so that those who see me may see more and more of You, drawing them to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Loving God; July 26, 2024

Posted on July 27, 2024 by jgarrott

Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Many English translations say “mercy” here, following the Septuagint, but the ESV (quoted here) and the Japanese go with “love.” This passage as a whole is very familiar, with verse 2 being a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection, and verse 3 having been very well set to music in Japanese. However, it is this verse that resonates at this moment, with a theme that is repeated several times throughout the Bible. It cannot be said too strongly that God wants our hearts, not our religious formulas. It is certainly true that, as James stresses, if our hearts are right before God then our actions will line up as well, but we are entirely prone to focus on externals, instead of on what really matters. This is true in virtually every area of life. Even in the marital relationship, if the physical is everything, then the marriage falls apart very quickly. That’s the biggest lie of pornography, focusing entirely on the physical. Extending that, there are religions that are essentially pornographic, because they focus entirely on forms and obligations, rather than on the true love that God says here that He delights in. I’m reminded of a picture I saw some years ago, of a beautiful woman in a sexy pose. The caption said, “You can be sure somebody’s already tired of her.” That’s what happens when we focus on externals. The reverse of that are the multiple stories of people who had disfiguring accidents and the like, but their spouse was all the more dedicated to them. If we follow God just for the nice things He does for us, that is a sham. He desires our obedience that comes from genuine love. It is no accident that Paul conflated the relationship of husband and wife with that of Christ and the Church in Ephesians 5. We need to love God even if He never does another single thing for us. That won’t happen, but I think the point is clear.

I had the advantage of growing up watching parents who truly loved God and truly loved each other. That image was so attractive that I got married at 20, and have been happily married for over 55 years now. My relationship with God didn’t get straightened out until a few years after that, but the concept of loving God was integral to my life from at least the time I was five. The song, All You Need is Love, is actually true, but it requires a much deeper definition of love than we are used to. I could hardly be more grateful that God has been teaching me what love really is, all my life.

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace to me. By definition, grace isn’t something we earn or deserve. Help me respond to Your love and grace more and more fully, more and more accurately, so that my love for You may be pleasing to You indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Substitutionary Repentance; July 25, 2024

Posted on July 26, 2024 by jgarrott

Daniel 9:18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

This prayer is often held up as the ultimate example of substitutionary repentance. Daniel was personally righteous, to the degree that He is held up elsewhere in the Bible as an example of a righteous person. (Ezekiel 14:14) However, he identifies with his ancestors and says that God’s judgment on them was just. That said, he still intercedes for his people and for their land, not on the basis of human righteousness but of divine mercy. And from verse 20, we have the record of God’s response to such confession and intercession. Not too many people get a personal visit from the archangel Gabriel! We tend to like to think that our ancestors were good people, but everybody’s human, and as Paul said, all have sinned. (Romans 3:23) It never does any good to try to come before God on the basis of human righteousness. However, coming before Him on the basis of His mercy and grace is a different matter. That’s why personal pride is so deadly: we have nothing to be proud of! God is the source of everything good, not man, even when the good flows through a human instrument. It is when we realize, as Daniel did, that God’s grace and mercy are greater than our sin that we learn to come boldly before Him. Daniel didn’t know about Jesus, unless God showed him the plan of redemption by personal revelation, but he did know God’s character and that’s what he relied on. We have the huge advantage of knowing not only John 3:16, but all of the New Testament, not to mention the flow of Christian history since then. We have every reason to pray as Daniel did, not depending on human righteousness but on the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us.

I still remember my father telling me, essentially, that he was as human as I was. He didn’t go into graphic detail, but the message got through. I have every reason to be proud of my ancestors’ devotion to God, but I am quite aware that they were all human, just as I am, and human righteousness is imperfect at best. I am not to be proud, but grateful, because I have enjoyed generational blessings to a degree few can claim. That said, God has had to teach me that it is all grace, because I have done things that should have disqualified me from the succession! I keep coming back to it, but the time when God showed me, just for a moment, the state of my own soul was absolutely devastating. When I pray for America and her many sins, as I do, I must remember that I am in the flow of those sins, and pray in humility as well as in the assurance that God is far greater than all those sins put together, and the cross of Christ cancels them all out, if they are placed under the blood of the Lamb.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for what You are doing in America even as I write. Thank You for Your miraculous protection for Donald Trump in the assassination attempt, and how that is convincing even some sceptics that You are real. He is certainly a flawed vessel, but then we all are, and You are clearly working on him. I pray that in the next four years and following that much would be done to restore America to the image You had of her at her founding, for the blessing of the world and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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