Walking in Truth; July 9, 2024

Posted on July 10, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.

This is a prayer that every believer can and should pray. We do know God’s way in general terms, because the Bible has a lot to say about it. However, we need His help in getting it into our hearts and minds to really know it, to grasp it so that we walk in it consistently. And of course, we all have questions about the specific path God has prepared for us, and desire that He show us what is right. Sometimes that isn’t the easy path that our flesh would choose, but we know that God’s way is best, even when it’s difficult. We need to remember that God’s way is truth, that there is no deception in it. We need to be totally honest with Him, with ourselves, and with those around us. That doesn’t necessarily mean saying all we know, however true it might be, particularly to those around us, but it does mean absolute integrity, with no deception or excuses. The last half of the verse is extremely practical. We all have a strong tendency toward a divided heart. In cartoons that is drawn as an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other, but that is certainly simplistic. We are constantly making decisions, whether we realize it or not, and there are forces that do NOT want us to follow God’s way. There’s a reason David connects this with fearing God’s name. The fear of the Lord is very powerful in helping us know what is right and choosing it, getting us past the “split personality” to which we are so prone.

I write from experience here! I have certainly experienced the pull of differing paths, and I haven’t always chosen the right one. I have learned without question that God’s path is always best, but that doesn’t mean I’m never tempted, by any means. I need to pray this prayer along with everyone else, even though I was baptized 68 years ago! I need to have the basics down firmly, just as it says in Hebrews 6:1-2, but at the same time I must remember that I will never be perfect this side of heaven, as even Paul recognized. (Philippians 3:12-14) Walking in God’s truth is a constant exercise, a consistent choice, and I need to keep doing it better.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for not giving up on me, the many times I have made the wrong choices. Help me be an effective guide to those in my care, so that they too may learn better how to listen to You and choose Your path, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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God’s Reputation; July 8, 2024

Posted on July 9, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 79:9-10 Help us, God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.
Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”

Once again, this is a Psalm written by a descendent of Asaph, because Jerusalem was never conquered during David’s lifetime, and Asaph was a Levite appointed by David. Little things like the attribution of Psalms might seem unimportant, but they give insight to understand the events and emotions behind the words. It would seem that this Levite was a contemporary of Jeremiah, and if so, he had seen plenty of idolatry, not to mention despising of God and His messengers. He doesn’t claim innocence for those who were slaughtered, but he asks for deliverance for the sake of God’s name, that is, His reputation. Monotheism simply wasn’t a thing back then, and gods were considered powerful to the degree that they made their devotees prosper. On that score, Yahweh seemed to be striking out! From our perspective it is easier to see that God is the Creator of the universe, but it benefits nothing to look down on those who didn’t have that perspective. There have been many genuine saints who had shaky theology! The problem with those about whom this Levite was writing was that they hadn’t lived their daily lives so as to acknow­ledge God or give Him glory. Religions are known by the actions of their adherents! As James said, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) How many Christians today are earnest about not being polluted by the world? We rightly speak and sing of “The Name of Jesus,” and indeed, “Christian” expressly means “Christ follower,” but do we live so that those around us can see the difference between someone who follows Jesus as Lord and someone who doesn’t? God has made His character obvious throughout the universe, (Romans 1:19-20) but his reputation among men comes from those who say they follow Him. We should give no one an excuse to say, “Where is their God?”

As a pastor in Japan, I am very much in the place of being considered a representative of Christianity, and indeed of Christ. I was deeply pleased last week to receive a call from a psychiatric hospital, because one of their inpatients was saying they wanted to become a Christian. After 40 years, we have established a name in this city, and it is all by the grace of God. I am to live my life in faithfulness so that name will not be discounted, because it is connected to the Name of my Lord. If I live in daily fellowship, in step with God’s Spirit, (Galatians 5:25) then people will see Christ through me and be drawn to Him for their salvation. That is my desire and my goal.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You’ve brought us through in the sight of this city. May more and more people realize that they need, and can have, what they see and admire in us, and so repent and believe for their salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Meditating on God; July 7, 2024

Posted on July 8, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

This Psalm is attributed to Asaph, but it seems likely that it was written by one of his descendants. It was written by a Levite in any case, and that means someone quite familiar with the Torah. His immediate situation makes him feel like God had abandoned him, but he makes the choice of faith, to think about what God had done in the past and allow that to build up his faith to stand in the present. Countless saints have made this choice down through the centuries, and it is always the right choice. Some have even written of “the dark night of the soul,” when they clung to God even when it felt like He was nowhere to be found. I don’t know why some people go through such times, but I do know that the results can be magnificent in and through those who stand firm. Human emotions are very unreliable. At times they can feel like the greatest blessing in the world, but at other times they can drive people to suicidal despair. One reason we have been given the Bible is so that we will have a written record of what God has said and done, that doesn’t change. When our emotions are playing tricks with us, getting back to the Bible and letting the words sink into us is one of the best things we can do.

I am grateful to say that I’ve never been in such a situation myself, but I have certainly been around people who were. Just yesterday we visited a lady in the hospital who is quite possibly actively dying. She was complaining of her pain, and said that she had asked her mother to take her place, but her mother wouldn’t do it. The lady in question is in her 80s, and her mother has been gone a long time. She also said, “Your God answers you, but my God doesn’t,” even though she is a baptized Christian. I reminded her of her husband’s confession of faith at the time of their baptism, and how moving it was. I also reminded them of how they had come by the church to speak to us one time and her husband had asked me to do his funeral when the time came. I replied that I would be delighted to do so, but I hoped it wouldn’t be soon. It was less than a week before he had a heart attack in the bath, and didn’t last physically till morning. I also quoted to her Paul’s statement that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) I do pray that she would choose to remember God’s countless blessings toward her and rest, relax, and rejoice in God’s grace, for as long as He leaves her here.

Father, I do pray for that lady, and for her son, who is facing serious health challenges of his own. I pray that both of them would be able to focus on You and let go of self-centered demands. Help them both trust You, since You alone are fully trustworthy, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Influence; July 6, 2024

Posted on July 7, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 69:6 Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    may those who hope in you
    not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
    may those who seek you
    not be put to shame because of me.

This is a prayer of a genuine servant of God. Every time a Church leader falls, those who had been served by them are embarrassed. Our actions always influence more than ourselves, but that is doubly true for those in leadership positions. As James noted, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) To some that seems unfair, and many “Preacher’s Kids” and “Missionary Kids” have rebelled against it, not wanting to be under a microscope because of their parents. However, there is no denying human nature, and that’s how things are. PKs and MKs notwithstanding, God sets people up as examples, and we are to fulfill the positions God has prepared for us. That’s why every real minister of the Lord needs to pray this prayer with some regularity. We are indeed under attack, and if we fall, many are adversely affected. The most dangerous attitude is thinking you are fine, that you are not vulnerable, but we forget that the devil is smarter than we are. However, he’s not smarter or stronger than God, so as long as we are genuinely submitted to God and abiding in Christ, we have nothing to worry about. We aren’t to be legalistic, counting our steps on the Sabbath and that sort of thing, but we are to remember that we are being watched, and that God wants to show Himself mighty through us.

Growing up as an MK, I don’t think I ever really felt this pressure, though I knew many people who did. Some, in fact, completely discarded Christianity, at least for a while, but I think their parents must not have been consistent at home, as opposed to their “public face.” Children are the closest beneficiaries of the prayer in this verse! I don’t think I ever detected hypocrisy in my parents, and I am deeply grateful. In fact, one of my father’s core principles was Absolute Honesty, and he stuck to it faithfully, as much at home as anywhere else. For myself, I have avoided drinking alcohol for exactly this reason. At one point in college I actually tried to get drunk, just for the experience, but several ounces of bourbon didn’t even give me a buzz. Not feeling a need for it, I wasn’t as tempted as many are, but I have always been aware of the influence factor, and I haven’t wanted to influence someone else to drink when they didn’t have the same enzyme shield I did. In Japan, that has required explaining why I didn’t drink on many occasions, but it has thankfully been respected, for the most part. On a positive note, my relationship with my wife has been noticed by many, and admiringly commented on. I’m grateful!

Father, thank You for making me aware that people watch me. Growing up as a Caucasian in Japan, that was inescapable! Help me be the influence You want me to be, drawing people to You and helping them understand Your grace and love, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Focus; July 5, 2024

Posted on July 6, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.

I get the distinct impression that David wrote this, not when he got news about Saul’s forces, but when God spoke his deliverance into his heart. From the beginning of the Psalm he is crying out to God, describing his troubles as destructive storms (verse 1) and his enemies as fiery beasts, with remarkably graphic imagery (verse 4). However, from verse 5 he shifts to praising God for who and what He is, and it is at that point that God’s presence floods his soul with assurance that everything will be all right. We too need to be that way, rejoicing in God’s deliverance even when we don’t yet see it physically. We need to be as Paul said, living by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) When we do that, this world will hold no terrors, because we will know that “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) As Jesus said, in this world we will have trouble, (John 16:33) but when our focus is on Him and His kingdom, all the trouble fades into insignificance. The devil does all he can to grab our attention, so God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) need to be our conscious choice of priority. When that is the case, His peace and joy will be ours to a degree the world simply cannot understand. (Philippians 4:7)

This is something I am growing in. Yesterday, completely out of the blue, I had a call from a mental hospital saying they had a patient who wanted to become a Christian. When I showed up, it turned out that he had been hospitalized for depression, but 50 years ago he had heard the Gospel and received a Bible, and recently he has been turning to God in prayer and discovering He really is there. I came back from that visit on a definite high! Then this morning when I checked my phone, I found a message that someone we are connected with is in the City Hospital ICU, having been taken by ambulance last night, with what appears to be acute hepatitis. We never know what each day will bring! I need to lift both of those men up to God in prayer and trust, but not feel like they are personally my burden to bear. I’m sure I will be involved in both cases, but it is God who will do the heavy lifting, even if it looks like I’m the one doing it at a given moment. I need to remember that God’s good plans apply not only to me but also to everyone around me, and rejoice to be involved in it all.

Father, thank You for always being there, and for always caring. Thank You for Your perfect plans and for involving me in them. I ask for clear vision, clear perception, so that I may recognize what You want me to do in every situation and do it, with joy and gratitude, so that Your will may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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In God We Trust; July 4, 2024

Posted on July 5, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

I didn’t plan it this way, but this is a singularly appropriate Scripture for America’s Independence Day, since the national motto is In God We Trust. That motto has come under a lot of attack in recent years from people who don’t want to acknowledge their Creator, claiming “separation of Church and State,” but it is about as non-sectarian as it could possibly be. That people would revile it says far more about them than it does about the motto, or about the nation! That said, there are several things about this passage that are worth noting. In the first place, David acknowledges that there are times when he is afraid. Fear itself can be very valuable as a survival mechanism, but it can be such a powerful emotion as to be debilitating, blocking out rational thought. The solution to that is the choice to trust God. Many people like to portray themselves as victims of their circumstances, but we always have the power of choice, whe­ther to trust God or despair, to obey Him or reject Him. A major help in that is the Bible, because it gives us a record of things He has done and said. That David word praise God’s Word here is neither casual nor unimportant. That’s why Bible literacy is at such a low point, because the devil doesn’t want us protected against his attacks on our minds and hearts. Even Jesus quoted the Bible when He was tempted in the wilderness! (Luke 4:1-13) When we have the foundation of what God has said and done, then the actions of mere people seem appropriately small in comparison.

This is a lesson I have had worked into me over the years. Growing up in Japan, America’s National Motto was not very big in my awareness, but my parents certainly modeled trust in God. Like everyone else, I think, I have had moments when choosing to trust God was my only viable option. I cannot choose what happens to me, but I can choose how I respond to it, and trusting God is a vital part of the foundation for all such choices. Now that I have retired from school teaching, in some aspects I have more room to choose how I use my time, but all sorts of things combine to limit my options. I must choose to trust that God has a plan for me that is constantly operative, and that His plan for me is indeed good. (Jeremiah 29:11) If I keep that in focus, then I can relax and enjoy the journey! As He has told me personally, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice!

Father, thank You for this reminder. America is in turmoil at this point, as is much of the world, to the point that people fear for their safety because of their political opinions. That is sad, but they still have the options David presented. I do pray for Your grace and mercy, not just in America but around the world, so that the lies of the devil may be soundly defeated and people be set free to repent and believe, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Genuine Repentance; July 4, 2024

Posted on July 4, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

This is a very important and very familiar Psalm, and every line of it resonates in my heart as I read it. The circumstances around it are an illustration of Jeremiah’s lament: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) David was someone who genuinely loved God, who had experienced times of deep worship and who had expressed God’s heart in poetry, and yet he stole another man’s wife and tried to cover it up by having the man killed. That boggles the mind, and yet we could name various other men of God who have dragged His name in the mud by their actions. David wasn’t uniquely sinful! That he was a genuine man of God is demonstrated by his response when Nathan confronted him. He was truly broken, as this verse says, and God accepted that as repentance. He couldn’t undo what he had done, bringing Uriah back to life and restoring Bathsheba to him, and the child he had conceived with Bathsheba was undeniable. A lesser man might have tried to stonewall, insisting that, as king, he had the right to do what he had done. However, David was genuinely broken, and when the child of his adultery died, he didn’t begin to accuse God of injustice. The child, after all, was innocent, and I’m sure, and David was sure, that God accepted him as such. This was a defining time in David’s life, and it removed all vestiges of pride from his heart. He didn’t proclaim his purity in any of his Psalms after this! This is what we need to emulate about David: not his sin, certainly, but his humility before God. He was as aware of God’s grace as anyone can be, I think, and that is how we need to be as well.

I have written numerous times about how God confronted me with my spiritual pride, and I am all too aware of my capacity for deceiving myself. I am deeply grateful that I have never followed through with sinful impulses the way David did, but I know that I have been capable of it, and that’s scary. I have seen that it isn’t the depth of a person’s sin that matters, but rather the depth of their repentance. I don’t want to do something drastic, just so that I will have something to repent of! Actually, I have done countless things that have been in violation of God’s character, and I identify all too well with Romans 7! However, just as Paul rose above that, I too proclaim with joy, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Father, thank You for Your incredible grace. Thank You for loving and using even someone like David, who was an adulterer and murderer. Thank You not only for protecting me from such actions, but for showing me all the countless ways I have ignored You or even actively disobeyed You. May my repentance be genuine and effective so that I may be fully available and useful to You, for Your glory alone. Thank You. Praise God!

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Depending on God; July 2, 2024

Posted on July 3, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 41:5 My enemies say of me in malice,
    “When will he die and his name perish?”

It is clear from the Psalms that David had plenty of enemies, and he had occasional serious health issues. Even so, he kept his focus on the God who had saved him from his youth. His encounter with Goliath is certainly famous, but even before that he encountered at least one lion and at least one bear, as a young shepherd boy, and he was victorious by the grace and power of God. (1 Samuel 17:24-27) That track record gave him faith to stand against human enemies and even disease. If he had taken personal credit, at least in his own thinking, for those early victories, he would not have had the faith to stand later. God is gracious to everyone, but if we fail to recognize His hand in events we won’t gain all the benefit He intends. The strongest people are those who know they are weak, but that God is strong on their behalf. That’s what God spoke to Paul, and what he accepted with joy. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) The better we internalize that lesson, the more peace and joy we have regardless of our circumstances.

This is a lesson I have learned better than many, but it’s taken me a long time to learn it! As I am frequently reminded, I have taken God’s grace toward me for granted, even as my due, and that is the height of stupidity. I was born with superb genetics and blessed with parents who encouraged my many interests and abilities, and as a result am able to do a wide variety of things that tend to amaze others. However, that’s all grace. Rather than being a source of pride, I am at times painfully aware of my lack of stewardship of some of the abilities I have been given. For example, I was concertmaster of the 25th Division Band, but I haven’t touched either of my clarinets in years. In comparison to David, my level of enemies and health issues is much lower, and I am grateful. I don’t think I have anyone just waiting for me to die! I still need to learn from him, from Paul, and from a host of other saints, to be faithful with the abilities and opportunities I’m given, so that God’s plans may be fulfilled in and through me, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the renewed opportunities recently to use the knowledge and experience You’ve given me in electrical wiring. I pray that as I do that today that I may have Your wisdom and insight so as to know what needs to be done, and Your strength and dexterity so as to do the job right, for a fully safe and efficient outcome, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Optimism; July 1, 2024

Posted on July 2, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 40:17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.

The first several verses of this Psalm are so familiar that I wanted to see what else the Lord would speak to me through it. This verse gives very good insight into David’s attitude that kept him close to God, despite his serious lapses. For at least half of his life, David was not someone the world would call poor; he was a king! Even before he reigned in Jerusalem, he had a significant group of people who considered him their leader, the “big cheese,” and in those days that automatically meant physical resources. However, he never lost sight of his dependence on God. As is often the case, the Japanese provides some fresh insight. It says, “I am one who suffers. I am one who is poor.” David was very aware that in this world we will have trouble, (John 16:33) and he also knew that God was the solution to that trouble. I don’t think he was ever particularly surprised by the trouble he encountered, but he had assurance that whatever the issue was, God could deal with it. He did occasionally get antsy about God’s timing, though! We could certainly do worse than to follow his example.

By this point in my life I don’t think I’m surprised by trouble either, but I am definitely an optimist. After all, I know without doubt that in the final analysis, we win! There have been things that I didn’t look forward to, like my retirement, but I knew that God could handle it even if I couldn’t. I know that my tenure in this world isn’t forever, nor would I want it to be, but I know that what follows is far better. My biggest issues at this point are the countless distractions this world offers. I know that God has prepared work for me to do, (Ephesians 2:10) and I don’t want to miss any of it. However, I know the Holy Spirit is a reliable guide, so I’ve got to keep listening to Him. Today I’ll be giving a 15 minute testimony about my mentoring in this church, as part of an online Coaching seminar, and frankly, I’m not sure what I will say, because the mentoring I’ve done hasn’t been particularly organized. However, I know that mentoring has happened, and I can trust the Holy Spirit to give me the words to bless those who will be hearing me. Tomorrow I’ll be going to help a younger missionary in a neighboring town with the electrical wiring in the house they’ve bought and are remodeling before moving in. That won’t be a formal mentoring setup by any means, but if past times are any indication, the Lord will be speaking through me to him off and on through the day. I have learned the hard way that I am indeed foolish and powerless on my own, but God can and does use me in spite of myself, and I am deeply grateful.

Father, thank You for enabling me to be an optimist! Thank You for all You’ve brought me through to this point, and for the peace and assurance You’ve given me that I’ll make it through to the end. May I indeed be an example and a mentor to those around me, so that together we may fulfill Your purposes on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Trusting God; June 30, 2024

Posted on July 1, 2024 by jgarrott

Psalm 31:14-15 But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.

David’s emotions certainly fluctuated, at least as he recorded them in his Psalms. However, here he expresses the anchor that always drew him back to stability: the choice to trust God. The devil tries to hide from us the fact that trust is a choice. It is helpful to get facts together, to examine our own experiences and those of others, but ultimately, trust is a choice. If the object of our trust is unworthy of our trust, that can be foolish, but nothing and no one is as worthy of our trust as God. Some people will complain, “I trusted God but He didn’t come through.” How and for what were you trusting Him? Was it to fulfill your selfish and/or childish demands? God can be totally trusted to do what is right, what is ultimately the best for us, however it looks in the short run. Hebrews 11, the great chapter on faith, concludes with this: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40) We need to remember that we are only a small part in God’s plan, and that plan is ultimately very good indeed. God is never mean to us, and whatever we run into in the moment, we need to remember Paul’s admonition: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) It is when we get that worked into our hearts and minds that we can trust God fully.

In 75 years I’ve experienced a lot, and trusting God comes easier all the time. I can’t say all my experiences have been enjoyable, not by a long shot, but I can say that, as again Paul famously noted, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If I were to have planned out my life myself, I would have had no idea how my life would have impacted those around me. I’ve got to remember at all times that I’m not the central figure, God is, and He cares about every one of His children. I am to rejoice when I experience things that feel like blessings to me, and I am to rejoice when I am used to bring blessings to others. Above all, I am to rejoice when my life, my actions, my words, in some way bring glory to God, because He is the center, first and always. If He were mean or capricious that would be terrible, but He is not. As John said, He is love itself. (1 John 4:8) And that is agape love, not anything less. He is certainly worthy of my total trust.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You bring me through, and for all that You do through me. Thank You that I am just a supporting player in this morning’s service, with praise and testimonies taking center stage. May my interpreting be accurate and anointed by Your Spirit, so that whatever language is being heard, Your purposes may be accomplished for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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