Be Holy as I am Holy: A Holy Invitation

To be separated from God is to be a sinner. To be separated unto God is to be holy. Jesus is Holy. He does nothing apart from the Father. He and His Father are one. As a man, He carried out, not His own will, but the will of His heavenly Father. He loved His Father with all His heart, mind, soul, and strength. He was not His own. When He was betrayed, He sought to honor His Father. He was not His own. When He made plans, He sought to honor his Father. He was not His own. When He was persecuted, He sought to honor His Father. He was not His own. When He was in the presence of those with differing beliefs, He sought to honor His Father.  He was not His own. When He was being crucified, He sought to honor His father. He was not His own. At all times during His earthly life, including under the most difficult duress, He sought only to honor His Father. He offered His life to His Father in love. He was and is and will always be Holy. 

We were created to be conformed into the image of the Son. God’s plan is to make us Holy. He wants this because He desires to dwell in our presence. He wants us to see Him. In Hebrews 12:14 it is written:

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Are you pursuing holiness? If you are not, it will not pursue you. How much of you have you given to the Father? What is still your own? ALL is a really big little word. Do you love Him with ALL your heart, mind, soul, and strength? To be saved from sin is to be purchased for holiness. Do you entrust all to the one who paid it all for you to pursue holiness and dwell in God’s presence? Is Jesus now Lord? 

There is no more faithful response to God’s love than for us in our weakness to pursue holiness in His strength. In response to His love, may we present our lives as living sacrifices to be conformed into His image. We cannot be whole separate from Him. At all times, including under the most difficult duress, may we seek first His kingdom, His honor. May we be crucified with Christ. May we not be our own. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” - John 14:23

 In Christ alone,

—Roger Garrison

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.

I Will Rise

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.  

One of my favorite lyrics is in a newer Needtobreath song called “Who Am I”. My kids know the specific line by heart after hearing me blurt it out at random times almost daily. While reflecting on God’s love for him in the light of his tribulations, the singer cries out, “You grow your roses on my barren soul.” When looking out across what can be a very barren landscape without and within, it is important to know this truth: God can bring dead things to life. As we look to the scriptures, may we find hope that He can grow the fruits of the Spirit right where we are, even if the circumstances do not appear to sustain life.

First, we look to Ezekiel 37 and the Valley of Dry Bones. Led by the Spirit, God brings Ezekiel to the middle of a valley filled with dry bones. He then leads Ezekiel back and forth over these very dry bones to ensure Ezekiel does not see a glimmer of life. Then the Lord asks Him, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel replies, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” The Lord then asks the prophet to speak to the bones on His behalf and to tell them that the Lord will now make breath come into them and life. Ezekiel obeys the Lord and then watches as the bones, then tendons, then flesh come together. Then last, the breath of God enters in, and the army of dead dry bones becomes alive. Brothers and sisters, I pray that our faith in the hearing of His word grows so that from this day forward if the Lord asked us, “Can these bones live?” we would answer, “Yes, Lord, you can bring dead things to life.” 

Second, we look to Job 19 as we read of a man who has been broken down on every side and whose hope has been pulled up like a tree. While facing imminent death Job rejoices,  

"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another." Job 19:25-27

Dear friends, if Job found hope in his Redeemer in these circumstances, we can find hope in ours as well. May we be honest about the reality of our circumstances: We serve a living God who brings dead things to life!  

Third, we look to 2 Corinthians 4. There is surpassing power, power greater than that of death, that belongs to God. He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence. May we not lose heart though our outer self is wasting away because our inner self can be renewed day by day. For the light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. God can grow roses on our barren souls.

To the lonely, the sick, the poor, the hopeless, the restless, the joyless, the dying...for whatever is dead in you, we have Jesus. He can connect us to streams of living water even in the desert, producing the fruits of His Spirit. Seek the Lord. God can bring dead things to life. May we share this testimony in truth and love.

 —Roger Garrison

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.

Stress Plus Rest Equals Growth

Stress plus rest equals growth. One minus the other leads to atrophy, disintegration, and eventually death.  Using our muscles as an example, it takes the right balance of stress and rest to stimulate continued growth.  We who seek to get physically stronger know that this balance can be hard to find. Oftentimes we do not stress our muscles enough, expecting to increase strength without much challenge. This strategy is flawed at its core and leads to disappointment and wasted time. Some of us workout too often, not allowing muscles enough time to rest. Again, disappointment follows as muscles become injured or weakened without adequate recovery time. Left to our own devices, it can be difficult to push hard enough and rest long enough to recognize gains. Fortunately, finding a great coach can help one find the right balance. A trusted coach can challenge our comfort zone, raising our expectations while enacting routines that demand rest.  

The formula of stress plus rest equals growth applies to more aspects of life than strength training. For example, plants need a certain balance of stress and rest to mature. This fact is useful when transplanting from greenhouse to vegetable garden. The incremental, balanced stressing of the plant by gradually exposing it to direct sunlight and winds outside of the greenhouse “hardens” the plant, increasing its vigor. In plants, stress from changing seasons also produces urgency to produce fruit and pass on seed. Now that we have touched on a few applications of this basic formula, let us apply it to spiritual growth.

Perhaps the most valuable application of this formula can be found as we seek a better relationship with God.  To strengthen our relationship, stress plus rest also equals growth. Like in the other examples, without the right stress/rest balance, we will end up disappointed in our pursuit. As giving authority to a trusted coach can help us find balance in our quest to get stronger physically, the secret to balance leading to spiritual growth is the exaltation of Jesus.  

The exaltation of Jesus brings the right amount of stress and rest to grow into His image, increasing our intimacy with Him. As Jesus is given the highest place, we are stressed with conviction as we behold the spotless Lamb of God who lived a sinless life. We are faced with a standard of holiness that only Christ provides. Jesus raises the bar. He increases the weight we must carry. He reminds us that we must possess a righteousness greater than that of the Pharisees to enter the Kingdom of God. He directly addresses the sinful desire of our itching ears to “relax one of the least of these commandments” and teach others to do the same. He warns us to not only avoid murder and adultery but to avoid anger with our brothers, any hint of lust, retaliation, and false promises, for all of these sins make us liable to fire. He commands us to love our enemies.

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:48)

Compared to other people we can feel good enough. Beholding Christ, we are convicted of our sin. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:22).  He did nothing apart from the Father.  This is the stress that comes from the exaltation of Jesus. There is no growth without this necessary stress in the equation. Flawed people lower standards. Exalting Jesus and not ourselves keeps us from lowered standards that lead to death. We must embrace His helpful, albeit stressful words on hell, sin, and judgement. 

Remembering our equation, conviction alone will not bring growth. Many have heard a false gospel that adds unbearable weight without resurrection power. It is true that chronic stress kills. The stress of God is not chronic. The true Gospel of Jesus brings conviction that is rightly balanced with encouragement. The spotless Lamb is also the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. As we are humbled by His holiness, we are lifted up by His completed work on the cross. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. In our own strength, a growing relationship with God is impossible…however, with God all things are possible. Combined with His standard of holiness set before us, He provides us with a righteousness through faith in His salvation that produces the deep rest needed to grow. To lift up Jesus is to magnify His finished work, providing rest for those who love Him and seek to obey His command to be Holy.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus (Matthew 11:28)

Spiritual maturity comes from a right relationship with God. A right relationship with God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way to the Father. 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus (John 14:6)

The exaltation of Jesus, the King of Kings, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, leads to our transformation into His image for His glory. The Spirit of God is at work where Jesus is exalted, bringing balance between conviction and encouragement that leads to continued growth. Run from those wolves that only convict or those that only encourage. May Jesus, the good Shepherd, be the prize on which our eyes are fixed. Seeking Him above all else, we will experience balanced conviction and encouragement that leads to ever-increasing joy in His presence. 

In Christ,

Roger Garrison

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.

Preparing for a Fruitful Harvest

There are many factors that influence the yield of a crop. There are big factors and little factors. We can influence these factors to varying degrees. Experienced farmers know how to prioritize their time and resources. A few years ago, without much knowledge, I finally got the courage to break ground for a community garden at Ranch Hope. For help, I sought the advice of Dr. Veg to get things started. As an answer to prayer, he not only provided consultation, he also volunteered many hours on site to make the vision become a reality.  

Dr. Veg, A.K.A. Steve Garrison, spent his career with Rutgers University studying how to improve the yield of different crops without jeopardizing taste and nutrition. Initially, I thought his mere presence would guarantee lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and watermelons for everyone. After our first meeting, Steve helped me quickly realize that success could not be guaranteed, only encouraged.   

I was caught off guard by his first two questions: “Have you done a soil test?” and “How will you prevent pest damage?” To Steve, it was premature and foolish to think about putting seeds into the ground before establishing the right setting for them to grow. As Thomas A. Kempis stated, “The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid.” Expecting a seed to produce a bountiful harvest without preparing and protecting the soil will lead to either great disappointment or greatly lowered expectations. This is also the case if we expect a great harvest when sharing truthful words with those we have not first loved. 

Just as scattering seed is easier than preparing soil, sharing the truth is easier than loving people. With little encouragement, we will gladly choose to “scatter seed” among the heathen, leaving the result to God, over the work it takes to love the heathen. The cutting of corners leads to assumptions to justify the outcome such as, “No one wants to hear God’s word anymore” or “Only God can change the heart”.  Hopeful expectations wane. I am reminded of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13. Maybe our eloquent presentation of truth sounds like a resounding gong because we have not love. Maybe this is the reason for gaining nothing.

To be jointly yoked with Christ is to make every effort to fertilize the soil with love before planting. James tells us that “wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 

 A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

Simply stated, connection comes before correction. Justification before sanctification. We were saved because He loved us while we were still sinners. In light of this, may we remember the words of our Lord: “As I have loved you, you must also love one another.” Jesus seeks to win our heart by first demonstrating His love to us. This is the secret of the harvest. To be involved in the harvest we must love. This is easier said than done. 

Jesus has reclaimed us by associating with us. He ate dinner with the “sinner”. He crossed cultural, racial, political, and societal boundaries for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Are we willing to lay down our selfish ambition to prepare the soil? He redeemed us by sacrificing His life for us. Are we willing to sacrifice what is ours to prepare the soil? He was long-suffering and patient as He remained with people through the renewal process after they struggled to maintain their commitment to Him. Are we willing to endure to prepare the soil? Like the keeper of the vineyard in Luke 13:8, may our request be for more time to work the soil, more time to demonstrate His love. His harvest results from a labor of love for God and others. May the Spirit of God make us able. 

 —Roger Garrison

Everlasting Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27 

The peace Jesus gives is not of this world. I pray the Spirit of God will help us define, pursue, and take hold of the peace that God gives while avoiding the entrapments of the peace offered by the world.  

In reading John 16:33 we see that Jesus and the world offer different types of peace. Before we go any further, it is imperative to recognize that the world does offer peace. Jesus does not deny this. Instead, He clearly states, “I do not give to you as the world gives.” It is crucial to understand that there is a peace that comes from the world that does not come from God. Lacking this understanding, I fear many wrongly attribute their current peace to God in vain. The roots of their folly will be exposed by the storms of life. May His Spirit reveal the type of peace we are seeking. 

The world’s peace is skillfully marketed and promoted by the prince and the power of the air, a.k.a. the devil.  He markets this peace to men, knowing the sinful, worldly desires of our flesh. He offers us a peace that can be earned; therefore, our flesh craves it. The one who earns this peace will definitely make a good name for himself. For some, signs of this peace may include large mansions, beachfront vacations, and hyperbolic chambers. However, many more pursue this counterfeit peace without ever catching it. It is crucial to recognize the incredible internal and external influencers selling this type of peace so we may be careful to avoid its enticing bait and snare. May we take a closer look at this peace that the world gives. 

The peace the world gives is based on circumstances. A circumstance is a situation or condition.  Furthermore, circumstance is defined as one’s state of financial or material welfare. This worldly peace is the one you will find most people working and praying for. It is the one God is often praised for though this peace is not from Him. This peace is ushered in with familiarity, predictability, and independence. It is the peace of a settler, one who establishes one’s own kingdom on earth. In Genesis chapter 11 we find an example of people searching for this kind of peace. 

“And it came about, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and  settled there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and fire them thoroughly.” And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar.  And they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth.” 

Here we see people who, after the chaos of the flood, seek peace. They want to settle down and make a home for themselves of the world. They don’t want to travel anymore. They see no need for further movement. Their goal is to get their circumstances just right so that they are satisfied and protected by the work of their hands. They endeavor to build themselves a dwelling that will be heaven on earth. This is the peace the world gives. This peace, at its best, is temporary and ends in everlasting torment. May God never give us our desires for this worldly peace that seeks self-exaltation. 

In contrast, in the next chapter of Genesis, we see God offering a different peace, His peace, to a man named Abram. God calls Abram to leave His settled life and follow Him, trusting that God himself will be his shield and great reward. In Genesis 15:6 we read that Abraham “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” This is the difference between the peace of God and the peace of the world: 

The peace the world gives changes with circumstances. The everlasting peace of God comes from knowing you have been made right with God in Christ. 

In the fourth chapter of Romans it is written, 

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. - Romans 4:20-25  

I can imagine Jesus saying to Abram, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Abraham stored his treasure in Christ by trusting in God’s promises. In Hebrews 11 it is written of Abraham, 

“By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” 

Like Abraham, God offers us a peace that grows when we trust in His promises. Unlike the world’s peace, this peace cannot be forfeited with the change of a circumstance. The Scriptures reveal to us that unshakable peace comes from beholding the glory of God in the person of Jesus.   

This peace comes not from peaceful circumstances, but from being made right with God.   

Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth  shall  spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. - Psalm 85: 10-13 

The peace Jesus gives is the peace that remains when comfortable circumstances turn uncomfortable. It is the peace that testifies that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. This is the peace that comes from knowing Jesus, our Savior, is Lord of all.   

Are you seeking peace by taking hold of the world, by settling down, by storing up treasures on earth or do you find peace by journeying with your Shepherd through this world into the very presence of God? You must put down the world’s peace to take hold of His. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.  

In Christ, 

—Roger Garrison 

 Further verses for encouragement: Isaiah 26:3; Numbers 6:24-26, John 14:24, John 16:33 

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.