Author Archives: jgarrott

About jgarrott

Born and raised in Japan of missionary parents. Have been here as an adult missionary since 1981.

Human Weakness; August 12, 2021

Posted on August 15, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Every time I read this passage I remember an experiment that was done in the early days of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Uncategorized | Tagged assurance, excuses, faithfulness, follow through, God's grace, good intentions, obedience to God, repentance, temptation, translation, weakness | Leave a comment

Last Days; August 11, 2021

Posted on August 14, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. People have been reading this chapter for 2000 years and responding either rightly or … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged apostasy, B. J. Thomas, death, emotion, endurance, fervor, fulfillment of prophecy, Last Days, love, marriage, prophecy, spiritual growth, trusting God | Leave a comment

Already/Not Yet; August 10. 2021

Posted on August 13, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Here, or in the slightly more specific record in Mark 11:24, Jesus says something so extreme that it is shocking. Frankly, it violates both our logic … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged already/not yet, answers to prayer, faith, God's grace, not giving up, prayer, repentance, sin, spiritual growth, time | Leave a comment

Marriage; August 9, 2021

Posted on August 13, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 19:6 “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Because I use this passage every time I do premarital counseling, I have it essentially memorized in Japanese. As I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged BLM, cancer, conflict, divorce, male female differences, marital unity, marriage, marriage counseling, sex | Leave a comment

Growing Faith; August 8, 2021

Posted on August 10, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 14:31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” This story is certainly a “Sunday school staple,” told to every child in church, but with equal frequency it … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged faith, spiritual growth, walking on water | Leave a comment

Ministry; August 7, 2021

Posted on August 10, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” The prayer in today’s reading is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged being used by God, divine appointments, evangelism, God's supply, lifestyle, ministry, prayer, witnessing | Leave a comment

Jesus’ Authority; August 6, 2021

Posted on August 9, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” This is a famous story, but do we really … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged accountability, assurance, authority, faith, humility, obedience to God, prayer, responsibility | Leave a comment

Trusting God; August 5, 2021

Posted on August 9, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Just because a Scripture is familiar … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged A Pure Heart, entitlement, faith, Father God, Father knows best, needs vs. wants, prayer, puns, trusting God | Leave a comment

Standards; August 4, 2021

Posted on August 7, 2021 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Standards are important. Without standards, it’s very hard to evaluate anything. The flip side of that is that if our standards are skewed we are in deep trouble, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged comparisons, conscience, dependence on God, giving up, God's grace, humility, improvement, perfectionism, pride, rest relax rejoice, spiritual growth, standards | Leave a comment

God’s Supply; August 3, 2021

Posted on August 5, 2021 by jgarrott

Zechariah 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone. I think many modern readers completely miss … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged asking God, Baal, entitlement, God's supply, needs, prayer, rain, stewardship, trusting God, water | Leave a comment

	Liam OD on Status; March 16, 2026
	Liam OD on Evangelism; February 28, …
	joseph elon lillie on Morning Devotions; February 2,…
	Liam OD on Mary’s Faith; September…
	Owen on Family; February 11, 2020