Author Archives: jgarrott

About jgarrott

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

Church Growth; October 31, 2018

Posted on November 3, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged church growth, growth, numerical growth, organism, organization, priesthood of the believer, reproduction, The Body of Christ, the Headship of Christ | Leave a comment

Gifts; October 30, 2018

Posted on November 2, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This theme is mentioned repeatedly in the New Testament, elsewhere by Paul (1 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 12:6) and Peter (1 Peter 4:10). Different words … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged accomplishment, designer babies, DNA, gifting, gifts, God's grace, pastoral ministry, satisfaction, self-deprecation | Leave a comment

Faith; October 29, 2018

Posted on November 2, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged faith, God's love, God's plans, God:s power, imagination, indulgence, parenting, trusting God | Leave a comment

Gifts; October 28, 2018

Posted on October 30, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 3:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you. This theme comes out again and again in the Bible: “given to me for you.” God’s gifts are seldom if ever … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged community, focus, gifting, God's gifts, greatness, individuals, mid-life crisis, pride, spiritual gifts | Leave a comment

Political Correctness; October 27, 2018

Posted on October 29, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 2:12 Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. We are very blessed that political correctness … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step programs, acknowledging problems, dog whistles, honesty, I'm OK You're OK, offence, political correctness, racism, sin, speaking the truth in love | Leave a comment

Faithfulness; October 26, 2018

Posted on October 29, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians is incredibly loaded with vital, deep truth. The first part of this verse is something … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged agnostics, atheists, Creator God, Ephesians, faith, faithfulness, meaning, ministry in Japan, plans, purpose in life, the task at hand | Leave a comment

The Word of God; October 25, 2018

Posted on October 28, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. With the magnificence of all that Paul writes … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged Ephesians, God's Word, knowledge, revival, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, words | Leave a comment

God’s Blessings; October 24, 2018

Posted on October 26, 2018 by jgarrott

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Paul was addicted to long sentences, which is extremely awkward for translators … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged clear writing, God's grace, God's love, God's truth, gratitude, Greek, infinite god, obedience, spiritual blessings | Leave a comment

Mocking God; October 23, 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018 by jgarrott

Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged destruction, focus, grace, hedonism, holy living, hope, logic, pleasing the flesh, pleasing the Holy Spirit, reason, walking in the light | Leave a comment

Freedom; October 22, 2018

Posted on October 25, 2018 by jgarrott

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The section from this verse through the end of the chapter is so … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged free will, freedom, hedonism, liberty, paradoxes, resisting the devil, serving God, serving people, sin | Leave a comment

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