Category Archives: encouragement

January 1, 2017

Posted on January 6, 2017 by jgarrott

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. It’s interesting … Continue reading →

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December 31, 2016

Posted on January 1, 2017 by jgarrott

Lamentations 3:25-26 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Any time we read Lamentations it’s important to remember … Continue reading →

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December 30, 2016

Posted on January 1, 2017 by jgarrott

Luke 2:50-51 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. It struck me as I read this just now that there were communication problems … Continue reading →

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December 29, 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by jgarrott

Matt 2:15 And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew emphasized the fulfillment of prophecy more than any other New Testament writer, making it clear that he was … Continue reading →

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December 28, 2016

Posted on December 30, 2016 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Confirmation can be wonderful indeed. We indeed walk by faith and not by sight, (2 Corinthians 5:7) but occasional visual confirmation is very comforting. Particularly before GPS, spotting a landmark … Continue reading →

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December 27, 2016

Posted on December 30, 2016 by jgarrott

Luke 2:39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. This seems like almost a throw-away line to advance the narrative, and actually it … Continue reading →

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December 26, 2016

Posted on December 28, 2016 by jgarrott

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. Simeon was one of the last people to experience … Continue reading →

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December 25, 2016

Posted on December 28, 2016 by jgarrott

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Every part of the Christmas story is very familiar, and this verse too has … Continue reading →

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December 24, 2016

Posted on December 27, 2016 by jgarrott

Luke 2:3 And everyone went to his own town to register. It has been interesting to me that this is something that Japanese understand much more easily than Americans. Japan has had a system of registration for hundreds of years, … Continue reading →

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December 23, 2016

Posted on December 27, 2016 by jgarrott

Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” What’s in a name? In current American culture, not a whole lot. Back … Continue reading →

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