The Joy of Assurance; December 27, 2025

Posted on December 28, 2025 by jgarrott

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Once again we have a passage that I could essentially quote verbatim, but God can speak through the familiar as well as through the new. This particular verse was set to a very catchy tune over 50 years ago, and I can’t think of it without that tune running through my head. The point is the joy of confirmation. God speaks to us constantly, but our perception is spotty, and not necessarily accurate. These magi had been sure enough of what they felt God was saying that they went to the trouble and expense of a long trip, but even so, getting confirmation liked this blessed them immensely. We sometimes have similar experiences, though probably not as dramatic and even supernatural as this. Sometimes that confirmation comes long after the fact, when you get a deep assurance that you had done the right thing. Such assurances are never forgotten, and they are a deep blessing. The thing is, that’s what faith is all about. Hebrews 11:1 famously tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” When we have faith, we can have the assurance we need, even without the confirmation of external circumstances. There can be moments when the disconnect between our circumstances and what we know to be true is extreme, as when a believer is martyred and knows it is a great victory. That’s when faith really shines! We may not have a physical star to tell us we are following God, but we can have His light in our heart to give us just as much assurance. That’s not something we can work up on our own; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, it is a gift God delights to give His faithful children, and we should receive it with joy.

As I have commented many times, I feel I have been given the gift of faith, and I could hardly be more grateful. I haven’t seen major miracles, or things like that, but I have a rock-solid assurance that God is God, and that’s all I need to know. I see things all around me that the devil wants to use to tear me down, but I also see evidence all around me of God working to fulfill His good plans, and that’s as much as I need to know. I have had some pretty wonderful prophecies spoken to me, as well as one or two I don’t look forward to, but I know they’re all in relation to this world, and as such aren’t the end of the story. God has told me to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, and the better I do that, the easier I am for Him to use, and that’s my goal. By the human calendar we are coming to the end of a year. By the solar calendar, we’ve already passed the winter solstice. Where we are on God’s calendar is something only He knows, but that’s just fine. His plans are perfect!

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Thank You for the solid night of good sleep last night. It really makes a difference in our emotions, despite the cold. Help us rejoice in the assurance of faith throughout today and each day, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Wealth; December 26, 2025

Posted on December 27, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 2:24 … and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Here we have definitive proof that Mary and Joseph weren’t wealthy, because this sacrifice was specified in Leviticus for those who couldn’t afford a lamb. This strikes me as very interesting, because Jesus Himself was the Lamb of God! This brings to mind Paul’s reminder to the Corinthians that Jesus, though the Owner of the universe, became literally poor for our sakes. (2 Corinthians 8:9) We give lip service to the idea of Jesus having humbled Himself, as Paul expounded on in Philippians 2, but we don’t think very much about all that meant. I think the most important thing is to realize that material wealth is meaningless. James, as well as Paul, had a lot to say about that, but we tend to remain stuck in a materialistic mindset. We are quick to quote Jesus’ words, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33) speaking of our material needs, but we have a lot of trouble really living like that. We want to become wealthy, because “think of all the good I could do with that money,” but the money itself becomes our goal, and we become spiritually bankrupt. If Jesus never had a big bank account, what are we griping about? Particularly in countries like the US and Japan, the average person lives better, materially speaking, than over half the world’s population, not to mention the vast majority of our ancestors. We need to learn what it means to “lay up treasure in heaven!” (Matthew 6:20-21)

Growing up in a missionary family in post-war Japan, we had a complicated relationship with money. We were far from affluent by American standards, but particularly in my childhood, we were far better off than almost everyone around us. When my grandparents died, my parents inherited funds that they in turn passed on to us four children. I used all of my inheritance in building this building, but the Lord has met all of our actual needs down through the years, and when one of Cathy’s aunts passed, she left Cathy enough that, with Social Security and our Japanese pension, means we don’t have any financial worries. I’m a little uncomfortable with that, because that makes us better off than the majority of our church members. I understand my parents’ conflict! At this point we have little for which we want to spend money, which leaves me seeking God for His guidance as to accurate stewardship. I feel we have a pretty good “nest egg” in heaven at this point, and I’m happy with that. I want to live my life with God’s values and by His standards, for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your gracious provision, not just materially, but especially spiritually. May I be a good steward indeed of all that You place in my hands, for the sake of Your kingdom and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Processing Experiences; December 25, 2025

Posted on December 26, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

I can imagine Mary’s interview with Luke, all those years later. I can also understand that Mary couldn’t stop thinking about these things at the time. Simply giving birth is a traumatic experience, not to mention the circumstances of being in a barn – probably a cave – and then on top of that, have total strangers show up and say that an angel had told them about the baby! She had known from the start that this baby was special, and all these things piled up to confirm that. Thinking about what God allows us to experience isn’t a bad thing, because it allows those things to sink into us and grow us as God intends. Obsessing over things isn’t good, but failing to receive the lessons God gives us is bad. Once again, Mary is a good example to us, because she allowed all these events to become part of her, and they prepared her for the incredible task of raising the Son of God.

I am not the best judge of how well I have processed the lessons God has given me. I guess I’ll find out when I stand before Him in heaven. It’s odd to me which experiences seem to pop up in my memory, for no particular reason. I need to let the Lord show me the various reasons for those memories. I’m in the process of writing my autobiography, and I find that I’ll get through a period of my life and then remember something important that I’d skipped over. I’m thankful for computers, that make it easy to go back and insert material. What is most important to me is that my whole life has been, and continues to be, a story of God’s grace. My reason for writing is so that others may better realize what a gracious God we have, and open their own hearts to Him more fully. As I write, I need to let all those life experiences further work in me to shape me more into the likeness of my Lord, for that is the reason for my existence.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Thank You for getting us through the candlelight service last night, and that things went so well. Thank You for the two not-yet-Christians who attended, and for the evidence that You are working strongly in them. May their day of commitment, of rebirth as children of God, come soon, for their salvation and Your glory. And now that all these pressures are past, may I use each moment of each day to do Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Response to Christmas; December 24, 2025

Posted on December 25, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 2:6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

In this extremely familiar story, the thing that struck me just now is how normal everything was. This was a watershed moment in the history of the universe, but Mary and Joseph were doing what the government required of them, and Mary’s pregnancy proceeded on schedule. As an interesting note, a normal pregnancy is around 280 days, which is 10 lunar months, and that’s how the Japanese refer to it. The Japanese here says, “The months were fulfilled.” In some ways that seems more logical that the Western 9 months. Regardless, this was the most exceptional family in history, but they went through things one day at a time. Mary riding several days on a donkey probably guaranteed that Jesus wouldn’t be late arriving! We think of the birth happening soon after they arrived, but the text doesn’t specify that. It’s possible they camped outside a night or two, but when Mary went into labor, they wanted a roof over their heads. In any case, they didn’t have an Air BnB reservation! When Jesus came from heaven to be born as a human baby, absolutely no exceptions were made for His special status. He went through it all, just like we do. That leaves us no room to complain! I’m reminded of places like “dude ranches,” where tourists go to “experience the authentic West.” They aren’t getting an authentic experience, they are getting a whitewashed, cushioned version. Jesus’ time on earth wasn’t like that at all. Jesus lived our life for us and with us, and we need to remember that.

I feel like my life has been exceptional in numbers of ways. We were a missionary family, but we lived in an American style house and rode in an American car, in post-war Japan. That was very exceptional right there! I have been through various tight spots, but never through extreme poverty or tragedy. I very literally have nothing to complain about, but I have managed to complain about countless things over the years! I need to remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians, in Philippians 2:6-8, and let it percolate through my mind and heart. Jesus came, for me, and what have I done in response? Every moment of my life needs to be lived in obedient dedication to Him. Anything less is unworthy of who He is.

Father, thank You for this reminder. This is my 78th Christmas, though I certainly don’t remember the first ones. Keep me from just getting it over with. Help me rather be consumed with gratitude for all that You have done for me, so that I will be totally available for whatever You want to do through me, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Joseph; December 23, 2025

Posted on December 24, 2025 by jgarrott

Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Two days ago I preached on verse 21, but this verse also is very impressive. It speaks clearly of the character of Joseph, the man chosen to raise the Son of God. Mary tends to get most of the attention in this story, but Joseph was a huge player as well. Various words are used in English and Japanese to translate whatever the Greek word Luke used is to describe Joseph, but none of them entirely do him justice (even though the ESV uses “just” to describe him). Any man can imagine himself in this situation: you’re engaged, you haven’t been jumping the gun, and your fiancée turns up pregnant! Shock and disappointment don’t begin to describe it. That such a sweet, innocent girl as Mary would do such a thing! It’s hardly surprising that he wanted to call the wedding off, but that he wanted to do it all quietly, for minimum damage to Mary, speaks volumes. He was a man who put others ahead of himself, who did the right thing regardless of the cost to himself. God chose him well! That he responded as he did to the angelic dream described in the next verse speaks of his level of faith as well. Mary was a shining example of faith, but so was Joseph. Many have noted his similarity to Joseph the son of Jacob, who also had dreams from God, believed they were real, and acted on them. We don’t know many details about this Joseph, but I’d be willing to bet he was a very good carpenter/woodworker, very careful to do everything right for the sake of his customers. There’s a church in Mexico that has a very beautiful, technically very difficult, circular staircase that was built by a traveling carpenter who just gave his name as Joseph (Jose). Whether that was actually this Joseph, sent on a special mission, is not something that can be stated definitively, but it certainly seems to be in keeping with his character.

We’re back to the matter of fathers. Joseph wasn’t Jesus’ biological father, but he certainly filled the role beautifully. We have no record of when God took him home, but he was there during Jesus’ formative years at least. My father went home when I was a young father myself, when he was what now seems the very young age of 64. It seems odd that I’m 13 years older than that right now! He was a magnificent example to me, though imperfect. I could make a long list of common character flaws that he didn’t have! I can only pray that my own parenting has been similar. I would be delighted to have more input into my grandchildren, but I can and do pray for them, entrusting them to the only One who can truly keep them safe. I can also seek to be faithful, a trustworthy person to all with whom I interact. Joseph is certainly an example worthy of emulation.

Father, thank You for Your plan of the ages. It uses so many different people despite their imperfections. Help me fulfill the part You have for me, for as long as You keep me here, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Mary’s Faith; December 22, 2025

Posted on December 23, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

I don’t know how many times I’ve written on this verse, but it’s a lot. Even so, it still hits me every time I read it. I have been critical of Oral Roberts famous saying, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it,” maintaining that it should be, “God said it. That settles it.” However, this verse gives credence to Oral Roberts’ version, because there are many things we can’t appropriate until we believe them. Faith certainly brings blessings! Mary’s pregnancy was not the result of “spiritual rape,” but of her accepting in faith that God was going to do miraculous things through her. That’s one of the reasons the vast majority of the promises in the Bible are conditional. If we don’t believe them enough to fulfill the conditions, we won’t enjoy the blessings! God told Jeremiah something very pointed: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,  whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:5-7) In other words, prosperity will come, but you’ve got to trust God to see it. Mary was a beautiful example of faith, on every level. She was understandably nervous, but she trusted God anyway. The choice to trust was probably a daily activity! Once Joseph committed himself as her husband that probably settled down a good bit, but even so , there were countless unknowns. We too don’t know what tomorrow will hold. However, we too have God’s promises to us, as recorded in the Bible. We probably haven’t had direct angelic visitations the way Mary did, but the promises are just as valid. We don’t know all the details along the way, but we do know our final destination is absolutely glorious. As Paul said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) We just need to trust God and enjoy the journey.

As I keep referencing, God told me several years ago to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I’m still learning to do that! Yesterday was a very busy day, with the service in the morning and Christmas caroling in the evening, with neighborhood trash duty thrown in in the afternoon for good measure. However, it all went very successfully. I am particularly blessed by how blessed the last two homes were where we caroled. Both are church members. One is a very faithful older couple who don’t come out at night any more. They were floored and delighted that we showed up at their house. The other is an even older man whose wife passed a few years ago, who hasn’t come to the church building in a couple of years, but who listens online every week. He was moved to tears! As it happens, he was born in Taipei, and we had missionaries from Taiwan in our group. They were mutually excited and delighted! And then, as we do every year, we ended up with supper at a particular noodle restaurant and sang for them after we ate, and the staff was utterly delighted! To be honest, having that done and out of the way for another year is a huge relief for me, but the rewards were real, and beautiful. I need to keep trusting God in obedience, through the Christmas Eve candlelight service and the New Year’s Eve watchnight service, knowing that He will bring blessing to us and glory to Himself, regardless of my strength or endurance.

Father, thank You indeed for all You did yesterday. May I truly believe all that You have said to me, just as Mary did, so that all of Your plans for me may be fulfilled, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Individual Differences; December 21, 2026

Posted on December 22, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

As I said yesterday, Mary’s response to Gabriel was very different from Zechariah’s. She wasn’t questioning possibility as much as she was asking about mechanics. It’s possible you could rephrase her question as, “Are you about to rape me?” After all, this announcement concerned her in the most intimate way possible. Actually, her response to Gabriel is so calm that I feel sure God had prepared her for this encounter in advance, perhaps through dreams she didn’t remember specifically. In any case, the faith and commitment she demonstrated have been an inspiration to believers ever since. I wonder how many people she had told about this encounter before Luke interviewed her while Paul was in jail in Caesarea? (Acts 24-26) I think there is no question she told Elizabeth, during the events of tomorrow’s reading. That she would be so humbly submitted to God in such life-shattering circumstances is absolutely amazing. After all, an unmarried pregnancy could be punished by stoning! At the very least, she would expect severe social consequences, and she did have some of those. However, God had prepared a protector, a husband for her named Joseph, and he too demonstrated remarkable faith and submission. The gossip couldn’t have been easy on him, either! We do have some pretty amazing examples of faith to imitate, and each year at Christmas we should meditate on them and be inspired.

I have always had the highest respect for Mary, and Joseph, for that matter. I think the Catholics go too far in relation to Mary, but the Protestant reaction to that isn’t necessarily good. At the same time, I know that everyone’s situation is different, and we are individually responsible for how we respond to God. That’s one of the complexities of life: the interaction of the general and the individual. Those who are self-centered say, “You haven’t been through what I’ve been through.” That’s literally correct, but there are also general principles that apply to all mankind. Individual experiences aren’t to be discounted, but they also aren’t excuses for rejecting God. I am to let God show me the meaning of what He brings me through, growing me in the process, and as a pastor, I am to seek to help others understand their own life experiences. It is one of the miracles of the universe that there is infinite variety, yet God’s intimate, individual concern and love in each situation. I am not to be shocked at anyone, but rather transmit God’s love, grace, and holiness to them.

Father, thank You for this Word. I’ve encountered quite a gamut of people, and no two with identical stories. Help me respond to each one as You intend, so that they may fulfill Your plans for them, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Trusting God; December 20, 2025

Posted on December 21, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

I have heard various discussions as to the difference between Zechariah’s response to Gabriel and Mary’s (which will come up in tomorrow’s reading). To me, the Japanese makes it a little clearer. In the first place, Zechariah was explicitly looking at himself and his circumstances, his abilities, if you will. That’s never the best idea. We aren’t to ignore our circumstances, but we should always remember that God is far greater and more powerful than anything we face. I wonder if he was dealing with ED? He wanted proof so that he could know that what Gabriel had said was true, rather than choosing to believe an angel of the Lord. It is to me rather deliciously ironic that in response, Gabriel gave him an inability, the inability to speak, as proof of God’s ability. We often bring all sorts of unnecessary problems on ourselves by failing to believe and trust God. Gabriel’s proof to Zechariah was gentle and temporary, all things considered, but we sometimes incur pretty big loss by our failure to believe. We run into all sorts of difficulties in this life, just as Jesus said we would, (John 16:33) but our response to them makes all the difference in the world. We’ve got to remember that God is God, the Creator who spoke the universe into being, and nothing is too difficult for Him. Our approach to problems should always be one of anticipation to see how God is going to overcome them. He will never allow anything in our lives that He can’t use for good, if we will surrender it to Him in faith. (Romans 8:28)

I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve experienced this. I haven’t had the Lord tell me anything nearly as dramatic as what Gabriel told Zechariah, but I have seen how God has used my mistakes, my sins, even, and turned them around for good. Only He could do that! My life has been, and continues to be, a testimony to God’s grace. I have been given gifts and abilities that I have used, and some that I have squandered. And don’t get me started on opportunities! It is remarkable to me that it’s taken me this long to recognize some of this stuff. God is absolutely good, and He is absolutely faithful to fulfill His promises. I just need to keep growing in learning to trust Him to be true to Himself.

Father, thank You for this reminder. May I be more and more like Mary and less and less like Zechariah, so that in active faith I may flow with Your Spirit on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Fathers; December 19, 2025

Posted on December 20, 2025 by jgarrott

Luke 1:17 “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Reading this produces a hunger in me for this sort of ministry to be fulfilled in our day. A large chunk of society’s ills today can be said to come from the failure of fathers to indeed be fathers, in more than just the biological sense. Countless fathers are absent from their children’s lives, either physically or emotionally. The list of problems that arise when that happens is long indeed, but at the head of the list would be rebelliousness. That’s why this verse says that when the hearts of the fathers are turned toward their children, the hearts of the children will be turned toward the righteous. No human father is perfect, but when they genuinely care about their children, those children will seek out good role models. We have just had the horrific incident in which it seems that one of the sons of a very successful actor and director has brutally murdered his parents, stabbing them and cutting their throats. That’s just one extreme example, but the list of failures in fathering is genuinely limitless. We need fathers to understand what their role is in their children’s lives, and fulfill it in humble submission to Father God. The children that will then be raised up will then go on to heal the gaping wounds in society. All of that said, none of this is possible without the power and grace of God. We are all weak and foolish, but God will lead us in His perfect plan if we are humbly submitted to Him.

I was deeply blessed by a father who was certainly far above average, but he wasn’t perfect. I was the only one of his four children still at home when he realized he had let his children slide down his scale of priorities. The trip we made from Japan to America, just the two of us, because my mother had gone ahead of us by a week or more, still has a very warm place in my memory, because he made a concerted effort to be with me, not just physically present. That to me was a good example of what this verse says. I in turn have not been a perfect father to my daughters, but it gives me great joy to see, via long-distance images, the overflowing joy of my grandson-in-law at the prospect of his first child being born any day now. I pray that his heart would indeed continue to be turned toward this child, and any succeeding children, so that those children will grow up knowing and loving their heavenly Father as well.

Father, thank You that You don’t leave us wallowing in our stupidity. I do ask Your grace and mercy on the fathers of the world, that they would wake up to the incredible privilege and responsibility that is theirs, raising up children who will be and do all that You desire and intend, for the blessing of the world and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Cleansing; December 18, 2025

Posted on December 19, 2025 by jgarrott

Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,

I am struck by the fact that it is the Lord who will do the refining. We understandably get upset when we see or encounter people who claim to be servants of God, but their lives seem entirely inappropriate for that office. For that matter, we may look at ourselves and feel that same way! However, that’s not ultimately a problem for God. He isn’t pleased with it, but He can clean  it – and them – up, like it says here. God’s ultimate “miracle cleanser” is the blood of His Son Jesus. No sin or impurity can resist it! We rightly seek to repent of and root out sin in our lives, but there is only so much we can do. We need to trust the Master Refiner and trust ourselves and those around us to Him, so that all sin and impurity may be done away with.

Just yesterday the Lord set up an appointment with a Buddhist priest whom I have known casually for several years. He is past 90, but is remarkably alert and active. I have no idea how the conversation got around to it, but very quickly we were talking about salvation, and specifically, the assurance of salvation. The Lord guided my words beautifully, and the priest was honest in his responses. I said that anyone who is honest, the longer they live, the more they will acknowledge that they are a sinner. I’m not as old as he is, but at 77 I do have room to talk! I told him I enjoy living, but I have a huge anticipation of leaving this body behind. He said that at 89 he thought that was certainly long enough to expect to live, but then he realized he really liked living, and he wanted to keep doing it as long as possible. He said frankly that he had no assurance of any sort of bliss after death, and the fact that I have that assurance impressed him deeply. He said that Christian funerals seemed to have an element of joy, but there was none such in Buddhist funerals. This went on for over 20 minutes, and God was totally in control. Another friend, not yet a Christian, was also present, and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will take the words that were spoken and bring both of them to repentance and faith for salvation, for His glory.

Father, thank You for Your appointments! Thank You that Jesus is indeed the Refiner and Judge, and He can be trusted with my own life and with those around me. I pray that more and more would recognize their need of salvation and open their hearts to receive what You offer so freely, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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