Tag Archives: spiritual growth

Guidance; January 30, 2026

Posted on January 31, 2026 by jgarrott

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,    a light on my path. This verse is familiar to the point of burnout. We sing it to four different musical arrangements, and probably even the most casual believer in this church has … Continue reading →

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Knowing God; January 28, 2026

Posted on January 29, 2026 by jgarrott

Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted    so that I might learn your decrees. At first glance, this verse might seem to be downright masochistic, particularly in the Japanese translation, but that’s not it at all. It’s all … Continue reading →

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Listen! ;January 24, 2026

Posted on January 25, 2026 by jgarrott

Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord,    teach me your paths. This theme is repeated many times in David’s Psalms, and God granted his request at least as many times. David had no education, as we think of it, but God taught … Continue reading →

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Teaching; January 17, 2026

Posted on January 18, 2026 by jgarrott

2 Chronicles 17:7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. Jehoshaphat had the authority and he knew what needed to be done, so he … Continue reading →

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God’s Choice; January 14, 2026

Posted on January 15, 2026 by jgarrott

2 Samuel 7:8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.’” God’s timing is perfect. Just yesterday, a friend of mine … Continue reading →

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Obedience; January 11, 2026

Posted on January 12, 2026 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 11:1 Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Reading this today, I think we feel something of a disconnect between Moses telling the people to love God, and then doubling down on … Continue reading →

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More Training; January 10, 2026

Posted on January 11, 2026 by jgarrott

Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. I was torn in reading this, whether to write on verse 3, that Jesus quoted to the devil when He was … Continue reading →

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Representing Christ; December 28, 2025

Posted on December 29, 2025 by jgarrott

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” This declaration by John is one … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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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 … Continue reading →

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