Tag Archives: spiritual growth

JOY; February 23, 2020

Posted on February 25, 2020 by jgarrott

2 Corinthians 12:19 Everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. This should be true for every minister of the Gospel, but sadly, ministers struggle with being self-centered just like everyone else. I think the majority at least have … Continue reading →

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Gender; February 15, 2020

Posted on February 21, 2020 by jgarrott

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. These two verses together like this violate all sorts of societal expectations. In the first place, “be manly” … Continue reading →

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Churchese; February 8, 2020

Posted on February 10, 2020 by jgarrott

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Edification is a word that gets used a good bit in church but hardly anywhere else. Considering that an edifice is an … Continue reading →

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Overcoming Evil; February 6, 2020

Posted on February 9, 2020 by jgarrott

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. The whole passage from verse nine on reads like a collection of pithy aphorisms, like we find in Proverbs. It really makes me think of the messages … Continue reading →

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Suffering; February 1, 2020

Posted on February 6, 2020 by jgarrott

Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts … Continue reading →

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Abiding; January 12, 2020

Posted on January 16, 2020 by jgarrott

John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Verse 32 is widely quoted, … Continue reading →

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God’s Standard; December 16, 2019

Posted on December 20, 2019 by jgarrott

Matthew 5:46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” The whole Sermon on the Mount lays out a standard that seems impossibly high to us, simply because … Continue reading →

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Pleasing God; December 15, 2019

Posted on December 19, 2019 by jgarrott

Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Everything about Jesus pleased the Father. The more I think about that, the more remarkable it becomes. As human … Continue reading →

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Things God Hates; December 13, 2019

Posted on December 15, 2019 by jgarrott

Zechariah 8:16-17 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I … Continue reading →

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Fathering; December 5, 2019

Posted on December 8, 2019 by jgarrott

Hosea 11:3 “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.” Hosea really shows us the heart of God, and that heart hasn’t changed. This … Continue reading →

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