Monthly Archives: August 2016

Caring for Family

Posted August 29, 2016 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Matthew 25:37-40 (NRSV)

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

Consider

This passage has long served as a commissioning creed for Christian missionaries around the globe.

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Three A’s of a Troubled Heart

Posted August 22, 2016 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

John 14:1 (ESV)

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Consider

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. It has been said that if you truly believe this very first sentence in Genesis, then you will have no trouble believing the rest of the Bible.

Furthermore, if you believe with all your mind and heart that God is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of everything you are, everything you know, and everything you see around you, then it will be easier for you to relinquish control over your circumstances.

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I Had No Choice

Posted August 15, 2016 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Romans 8:14-15 (NIV)

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

Consider

As much as we like to think we are in charge of our choices, we can all admit to times when we felt compelled to act in particular ways, perhaps against our will or better judgment. We may have reacted without thinking or followed a wrong path out of fear or habit. We may have hurt others or ruined a relationship for reasons we can’t explain.

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Two Sides of Mercy

Posted August 8, 2016 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Psalm 123:3-4 (NRSV)

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Consider

Who has not experienced the scorn of an arrogant person or the ridicule of someone trying to elevate himself at your expense? When have you suffered an insult in silence because you did not want to lose your job or engage in a conflict you knew you could not win?

We live in a world of sin. Sin makes people selfish.

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Sharing God’s Sorrow

Posted August 1, 2016 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Matthew 26:36-38 (NLT)

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Consider

In the painful hour before his arrest, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch with him. God’s heart beating in the Son felt sorrow and grief, and in his distress he sought the comfort and companionship of his closest friends.

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