Posted March 21, 2016 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Matthew 21:12-13 (NLT)
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
Consider
The Scripture passage Jesus quotes is from Isaiah 56. The complete quote is, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
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Posted March 14, 2016 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
1 Peter 2:19-21 (TLB)
Praise the Lord if you are punished for doing right! Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it, and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.
Consider
God is not pleased by our suffering any more than a mother is pleased when her child is hurt by a bully at school. When we hurt, God hurts because he loves us.
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Posted March 7, 2016 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Proverbs 17:9 (NLT)
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Consider
Webster’s dictionary describes “dwelling” as living or remaining in one place. To dwell is to linger long enough for the place to become familiar and comfortable. Likewise, to dwell on someone’s fault is to linger on that fault until we know it well. We hold it close, memorize it, and rehearse how we will share it with others. When we’ve been personally offended, our thoughts may naturally slide into this temporary residence and refuse to leave it.
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Posted February 29, 2016 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Matthew 16:13-18 (NRSV)
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Consider
Names are important. How we label ourselves reflects who we think we are and where we belong in the world. In his hometown Jesus was known as the carpenter’s son.
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Posted February 22, 2016 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Consider
This passage catches us in the middle of a story. Jesus has been preaching the Word of God to a crowd of listeners. They’ve press in on him so hard that he must climb into Simon’s boat and finish his preaching from there.
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