Posted December 11, 2023 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Consider
When someone harms us with a thoughtless, selfish, or malicious act, we may instinctively respond by erecting an emotional barrier. This barrier gives us time to sort out what has happened, to decide what it means to us, and to determine whether we will simply let the offense go and take the barrier down or keep the barrier in place. Especially in cases where our trust has been betrayed, this barrier can harden into a stubborn wall of unforgiveness.
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Posted December 4, 2023 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Matthew 5:6 ESV
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Consider
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his disciples that God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Such yearning for right living motivates the believer not only to love and serve God but also to love and serve other people and to promote peace and well-being in the human community, whether local, national, or global.
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Posted November 27, 2023 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Consider
The author of Hebrews is warning Christians not to be tempted away from God and God’s ways by “sin’s deceitfulness.” Calling on the story of the rebellious Israelites, who turned away from God after their exodus from Egypt, the author warns Christians not to fall into the same trap.
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Posted November 20, 2023 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Isaiah 26:8-9a NLT
LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.
Consider
Who but Jesus has perfect faith? The Old Testament heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 are remembered for their examples of trusting God through difficult times. But did they ever doubt their faith in God? Like the desperate father who begged Jesus to release his demon-possessed son, did they ever cry out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief”?
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Posted November 13, 2023 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Psalm 12:1-4 NLT
Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the LORD cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”
Consider
Everyone enjoys ego strokes. We like to be complimented on our appearance or told we are doing a fine job. We feel good about ourselves when others reflect us positively. Why, then, must we be wary of flattering lips?
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