Posted January 26, 2015 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Psalm 90:12 (New Living Translation)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Consider
It is not wise to think we have all the time in the world to mend a relationship, to say what needs to be said, or to ask for someone’s forgiveness. We might let a difficult situation drift either because we don’t know what to do about it or because we are unwilling to do what needs to be done.
Although we can’t know how much time we really have, we can trust God to supply us with all the resources we need to accomplish his work for us today.
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Posted January 19, 2015 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
1 Peter 4:19 (The Living Bible)
So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.
Consider
Being a Christian is not a guarantee against pain. In fact, Jesus warns us to expect it, but he also promises us peace if we look for him in the moments of our suffering.
Our story is part of God’s story, and our kinship with him gives our suffering meaning. God uses our suffering to teach us about his faithfulness and our need for his perspective to get us through the difficult times.
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Posted January 12, 2015 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
James 1:14-15 (New Living Translation)
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
Consider
Not all desires are evil. God wired our bodies and brains to tell us what we need—food, shelter, sex, sleep. Our hearts also alert us to legitimate needs for companionship, communion with God, reassurance that we matter, a sense of purpose. God works with our desires to teach us to trust in his love for us.
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Posted January 5, 2015 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Matthew 23:13-14 (New Living Translation)
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.”
Consider
When we choose to follow Christ as Lord, he commissions us to be his ambassadors. The apostle Paul tells us that God makes his appeal to the world through the good deeds of his people.
Our peacemaking efforts, especially under difficult circumstances, can turn people’s minds and hearts toward God.
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Posted December 29, 2014 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Proverbs 18:13 (New International Version)
He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.
Consider
It’s been said that God gave each of us two ears but only one mouth for good reason: talking + talking – listening = conflict. Just imagine how many novels would be left unwritten if on the first page the characters would just sit down and listen to each other. If there’s no conflict, there’s no story!
James 1:19 tells us we should be quick to listen but slow to speak.
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