Posts Categorized: Devotional

Do Not Steal

Posted September 14, 2020 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Exodus 20:15 NIV

“You shall not steal.”

Consider

Do not steal. It’s the eighth commandment given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, and the intent seems plain enough: Don’t take someone’s wallet; don’t steal his car. Don’t empty your neighbor’s bank account using a false identity. Deeper study, however, reveals the “do not steal” principle permeating several other commandments as well:

#6 Do not murder (don’t steal your neighbor’s life).

#7 Do not commit adultery (don’t steal your neighbor’s spouse).

#8 Do not steal (don’t steal your neighbor’s possessions).

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Breaking the Chains of Disappointment

Posted September 7, 2020 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

2 Peter 2:19 NIV

People are slaves to whatever has mastered them.

Psalm 146:7 NIV

The Lord sets prisoners free.

Consider

If I find that I cannot get past a hurtful event, or if forgiving the person who offended me seems impossible, then I have made myself a prisoner of that relationship disappointment. Note the wording: I have not made myself a prisoner of the person but of the relationship disappointment. My offender may have no wish to exert power over me or to see me suffer. Indeed, he or she may be unaware of my pain, may have moved on, or might even have died.

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Holy Occupation

Posted September 1, 2020 | Judith Ingram

Scripture 1 Peter 2:10-12 NLT “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to […]

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In Satan’s Grip

Posted August 24, 2020 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Job 3:1-2, 25-26 NIV

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said, “…What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.”

Consider

The ancient patriarch Job, an “upright and blameless” servant of God, is brought to his knees when every worldly comfort is taken from him: his livelihood, his children, and finally his health. Miserable in his losses, humiliated and suffering acute physical pain, Job laments to his friends that the God of his devotion has abandoned him.

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Facing A Brother’s Anger

Posted August 17, 2020 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Matthew 5:23-24 ESV

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.

Consider

The wording of this passage has always intrigued me. I somehow expect Jesus to say, “If you remember that you have something against your brother, go and be reconciled.” Well, okay, that makes sense. God wants us to be forgiving. Instead, Jesus requires something more difficult.

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