Posts Categorized: Devotional

Your Positive Pole

Posted October 29, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Luke 6:27-31 (NIV)

Consider

Have you ever tried to push together the negative poles of two magnets? They repel each other, and the more you try to force them together, the stronger they resist connection. Short of an overriding external force, the only way those two magnets will come together is if one of them flips its position and approaches the other with its positive pole.

Relationships can be like that. When we are in the throes of conflict, approaching each other with our negative poles only increases our resistance to each other.

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Love Without Pause

Posted October 8, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT)

Consider

One key verb unlocks the first six verses of this beautiful psalm: know. Lord, you know everything about me.

More than a simple understanding, God’s knowing of the psalmist is the very same verb used in Genesis 4:1 to describe Adam’s sexual knowing of his wife, Eve. The psalmist feels naked and vulnerable under the intensity of God’s attention. He proceeds to describe all the ways that God knows him, from external activities to his innermost thoughts. God knows him so well that even the psalmist’s words are anticipated before he utters them.

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Glad to Forgive

Posted October 1, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

Consider

There is a striking truth in the above passage: God delights to show mercy. The Israelites had rejected and offended God with their wicked ways, yet God was glad to forgive the very ones who had betrayed his friendship.

What about us? Are we glad to forgive and eager to show mercy when we’ve been hurt or betrayed? What should our response be if we are to follow God’s example?

The passage gives us three practical hints for forgiving like God:

You do not stay angry forever. Micah tells us that God was angry.

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Seeds for Sowing

Posted September 24, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (CEB)

Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.

Consider

To the modern church-goer, this passage will be familiar as the text pastors like to quote during fundraising campaigns.

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My Brother’s Keeper

Posted August 20, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Genesis 4:8-9 (NRSV)

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

Consider

When God questions Cain about his actions, Cain gives a classic denial of accountability. The Message captures the sarcasm: “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?”

In his flippant response, Cain nevertheless raises a serious question for which we need an answer.

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