Posts Categorized: Devotional

Flattering Lips

Posted April 30, 2018 | 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.

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In the Wake of Loss

Posted April 23, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture
Luke 24:13-21a (NRSV)
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other, while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know?”

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Enemy or Neighbor?

Posted April 16, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Matthew 5:43-45 (NRSV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Consider

Who is my enemy? The word enemy may sound a little extreme, so instead we might ask ourselves, what sort of person is difficult for me to love? I could put together a list of people who do not look, speak, or think like me.

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Christ with Us

Posted April 9, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

John 14:15-17 (NRSV)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

Consider

In the hours before his arrest, Jesus spends private time with his disciples, encouraging them to carry on his ministry after he is taken from them. “Don’t be scared,” he says. “Remember the love we’ve shared. Continue the Father’s good work.”

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Strength to Forgive

Posted April 2, 2018 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Psalm 119:49-50 (NRSV)

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my distress, that your promise gives me life.

Consider

The act of forgiveness is grounded in hope. We forgive in the hope of repairing the damage done by a painful or destructive act. We offer our offender a second chance and hope he or she will make a better choice the next time. We imagine a healed relationship and open the door to reconciliation, hoping the other person will step through.

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