Posted December 11, 2017 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
2 Samuel 24:13-14, 25 (NLT)
So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the LORD who sent me.” “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”…David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings.
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Posted December 4, 2017 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
1 Samuel 26:7-11 (NLT)
So David and Abishai went right into Saul’s camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him.
“God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!”
“No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the LORD’s anointed one? Surely the LORD will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.
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Posted November 27, 2017 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Consider
One of the hardest things to forgive is losing a dream or a future we’ve been counting on because of someone’s harmful action. Perhaps a child is molested, and an unspoiled future is lost. A parent suffers estrangement from an adult son or daughter whose choices have caused friction and harm in the family. Criminal activity cheats a couple out of their retirement money.
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Posted November 20, 2017 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Numbers 14:19-23 (MSG)
“Please forgive the wrongdoing of this people out of the extravagance of your loyal love just as all along, from the time they left Egypt, you have been forgiving this people.”
Consider
In all the years since the Israelites were freed from bondage in Egypt, they seem to have learned nothing about God’s grace and power. Now on the brink of entering the Promised Land, they grumble about their hardships and threaten to abandon the quest and return to slavery in Egypt.
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Posted November 13, 2017 | Judith Ingram
Scripture
Matthew 26:59-63a (NIV)
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent.
Consider
Jesus’ trial was rigged from the start.
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