Posts Categorized: Forgiving Day-by-Day

Faithful Despite Doubts

Posted November 20, 2023 | Judith Ingram

Scripture

Isaiah 26:8-9a NLT

LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.

Consider

Who but Jesus has perfect faith? The Old Testament heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 are remembered for their examples of trusting God through difficult times. But did they ever doubt their faith in God? Like the desperate father who begged Jesus to release his demon-possessed son, did they ever cry out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief”?

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Flattering Lips

Posted November 13, 2023 | 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. Why, then, must we be wary of flattering lips?

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Enemy or Neighbor?

Posted November 6, 2023 | 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?

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Christ with Us

Posted October 30, 2023 | 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.”

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Strength to Forgive

Posted October 23, 2023 | 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. We hope that forgiving will close the book on the offense so we can move on.

Continue reading >>

Share
Comment

Subscribe!

Want my free resource,  “Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Relationships,” plus my latest posts, delivered to your email inbox?

Judith’s Books