JULY 2021
SAVE THE DATE
7.4 | INDEPENDENCE DAY
PRAYER CORNER
Thank the Lord for our military personnel who have and are serving to protect us, our freedoms, and our way of life. Ask the Lord to bless and protect them daily. Pray for our government and that our leaders make decisions which reflect God’s will. Finally, ask the Lord to be with families with school-age children and to help them make the most and best of the summer break from school.
RECONCILIATION
By Bill Powell
When my grandmother was no longer able to live at home, my dad and his brother got her set up in a wonderful nursing home called Shady Rest. My uncle helped her move; Dad could not be there. My uncle took all my grandmother’s quilts she made along with other mementos and gave them to his second wife’s children. All the items were sentimental to my father. That was it for my dad. He refused to speak to his brother for many years, and they lived across the street from each other.
Let me ask you a few questions. Are you not speaking to someone for one reason or another? Did someone make you mad or offend you? Are you over someone or avoiding them like the plague? Do you spend too much time trying to read between the lines? Statements like, “I know what they were thinking”. Or, “I am not stupid. I know what they are getting at”.
Do you think you may have at one time or another misread someone or have taken something the wrong way or in a way it was not intended? Let us assume someone who you were friends with for a long time or maybe a relative did say or do something hurtful. I guess what I am getting at, is there someone you need to forgive, or are you harboring ill will based on misinformation or just stubborn pride? Maybe it’s the reverse.
When my mother passed away, I went up north for the funeral. I asked my dad about Uncle Gene, and he gave me the lowdown concerning the keepsakes. I think what I talked to him about speaks to all the above questions. I let him know I understood why he was upset. I said, “Dad, are we all not sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God? Can any of us say we have not said or done things that caused hurt? Do two wrongs make a right?” We talked about how Jesus doesn’t treat us like we deserve and that if we confess our sins, he is willing to forgive us our sins. (Rom 5:8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Forgiving does not mean we agree with a wrong. The Lord resists the proud, and too often that is the stumbling block. Are we so high and mighty that we cannot forgive and forget? Jesus left us an example, and we are to follow in his steps. Why not forgive, forget, or why not say you’re sorry and patch things up? We do not always have to agree, but we should strive to always get along. We should not carry a grudge.
(Rom 12:18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
(Col 3:13) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
The scriptures do teach us caution, however. Should we wink at or ignore sinful behavior? No nor should we put ourselves in danger or expose ourselves to those who would corrupt us or make us an accessory to immoral behavior.
(1Co 15:33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
(1Co 5:11) But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
Our speech and conduct should reflect the love of God to all we encounter. We should forgive and pray for those who cannot see their sin. We should look to uncover our sins. Yes, avoid the egregious, but put aside the petty and give grace to others.
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