https://www.facebook.com/groups/muchgrace/
(Colossians 3:13) "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
In this series, we're delving deeper into the teachings that Jesus left us to follow. The seventh commandment leads us to our next focus: FORGIVENESS ...
I've received two beautiful responses on Forgiveness, which I'll share with you ...
This one, from our brother David... "One other point that is subtly expressed in the scripture where Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness: He says, "How many times must I forgive my brother?" My BROTHER: not a stranger, not an acquaintance, or an enemy, but my ‘brother’. The Scripture helps us to understand that even people really close to us are likely to hurt us - even repeatedly! As we develop deep relationships, it's natural that we might experience hurt along the way. But it’s important for us to grow those relationships, and forgiveness will need to be part of that development. We will have to be prepared to be vulnerable and open, and risk being disappointed or even hurt…. Jesus’s reply clearly implies that God‘s grace will be sufficient in our weakness! Which is just as well! ... David xx
This one is from our sister Diane... "A 100-year-old war veteran appeared on breakfast TV during the remembrance period and asked why his friends died for this country when nothing has changed. He meant the poverty and the right-wing rhetoric. He was quoted several times, but the news cycle moved on. I understood completely what he meant and how he had dealt with the horrors and loss by saying it was for a better world for future generations. God's message is never out of date or irrelevant because it deals with the wickedness of man's hearts. The question is, how does He keep loving us when that poor war veteran justifiably couldn't?" ... Diane xx
While David's view is straightforward, Diane emphasises the profound impact of veterans' sacrifices on society. She especially highlights a veteran's frustration with ongoing issues such as poverty and divisive rhetoric, showing that, despite their sacrifices, these problems persist.
BUT ALL IS NOT LOST! Jesus' teachings about GOD's unconditional love and forgiveness, highlighting this through parables like the Prodigal Son. His messages, such as the Sermon on the Mount, encourage compassion and humility, illustrating the contrast between GOD's Divine love and human flaws. This underscores the tension between our hopes for a better world and the challenges we encounter, reassuring us of GOD's enduring love.
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Let us pray, "Heavenly Father, we come before You, grateful for Your unwavering love and forgiveness. Help us not to focus on all the negatives, but instead to embrace Your teachings of compassion and humility. May Your Divine love guide us to strive for a better world, understanding that Your Grace endures despite our flaws." Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)