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WORDS TO PONDER from
Dr. Bonnie Cornelious
An issue that often is discussed in sessions is forgiveness.
• Do we have to forgive?
• How do we forget?
• If God punishes sin, will we get to know so we can be sure that the person paid for his sins?
Intertwined are two realities. Being unable to forgive and mean it has serious mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual effects. These effects are much more likely consequences for the non-forgiver than they are for the one who needs forgiveness.
Remember the mind/body connection that we have discussed before. Withholding forgiveness as anger, disappointment, self-doubt, and many other emotions can certainly result in the effects listed above.
YES, forgiveness is required or we are also sinning. Scriptures that prove this point will be evident when we look at what God says about forgiveness.
In the matter of forgetting, we turn to prayer and handing the hurt over to God. The experience(s) is a part of the tapestry of your life so the dark threads can be viewed as making the bright threads-good experiences and blessings-even more vibrant. Forgiveness, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be a restoration of the relationship. Lessons are learned through negative experiences. If trust is broken, if untruths or confidences are repeated by a friend, if physical abuse or injury occurred, we need to make a wise, prayerful decision about any attempt to renew the relationship. What we must forget is bitterness and revenge.
Now for the means of protecting our spiritual health, we look at what God says:
• “When you stand to pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also.” Mark 11:25 (Note to self: We are all sinners. Some just sin differently from others.)
• “I say to you who hear Me, love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you.” Luke 6:27 (All of us can do good to those who love us and whom we love. God’s love is magnified when we follow this scripture.)
• “When someone does something bad to you, do not do the same thing to him. When someone talks about you, do not talk about him. Instead, pray that good will come to him. You were called to do this so you might receive good things from God.” 1Peter 3:9 (Sinning should not be our reaction to someone else’s sin.)
• “All bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice.”
Ephesians 4:31
Each of these scriptures tells a believer how to forgive and forget. Any wound we have suffered helps us realize the enormity of Christ’s suffering.
Lord, we pray that we can see, hear, and follow your instructions and truths. We know that you love us, that we are sinners, and that your Word helps protect our hearts from the evil one. Make our hearts pure so we would never want to hurt someone in the ways we have been hurt. We lay our hurts at the foot of the cross. Amen
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Hotdog Outreach! On Sunday, October 17th the Mission & Outreach Team is setting up right inside the entrance to the Fannettsburg Mobile Home Park to hand out hotdogs, chips, water, treats, and the love of Jesus! If you want to join in the fun and help spread the love, we'll be there from 4-5 p.m.!
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We are doing our best to bring up the children and youth entrusted to us at UPVPC in the love & knowledge of the Lord. Little by little our parents are bringing their children and youth back to the building! How can we help our young parents fulfill their promises made at baptism to plant the seeds of faith and be examples of Christ-like discipleship to their children? Pray, church! Learn the names of the children around you! Ask if there is anything you can be praying about for them! Build that relationship! Love them in Jesus' name!
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We are called to love the world Jesus came to save!
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Please continue sincere prayers for those in nursing or assisted living homes: Jim Campbell, Betty Campbell, and Lillian Parker. Your prayers for those homebound are needed for encouragement and faith: Phyllis Burns, Maxine Morris, Tim Browning, John Ciarrocca, George & Bonita Bair, Chris Walters, Jake & Clara Shearer, and Brooke Fischer.
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Worship in the UPVPC Sanctuary on Sundays at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Small groups for all, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
ONLINE worship on YouTube. |
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Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 128,
Spring Run, PA 17262
717-349-2603
www.upvpc.org
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