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Reflections from Pastor Jennifer
Have you ever had a person in your life who really believed in you? Someone who thought you had a lot of potential? Perhaps you had a teacher who told you you were smart. Maybe a family member encouraged you to pursue your dreams. Were you recognized by anyone for a special talent? If you had an experience like one of these, I hope that you made the most of it. If not, it is never too late! There is One who knows every great thing about you. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above (exceedingly, abundantly, above... exceedingly, abundantly, above) every dream we have ever had using the power that is within us! It is time to live up to all the potential inside you.
OCC
If you have not brought any dental care items, there is still time to get toothbrushes and floss. If you would like to get an early start on the items for March, the suggestion is a toy or hobby item. This could mean sewing/crochet/knitting kits. Fish hooks/lines/bobbers are great items. And toys are always a hit! Remember that the goal is to fill over 53 boxes, so give generously!
March Focus: Prayer
FSM
On Sunday, March 3rd, our First Sunday Meal will take place. Make plans for bringing friends and family to our service. Then let's enjoy a meal together!
Easter Movie
On March 29th or 30th, the Friday or Saturday (TBD) before Easter, we will have an outdoor Easter movie. Free concessions will begin at 7pm, followed by the movie at 7:30pm. We will also incorporate a prayer walk into this event (more information to come).
Easter Breakfast
You do not want to miss Easter breakfast on Sunday, March 31st. Breakfast and devotion will be held in the fellowship hall beginning at 10am. Invite everyone who will not be attending their home church on Easter Sunday.
“Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do” (1 Corinthians 13:5 CEV).
There’s a lot of faulty thinking about forgiveness. The act of forgiveness gets watered down, abused, and cheapened.
What is forgiveness really? Take a quick test by answering “true” or “false” to the following statements:
1. People should not be forgiven until they ask for it.
2. Forgiveness includes minimizing the offense and the pain that was caused.
3. Forgiveness includes restoring trust and reuniting a relationship.
4. You haven’t really forgiven until you’ve forgotten the offense.
5. When I see someone else hurt, then it is my duty to forgive the offender.
If you study the Bible, you’ll discover that all five of those statements are false.
Before we talk about what forgiveness really is, we have to talk about five things forgiveness is not:
1. Forgiveness is not conditional. In other words, it’s not based on somebody else’s response. Real forgiveness is unconditional. It’s not earned or deserved. It’s not based on some promise that you’ll never do it again. If you say to someone “I’ll forgive you if . . . ,” that’s not forgiveness. That’s bargaining.
2. Forgiveness is not minimizing the seriousness of the offense. There is a big difference between being wounded and being wronged. Being wounded is something that’s accidental and does not require forgiveness. Being wronged means someone intentionally meant to hurt you, and that requires forgiveness.
3. Forgiveness is not resuming a relationship without changes. The Bible teaches that forgiveness and restoring relationship are two different things. Forgiveness is instant. Restoring relationship means building trust over a long period of time. Forgiveness is your part in reconciliation. But for a relationship to be restored, the offender has to demonstrate genuine repentance, make restitution whenever possible, and rebuild your trust by proving he or she has changed over time.
4. Forgiveness is not forgetting what happened. It’s impossible to try to forget something. When you’re trying to forget something, what are you focusing on? The very thing you want to forget.
The key isn’t forgetting. The key is learning to see it through the lens of grace and God’s sovereignty and discovering how he can turn bad things into good in your life if you’ll trust him and respond in the right way.
5. Forgiveness is not my right when I wasn’t the one that was hurt. Only the victim has the right to forgive. You can’t forgive people who haven’t hurt you.
There is always a cost to sin. And there is always a cost to forgiveness. That’s why you have to understand what forgiveness is not before you can look at what forgiveness really is.
Talk It Over
1. Does it make it easier to forgive someone when you consider that forgiveness is unconditional? Why or why not?
2. Of the five things forgiveness is not, which do you struggle with the most? Explain why.