Remember that kindness and compassion change both the giver & receiver.Ephesians 4:32
Clara Barton founded the Red Cross, a corps of nurses and doctors who treated the wounded during the Civil War. Clara had a great heart for kindness and compassion toward all people. A fellow nurse once mentioned a wrong that a mutual friend had done to Clara. Asked if she remembered the incident, Clara replied, "I distinctly remember forgetting that one."
Kindness and compassion are qualities every woman should develop. Those qualities help you enjoy friendly and cordial relationships. Many stories have been told about how kindness won the day when strength, hardness, and determined resistance only led to war.
At times, strength is necessary. More often, kindness and compassion change both the giver and the receiver.
Ephesian 4:32 tells you to offer friendship, understanding, and forgiveness, not only to your friends, but also to those who sin against you. The same way Jesus erased your sins and promises never to bring them up again, so he expects you to offer forgiveness to those who hurt you.
Clara Barton revealed a second level of forgiveness that you shouldn't miss. Her remembering to "forget that one" is how you should forgive. Sometimes it takes a while to get a hurt out of your mind. How many of you today continue to carry a burden from your past that you can't let go? Is it eating you up inside making you miserable?
Selah people' and friends I must tell you that I've learned in my 40 years on this earth the best way to deal with it is to refuse to dwell on it and simply decide not to dredge up all the details. Details my friends can be fuel to a fire that we need to extinguish. Just put whatever it is out of your mind every time it occurs to you. Don't give it any place in your life...don't let it rob you of the joy that Christ wants for you today.
"Forgiveness is a process. The day after someone wrongs you may make your forgiveness tough, but if you won't let the wrong simmer and stir within you, eventually it will be gone forever."
Your pastor,
Rev Patrick Muston
Selah Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Four Oaks, NC
Last weeks sermon shared by our very special guest who was raised up in Selah Church ~ Rev Jean Hood He shared this message during a our Veteran's Day service held at Selah Christian Church on November 8th, 2009...
Sermon: "Remember The Day"
Scripture: Exodus 13: 3-5,8-10,14
Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost ~ Click link to listen to both parts of Rev Hood's message:
http://selahmedia.tripod.com/
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