| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “The end of anxiety and despair” Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13 (CSB) Our thought for today: “It’s all about grace” I have often jokingly accused our church of being like the Star Wars bar. I’m referring to a scene from the first Star Wars movie. Hans Solo and Chewbacca are in an inter-planetary bar. It’s filled with the weirdest creatures from across the solar system. There’s a purple guy with octopus-like tentacles. Then there’s the green man with a single eye in the middle of his forehead. There are large brown creatures with four arms, and small yellow ones with fur and pointed ears. You get the picture. It was a very strange group. But they all get along. They accept each other as they are and they just enjoy themselves. We’re like that at Oak Hill Baptist. We’re all just a little odd and quirky (me especially), but we love each other, accept each other, and we get along well. Rarely are there any squabbles or disputes, and rarely does anyone make an issue out of anyone else’s less-than-perfect habits or mannerisms. Sometimes there is a big deal that does have to be addressed but it’s rare (most things really aren’t worth arguing about and easily can be, and should be, shrugged off). We talking about grace extended to others and it’s a key to learning to live without (or at least with less) anxiety and despair. In yesterday’s devotional I encouraged us all to give ourselves a break. Today I’m calling us to give others a break. Go a little easier on yourself, and go a little easier on others. I’m not saying we should ignore sin. This is a call to stop being nitpicking and small. Some of the happiest and most well-adjusted people I know are those who are easy-going and gracious. Some of the most hung-up and anxious people I’ve known are those who are self-appointed experts at pointing out everyone else’s faults and failures. I encourage you to stop taking yourself so seriously, and stop taking everyone else so seriously too. Give yourself and others a break. You’ll be happier if you do, and so will everyone else. It’s all about grace. God bless, Pastor Jim |
| Copyright © 2022 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. |
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 