OUR DAILY BREAD : APOLOGY HOTLINE

[cimi]

January 10
Thursday


APOLOGY
HOTLINE

READ:
Matthew 5:21-26
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Leave your gift there
before the altar, and go
your way. First be
reconciled to your
brother, and then come
and offer your gift.
__ Matthew 5:24
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Jesse Jacobs has created an apology hotline that makes it possible to apologize without actually talking to the person you've wronged. People who are unable or unwilling to unburden their conscience in person call the hotline and leave a message on an answering machine. Each week, 30 to 50 calls are logged, as people apologize for things from adultery to embezzlement. "The hotline offers participants a chance to alleviate their guilt and, to some degree, to own up to their misdeeds," said Jacobs.

The apology hotline may seem to offer some relief from guilt, but this is not how Jesus instructed His followers to handle conflict. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us to deal with conflict by taking the initiative and going to the offended brother to apologize for the offense (see also Matt. 5:24). The Master encouraged His followers to be reconciled with one another eagerly, aggressively, quickly, and personally (v.25).

Are any of your relationships broken or estranged because of something you said or did? Take the initiative. Go now and do all you can to be reconciled. __ Marvin Williams
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~God cannot prosper those who try~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To cover sin and wrong deny;~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~But all who humbly will confess,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~The Savior with His love will bless. __ D., De Hann~~~~~~
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At the heart of all conflict is a selfish heart.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 5:21-26************

21 You have heard that it
was said to those of old,
"You shall not murder, and
whoever murders will be in
danger of the judgment."

22 But I say to you that
whoever is angry with his
brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the
judgment. And whoever
says to his brother, "Raca!"
shall be in danger of the
council. But whoever says,
"You fool!" shall be in
danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if you bring
your gift to the altar, and
there remember that your
brother has something
against you, 24 leave your
gift there befroe the altar,
and go your way. First be
reconciled to your brother,
and then come and offer
your gift.

25 Agree with your
adversary quickly, while
you are on the way with
him, lest your adversary
deliver you to the judge, the
judge hand you over to the
officer, and you be thrown
into prison. 26 Assuredly, I
say to you, you will by no
means get out of there till
you have paid the last
penny.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today's Bible reading is a portion of the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus' first sermon. It is extensive in its length (Matt. 5:3-7:27) and
expansive in the breadth of material it covers. It deals with proper
attitudes, personal witness, interpersonal relationships, prayer, the
dangers of wealth, worry, eternal life, and more. Little wonder that
following the sermon, "The people were astonished at His teaching"
(Matt. 7:28)__not only for the content He spoke but the authority
with which He spoke it (7:29). __WEC