Family Fued- the TV show- pits one family against another to win money.
In real life, family fued often plays out within the family.
Many watched the truth of scripture played out on The History Channel by watching the series THE BIBLE .
Some folks were seeing -for the first time-stories of brothers and sisters, uncles and nephews, husbands and wives, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, friends and foes behaving very badly.
Dysfunctional families are not new!
"Nothing new under the sun."
From the beginning of time, anger, jealousy, resentment and selfishness have fueled generations of family feuds.
Have you been fueling a feud?
Have you passed down your resentment?
You have a choice:
A) Continue to focus on old hurts and act like Cain toward Abel, Jacob and Esau, Ramses toward Moses, and possibly even you toward your own brother or sister (biological or in the body of Christ)
Or:
B) Ask God to work in your own heart to help you understand the truth that Jesus was the only sacrifice provided on your behalf to make way for the forgiveness and reconciliation needed in your family.
If you choose "B" then also pray for our country, even our world, to seek God's will in admitting our sins and quickly turn to HIM.
"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:21-24
Heavenly Father,
I ask for hearts to be softened to the truth. Not just that we sit in churches hearing a good message and then going on with hardened hearts, resentful hearts, but I ask that we would truly understand that the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, makes it possible to receive forgiveness of our selfish choices and that we should willingly extend that same forgiveness to others. I ask now that even our desire to leave an offering at your altar not be a reason for the delay in settling a matter with another brother or sister.
I pray that we would bring an acceptable sacrifice to you.
Lord, forgive us our trespass as we forgive those that trespass against us. Save us from evil. May we remember the sacrifice pleasing to you...is the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
In Jesus' name,
AMEN
