OUR DAILY BREAD                      Tuesday, January 10, 1995
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READ:  Philemon

        RELATIONSHIP UNDER REPAIR

 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
          forgiving one another."

            - Ephesians 4:32

Are you easy to get along with?  Do you have a good
relationship with your spouse or your friends?  Then
you probably aren't guilty of the following behaviors:

        .  criticizing instead of praising
        .  using insensitive words
        .  neglecting others
        .  making jokes at another's expense
        .  not listening
        .  refusing to admit wrong
        .  being rude
        .  belittling others' opinions

These kinds of behavior will wreck relationships and
hinder the healing of past hurts.

For a good example of the way to strengthen relationships,
read the apostle Paul's short letter to Philemon, a
wealthy resident of Colosse.  The subject is Onesimus,
Philemon's slave, who had stolen from him and fled to
Rome.  There Onesimus met Paul, who led him to a saving
knowledge of Jesus.  The letter is Paul's kind, compas-
sionate appeal to Philemon to accept Onesimus back -- now
as a brother.  It's a great example of love in action.

Although Onesimus deserved Philemon's punishment, Paul
called him a "son" (v. 10) and a "beloved brother" (v. 16).
He said he would repay what Onesimus had stolen.

Paul knew how to restore a relationship.  Do we??

    -- J. David Branon

 God of grace and God of goodness,
    Teach me to be ever kind,
 Always gentle and forgiving
    With the Savior first in mind.

    -- Brandt

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          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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 Forgiveness is the glue
   that repairs broken relationships.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Genesis 30-32

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