As Christians, how are we to love? Certainly not as

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FFC Women’s Ministries

As Christians, how are we to love? Certainly not as the world does, quickly in and out of relationships, easily upset with others. Summer is a great time to practice loving others, especially those we struggle with, according to the succinct definition in 1 Corinthians 13:7 - bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. Bear all things. When we bear with someone, we forgive, the antithesis of bitterness. Colossians 3:13 speaks of "bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Our Christian duty is to bear with others in ALL THINGS, whenever we have complaints against them. This bearing with is unrelated to the other person--it has only to do with us and Christ who has forgiven us. Regardless of the other person's heart, repentant or unrepentant, whether they recognize the harm they have done or not, we forgive because we have been forgiven. We bear all things because Christ bore all things. Believe all things. To believe all things is to give the benefit of the doubt--to think the best, rather than to think the worst. It means being pure-minded rather than cynical. 1 Peter 3:8 says we are to "be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous". If we are unified in mind with others, compassionate, loving, tender-hearted and courteous towards them, we will not think negatively of them. Instead, we will believe all things, always giving our brothers and sisters in Christ the benefit of the doubt. Hope all things. This means that as well as giving the benefit of the doubt, we also actively look for the best in others. Philippians 2:2-4 gives a great plan for practically cultivating this mindset, saying "fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." When we are unified with others and esteeming them as better than ourselves, negative thoughts will not enter in. We will instead, hope all things, seeing the best in those around us. Endure all things. This means remaining under pressure; having the long-suffering to bear with people and to continue to seek the good both in them and for them, regardless of how they treat us. Paul talks about this long-suffering towards others in 1 Timothy 1:16--"However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." We endure all things, as Paul did, to reflect Christ's long-suffering, that others might see His grace and glory! The aim of loving others in a way that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things is always to magnify Christ, to point people to Him and His glory. ~by Laura Weymouth

Thank you

Thank you for providing diapers for Cornerstone Manor’s needs. You gave generously. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! However, many women with babies are still homeless, so anytime you remember them and pick up extra diapers, just leave the diapers in Ruth’s office, and someone will bring them in to the city for you.

Cornerstone Manor Emergency Shelter

Would you be able to give a morning and the Lord’s joyful friendliness to group of women, as we provide Monday morning Bible study for women in emergency housing? Even one-time attendance would be a blessing. Please contact Ruth Froese at 759-6632 (x 19) to sign up.

Baby Shower for Sarah Semar Saturday, August 27, 10 am. Come encourage a young first-time Mom. Sarah is registered at Babies R Us and Target. FFC Women’s Bible Study starts Tues. Sept. 13 Tuesday is the morning to join with friends for coffee at 10am, and then to study the wonderful Word of God together from 10:30-11:30. Childcare is provided. For guaranteed satisfaction, bring a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and your Bible.

Pit Stop Oil Changes on Sat. Oct. 8 Free oil changes for single women. Give qualified men of FFC a chance to be a blessing to you. Contact Ginger Martin at 741-4190 to schedule your appointment, the sooner the better!

Hope Seminar on Fri-Sat Oct 21-22

They say depression is America’s illness, so it’s not surprising when those we love struggle with it. At the advanced workshops during this seminar a variety of presenters will help you learn how to give real and lasting hope to those in your life who struggle with depression.