Forgiveness and reconciliation are powerful forces that can transform our lives and relationships. As Christians, we believe that forgiveness is not only a moral duty but also a divine commandment. Through forgiveness, we can release the burden of anger, bitterness, and resentment. These burdens weigh us down and prevent us from experiencing joy, peace, and love.  Reconciliation, on the other hand, is the process of restoring broken relationships and rebuilding trust, which requires humility, honesty, and grace. In this blog, we will explore the biblical principles and practical steps tha ..read more

Our savior imparted a lot of wisdom to us during the time He was on this earth. Possibly one of the most important lessons Jesus taught is forgiveness. What was his lesson, and how do we forgive those who have wronged us? Let’s take a moment to look deeper into forgiveness.  Forgiveness is something that Jesus said is so important. He told us we need to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven times. He taught a lesson on how important forgiveness is in Matthew 18, but how do we do it in our everyday lives?  What did Jesus teach us about forgiveness towards one another? Learn ..read more

As Christians, we hear all of the time how important forgiveness is. But what is forgiveness, and how do we practice it in our daily lives? Does it help others? Let’s dive more into the concept of forgiveness in the following blog post.  Forgiveness is essential for our spiritual, emotional, and mental health. It is what allows us to show the world God’s grace every day. Jesus spoke on forgiveness many times throughout his ministry. Let’s go over what the Bible says about forgiveness.  What does forgiveness in the Bible look like, and how do we forgive? Let’s unpack that in the follo ..read more

Christians talk about God’s mercy every day. We sing about it. We read about it. We thank God for it. But how often do we demonstrate mercy ourselves? Simply put, showing mercy is the act of showing compassion or pity to someone else, especially if that someone else has harmed you in some way. In Christian contexts, mercy often goes hand-in-hand with forgiveness. But this isn’t always the case. Different types of mercy may involve forgiveness, while others simply involve showing the love of God to someone who needs it. We hear the word “mercy” a lot in church, but how often do we actually show ..read more

Every day, our country seems more and more divided. So many of us are so utterly convinced we’re right that we refuse to listen to other perspectives unless it’s to point out their mistakes. The gap has only grown with time. As Christians, what can we do about the division in our country and the world at large? We can’t completely repair the damage, but we can begin taking steps in the right direction. Let’s look at how to get started. “Blessed are the peacemakers”--but in our world of division and fighting, how can we begin to make peace? Here’s what the Bible says. #ORBC #biblestudy Click To ..read more

It can be difficult to turn the other cheek in certain situations. Jesus asks us to do so, but how do we turn the other cheek without being a doormat? There’s biblical precedent for using your God-given rights to protect yourself, just not to lord it over others. How do we turn the other cheek without being walked all over? Jesus explains to us how we can live in victory without being a doormat. #ORBC Click To Tweet Jesus’ teaching was a sign of both brilliance and humility before God. How can you live up to a higher standard and leave vengeance off the table? An Eye for An Eye Matthew 5:38-39 ..read more

The Old Testament talks about taking vows to God, promising a certain action or sacrifice that the person is then required to fulfill. The verses discussing these vows emphasize the importance of keeping your promises–after all, you’re promising something to God! You are absolutely obligated to keep your word. Jesus had something interesting to say about these types of vows. Rather than simply repeating the importance of keeping your promises to God, He actually says not to take oaths at all and certainly not to swear by heaven to back up your promises. Why would He advise so strongly against ..read more

At some point, every one of us has held a grudge or remained angry at a brother or sister in Christ for petty reasons or for far longer than necessary. Our reasons vary, but the underlying issue is the same. God recognizes this and, based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:23-24, doesn’t approve: “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” We may not have literal altars on which we offer sacr ..read more