b'SCRIPTUREA Double LifeBy Apostle Lawrence E & Dr. Sandra PowellR omans7:14-17NLT14Bless those who persecute you. Dont curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other.Dontbetooproudtoenjoy the company of ordinary people. And dont think you know it all!17 Never pay back evil with more evil.Dothingsinsuchawaythat everyone can see you are honorable! Romans12:19Nevertakeyour ownrevenge,beloved,butleaveLawrence & Sandra Powellroom for the wrath of God ,, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord! that!!!But Jesus asked the Father WHENPEOPLEAREMEANTOtoforgivethosewhowrongedHim, US, THE BIBLE DOESNT TELL USfortheyknownotwhattheydo! TO BE MEAN BACK!In fact it says,(Luke 23:34)He asked for an out NeverpaybackevilwithMOREfor His enemiesevil! (v17) WENEEDTOREALIZETHAT THINKABOUTJESUS.Peoplepeoplewhoarehurtinginsidesay were mean to Him.He was cruci- hurtfulthings!!!Insteadofsaying fied!It doesnt get any worse thansomething hurtful back, we can do whatthescripturesaysandpray forthem!WeshouldaskGodto help them and bless themand we shouldgenuinelymeanwhatwe WE NEED TOsay!WHENWEDOTHIS,weput REALIZE THATRomans 12:18 into actionIt says, Do all that you can to live in peace people who arewith everyone!hurting inside sayNOTICE, IT DOESNT SAY to live inpeaceonlywithyourspouse andkidsorwithyourotherrela-hurtful things!!!tivesorspecialfriendsITSAYS EVERYONE!!Instead of sayingTHIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU something hurtfulMUST TOLERATE SIN!!No, forgiv-ing someone doesn\'t mean that you must be a doormat to their continual back, we can domean actions!!Were encouraged to confrontlovinglybutfirmly,and what the scriptureexpress our desire to squash what-ever the problem seems to be!It\'s says and pray forokay to forgive another\'s past hate-fulactions,andatthesametime, them!takeastandagainstfuturecon-flict!Forgiving is not a co-dependent Continued on Page 1312 DECEMBER 2022 BOCNEWS.com'