Picture Post

Picture Post

Picture Post

Not Offended

Easily Offended

“Oh, Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3

Have you noticed the increase in the opportunities to get offended? Even after all these years with my man, I sometimes get offended by what he says. As a rational woman, I may know he doesn’t mean something the way I took it, but I still feel a huge pull to get offended. I believe in the day that we are living, the days prior to the return of the Lord, there will be a greater pull than ever before to get easily offended.

Jesus taught us in Mathew 18:7 that offenses will surely come. In Mathew 24, when the disciples asked Jesus what the signs of His return would be, He said in verse 10, “and then many shall be offended…”

So we should not be surprised when we feel the pull to get offended at the drop of a hat. The question is, how fast do you move past an offense? Jesus made it possible for us to be able to move past offenses very quickly.

I must constantly remind myself that we are in “the time,”  of the days before Jesus's returns.  Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, that there would be a great falling away in these days. I believe the falling away is due to being offended. If your love waxes cold according to Mathew 24, you will fall away.

So knowing all this, and being reminded of it as I write, I know when I am offended, I must quickly forgive. Forgiveness is the only answer! It is the way of escape! The quicker I forgive, the quicker I come back into my right mind. When I am offended my soul is in control.  When I forgive my spirit rises up above my soul and takes back over.

I have learned that when I am offended everything is distorted and even my emotions become out of control. When I am offended at a person I will see them in a distorted way. Also I realize that when I am offended at someone, I will become overly focused on them. They become the center of attention, or it's all we talk about for days. Every conversation even goes back somehow to what you are offended about. The more we put our focus on who we are offended at, the more magnified they become.

This is why offenses cause our heart to wax cold and may lead us to sin against God.  He is the only one we are to magnify. When we focus on others and what they did to offend us, we make them bigger than God.

So right now press the minimize button and minimize the person who has offended you. Bring them down to the right size and forgive them, and remember, if it were not for the grace of God you might be the one that is offending others.

Mistakes and Accusations

When You Make Mistakes

Romans 5:8-9  NIV 
" But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him" 


Have you ever wondered if you are good enough for God to love you? Unfortunately, many people believe God loves them only as long as they don't make mistakes. But; the facts of life is that we all do from time to time.


Perhaps it was this outlook that caused the psalmist to ask, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4 AMP). Yet the Bible tells us that we are God's creation, the work of His hands - and that He loves each one of us unconditionally.


Let's face it: Jesus didn't die for you because you were great and wonderful; He died for you because He loves you. Romans 5:8-9 confirms this truth by telling us that He died for us while we were still sinners.


God loved you enough to give His only begotten Son, not only to die for your sins, but also to cover your daily mistakes. He loves you enough to get you through each day in power and victory.


The Accuser

God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time...even when you make mistakes. Yet there are those that will seize any and every opportunity to remind us of our failures; our mistakes. And I am telling you today to not listen to them.

The Bible speaks to us of those that are the mouth piece of the devil himself. Satan is called the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10, Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among men by bringing false charges against Christians, with the view of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they have been given by the Lord. He was regarded by the Jews as the "accuser of men" before God, laying to their charge the violations of the law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment. The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in John 8:10, Acts 23:30, 35; 24:8; 25:16, 18, in all of which places it is used of one who brings a charge against another unjustly.

There is a story in Nehemiah 1:1-9:38 which speaks of this in extent.

Nehemiah knew how to handle being accused and so should you in order to keep your faith strong, your goals in line with what the Lord wants of you and to keep pushing forward.

But; how do you identify the "accuser?

Nehemiah gives us some insight on how to identify this, how to answer it and keep moving forward.

The accuser will laugh at you to make you think that you are doing something wrong or ridiculous.
The accuser will despise you, that is, look down upon you to make you think that you are lower than he is.
The accuser will question what you are doing and try to get you to raise questions about the legitimacy of what you are doing.
The accuser will question your authority and suggest that you are in rebellion against the established authority.
The accuser will use his anger in any way that he can.

The accuser will use his anger to belittle you.
The accuser will mock you and what you are doing.
The accuser will accuse you of being too weak or too old or too young or too ignorant to do what God has told you to do.
The accuser will question if you can protect yourself.
The accuser will question your depth of commitment.

The accuser will suggest that you have made a rash decision that you cannot keep.
The accuser will imply that it is too late to change because of your past experiences.
The accuser will suggest that even if you start to rebuild your life, that it won't do any good.
The accuser will declare that you will be overcome by the smallest enemy.
The accuser will state that the least pressure will cause you to fall again.

The accuser will attack when you are tired.
The accuser will attack when you don't feel like you are able to rebuild.
The accuser will suggest that he will attack you in secret when you don't know he is attacking.
The accuser will declare that he will destroy you and cause you to stop God's work in your life.
The accuser will say the same thing over and over knowing that if you ever stop to listen to him that he will have you.


We are human beings. We all make mistakes and wish that life came with a "do over" button that we could push whenever we have done something wrong. But were this so; we would not have needed a Savior in Jesus Christ.


You have an Authority to listen to and it isn't someone that takes personal enjoyment in pointing out your character flaws and mistakes. Things that Jesus has forgiven you for even before you make them.  God loves you; in all of your flaws and imperfections. Listen to Him and ignore the accuser.


Concluding Prayer Focus:

Lord, Your love is incredible. You love me even when it doesn't make sense to me. When I make mistakes, You are still with me. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, my mistakes are covered. I receive Your love today. Help me to not listen to those that accuse me unjustly. Remind me daily that You are all that I have to be accountable to. It is in Your Precious Name that I pray. Amen

Down The Road

Keeping the Love

Galatians 5:14-15  NKJV 
 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another"

When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken.

Have you talked behind someone's back?

Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths?

Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as you love yourself. When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities.

If there are problems that need to be addressed, it is better to confront someone in the spirit of love than to gossip in secret behind their back - which changes nothing.

People seldom want to hear that they may have areas that call for a little tweeking but the Bible says that we must hold one another accountable for our behavior.

If you know in your heart that you have spoken to someone from the love you have in your heart for them and not out of spite, anger or bitterness and that person refuses to hear the message then you have done all that you can do and the rest is up to them.

Keep the love in your heart. Be kind in your thoughts and keep moving on down the road of life.

 

Sunday Blessings

Love 28 - Conclusion of our Love Series

Abide in His Love

1 John 4:16  NIV 
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

Each day for the past 28 days we have explored the depths of love for one another and for the Father of Love - God. In focusing each day on the topic of Love in Scripture and photo; it has been my desire that each of us embrace the concept fully and then with this revelation knowledge go forth and share the Love that God gave each of us with others - expecting nothing in return. That is the essence of unconditional love. To share love without expecting to be loved in return. To invest in a life where we fully give without expecting a return on our investment.


~Selah~ Pause and think on that.

Today we live in a hurting world full of people that do not know nor comprehend unconditional love and thus have no ability to love as God designed us to love. That ought not be! It is my hope that by sharing unconditional love with all that we come across or chance upon that we plant a seed of love that over time will blossom in their spirit to the point that they too will continue on to share their own spin on unconditional love with others. With a joined effort on all our parts; in a very short amount of time I believe that unconditional love could virtually circle the globe. Think of the possibilities! If all people had the courage to love the way that God loves us - what could we accomplish as a society, as a nation, as a race of humans?

First John 4:16 emphasizes that we need to be conscious of the love God has for us. It's easy for us to say 'God loves me' without really understanding what we're saying. The knowledge of His love should not be some biblical fact to which we mentally assent but a living reality in our lives.

"God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him." The word dwell in this verse means 'to abide, to live in.' It does not refer to visiting; it refers to staying or remaining.

God's love isn't just a fact to memorize or a fleeting feeling. His love is here to stay. God's love doesn't just stay in the good times and leave when things are bad. God's love always remains, so we should remain in His love.

Each of us can reap a greater harvest of Christian maturity when we press into God's love. You will grow in difficult times when you abide in the amazing love God has for you.

Let us bow ...

Father God, Your love and kindness amazes me. As our loving Father, You chose each of us even before the world was ever created. No matter how flawed we may be, We have the sure knowledge that that You still want us as Your people. Thank You for Your goodness! Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your love. Lord, today we purpose our hearts to abide in the love You have for each one of us. So many things change, but Your love never leaves, so this day and all the days to follow I choose to stay rooted in Your amazing love. Thank You for loving us so completely. For choosing us to be Your people and for giving us the capacity to love others as You love us. Give each of us the courage to love one another unconditionally; expecting nothing in return for the love that we show unto others. Help us to supernaturally plant the seeds of love in all that we meet and then water those seeds so that they may grow, flourish and spread onward. You truly are amazing in Your love for us and in all that You do. Enable each of us to be like You. It is in Your precious Name that I ask that love be spread to circle the globe and back again and give thanks in advance of this spectacular occurrence. Amen and Amen!

Love 27

Raise the "Lazarus" in Your Life

John 11:40  NIV 
" Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Remember when Jesus visited Mary and Martha after their brother Lazarus had been dead for four days? When He finally arrived, Martha said, "Master, if You had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).

Martha was clearly in a state of despair. Then, "Jesus said to her, 'Your brother shall rise again.' Martha replied, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day'" (vv. 23-24). I don't think she really understood what Jesus was saying. She was looking toward a future possibility, not a present reality. She didn't really expect things to change.

A lot of us are like Martha, stuck in our troubles, not realizing that God can turn things around. But Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and He can raise the 'Lazaruses' in your life to.

Don't lose hope.

You might be hurting now, things might not be going just right, you might be struggling financially, but out of every disaster you face God can bring a new beginning. Believe in God, and watch Him show His glory in your life.

Precious Lord,
I know that You will work every situation for Your glory. Instead of getting caught up in our problems, help us to believe that You can raise the 'Lazaruses' in all of our lives. Nothing is too big for You to handle for us and through us. Help us to hold on to that fundamental belief as we go about our lives. It is in Your Name that we pray. Amen and Amen!

Love 26

Love 25

Love 24

Love 23

I Corinthians 1:4-6  NKJV 
"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you" 

Love 22

Love 21

Love 20

Romans 12:13 (NIV)

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality"  (welcome others into your homes)

Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining.

Entertaining focuses on the host: The home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured.

Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests. Their needs - whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance - are the primary concern.

Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don't hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.  Love one another. Open your heart and your house.

Love 19

Love 18

Romans 10:15  NKJV 
" ....  As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

Love 17

Love 16