Ears to Hear

Good Morning,

    Over and over again, I keep hearing the Lord telling me about offenses and not walking in the 'love of God.'   We have to exercise ourselves to godliness.  It is so much easier to get
offended and not walk in love, yet we are told to 'not take offense.'  I
Timothy 4:7-8; "But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and
impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths,
and express your disapproval of them.  Train yourself
toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritual fit].  For
physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness
(spiritual training)
is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds
promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come."   This earth's atmosphere is charged with offenses and hatred.  That is why, we as Christians must work at our 'godly
character.'   Exercise here is the Greek word gumnadzo, which describes the strenuous physical exercise.  It depicts radical discipline.  It was the word the ancient Greeks used to portray the athletes who exercised, trained, and prepared for competition in the often barbaric athletic games of the ancient world.  This word gumnadzo (exercise) portrays people who
want to develop and change so much that they are willing to put
themselves through vigorous, demanding, and strenuous discipline in
order to bring about change and to achieve the results they desire.
   
    James 3: 2;
"For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things.  And if
anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a
fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole
body."  Most offenses come from what has
been said or done to cause us to become hurt, bitter and unforgiving. 
This verse shows that getting the developed character, in order not to
offend, is something that we must work for.  Offense comes from the word 'skandolon' in the Greek.  It is where we get the
word scandal from.  It originally described the small piece of wood that
was used to keep the door of an animal trap propped open.  It also
refers to a stone or an obstacle that caused one to trip, to stumble,
to lose his footing, to waiver, to falter, and to fall down. 
Satan is always laying traps for offenses to bait us.  Whether, it is
through the word being preached and hitting us right where we live and
you get mad and offended with the message and the messenger.  It can also be, events that happen in our lives that trip us or snare us.  Here are two verses that prove this; It
is simply unthinkable that you would allow yourself to dream that you
could live this life without an opportunity to be lured into a
situation that could potentially snare you in the feelings of
offense.." (Luke 17:1) and I Peter 2:8; "He is the stone that makes
people stumble, the rock that makes them fall. They stumble because
they do not obey God's Word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them."  We
can expect that we will get offended, but we must learn how to exercise
ourselves to respond as God would.  We must quickly forgive and let drop
all that offend us and we must try and communicate clearly so as not to
give offense.  Yet, understand that some people will take offenses and
not exercise their selves, you have to let it drop.  Some are easily
offended because of God's Word and all that is left to do is pray for
them to be healed.  We must discipline our tongue, so that it is not
full of deadly poison.  As Matthew 24:10-13 says "And then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets
shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound,
the love of many shall grow cold.  But he that shall endure to the end,
the same shall be saved."  Be aware and
sensitive in the spirit to the "spirit of offense', because the love is
growing cold.  You stay white-hot and on fire for the Lord and you will
be saved!
  

Love,

Pastor D.

Author: daughtersofz

Called, appointed and anointed by God, Pastor Debra Lowe has been called to the forefront to pastor along side her husband, Michael Lowe at Hesed Ministries. Pastor Debra has served the Lord for 39 years. Called as a Prophet to the nation she also walks in the office of teacher and is an intercessor. Pastor Debra has used these gifts to minister to the body of Christ, teaching men, women and children to enter into His presence causing them to mature and be changed by His Word. As a servant of the Most High God she brings forth a word in due season to the body of Christ. View all posts by daughtersofz