| OFFENSE - UNFORGIVENESS |
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| OFFENSE - UNFORGIVENESS We have probably have all had our feelings hurt - felt insulted or felt an injustice was done to us sometime in our life. When our feelings are hurt, resentment begins to build on the inside of you and bitterness and unforgiveness can have a terrible impact on your life if they are not uprooted and dealt with. Hebrews 12:14-15 tells us to �follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. We need to learn how to release it and move on with God. Generally you will notice that people who constantly talk about their past probably have been badly hurt. They may have been in an abusive relationship, or had an abusive parent, or perhaps even been raped. Some may only have been hurt by a comment made against them - whatever it was - you have to let it go. It can literally kill you. Mental, physical or sexual abuse is an awful thing, but we know from God�s Word that � For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. we do not fight against flesh and blood but against powers �.. (Eph 6:12). You need to ask the Holy Spirit to help release you from the pain of abuse. Isaiah 10:27 says that the anointing breaks the yoke. Jesus is there to help you and overcome this pain. 1 Corinthians 10:13 �There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. Notice that Jesus says He is right with us and is willing and able to help us through the hard times in our lives. We must choose to NOT let people, words or actions offend us. Allowing offense to stay in your heart can stop your growth in Christ. Take any offense you may have had in your life and right now take it to the Lord - get on your knees and ask Him to forgive you for harboring this offense - and then PRAY for that person. Prayer will change how you feel about that person and cause you to love them with God�s love (agape). Romans 5:5 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. In the Gospel of Matthew verse 24 - the disciples asked Jesus as He was departing for Heaven �What will be the signs of your coming and of the end of the world?� And Jesus answered: Matt 24:10-13 And then shall many 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 wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.. Many today are being offended. Never before have so many people �suing� people. Our courts are full of ridiculous cases regarding offenses. Whose love is waxing cold ?- The Christians - us. The Dictionary defines offense as: a violation, transgression, to hurt or cause pain, to cause to fall into a sinful state. An offense is Satan�s trap to hold you back from God�s blessings in your life. Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! **** So according to the Word these snares will come and we need to learn what to do when they come our way. **** If you take that �bait� then you will fall into that trap the devil has set for you to capture you and cause you never to fulfill all that God has for you. A trap is usually camouflaged to trap an animal (my grandfather was a trapper by trade) The trap is then baited waiting for some unsuspecting animal to fall into it. It�s the same with people. So many of us fall into that trap. Once we have been ensnared he has taken us captive. (bondage). Read the book �The Bait of Satan� - by John Bevere . When offense enters, unforgiveness comes in and then bitterness & hatred sets in. 2 Tim. 3:1, 5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. vs.5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Also read Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. We have to �work� at not being offended. It take some effort but it can be done. Ephesians 4:26 Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: This is a familiar verse of scripture but very serious as well. It is VITAL that we get offense out of our lives - NOW. Notice, it says - �do not even go to bed�.. unless the offense is settled. Cain & Abel. A major offense happened here. Genesis 4. Able brought a blood sacrifice (by faith) to God but Cain brought forth his first fruits (this was good) but this was not what God wanted (or had instructed him to do). They had been taught by their parents the way they should approach God. But Cain wanted to �do his own thing his own way�. He was not ignorant of the proper way. Isn�t that like people today - wanting to do their OWN THING. Gen. 4:5 Cain became very angry and offended (vs 5 �and his countenance fell). He became offended at God. He didn�t feel appreciated - the result - offense. That spirit is still around today - �no one appreciates all that I do�.. . Well I�ll show them�! We must be on guard and watch our thoughts which become rooted and grounded in offense. To be offended at God is rampant today as well - blaming God for not healing a loved one or because God didn�t answer a certain prayer. There were times in the life of David when he got offended at God but he changed his mind and began to pray and seek God (once for 3 months - 2 Samuel 6:6-12). If there is offense against God in your heart - remember it�s never God�s fault. God does not cause anyone to become offended. Usually when an offense comes, it is the by the person closest to you. Psalm 55:12-14. David was betrayed by Ahitophel 2 Sam 15:31 (also his son Absolom - who tried to usurp him and take his kingdom). Betrayed! Read Mark 14:21. Jesus was betrayed also (Matthew 26:17-24) by Judas. Offense could be from your spouse, or the person you�re with everyday at work, or even in the pew on Sunday. There could be an offense in your heart and you not even be aware of it. Just take an example from your own life and examine whether you have had words with your spouse (or friend, or co-worker, or boss) and you went away thinking �Well la ti da - who does he think he/she is - blah blah�. Offense can cause you to be unfruitful. 2Samuel 6:16-23. Michal (David�s wife) became barren. Jesus resisted offense. (They scourged him, they beat him, they even pulled out his beard) - yet He did not take the offense - instead he said �Father forgive them �.� Naaman (a mighty man of valor) and a leper, became offended at Elisha the prophet in (2 Kings 5:10-12). What offended him? ( �he went away in a rage). Because the prophet did not come out himself and pray over him but sent a messenger instead. It�s obvious that he wanted red carpet treatment. Jesus had the opportunity to be offended - Mark 3:21 (�. out of his mind, they said.) Mark 3:31-35 (amplified bible). His own family did not agree with what Jesus taught. John 6:60-66. These were disciples who had followed Jesus - they even became offended. Even Peter denied him three times. What was Jesus response to all of this. Look at 1 Peter 2:21-23. If anyone had the right to be offended it was Jesus - but what did He do - He forgave. Ephesians 4:31-32. As we see Jesus hanging on the cross, we see people spitting in His face, pulling out His beard, driving nails in His hands and feet, hamming a crown of thorns in His skull, beating Him, slapping Him in the face, mocking Him, and making fun of Him. They humiliated Him by stripping off all His clothes (he was naked for all the world to see) - and then they gave Him gall and vinegar to drink and He still forgave. 1 Peter 4:8. Our offenses seem quite �petty� when we compare them to Jesus�. The hurts you are feeling are as real to God as they are to you and He wants to help you get it out of your heart so you can be what He has called you to be. Criticizing your own spouse is also wrong - you are criticizing God�s anointed. Heb. 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Ezekiel 28 - Lucifer became offended at God because he wanted to get all the praise. He felt that God had been given enough and he wanted recognition. Do we do this? This is Pride! He probably went to his angelic hosts and convinced 1/3 of heaven that �he� be exalted and praised. Ezekiel 28:14-19 talks about a war in heaven, as well as Rev. 12:4. Lucifer was is a classic example of offense. Now that you are aware of the trap (snare), you can be one step ahead of the devil at all times. Offense is a spirit. We must watch our mouths, guard our opinions and keep our thoughts clean. Normally when we are offended - we want to tell someone else about it - Why? For sympathy! (Do you know what he/she said �.. blah, blah) When you talk about a problem you only magnify it. God (through Abel) said to Cain Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? and if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door. It�s desire is for you, and you must master it. Offense is like a lion crouching at the door - waiting to devour you. Sin (or satan) is waiting at the door to see if you took the bait - you become TRAPPED - you have taken the bait & fallen into his pit. The next time someone says something to �hurt� or �upset� you DON�T SAY A WORD - but immediately go and pray for that person. You will actually feel better. Just imagine how happy it will make God if you resist the devil. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. This is spiritual warfare! Saul became offended at David. 1Samuel 18:9,10. David had every right to be angry with Saul but he didn�t get offended, even as Saul tried to kill him. Read 1Sam 26:9-11. Even if you have �the right to be offended� - DON�T yield to that spirit. The spirit of offense affects you and not the one who hurt you. Offense is like a seed that grows and grows. It must be purposely pulled up by the roots and cast out. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Now how is it possible to pray for someone when they have hurt you? You don�t even want to think about them, let alone PRAY for them. Yes it is difficult - but what a step of FAITH. We want to build walls to protect us from this happening again - but God says we must forgive - not for their benefit but for ours. It cuts us off from our blessings. Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Psalm 35:11-12. (false witnesses �.evil for good) Powerful Scripture. Peace and calmness will fill your soul when you �choose� to forgive. A spirit of offense grows. Sometimes it can start as a �chip on your shoulder�, then you begin to build �walls� to protect yourself from being �vulnerable� again. People in churches are easily offended because the minister didn�t ask them to sing, or to play, or to take care of something. Offense in the church is terrible because it can spread throughout the whole body. People have built walls as thick as Jericho - but they can come down. Just as the men of Jericho marched under the �anointing�, they came down. They can come down in our lives as well. Sometimes you will notice a �rift� between you and a friend (or a spouse) you need to ask �If there something wrong - have I offended you in any way?) Matthew 5:23-24. �brother against you �leave you gift on the altar. People have deep emotional scars from their past. They may have been deeply wounded - or maybe even abandoned by a parent, or were unloved - and you have never been able to forgive them. That person may even be dead. You can still forgive them (by faith) and move on!!!!!!!! Tamar (David�s daughter) was abused (raped) by her half-brother Amnon. He pretended to be sick and then molested her. (2 Samuel 13). He destroyed her life forever and she was never able to hold her head up again without feeling shame. She had been violated!. Notice the effect this had on Absalom�s life. His father, David, did nothing about this incident. Absolom became enraged to the point of bitterness and �revenge� was all he could think about. He eventually had Amnon killed but he lost 7-years of his life (running from his father David) - 7 years of torment. It�s just not worth it. The rebellion and death of Absalom was the greatest pain in David�s life. There is a consequence to offense Matthew 18:23-35 - The servant who owed the king 10,000 talents. Forgave the debt. No matter how great the hurt or the offense, if we don�t freely forgive from the heart, we will be turned over to the tormentors. ****Wow! This is as clear as the nose on our face**** The Word says Matt. 18:35 So also my heavenly father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses. It is actually deadly to hold offenses in your heart. Mark 11:23 �verily I say unto you� mountain �.be you removed. Now there is a condition here in the next two verses 25 & 26. You have to first FORGIVE. Matt. 6:14,15 Forgive and you shall be forgiven. - A Kingdom Principle! Forgiveness is a debt we owe - but when we forgive, that debt is canceled. David & Michal 2 Samuel 6:15-20. Reading between the lines in vs. 20 Michal was disgusted with David - he embarrassed her (humiliated her). A wife has a way of saying things to her husband - she knows what buttons to push. We can say things with a little �edge� to our voice than can set off WW2. Michal went up to David and said �how dare you, you�re the king, you�ve stripped yourself like some worthless person out in the streets�. (My paraphrase). She gave him a piece of her mind. Notice his response �It was before the Lord who chose me before your father�. Now he�s responding angrily to her. He�s putting her down. (Fight! Fight!) There were probably more words exchanged that day than were recorded in the Bible. Is there any wonder why Michal became barren � Perhaps David was never intimate with her again after that day. Because of an offense in her heart they never reached the full potential that God had intended for their marriage to reach. 2 Samuel 6:23 �And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death�. Her attitude caused her blessings to cease. We must be careful also that thoughts about certain people do not get down on the inside of us. We cannot allow ourselves to become critical. I don�t want to be struck with barrenness. Barrenness is not only about childbearing. We too can be �barren� (unfruitful) in our marriages, our families, our ministry, in fact, in any area of our life. I want to continually have intimacy with my heavenly Father so I can bear fruit that remains. John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. We have to choose not be offended. It�s a choice we make - minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Deut. 30:19 (Choose Life). Most of us can relate to the story of David and Michal. There may be things that our spouse did that sometimes we find hard to forget - something that may have happened years ago - maybe even ten or twenty years ago. Remember, you are the one being hurt when you hold the offense. Your life (not your spouse�s life) will not progress when you hold on to an offense. Once someone has repented and you have forgiven them, you must NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, bring up that offense ever again. Forget it. Just as God forgets our sin - we too must uproot and remove them out of our heart. We are free from offenses in Jesus� Name. Consequences of Offense Your harvest can be affected when you hold on to an offense. You financial blessings can be affected. If you have been sowing a financial seed but failing to reap a harvest that God says we are entitled to AND you hold unforgiveness in your heart, your sowing will not bear fruit. Mark 4:20 says that �seed sowed on good soil� will bear a return of 30, 60 or 100%. If we are not receiving that multiplication in our lives, it could be because of offense & unforgiveness. Mark 11:25 - God is plainly revealing to us that unforgiveness can hinder our prayers from being answered. If you are holding a �grudge� against someone, Father cannot answer our prayers - we tie His hands. Bitterness in your heart is like a root that goes down deep. It cannot just be pulled up once. You must keep an eye on it. You have to dig down deep into your spirit and vigorously work at getting that root of bitterness out. Just like in your garden - you must dig deep to get out the weeds. They appear overnight and grow so fast and can crowd out other plants. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Don�t let the root of bitterness crowd out the good fruit in your life. You have the fruit of the Holy Spirit abiding inside you (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control). You will have the opportunity to be offended every day but you have to make a quality decision not to let anyone offend you. Start digging up those weeds. You may have weeds that need to be pulled out from an insult that occurred twenty or more years ago. Haggai 1:6,7 �. Sown much, reaped little, holes in your pockets�.. . According to Haggai if we are sowing much and reaping little we need to consider our ways. Obviously there is something about our lives that need changing. Matt 5:21-25 - �..then you remember that you brother has something against you � Determine to forgive those who have offended or trespassed against you, no matter how minor or how severe the attack was. Release all offenses in your life that are keeping you in bondage and are hindering the return on your giving that is rightfully yours. Graveyards are full of dead people who died because of unforgiveness. There is such unhappiness in our world and all because of the �deception� of the devil. Can you imagine what �freedom� and �long life� we would have if we learned not to take offence. Psalms 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. Confronting the Offense Matthew 5:9 �.blessed are the Peacemakers. A Peacemaker will go in love and confront, bringing truth, so that healing and restoration can come. A peacemaker is not fake or call you a friend and then talk about you behind your back. When we are offended we put on a fake smile and act as if everything is OK, when we are just seething on the inside. Offense is a spirit. We need to ask our perpetrators for forgiveness for the offense in OUR heart - not in theirs. Confrontation is a difficult thing to do. Sometimes it�s easier to cover it up with a false face and a fake smile and therefore your relationship is not deep and rich like it should be. We need to refuse to allow a root of bitterness to spring up on the inside of us. Hebrews 12:14, 15 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; In Luke 9:51-56 Jesus had the right to be offended when the Samaritan�s refused to allow Him to preach in their town. The disciples wanted to �call fire down from heaven� on the Samaritans. They even had scriptures from 1Kings 18:19-40 to prove their right to do this. Jesus rebuked them vs. 56. Notice that this didn�t offend Jesus. We can choose to �retaliate with a vengeance� or �choose to forebear.� Don�t stop your destiny because you were hurt by someone. We have a right to go up to that person who has offended us and deal with it immediately so we are not held back. At the same time if we have offended someone, we need to go to the person immediately and ask for their forgiveness. Whether or not they forgive us immediately isn�t important. The important thing is that healing and restoration can come. 1Peter 2:21-23 21 For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously. Many times when we feel an injustice or a violation has been done to us we need to follow Jesus example Matthew 18:15-22. It is an act of our �free will� to forgive someone who has trespassed against us. The Word of God is the standard by which we must live and it plainly says that we must forgive and release offenses from our heart. The key is to choose to be a person who is not offended. When we choose to pray for that person instead, the anointing of God will come and destroy those yokes and a relationship can be built. Isaiah 10:27 Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The closer you are to a person the greater the offense can be and satan knows that. If you have been divorced and you haven�t been healed of the hurts of your first marriage it is inevitable that you will carry those hurts into the second marriage and possibly end up destroying it. Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them. Offenses occur in our �soul realm� Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God�s Word can help you let go of that offense if you will allow it. Jesus said in Isaiah 61:1 � The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; This is God�s will for you - He wants you free.! Forgiveness is an absolute decision - my God-given, free-will choice! UNFORGIVENESS has a �root� and its root is �OFFENSE.� Matthew 16:13-19 His disciples talking among themselves and in the end Jesus asks them �Who do you say I am�? What an awesome statement. Can we answer that. Because of Peter�s answer Jesus simply said �Upon this rock I will build my church� WHAT ROCK? (This statement �You are the Son of God� - I will build my church and the gates of hell shall NOT prevail against it. vs 19 - Now here we have the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. These are the Keys that will unlock ALL doors into the Kingdom of Heaven. (Loosing and Binding) Who does the loosing and binding (God? - Jesus? The Holy Spirit? NO ! - YouHow? If you hold �unforgiveness� against a person, you are literally keeping them in a prison. When you choose to forgive (and this by faith) you �loose� them. You also can �loose� your finances, your peace, your joy, your freedom, everything. Remember at Lazarus� tomb - John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go. You too must take those keys and USE them. One way is �Forgiveness� and then we LOOSE the Holy Spirit to love and minister to that person. If that person is dead already and you can still forgive that person, then YOU are loosed (free) The anointing (of the Holy Spirit breaks that yoke. Isaiah 10:27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. The Holy Spirit cannot move unless you loose them. God is saying you have this AUTHORITY Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. You have the Word - You have the Blood - You have the Name of Jesus - You have Faith. You have ALL AUTHORITY. Jesus gave it to you. Look at the doors we can open. The anointing is already in you (because the HOLY SPIRIT lives in you) to RELEASE EVERYTHING - this includes sickness, fear, oppression, bondage, forgiveness etc. The outcome is based on our DECISION (Choice) Deut 30:19 (Choose blessings or curses - loose or bind). Genesis 3 - Adam & Eve had it ALL. Then came the devil. They had never been sick a day in their lives, never cold, never hot, (they walked with God in the cool of the evening). They knew nothing of hunger, fear, or lack of any kind. Satan had tricked Eve into believing something was missing in their lives - but they had it ALL and didn�t realize it. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge�. Satan tried to tell her she would gain knowledge (know MORE - good and evil) who needs to know evil. He also told her they would be �as gods�. They were already �like God� - (made in His image and likeness) they needed nothing. Deception, satan�s greatest weapon and we fall for it every time. We, like Adam and Eve have everything - EVERYTHING - but Hosea 4:6 (again) �My people are DESTROYED �. . We need to get a revelation of this scripture. Satan promised them the �stuff� of the world but if you don�t have God (if you�re separated from Him) - like Adam and Eve - where then is our PEACE, our JOY, our HEALING, our PROSPERITY. They ate of the apple (the world) and lost it all. They became their own gods (had to make their own clothes (leaves) but these leaves withered (just like the things of the world) and they had to get more and more and more and more. The enemy was after the keys - their authority. Adam was told to take �dominion� authority over the garden. Our garden is the same. We must take �authority� over it. We have to say �No devil, I am not receiving what you give me - no sickness, no poverty, no fear, no lack, NOTHING. I have my keys - my God-given authority to loose and unlock those doors. Why do we grumble? Everything is ours. We are FREE, We have LIBERTY, We have VICTORY. We are not just survivors - we are OVERCOMERS. �We are the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13). We ARE who God SAYS we are. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Our �spiritual antennae� must be up all the time or you will not be able to hear His voice. Imagine listening to 2 radio stations at the same time is awful - all you get �noise�. There is so much �junk� out there in the world. At Pentecost there was a �sound� from Heaven (Acts 2:2) We must listen for that �still small voice� of God speaking to you daily. We have been given an assignment (before the foundation of the world) Jer 29:11 We are all �able ministers� (2 Cor 3:6). We have work to do. We must be going about doing good, praying for people, laying hands on the sick, ministering, loosing and binding EVERY attempt of the enemy, doing what Jesus did. John 14:12 � Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The earth is even groaning for that manifestation for us to take the KEYS for everything, our finances, our peace, our healing, our faith, our joy, our family�s peace, our marriage. Jesus has already gone to be with Father but He left us his Holy Spirit. We are His hands and His feet here on earth. If we are still running to the �world� for our needs we are hypocrites. The �world� is watching us Christians. What do we really believe?. They are looking to see if we are walking in unforgiveness or taking offense. They are looking to see if I reach for a Tylenol when I have an headache or pills for a cold or flu. They are looking at us to see if we truly believe what we preach. The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25) who spent all she had and got sicker - then she sought Jesus. There�s coming a time when the world will be coming to us when the bottom falls out of things on this earth. The people of the �world� will also spend all they have and they will have nothing left. They will be coming to us Christians. Will be able to help them. We have the KEYS, the AUTHORITY. The struggle with the devil is not about power - it�s about AUTHORITY. That�s what he stole from Adam and Eve - their Authority. We must �loose forgiveness - we have the keys. Unlock the doors to our future. How do we go through our afflictions - Do we Praise Him? Do we Stand on His Word? Do we pass through the waters? Do we rejoice in spite of trouble? 1Thess 5:18 � in every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Do we Trust Him? Are we negative or in Fear? Is our confidence in Him. What WORDS come out of my mouth? Do I operate in Faith or in Fear ? His Word perfects us. He is molding us in His Fire. e.g. learning to swim with your dad, and he takes his hands away for a moment, do we trust Him? Remember He is still standing there ready to grab you - so is Jesus - LET HIM. Hebrews 13:5 �I�ll never leave you or forsake you�. This is His promise to you. When we have a problem with our health, we need only to go to the doctors of the world for an assessment of our problems then we should go to the great Physician and say �JESUS you�re my Healer, you�re my deliverer, you�re my source, you�re my peace, you�re my joy, you�re my all in all. Jesus Christ took all that sickness on the Cross. Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. We are seated with Him in heavenly places - far above all powers & principalities. Use your KEY to walk through. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. When Jesus was in the boat with his disciples - they were in great fear of drowning - but where was Jesus - asleep and on a pillow. He wasn�t worried - He had already said �let�s go to the other side� Mark 4:38 Eph 5:1 Be you therefore imitators of God little children. Jesus was our example. We should be reading every �RED LETTER� in the Bible to be as He showed us. Judas repented but he did not change. CHANGE is the key to a new you. Forgiveness is by Faith David�s wife Michal caused her blessing to stop (she became Barren) (2Sam 6)when she took offense at David. We too can be unfruitful (barren) in our marriage, our family, with our friends, in our ministry, in our life. Even your SOWING (giving) will NOT bear fruit. Haggai 1:5-10 If we are sowing much and reaping little - Why? Offenses are deadly. Offense has a major impact on our finances. Matt. 18:23-35 Read (this Parable is the Principle of Forgiveness) Did he truly have repentance in his heart? If not - the test will come - you will go around that mountain one more time. How can we become �gold� unless we are heated. Remember the Israelites were 40 years and they still did not get to the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb made it. Read about it in Numbers 26:65. Forgive in your heart. God knows your heart. Matt 6:12 - Our Father (Forgive us AS we forgive those who trespass against us) Mark 11:23-What does it say? First forgive, then speak to your mountain. Let�s read it. Bitterness, unforgiveness, offense, hurts - These are all WEEDS (they will choke out the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives and hold others in prison (including ourselves). Pull out those weeds before they kill you. They are all part of �feelings�. We have a choice whether we live by them or Gal 5:25 Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Matt. 5:21-25 � brother has something against you�. Leave your gift �.. . Let offense go Let hurts go Sin blocks the flow of blessings from Heaven. (Matt 18:21-36) Lack of forgiveness is a sin. You must forgive (1st ) yourself. As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed our sins. (Psalm 103:12) & (1 John 1:9). (2nd ) God. Do you blame God for something - maybe the death of a child or a loved one, or your spouse left you, or because of some sickness, or of lack of finances? Consciously some people believe this is God�s fault and a deep-seated resentment has grown toward Him. You cannot do this to God - you have to rid yourself of bitterness toward Him or you cannot be blessed. (3rd) a member of your family. You must get rid of it - husbands, wives, children, parents, everyone must be forgiven when things have built up in the family (dysfunctional families? We all have come out of them. Let it go. It�s not worth it. (4th ) anyone else who has harmed you. You may indeed be justified - the person may have done a very evil, terrible thing to you (maybe even rape). You may have a very legal right to be angry at that person and to hold a grudge against them but if you want God�s blessings to flow in your life it is absolutely imperative that you forgive. Let�s pray and ask God to help us today to be able to forgive those that hurt us so we are able to move on �In Christ�. If you know who you are �In Christ� you will be able to do all things with help the Holy Spirit. Phil 4:13 Prayer for Freedom from Offense Father, in Jesus Name, I choose to let go of the offenses in my heart. I repent of this and I ask your forgiveness. I cannot forgive them in my own strength - I need you. Therefore as an act of my will I choose to forgive. I freely forgive __________________ (name that person, living or dead) for the injustice I feel they have done to me, and I release them now, the debt has been paid in Jesus Name. I am free - I am free in Jesus Name. Amen. |
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