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You Can’t afford to be Offended

Me 2015.jpgI want to share a little over a week ago God Led me to forgive some stuff. After I did it, I realized how many people I had let down in my life time. That was God’s Grace (TO ME!). I have to wonder,if my forgiveness allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal more to me about myself, and lift the blinders from my eyes.

We All have expectations of people.

Some is based on how we are raised, how we understand the bible, or whatever else. People can feel they are offering the help they have to offer, and you rejected it (or them) and I mean to tell you what, there are SO MANY THINGS the devil can (try) to turn it into an offense, I simply cannot list them all here. 

I’ve had people reject what I had to say when I thought it was God’s will I said certain things. It hurts, because we think we are giving a gift, and it just got rejected. If it happens 100 times, we may be at risk of getting offended. You’d be suprised how many people have “rebuked me” when I talk about Growing In Christ.

There are some who believe getting saved leads to this “instant Jesus pudding” and we automatically grow, without any real participation on our part.

Growing in Grace is a message that is balanced, and between the “Auto Pilot’ thing and the “being under law” mentality. Growing up IN Christ is a sensible and sound message, but not a popular one.

Therefore, I am delivering a word God asked me to deliver …..and yet those who seem to have the pulpit do not always agree. Does it stop me?

NO! It will not! And, I must not get offended. If I do, I will ruin myself.

I”m so glad when people tell me things like, “I waved at you, you didn’t wave back”. So many times, I just did not see them wave at me!

There are times people forget, don’t hear us, or do not understand how important something is to us. (really). Don’t fall for the “all about me” mentality. It’s a monster! ME MOnster.jpg Cartoon by Jeff Larson 

Yes, there are times people have been little snots, but it’s not all that often. Most of the time when people hurt us, it’s quite accidental.

The important thing is that remain “not offended”. If I’m not, I can go foward in Christ.

Proverbs 18:19 says “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.”

Don’t put your walls up. It’s just not worth it to miss out on what God has for you next.

Laura Grace, Author, Grace to the Rescue and Grace to Grow, available on Amazon.

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Forgiveness & The “I love you” Project….

I LOVE YOU PROJECT The other day, (a week ago to be exact) I was having a really hard struggle. I didn’t know why, I just knew I was upset over just about everythingFrom A psychology view point it kind of looked like PTSD. From a spiritual view point, it appeared I was just touchy, or having anger issues. 

Because I am a preacher of seeking God and growing, I didn’t diagnose myself. I sat down and said “Father what is wrong with me?”

When I asked, I really expected an answer. God spoke to my heart. 

“You are in danger of being in offense, you need to forgive some people,” (He said). 

Not only that, he said a spirit of offense was trying to take me, he impressed on my soul.  I was baffled. “Okay so what do you want me to do, Father?”

This passage in Proverbs 18:19 came to my heart as well.

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong cityAnd contentions are like the bars of a castle.” 

My Impression was, if I didn’t do what God said, He wouldn’t be able to lead me. So I complied and said, “Okay, what, and who, Father, for I do not know (who or what?)”.  From there he led me to about 25 people and events, and I said them out loud and verbally forgave them (or the incidents) Sitting in my chair.

I also prayed it would be forgotten, and I would remember it no more. I released them all and I prayed to be clear of any offense, that would keep me from moving forward, with God, as well.  I made myself accountable to one other person.

Mark 11:25 says if we do not forgive, God does not forgive us. I have always wondered about that passage of scripture. What? You mean you take back the forgiveness you gave me Father? Nope. It’s more like this: Deliberate sin blocks out God. Ever feel like you are stuck? Stuck in fear, stuck in anger, or in my case “STUCK” in unforgivness. AND I didn’t even realize it! No wonder we need God. (every single day of our lives) and we need to seek him (first) and walk by His Spirit in Jesus’ name! He keeps us from stumbling or being stuck, but he is the Leader!

SO Follow the Leader! (His Spirit) and you will do well. 1 John 1:7 (see the word IF)

After this he led me to buy cards that say I LOVE YOU! (I will be sending them out to people as he has directed.) Stay Tuned for the results of this directive! 

Laura Grace, Author, Speaker and Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peace!