OFFEND: Word of the Day

 

Webster’s definition of offend is “to cause (a person or group) to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done.” Bam! There it is, one of the emotions that have separated relationships between family and friends for centuries past, and I’m sure into the far away future.

God’s ‘wisdom book’ of Proverbs has two important reminders for us about our reaction to being offended:

• Proverbs 1:11 also proclaims “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
• Proverbs 17:9 says “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

We are people who hurt, disappoint, and offend each other all of the time. There are numerous other things we do that are not very loving, but those are some things I was just thinking about. I’m sure I have offended people unintentionally just by being me. A wise person will accept those offenses, and show grace with love. However, an unwise one will start a score card, checking off each time they are offended by another person. WOA! Let's all stop that right now. Ask the Spirit of God to help you choose not to take offense, and foster love. And stop talking about each other: that is gossip when it isn’t going to help clear the matter up. (That's going to be another word of the day soon).

Oh when I think about how many times I have offended the Lord, I want to weep. Isaiah 5:12 in particular reminded me that “For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us.” However, Isaiah 44:22 tells us that God is forgiving: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

We must be redeemed, or bought at a price, to be forgiven by God. Jesus is the ONE who has redeemed us by dying on the cross for our sins. Our offenses (sins) are wiped clean when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. If I can help you understand this better, please contact me. I love to talk about Jesus!

I choose to forgive people who offend me!

Becky Capps
Encourager

TRIAL: Word of the Day

Webster says that a trial is “a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation.” It can’t get any clearer than that, and each of us know what trials are and how they seem to disrupt our lives, right? God is there for us though, as we wade through the various trials. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

James 1:2-4 tells us to “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Not many of us get excited when a time of trial enters our lives. I have a hard time counting it as joy when I am going through it, but when I lean on God; I can endure it and come out wiser. Plus, when the trial is over, I am amazed at how much I grew in my faith.  I persevered, as James calls it, and “hung in there,” as my generation calls it. No matter what it’s called, trials are designed to show us how much we need God, and also His faithfulness in our lives. We need the reminder that God is in charge, and He is bigger than any single trial that comes our way. He will show us the way out, and help us when we are in the midst of the trial.

James 1:12 continues with a reminder that “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

I choose to lean on God during this trial of mine!

Becky Capps
Encourager