Word for the day "Are you Offended"

Luke 17:1 (NKJV) Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you,[a] rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you,[b] saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”Many people are unable to function properly in their calling, dreams, and aspirations because of the wounds and hurts caused by offenses in their lives. Do you get offended easily? These same people are handicapped and hindered from fulfilling their optimal potential. In fact, more times than not it is someone very close to them such as family, close friends, or a trusted person who has caused the hurt or wound.In (Psalm 55:12-14) David laments, “For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.” We all know this lament, so now how do we handle it?They are those whom we sit alongside, or perhaps it is the one preaching the message on Sunday morning. We spend holidays, attend social gatherings, and share offices with them. And many times if the truth is told its closer to us than that. We grow up with, confide in, and sleep next to them. The closer the relationship, the more severe the offense! Did someone offend you?In today’s text Jesus made it profoundly clear that it is impossible to live in this world and not have the opportunity to become offended. But because we have the opportunity to do something does not mean we have to sisters and brothers. We as people of God must be prepared and armed for offenses, because our response determines our future. Would you please give this message some serious consideration your family, friendships, and your destiny is at stake!All My Heart,Pastor James