Offended Or In Rest?

It's interesting what offends people in the heart. Today, we live in a world where offense is being taken right and left about a myriad of social, religious, cultural, gender, political, and biblical issues. In gentleness, being offended is a sign of not being rooted and secure in the truth of God. I know that's offensive, yet that was and still is proven by Jesus. He was not offended in the slightest during his life and death because he was rooted in the truth. Even our sin does not offend him....AMAZINGLY! Because of that pimps, prostitutes, pornographers, pedophiles, homosexuals, adulterers, transgendered, hypocrites, liars, thieves, the prideful, complainers, murderers, the greedy, the lazy, the self righteous....all of us sinners can be rescued by Jesus out of those ways; out of the same world; out of the same boat. Is that Offensive? Today that is very offensive, but at the right time in every situation Jesus responded in truth: loving, correcting and even rebuking. He never was offended by people, and he was not afraid to speak in authority about it. He proclaimed  to be "The Way, The Truth and The Life", and for all to repent of their sins, but people were offended by that because those words spoke contrary to the way of the world. The offended usually do not realize the eternal gravity of sin's wage of death NOR the eternal gravity of Christ's perfect love in salvation. Everyone takes offense, but Christ does not. What if this doesn't make us stop and think about our positions on everything?  What are you offended by? Does our world want the truth proclaimed or silenced? Does the world love the things of God? The answer to those questions are obvious, but is it offensive or loving to warn, "Don't refuse to believe the truth of God!" Remember, Jesus was in much sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of him, but he wasn't offended. He still went to the cross. It's the same with our hearts. He's sorrowful when we reject him, but he isn't offended. He did what was right and true and still died and rose for us!

Ultimately, it is a blessing to get to the root of a matter, because then you are really understanding it. And if you are understanding it the next step is to humbly adjust and rest in the truth on that issue. You have finally died to it and can let God's truth speak to it no matter if that position is cool or unpopular in the world. It's better to believe and live in the truth then in lies. If my heart is offended, I am off of the truth some how, and I have to work to learn what the Holy Spirit is saying about that matter in the Bible. 

“Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?””

Matthew 15:12 NLT

“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.”

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT

“And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.””

Matthew 13:57 NLT

“Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.”

Mark 6:3 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.”

Galatians 5:11 NLT

“Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?” John 6:61 NLT

“Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.”

John 8:40 NLT

“But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.””

Acts of the Apostles 28:22 NLT

“Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalms 139:24 NLT

“I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!”

Psalms 109:4 NLT

“I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.” John 12:47 NLT

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 NLT

“And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me. ’”” Matthew 11:6 NLT

“Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.””

Acts of the Apostles 17:6-7 NLT

“When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.”

Isaiah 53:11 NLT

The Eternal Substance of Your Faith In Christ

Faith is a GiFt. It's the gift of Faith's sUbStAnCe that lasts forever. It comes from reading and hearing the Bible. 

Times change and people change, but God (Jesus) never changes. Jesus is the SuBsTaNcE. 

He's the rebuilder, the restorer, the savior and so much more. He's steady, unwavering, constant and more. Jesus, his Word, is reliable, dependable, trustworthy and more. 

There are many instances in people's lives where their "faith ship" was headed toward the rocky shores head long for ship wreck. Ready for a capsize, ready to sink! But FAITH in the Lord Jesus always comes to the rescue. Faith is being heart and mind connected to the Lord, and he always can restore his relationship with you when you keep believing in him. We move away, he doesn't at all, and we move back toward him because of His Love. 

Move toward Jesus today....the Faith Builder. 

“The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"”

Luke 17:5 ESV

“holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,”

1 Timothy 1:19 ESV

“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17 NLT

“He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"”

Mark 4:40 ESV

“Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."” Matthew 9:29 ESV

“to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit," 1 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

““I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things.”

Revelation 2:19 NLT

“Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”

1 Timothy 1:19 NLT

““To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.”

2 Samuel 22:26 NLT

“He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” Proverbs 2:8 NLT

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Romans 1:12 NLT

“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,”

Ephesians 4:5 NLT

“If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

Psalm 38- Express Your Need For Jesus Christ

Have you ever cried out to a living God? There are many gods inside the heart of men, but there is only one living God outside the hearts of men. Best of all, He's a living God who desires to reside inside the heart of man. His Holy Spirit hears the cries of men and cares deeply...personally! Psalm 38 helps us to verbalize and understand WHY we need the Lord Jesus to come inside. Think of all the people in the world who know they are truly desperate for a living God they can trust and rest in. These are the people who are seeing and experiencing the desperate circumstance and need of man. In their waiting, seeking and crying out how awesome is it that Jesus shows up! There's a revival happening in India, Iran, and little towns in the USA. The Church is alive in China. Israel is looking for the Messiah. Praise God that He has come toward us in his Grace in our desperate need. 

“O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!" For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good. Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”

Psalms 38:1-22 ESV

Then and Now / Past and Present

Progressions and positions of status regarding a person's faith or personal relationship with the God of the Bible:

*"I believe there is no God"

*"I believe I am my own God"

*"I believe I am not God"

*"I believe in a God"

*"I believe the Bible is God's Word and absolute truth inspired by the Holy Spirit through men"

*"I believe the Father (Elohim) is God, and I believe the Son Jesus Christ is God, and I believe the Holy Spirit is God (I believe The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One God in Three Co-Equal Distinct Persons)"

*"I believe God is Sovereign, and I trust in each Person's role within the Triune God over my life and in all things in heaven and earth."

*"I believe God loves me perfectly and is conforming me into His image, and I will worship and enjoy Him forever."

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“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen....By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible....And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6 ESV

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Colossians 2:6-7 ESV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8 ESV

1 Corinthians 2:5 / So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. (Amplified Bible). 

Hebrews 10:22-23 / Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water. So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. (Amplified Bible).