Tonight’s Call – LEADERSHIP/OFFENSE/COURAGE IN THE CHURCH!
OFFENSE IS AN INTERESTING PHENOMENA
BARBARA YODER – We usually think about it relative to a situation where somebody has hurt or betrayed us or someone in some way. However, there’s a sneakier type of offense. Let’s say my ministry is to the poor. I give my life for the poor, my time, money, heart, prayer, blood, sweat, tears etc. Others in the church don’t seem to care about the poor like I do. Or others in the group I connect to don’t seem to care.
Slowly and almost unknowingly, I begin to get irritated with them. I begin to judge them and am critical of them because they don’t care for the poor like I do. I take on an offense. It never entered my mind that their heart is directed by God towards something different than mine. Everyone SHOULD care for the poor like I do, if they love Jesus like I do.
Suddenly I developed a judgmental critical spirit towards them. I never stop to think that God has assigned them differently than me. They now “offend” me because they “don’t care about the poor”.
I’ve also seen this emerge in some prophetic or intercessory people. They become offended because the rest of the world doesn’t see what they see, hear what they hear or feel the burden they do. And they think everybody should carry the same burden that they do. All of us are called to pray, to intercede, yet not all are called to the dimension of let’s call it “burden bearing”. It usually always involves travail. Jesus talked about the poor and those in prison. He talked about how we should be towards them. So we take that scripture and apply it to everybody. Everybody should feel very intensely about this area and take care of those who are poor and or in prison. But they don’t, so we become offended with them and feel they are lacking in their godly responsibility.
I know people who have a certain concept of what the local church should be like or run. Everyone who sees the local expression differently from the way they do is wrong. And they make judgments about those other leaders because they don’t see it the same way. They are offended by, judgmental, critical of those other leaders. Why do I say all this? Because historically, I’ve experienced this personally. I’ve judged others out of my own calling, my own responsibility before God, my heart towards a certain area, and/or people. Unknowingly, I think they should think the way I do and feel the way I do. I failed to understand that God has equipped different believers in different ways. Even though intellectually, I understood it from 1 Corinthians 12. Those differences affect the way we look at situations, circumstances, and other people.
FRANCIS FRANGIPANE – A wounded spirit is not the same thing as an offended spirit. We may experience a cutting remark or slander from someone that wounds us. As the wave of this event rolls over our thoughts, it is right at this moment that we must determine the outcome, that with God’s help we will make this work for us. It is at this juncture that we must process our wounds in a Christ Like manner. If we fail to respond rightly, we will begin to fake our Christianity. Indeed, an offended spirit left unattended and brooding in our minds will soon manifest as betrayal, hatred, and cold love. Jesus said that offenses would be the ultimate cause that leads many to fall away from the faith. Listen well: In the above verse, Jesus linked the real cause of apostasy not only to wrong doctrines but wrong reactions.
Isn’t it important that our doctrines are correct? Of course, but we can have right information and still have a wrong response. Doctrinal information can always be upgraded and refined, but Proverbs warns that someone “offended is harder to be won than a strong city,” and “contentions” between people “are like the bars of a castle” (Proverbs 18:19).
Yes, beware of false leaders, but more deceitful than false prophets or teachers are our own hearts when they are offended (Jeremiah 17:9). Are you living with an offended heart? If so, you are gradually slipping away from true Christianity, which is known for its agape love. Thus, dealing with an offended heart is vital in maintaining ongoing spiritual maturity. For this reason, we need to look again at the things that offend us.The unrealistic expectations we sometimes put on others will, at some point, cause people to fall short and offend us. Still, the very strength of our expectations can choke out the sweetness of a personal relationship. Suppose that, instead of burdening people with our expectations, we simply learned to appreciate them for themselves—no strings attached.
What if we approach family and friends with gratitude for who they are rather than disappointment for what they failed to do? Suppose that a husband, instead of expecting a full-course dinner from his wife each night, learned to appreciate whatever she was able to offer him? Then instead of his failed expectation degrading into an offense, there would be a living, sincere appreciation for the food his wife prepared. I know we have arrangements by common consent, but in reality, a wife is under no obligation to cook special meals or do housekeeping. You did not marry her to be your housekeeper but to become one with her.
Or imagine a husband who works a long, tiring job. However, his wife expects that he will work another two hours at home or go shopping with her, or listen attentively about her problems. What if instead she welcomed him at the door and sincerely thanked him for daily giving himself to support their family? What if she met him not with demands but with appreciation? Perhaps she might even massage his shoulders and, because of love, have his favorite meal prepared? You see, expectations can seem like legitimate aspects of a relationship, but false or unrealistic expectations can also cause us to be disappointed and offended when people fall short.
UPCOMING EVENTS!!!
SOUND THE ALARM!
IFA HOSTING A GATHERING IN GRAND RAPIDS ON SATURDAY AUGUST 3RD – 9AM-4PM
Intercessors for America’s Policy & Prayer Event is coming to Michigan on Saturday, August 3rd!
Location: Thousand Oaks Country Club, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Registration includes lunch and a book. Click the button below to register.
Here are some of the speakers you will hear from and pray over:
- Dave Kubal – The Power of Combining Prayer and Policy
- Dr. Sherry O’Donnell – Fighting Authoritarianism with Truth
- Marianne Engstrom – Protecting Parental Rights
- Randy Hekman – The Importance of Law, Order, and Justice
- Cal Zastrow – Arrested for Singing Outside Abortion Clinic
- Isaac Thomas – Imprisoned for J6 Without Due Process
- State Rep. Joseph Fox – Faith in Office
- Rick Warzywak – Protecting Religious Freedom
SEAN FEUCHT IN LANSING AT STATE CAPITOL SUNDAY AUGUST 25TH – 4-6PM
“The Bible Is True” – We see the “Great Awakening” in America that is unfolding. The booklet is aimed at young and old. It was a result of Rick’s open air evangelism on university campuses for over 20 years. We are using a “Pay it Forward” mentality as Rick will be giving the 87 page booklet away FREE! The only thing he asks is that you would distribute it to all in your sphere of influence with your written testimony on how you became a believer in Christ. If you desire to donate to this “Great Awakening” initiative and request booklets contact Rick at rw247365@gmail.com. Any offering for this outreach can be sent to Transformation MI – PO BOX 12 – Atlanta, MI – 49709…or go to https://transformmi.com/donate. All offerings will go to printing more copies! NEAR 7500 have been distributed! Pray for a donor(s) to step forward and print 5000 more copies by the end of August!
GOAL: Reorder 5000 copies by the end of summer. Consider contributing to this effort! BOOKLET FINAL COST…2.25 per copy plus Shipping!
UPDATE: We will soon make the publication digital and utilize Kindle and Amazon!
BIBLE IS TRUE DEVOTIONAL SERIES…BRUCE MALONE
JURASSIC SURPRISE
BIOLOGY – Common Puerto Rican forest frogs (called coqui) are very important to the tropical forest, because they are one of the forests primary insect predators. This type of fraud is active and hunts at night because it is extremely susceptible to dehydration during the day. The frogs eggs must also be kept from drying out. Researchers have found that the fraud population is directly related to the number of sheltered spots available. The female coqui cannot protect her aches after laying them, because she has totally expended or available energy and must leave defined insects to replenish herself. The eggs are laid on land and would die within hours without immediate attention. The dedicated father immediately moves in to keep the eggs moist at all times and safe from predators. To do this, the male coqui will sit on the eggs 23 hours a day for up to three weeks. One has to wonder how this coordinated effort between the male and female frog could possibly have evolved. How would the mail from note to take on the sacrificial incubation process as soon as the female disappeared? What told the female to abandon its eggs as soon as they were laid? Instincts, even in our fallen world, we must have a program by a creator.
“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young.” (Psalm 84:3)
FEATURED ARTICLES
ABOUT OFFENSES…YODER
FEATURED VIDEOS/AUDIO
COURAGEOUS LIVING,,,BOYKIN
NETANYAHU TO CONGRESS
*THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS! Transformation Michigan expenses have increased due to the daily newsletter and website management for 1363 days of prayer calls. We have helped finance state capitol rallies on the Capitol steps; support missionaries; set up a benevolence fund; sow into advancing religious and personal freedom. Mail an offering to Transformation Michigan – PO Box 12 – Atlanta, MI – 49709. Or go to Transformmi.com and go to our website to give an offering. We appreciate all who have given, and who will give, as we contend in prayer to preserve our state and nation!
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