His Word for Today: Book of Numbers 7:24-29

What is He speaking to us to do today? The leaders of the tribes seem to continue to fulfill their role without any conflict with one another. What is it that creates tension in our relationships, teams that keeps us from moving forward together to fulfill the God given destiny? 

One of the areas is offense. Whenever we feel offended, do we keep the offense? Or perhaps when we feel offended, we may not know how to deal with them although we want to. For those who are married, marriage may be the biggest battle ground. Do we feel that our marriage, relationship is out of control? It may be because we are striving to keep our relationships under control that we continue to struggle. Have we thought about doing it His way? We may have been so caught up in dealing with offense which comes in different forms that this has even become our norm, our blind spot that keeps us from experiencing more of Him. 

Instead, have we thought about choosing to be offended? Although Jesus, at one time, did not want to go to the cross, He chose to in order to do His Father's will.(Ref Luke 22:42) It may be because we have been so hurt in our relationships because of offense that we do not want to be hurt again. There may even be a sense of fear to go into relationships because we do not know how to deal with offense. Or it may be pride that keeps us from stepping in because we don't want to be in the position of defeat in the eyes of others feeling embarrassed. But one of the ways to deal with offense is to choose to experience them like Jesus at the cross. When we read the Scriptures regarding forgiveness,(Ref Mark 11:25 etc.) one of its definitions is to permit and suffer. Specifically, this is from the Greek "aphiemi". 

Today, let us continue to find ways to live in peace with all men.(Ref Romans 12:18) We all need each other and others are expecting us to join to fulfill the call on our lives.(Ref Romans 12:4-5) And let us seek His guidance in how to deal with offense. We need to choose to humble ourselves to trust Him that His Wisdom works even if we feel fear or are fighting with pride.

May the Lord continue to richly bless you today!