Offended 9

August 30 2013 Offended 9 – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 16:1 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that you should not be offended.”

There are a lot of issues that Jesus had spoken about what the disciples would faced. And He encouraged them not to be offended or don’t be surprised if something would happen to them. Jesus said, “These things I have told you that when the time shall come, you may remember what I have said.” The disciples had no idea what Jesus meant until then. Jesus wants to spare them.

The Scripture also apply to us. Jesus warned the believer because He wants to prevent the believer from slipping away. The word “offended” means to stumble or to trip. Persecution by religious people can be a stumbling block to the believer. The believer can find himself being questioned for their belief in Christ.

What this means when Satan “sift” us or “shaken” our belief in Christ, we better make sure that we have Christ in our hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love. Why is this important? God talked a lot about being “shaken.” He is going to “shake” the people of the world to find out where they stand. If you want, I suggest looking up the Manna on Taking Root 1, 2, & 3 and be refreshed with the Parable of Sower on “Stony Ground.”

If you watch the news or read the newspaper that the young Christians children in their schools are being questioned about why they brought the Bible with them to school, why they testify about Christ to the kids, and why they pray over their food during the lunch time at school. They were told that it was forbidden or they would receive disciplinary action. Hey! What happened to the freedom of speech in America? This is what Jesus was talking about being “offended.” Know something? Bless the kids, they stood for Christ. Their faiths were rooted in Christ. Wow!

Now how about us? Are we like those kids who were ready to take a stand for Christ? Remember the news of Colorado Christian teenager girl in high school was shot for taking a stand for Christ? She was not offended because I believe she had read what Jesus said, “Do not be offended” when some things may happened to you. Many Christians may have realized they didn’t have the “deep root” like she had. God had “shaken” their faith to become stronger in Christ.

Now, maybe some Christians are going through a very emotional testing time and they wondered why God allowed some things to happen to them. God has a plan for you. He chose you to become like His Son (Rom.8:29). Oh Lord, I pray that we be filled with the Holy Spirit who would help us to be strong in the Lord and endure all things for Christ in Jesus’ name. Amen!

May the Lord bless you today!