1 00:00:01,600 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 5 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: for God's very best in your life. God bless you 6 00:00:16,760 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: and it's great to be with you today, and I 7 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through 8 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you 9 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: can come visit us in person. We'd love to have 10 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: you be a part of one of our services. I'd 11 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: like to start with something funny, and I heard about 12 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: this man. He was out walking through the woods with 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: his friend when they suddenly encountered a huge grizzly bear 14 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: about twenty yards in front of them. They both frozen 15 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 1: their tracks as the bear intently stared them down. They 16 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 1: contemplated what they should do. The man finally whispered to 17 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,599 Speaker 1: his friend, I think we should run. His friends said, 18 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: are you kidding? We can't outrun a grizzly bear. The 19 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:59,120 Speaker 1: man said, I know that. I don't have to outrun him. 20 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: I just have to run. You say it like you 21 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it 22 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:08,400 Speaker 1: says I am. I have what it says I have. 23 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 24 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:15,080 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 25 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,040 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 26 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 27 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,560 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about living unoffended. 28 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: We all have opportunities to get upset and be offended. 29 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: A coworker is rude, or someone cuts you off in traffic, 30 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 1: a friend leaves you out. It's easy to get sour, 31 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 1: try to pay people back, hold a grudge. We don't 32 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: realize that's poisoning our life. That offense is like a toxin. 33 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: It's not affecting the other person, it's souring our joy 34 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: and the apostle Paul had all kinds of opportunities to 35 00:01:56,120 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: be offended. People lied about him. He was misunderstood, sudden, 36 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: not accepted by religious leaders. He said in Philippians three, 37 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: this one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and 38 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: reaching forward to what lies ahead. He was saying, one 39 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: thing I'm good at is letting things go, not taking 40 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 1: the offense, not dwelling on what happened yesterday. I put 41 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: all my energies into reaching to what's up ahead. You 42 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: have to have this system of release when you don't 43 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 1: hold on to everything. They said something rude, I'm letting 44 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 1: it go. They hurt my feelings. I didn't like it, 45 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: but I'm letting it go. They left me out. It 46 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 1: wasn't fair, but I'm letting it go. If you hold 47 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: on to that offense, it's not only going to weigh 48 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: you down, it's going to keep you from reaching forward. 49 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: That's what's stopping some people. They're not seeing new levels, 50 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: not tapping into their potential because they're living in yesterday, 51 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: dwelling on what someone said, how they were mistreated, they 52 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,960 Speaker 1: did me wrong. You can't stop all that from happening. 53 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: How you handle the offense is what's important. Forgiveness should 54 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 1: be a continual thing, not one and done. We're continually 55 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 1: releasing and continually letting things go. We need to see 56 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:23,320 Speaker 1: the offense as a toxin, as a poison. You're dealing 57 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: with something very powerful. The offense is like a seed. 58 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:30,520 Speaker 1: If you keep dwelling on it, letting it upset you, 59 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: it's going to take root and grow. It will begin 60 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: to contaminate your life. Cause you to live sour. Why 61 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: did they leave me out? Why'd they walk away? Why 62 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 1: were they disrespectful? You can't control any of that. What 63 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: you can control is whether or not you take the offense. 64 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: And if you'll develop this system of release, of continual 65 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: forgiveness every day, letting go and reaching forward, then that 66 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 1: offense won't affect you. They said something disrespectful. Maybe look 67 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 1: bad in front of my colleagues, but I know God 68 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:08,840 Speaker 1: is my vindicator, He's fighting my battles. I'm gonna let 69 00:04:08,880 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: it go and keep reaching forward. Do you have this 70 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:16,560 Speaker 1: system of release or you holding on to everything? Have 71 00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:20,679 Speaker 1: you learned the process of continual forgiveness? Or you letting 72 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: those seeds take root and contamidate your life? Luke seventeen. 73 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: Jesus was talking to his disciples, getting them prepared to 74 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: go out and do great things. He wasn't going to 75 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: be with them much longer. This was an important time. 76 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:38,560 Speaker 1: He could have talked to them about having more faith, 77 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: believing for bigger impact. But he said in verse one, 78 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: as you go out, there's this one more important thing 79 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 1: you need to know. It is impossible that offenses will 80 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 1: not come. He was saying, as you go through life. 81 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: There will be rude people, grouty co workers, family members 82 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:02,880 Speaker 1: that get on your nerves. It's impossible to not have offenses. 83 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:06,680 Speaker 1: He gave them this somber news. Then he gave them 84 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 1: the solution. He said, if your brother trespasses against you 85 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: seven times a day, forgive them. Now. I can understand 86 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,720 Speaker 1: once a day, maybe twice a day, perhaps three times 87 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: a day, but four times and you're still getting on 88 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: my nerves five times. You better go find someone else 89 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: to bother. When he said seven times, he's talking about 90 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: continual forgiveness. He's saying, don't let that poison in and 91 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 1: contaminate your spirit. You have to deal with offenses quickly. 92 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:42,239 Speaker 1: The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to release. 93 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: If you dwell on it for a day, think about 94 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: it for a month, and it'll get bigger, become more hurtful. 95 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: You'll be sour, short with people, irritable, not enjoy your family. 96 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: That could have all been avoided if you would have 97 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:03,920 Speaker 1: forgiven quickly. Quit letting offenses take root. It's impossible that 98 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: they're not going to come. Let me make it more practical. 99 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:10,760 Speaker 1: It's impossible to live with your family and they not 100 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: hurt your feelings. They not get on your nerves. They 101 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,839 Speaker 1: not disappoint you, say things that they shouldn't. They're not 102 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 1: against you. They're just human. They have flaws. Sometimes people 103 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: don't mean to other times they do. Either way, you 104 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:30,400 Speaker 1: can't let that poison get in you. If you take 105 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:37,239 Speaker 1: that offense, live sour, revengeful, you are wasting your emotional energies. 106 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,040 Speaker 1: You only have so much each day. It's not an 107 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: unlimited supply. Do you know how much emotional energy it 108 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: takes to hold a grudge, to live bitter, to think 109 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 1: about what they did. That's energy you're not going to 110 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 1: have for your dreams, to love your children, to enjoy 111 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: your spouse. Next time someone offends you, try for an approach, 112 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:04,479 Speaker 1: release it and move forward. I'm not going to think 113 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 1: about it. God, I know you'll make my wrongs right. 114 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,320 Speaker 1: I'm putting all my energies into what's ahead and not 115 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: into what's behind. If you'll get in this habit of 116 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:18,040 Speaker 1: forgiving quickly not giving it at the time of day, 117 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: then it won't take root. And the reason some people 118 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: are offensive is they have issues they haven't dealt with. 119 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: They have toxins, hurts, wounds, They become bitter and angry. 120 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: At times, they'll lash out at you. They'll be disrespectful, 121 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: say things that hurt your feelings. Number One, they don't 122 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 1: control your destiny. What they say doesn't determine who you are. 123 00:07:44,200 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 1: Don't take that bait and get engaged in a battle 124 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 1: that you're not supposed to fight. If you get upset, 125 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 1: start trying to pay them back. Man two can play 126 00:07:54,320 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: at this game. You're letting their poison get in you. 127 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:01,040 Speaker 1: Best thing you can do is release it, let it go, 128 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:05,680 Speaker 1: and keep moving forward. The enemy loves to use offenses 129 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: as distractions. He loved to get you upset trying to 130 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:13,559 Speaker 1: prove to people who you are trying to pay them back. 131 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: Even if you accomplish all that, you're no further down 132 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: the road. You've just wasted valuable time and energy fighting 133 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: a battle that doesn't matter. If that battle is not 134 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 1: between you and your destiny, you're not supposed to engage. 135 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 1: Goliath stood between David and his purpose. He fought that battle, 136 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: but a few days earlier, David's older brother eliab He 137 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: made fun of David in front of all of his colleagues. 138 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 1: He belittle David and tried to make him feel small 139 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: but it says in First Samuel seventeen, David turned and 140 00:08:50,920 --> 00:08:56,839 Speaker 1: walked away. Had he gotten distracted, taken the offense, tried 141 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: to prove to his brother who he was, set him straight, 142 00:09:00,520 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: he would have missed fighting Goliath. The scripture says he 143 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: ran toward Goliath, but he walked away from Iliab. The 144 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: mark of a champion is knowing what battles to fight 145 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:16,439 Speaker 1: and what battles to walk away from. Are you fighting 146 00:09:16,520 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: battles that don't matter? Engaged in conflict that's petty, just 147 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: trying to prove to people who you are. Set them straight. 148 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: If you win, what have you accomplished? Are you any 149 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,920 Speaker 1: closer to your destiny? Or was it a distraction? There 150 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: are very few golias that will face, but there are 151 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: many eliabs, many offenses. When you learn to walk away 152 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: from what doesn't matter, you'll have the strength, the favor, 153 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,720 Speaker 1: the anointing to defeat the golias, to defeat what does matter. 154 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,079 Speaker 1: I was at the airport a few years ago in 155 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 1: the security line putting my bag through the X ray machine. 156 00:09:56,040 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: This one worker was very aggressive and very forceful, demanding, 157 00:10:01,080 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 1: hollering instructions so loudly, like he was angry. Take off 158 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:09,320 Speaker 1: your coats and all electronics in the separate container. No 159 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: liquids in your carry on barking all these orders. Early 160 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: in the morning, I put my bag in and it 161 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: went through the machine and it got pulled over to 162 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 1: the side. He screamed out, whose bag is this? I 163 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 1: didn't want my bag anymore, but I finally said it's mine. 164 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: He looked at me like he's about to explode. He said, 165 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: I told you no water in the bag. What are 166 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,440 Speaker 1: you doing? I thought, I'm going on a trip. I'm 167 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 1: not in boot camp. Besides, I didn't put any water 168 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 1: in my bag. There was a beautiful blonde haired girl 169 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,400 Speaker 1: I was traveling with, and I wanted to say it's 170 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: her fault, but I just mold said sorry about that, 171 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 1: and he put the bag back through the screening. A 172 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:54,959 Speaker 1: coworker came over and whispered in his ear that's pastor roastine. 173 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: He turned around and said past roastin. How are you 174 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: my friend? I wanted to say, get behind me, satan, 175 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: He said, I watch you every week. I thought it's 176 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: not working at all. My point is life is too 177 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:18,240 Speaker 1: short to let other people dump their garbage on you. 178 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: You can't stop it from happening, but you can release 179 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:26,200 Speaker 1: it and move forward. Some people they have all this 180 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: hurt and anger and offense. What didn't work out? Who 181 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: did them wrong? Because they never let anything go Like 182 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: a big garbage can, They're carrying around all this trash. 183 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: Sometimes they'll try to dump their garbage on you. You have 184 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: to be smart enough to say no, thanks. You can 185 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: dump it, but I'm not gonna take it. I'm gonna 186 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: stay in peace and enjoy this day. Jesus was telling 187 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: his disciples in this passage, I'm sending you out to 188 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:58,640 Speaker 1: impact the world. But along with this favor, there will 189 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 1: be offenses. People that don't understand you, people that try 190 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: to discredit you. As God promotes you and gives you 191 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 1: more influence. You have to have thicker skin. You can't 192 00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 1: be easily offended. People will come against you, say things 193 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 1: that are not true, try to mischaracterize you. Don't sink 194 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:21,520 Speaker 1: down to their level. That's not your battle. Keep releasing 195 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: and reaching. The only way they can affect you is 196 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:28,560 Speaker 1: if you take the bank. You get offended, become soured. 197 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 1: Try to prove to them who you are. The scripture 198 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 1: says the pure in heart will see God That word 199 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: pure in the original Greek language is where we get 200 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: our word catheter. A catheter is used during surgery to 201 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:47,000 Speaker 1: take toxins out of the body. This is saying, if 202 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: you're going to see God, if you're going to have 203 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 1: his favor, his blessing, you have to keep the impurities out. 204 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 1: You have to have this catheter, so to speak, to 205 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,960 Speaker 1: where when an offense comes, no big deal, it flows 206 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 1: through and released. They hurt my feelings, they were disrespectful. 207 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:07,400 Speaker 1: He's shouldn't have hollered at me. You can't stop that 208 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:11,480 Speaker 1: from coming, but you can stop it from staying. You 209 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: have to have that catheter to get rid of the toxins. 210 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 1: The problem with some people is they've never learned this 211 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:22,800 Speaker 1: system of release, to holding onto everything what someone said, 212 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 1: how they were treated wrong. Now their heart is not pure. 213 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 1: There's unforgiveness, resentment, anger. That's why they can't see God. 214 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 1: Is your vision being limited because you're not dealing with 215 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: offenses properly? Is the favor on your life, the blessings, 216 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,079 Speaker 1: the creativity not showing up like it should because you're 217 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: holding onto hurts, living offended, bitter. The good news is 218 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 1: you will see things clear up if you'll start releasing, 219 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: start forgiving quickly, not letting these toxins build up. That's 220 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: clouding your vision. It's keeping you from seeing the victory 221 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: and the abundance that God has for you. Now, I've 222 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: known people that were favored. They were talented, but they 223 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 1: got distracted by what people were saying, bitter over who 224 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,719 Speaker 1: did them wrong, trying to prove to people they were 225 00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 1: not what was said. They became defensive, harsh, critical. It 226 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: was all born out of an offense that they didn't 227 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: let go of. If you hold on to offenses, they'll 228 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 1: begin to change who you are. But if you'll be 229 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: a David, walk away from the eliabs, walk away from 230 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: the insults, the disrespect, then God can trust you with more. 231 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,560 Speaker 1: We have to pass these tests. When offense comes, that's 232 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: an opportunity to show God what you're made of. The 233 00:14:46,360 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: easy thing is to get offended, be rude to someone 234 00:14:49,720 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 1: that's rude back to you, live bitter, upset, angry. That's 235 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: the carnal way to handle it. But we're supposed to 236 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: walk by the spirit and not the flesh. When you 237 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: say no thanks, I'm not taking the offense. God, You're 238 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: in control. I'm gonna release it and keep moving forward. 239 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 1: That's when God can trust you with more. He'll never 240 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:13,680 Speaker 1: let you face situations that are too much for you 241 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 1: to handle. The next time you're tempted to get upset, 242 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: be offended, pay somebody back, try a different approach. I 243 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: can handle this. I have the grace for where I am. 244 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: I'm going to stay cool, remain calm, and let God 245 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 1: fight my battles. That's passing the task, that's keeping your 246 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: heart pure. That's when you'll see God. You'll see his blessing, 247 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: his favor, his goodness on your life in a new way. 248 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 1: And in the position that I'm in in front of 249 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 1: a lot of people. There are many opinions. People that 250 00:15:45,400 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 1: don't understand, that mischaracterize, say things that are not true. 251 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: I do what I'm asking you to do. I don't 252 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: pay any attention to it. I'm not offended. I don't 253 00:15:55,960 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: let that poison get in. Life is good. I'm happy God. 254 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,040 Speaker 1: God has blessed me more than I can imagine. Your 255 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 1: time is too valuable. God's been too good to you 256 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 1: to live offended discourage over what they said. Bidter who 257 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 1: left you out, Rise above that. People can say what 258 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: they want, but if you don't let it in. It's 259 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: like water off of a duck's bag. It has no effect. 260 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: Don't let the negative chatter People that are never going 261 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: to be for you get you distracted fighting battles that 262 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 1: don't matter, bitter over people that are not a part 263 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 1: of your destiny, worried about what someone thinks that's never 264 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:38,000 Speaker 1: going to understand you. That's the enemy trying to use 265 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 1: those offenses to poison your spirit, deceive you into changing 266 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,800 Speaker 1: who you are. Keep your heart pure. Ignore it. They 267 00:16:46,840 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: have issues they haven't dealt with. That's why there's few 268 00:16:49,480 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 1: in the poison. They don't like themselves. How are they 269 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 1: ever going to like you? Release it and move forward. 270 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 1: When Jesus told his disciples they were going to have 271 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: to forgive an offense seven times a day, the next 272 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:08,120 Speaker 1: thing they said was, Lord, increase our faith. They didn't pray, God, 273 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: increase our faith so we can do bigger miracles. Crease 274 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 1: our faith so we can have a bigger vision. They said, 275 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: increase our faith so we can forgive the wrongs, so 276 00:17:19,240 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: we can let go of the offenses, so we can 277 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:25,879 Speaker 1: keep these toxins out. Sometimes it takes more faith to 278 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 1: keep your heart purer than it does to accomplish a dream. 279 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: We're praying for faith, for a breakthrough, faith for a 280 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 1: new level, and that's good. I believe in that. But 281 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:39,480 Speaker 1: like these disciples, have you ever prayed? God increased my 282 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:42,880 Speaker 1: faith so I can let go of these hurts. Increase 283 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: my faith, so I can forgive this person that betrayed me. 284 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: God increased my faith so I can keep my heart 285 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:53,640 Speaker 1: purer and keep moving forward with my life. One time, 286 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:56,240 Speaker 1: my father received a letter in the mail from a 287 00:17:56,320 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 1: minister in another country. This minister was very prominent, well known. 288 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:05,400 Speaker 1: The letter was very hurtful and condemning. My father had 289 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:08,520 Speaker 1: been married early in life and went to a divorce, 290 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: and this minister was telling him how he was not qualified, 291 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 1: how he shouldn't be pastoring. He accused my father things 292 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: that weren't true, just people stirring up trouble, spreading rumors. 293 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 1: My father was very offended. He thought this is not right, 294 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 1: so he wrote the man a letter back that was 295 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 1: just as strong and forceful, telling him, who do you 296 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 1: think you are? You don't know what you're talking about. 297 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:36,480 Speaker 1: You should mind your own business. On and on, my 298 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: father sealed the envelope, put the stamp on it and 299 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,000 Speaker 1: walked out to the mailbox. When he put it in 300 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 1: the mail, he heard a voice saying, you got him back, 301 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:49,080 Speaker 1: didn't you. Daddy said, I sure did. The voice said 302 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:51,960 Speaker 1: you set him straight, didn't you. Daddy said, yes, I did. 303 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,720 Speaker 1: Then the voice said you repaid evil for evil, didn't you. 304 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: My father realized that was God's speaking to him. He 305 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:04,479 Speaker 1: felt convicted. He was drawn into a battle that he 306 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:08,199 Speaker 1: wasn't supposed to engage in. That offense was starting to 307 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: take root. The scripture says you overcome evil with good. 308 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,720 Speaker 1: When you're offended, you never win by returning the offense. 309 00:19:18,560 --> 00:19:22,840 Speaker 1: All that's doing is poisoning your spirit. You overcome offenses 310 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: by letting them go, not responding, not dwelling on it, 311 00:19:27,000 --> 00:19:30,840 Speaker 1: not letting that poison in. He walked back to the mailbox, 312 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:35,080 Speaker 1: tore the letter up, never sent it. Sixteen years later, 313 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: that man showed up at Lakewood. He said to my father, 314 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: with big tears running down his cheeks, I'm so sorry 315 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:45,440 Speaker 1: about the letter. I was wrong. I had been hurt, 316 00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:48,960 Speaker 1: and in that anger I lashed out at you. He 317 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:52,440 Speaker 1: asked my father to forgive him. Their relationship was restored, 318 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: but that was a test that my father had to pass. 319 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: Had he let that offense take root, begin to change 320 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: and become bitter, vindictive, angry, he would have never seen 321 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:10,120 Speaker 1: God's favor and blessing like he did. When an offense comes, 322 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: you're dealing with something very powerful. That seed is alive. 323 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:17,679 Speaker 1: If you let it get in you, what's ironic is 324 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:21,320 Speaker 1: you will become what you don't like. My father would 325 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:25,879 Speaker 1: have become like that man, harsh, angry, judgmental. You can't 326 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 1: take offense lightly. That seed can change your nature, sour 327 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:34,440 Speaker 1: your attitude, and limit your vision. In the Book of Esther, 328 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 1: there was a man named Naman. He worked for the king, 329 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: and he was promoted to prime minister, making him the 330 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:45,920 Speaker 1: most powerful person in the Persian Empire next to the king. 331 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:50,160 Speaker 1: He had all this authority, respect and honor. He wore 332 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: a ring that had the King's seal on it. When 333 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,639 Speaker 1: he passed by, people would bow down to show their honor. 334 00:20:57,400 --> 00:21:00,720 Speaker 1: But there was a man named Mordecai that would bow down. 335 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 1: This made Haymond so upset. He was so offended. The 336 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:09,520 Speaker 1: scripture says he was filled with rage, couldn't sleep at night, 337 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:14,840 Speaker 1: couldn't enjoy His family, didn't appreciate his position all because 338 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,960 Speaker 1: one man wouldn't bow down, one man wouldn't show respect. 339 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: He could have said, big deal, you won't bow That 340 00:21:21,640 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 1: doesn't change me. I'm still the prime minister. But he 341 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:29,760 Speaker 1: said in chapter five, all this honor is meaningless as 342 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: long as I see Mordecai sitting at the gate. He 343 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 1: had all the blessing favor, he was leaving the country, 344 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 1: but one man wouldn't respect him. Instead of ignoring it, 345 00:21:41,400 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 1: not paying it any attention, moving forward, that's all he 346 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 1: focused on. He ended up losing his position and losing 347 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: his life. If you allow a fence in, it can 348 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 1: cause you to lose perspective, blow things out of proportion, 349 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 1: fight battles that don't matter. Starting ignoring disrespect. You can't 350 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: make people like you, make them change their mind. If 351 00:22:06,320 --> 00:22:09,479 Speaker 1: you stay focused on the offense, you'll start majoring on 352 00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:12,919 Speaker 1: the miners. Miss all the great things God has blessed 353 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: you with. That person at work doesn't like you, that's okay. 354 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:19,760 Speaker 1: You don't need them to like you to fulfill your destiny. 355 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:23,360 Speaker 1: There are plenty of people that do like you. Don't 356 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 1: become focused on it. Let it go. That's not your battle. 357 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:31,720 Speaker 1: The scripture says it's the little foxes that spoil the vines. 358 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 1: One person out of the whole Persian empire wouldn't respect him, 359 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 1: and he was full of rage. Look at how out 360 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:44,600 Speaker 1: of proportion things become when we let an offense take root. 361 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: Are there any little foxes that are spoiling your joy? 362 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:52,880 Speaker 1: Those little offenses, if you allow them to stay, will 363 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 1: turn into big issues that can limit your life. When 364 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: my brother Paul was seventeen years old, someone that was 365 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 1: a mentor to him, someone he looked up to, told 366 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:06,359 Speaker 1: him that he didn't think Paul had what it took 367 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:11,280 Speaker 1: to become a medical doctor. Paul was at this vulnerable stage, 368 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:15,359 Speaker 1: very impressionable. When you need people speaking faith over you, 369 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:19,200 Speaker 1: telling you you can do great things, was just the opposite. 370 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:23,400 Speaker 1: Paul was offended, hurt his feelings, and wounded his spirit, 371 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:27,400 Speaker 1: and instead of letting it go, not paying any attention, 372 00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:30,800 Speaker 1: the seed began to take root. He began to have 373 00:23:30,880 --> 00:23:35,320 Speaker 1: this unhealthy competitiveness, this drive that said I'm going to 374 00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:38,760 Speaker 1: prove to you who I am. It developed into this 375 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 1: underlying anger. He became negative, critical, judgmental. He said, I 376 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: was like a boiling furnace if you got close to me, 377 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 1: and I opened those furnace doors. You were going to 378 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:54,400 Speaker 1: get burned. Twenty years later, he was talking with his pastor. 379 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:57,359 Speaker 1: He said, Paul, why do you have all this rage 380 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: in you? It's like you're about to explode. Paul's mind 381 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: went back to when he was seventeen years old, when 382 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:07,280 Speaker 1: he was told he couldn't become a doctor. Well, now 383 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:10,199 Speaker 1: he was a successful surgeon. He had proved them wrong, 384 00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:14,959 Speaker 1: but he wasn't satisfied. He still felt this resentment, this anger. 385 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: It was poisoning his life. Here he had all these 386 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 1: great things, but he couldn't enjoy it. That's how powerful 387 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:25,440 Speaker 1: offense is. If you let that seat in, it can 388 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:29,520 Speaker 1: grow and become a root of bitterness where it's contaminating 389 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: every area of your life, your attitude, your relationships, your vision. 390 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: Paul knew he had to dig up that route, and 391 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: he lived in Little Rock, but he came to Houston 392 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:44,080 Speaker 1: and went to the exact place where that offense took root. 393 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 1: He said, God, today I'm forgiving them, I'm letting it go. 394 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:51,440 Speaker 1: I'm getting rid of this offense. I'm going to live 395 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:54,960 Speaker 1: my life free. That day was a turning point. He 396 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 1: felt that anger, resentment began to lift off of him. 397 00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: Chains were broken, and that's when he started enjoying his 398 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 1: success and enjoying what God had blessed him with. The 399 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:10,040 Speaker 1: Psalmist said in Psalm seventy three, I didn't realize how 400 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:16,200 Speaker 1: bitter I had become. I wonder if we're carrying around offenses, anger, resentment, 401 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: we don't even realize it. It's poison in our spirit, 402 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: keeping us from our dreams, limiting our creativity. What's causing 403 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 1: you to be that way? You're supposed to be free 404 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 1: and positive and joyful, Like Paul, you have to get 405 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: honest with yourself. Maybe there are some bitter roots you 406 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 1: need to pull up. You've allowed offenses to stay. That's okay. 407 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: Today can be the uprooting day. Today can be the 408 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:46,520 Speaker 1: day you let things go. You forgive who hurt you, 409 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: not focus on what they did. Not be obsessed like 410 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:54,000 Speaker 1: Hayman over who's not celebrating you living to prove to 411 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:57,760 Speaker 1: them who you are? You have nothing to prove. God 412 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:01,120 Speaker 1: is proud of you. God is cheering you on. He's 413 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:04,399 Speaker 1: going to make up for the wrongs. Hurts come, but 414 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:08,720 Speaker 1: God heals. Unfair things happen, but God pays you back. 415 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: We all have some ashes, but God gives you beauty 416 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:16,080 Speaker 1: for the ashes. Now do your part, keep the offenses out, 417 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:20,800 Speaker 1: develop this habit of letting go and reaching forward, living 418 00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: in a continual state of forgiveness. If you'll do this, 419 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:28,160 Speaker 1: I believe and declare things that have hindered you are 420 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:33,600 Speaker 1: being broken right now. Offenses are being uprooted. Freedom is coming, 421 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:38,040 Speaker 1: greater joy, greater peace, greater favor, the fullness of your 422 00:26:38,119 --> 00:26:42,120 Speaker 1: destiny in Jesus' name, And if you receive it, can 423 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:46,800 Speaker 1: you say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity 424 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:49,679 Speaker 1: to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you 425 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of 426 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my 427 00:26:57,280 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 1: Lord and savior. If you pray that simple prayer, we 428 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:03,679 Speaker 1: believe you got born again. We'd love to send you 429 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:06,359 Speaker 1: some free information on your new walk with the Lord. 430 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: You can text the number on the screen or go 431 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: to the website. But I hope you'll get into a 432 00:27:11,400 --> 00:27:16,040 Speaker 1: good Bible based church and keep God first place. Thanks 433 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:18,880 Speaker 1: so much for listening to today's message. I hope you'll 434 00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:22,360 Speaker 1: subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to keep 435 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:25,280 Speaker 1: you encouraged and inspired all through the week. Help us 436 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 1: to continue to share the message of hope with those 437 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:31,000 Speaker 1: all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com or click 438 00:27:31,040 --> 00:27:33,879 Speaker 1: the link in the description to partner with us today. 439 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:36,560 Speaker 1: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 440 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:39,479 Speaker 1: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 441 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:42,640 Speaker 1: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. We'll 442 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:43,480 Speaker 1: see you next time.