Have you ever felt like you were treated badly and because of all the work you've done for the Lord, that it shouldn't have happened to you the way it did. Did your feelings get hurt so bad that you wanted to quit what you know God has called you to do? Maybe you have quit but the pain of the insult is so bitter in your mouth that you spew forth poison every time you have the opportunity to "tell" someone what happened to you... Well this is an interesting passage from my study in Jeremiah where God honestly tells Jeremiah to stop his whining and complaining and just get about doing what He told him to do. If this is you and you are currently stuck in an offense, I pray that you receive this as it is meant. As a way out of the depression and insult and into forgiveness and full living.
“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
God doesn't mean to discount your feelings or to make light of your offense. He just wants you to continue serving him whatever happens. Even if no one ever receives. Even if no one ever changes. He can't use you when you live in unforgiveness. He just can't.
God gives us an important responsibility in the ministry and that is to keep on keeping on even when it gets hard. Even when there is an offense...
Be the one to share about what Christ went through... How he suffered and was beaten, and how he was crucified and how he died that we may all have life. He did it willingly... he knew when he came to this earth that he would suffer injustice and that he would lay down his life for all of us who are so imperfect, but he put aside his rights to not be hurt. So why can't you. This is all about bringing glory and honor to the Lord... Not about your hurt feelings...
I hope that this speaks to someone today that is holding on to a little injustice and offense today. Just lay it down and Get over it... God says to put away all that worthless talk and start talking good things today.
Lea Anne
Jeremiah 15:15-18The NLT version says:
You know where I am, God! Remember what I'm doing here!
Take my side against my detractors.
Don't stand back while they ruin me.
Just look at the abuse I'm taking!
When your words showed up, I ate
them—
swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being
yours,
O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I never joined the party crowd
in their laughter and their fun.
Led by you, I went off by myself.
You'd filled me with indignation. Their sin had me seething.
But why,
why this chronic pain,
this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You're nothing, God, but a mirage,
a lovely oasis in the distance—and
then nothing!
19-21This is how God answered me:
"Take back those
words, and I'll take you back.
Then you'll stand tall before me.
Use
words truly and well. Don't stoop to cheap whining.
Then, but only then,
you'll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
Don't change your words
to suit them.
I'll turn you into a steel wall,
a thick steel wall,
impregnable.
They'll attack you but won't put a dent in you
because I'm
at your side, defending and delivering."
God's Decree.
"I'll deliver you
from the grip of the wicked.
I'll get you out of the clutch of the
ruthless."
“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
God doesn't mean to discount your feelings or to make light of your offense. He just wants you to continue serving him whatever happens. Even if no one ever receives. Even if no one ever changes. He can't use you when you live in unforgiveness. He just can't.
God gives us an important responsibility in the ministry and that is to keep on keeping on even when it gets hard. Even when there is an offense...
Be the one to share about what Christ went through... How he suffered and was beaten, and how he was crucified and how he died that we may all have life. He did it willingly... he knew when he came to this earth that he would suffer injustice and that he would lay down his life for all of us who are so imperfect, but he put aside his rights to not be hurt. So why can't you. This is all about bringing glory and honor to the Lord... Not about your hurt feelings...
I hope that this speaks to someone today that is holding on to a little injustice and offense today. Just lay it down and Get over it... God says to put away all that worthless talk and start talking good things today.
Lea Anne
