How to Become Unoffendable

(word reposted from 2005)
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
God has a new heart for us that cannot be offended, an "unoffendable" heart. Beloved, possessing an unoffendable heart is not an option or a luxury; it's not a little thing. Consider: Jesus warns that, as we near the end of the age, a majority of people will be offended to such a degree that they fall away from the faith. Listen carefully to His warning:
"Then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another...and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:10-12).
"Many" will be offended; the love of "many" will grow cold. My prayer is that we will hear His words with holy fear.
The Dangers of Harboring an Offense
When we allow an offense to remain in our hearts, it causes serious spiritual consequences. In the above verse, Jesus named three dangerous results: betrayal, hatred, and cold love. When we are offended with someone, even someone we care for, we must go to them. Otherwise, we begin to betray that relationship, talking maliciously behind their back to others, exposing their weaknesses and sins. We may mask our betrayal by saying we are just looking for advice or counsel, but when we look back, we see we have spoken negatively to far too many people. Our real goal was not to get spiritual help for ourselves but to seek revenge toward the one who offended us. How is such action not a manifestation of hatred? For an offended soul, cold love, betrayal, and hatred go hand-in-hand.
People don't usually stumble over boulders; they stumble over stones--relatively small things. It may be that the personality of someone in authority bothers us, and soon, we are offended. Or, a friend or family member fails to meet our expectations, and we take an offense into our soul. Beloved, if we will "endure to the end," we will have to confront the things that bother us.
When Jesus warns that we need endurance, He is saying that it is easier to begin the race than finish it. Between now and the day you die, there will be major times of offense that you will need to overcome. You might be in such a time right now. Do not minimize the danger of harboring an offense.
No one plans on falling away; no one ever says, "Today, I think I'll try to develop a hardened, cold heart." Such things enter our souls through stealth and it is only naiveté that assumes it couldn't happen to us. I know many people who consistently become offended about one thing or another. Instead of dealing with the offenses, these people carry them until the weight disables their walk with God. You may be doing fine today, but I guarantee you, tomorrow something will happen that will inevitably disappoint or wound you; some injustice will strike you, demanding you retaliate in the flesh.
The Root of Offense
An offense can strike at our virtues or sins, our values or our pride. It can penetrate and wound any dimension of the soul, both good and evil. I once brought a series of messages about gossip. Most people saw their sin and repented, but a core group of gossips were greatly offended and ultimately left the church. When the Holy Spirit exposes sin in someone's soul, if we refuse the opportunity to repent, we often become offended at the person who brought the teaching. Instead of humbling our hearts, we are outraged at the pastor or teachers in the church. Truthfully, most of the time, I have no idea who specifically needs to hear what I'm teaching, but God knows.
Paul told Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, exhort" (see 2 Timothy 4:2). He didn't say, "exhort, exhort, exhort," but exhortation is what we receive in most churches. Certainly, we need to be encouraged, but there are also times, beloved, when we need to be reproved and rebuked. Today, there are preachers who are afraid to preach truth, for fear people will react and leave the church. The end result is a church of easily offended people who cannot grow beyond their inability to accept correction.
People don't change by exhortation alone. There are areas in all of us that need to be confronted and disciplined. The pastor who refuses to discipline and correct those in sin is in disobedience to God. He is unable to lead people into any truly transforming changes in their lives; they will not "endure to the end" if they cannot be corrected (see Matthew 24).
We need to become a people who say, "Lord, show me what needs to change in me." I'm talking about growing up. A wise man will receive a rebuke and he will prosper. But a fool rejects his father's discipline (see Proverbs 15:5).
Personal Offense
An offense can wound our pride when we are not recognized for our good works or ministry. This happened to my wife and I long ago while in California. We were young pastors at a conference when the main leader decided to personally greet each minister and wife. He greeted the couple on our right and then turned to his staff to ask a question. A moment later he returned, but passed us by and went to the couple on our left.
Everyone around us saw we were bypassed. We were embarrassed and offended. But my wife wisely observed that we could allow this thing to hurt us or we could see it as an investment in sensitivity toward other people's feelings. The offense taught us how others feel when they are ignored. Do you see this? You must make that offense become an opportunity to become more Christlike.
The occasions for taking offense are practically endless. Indeed, we are daily given the opportunity to either be offended by something or to possess an unoffendable heart. The Lord's promise is that He's given us a new heart: a soft, entreatable heart that can be filled with His Spirit and abound with His love.
Lord, forgive me for being so easily offended and for carrying offenses. Father, my heart is foolish and weak. Grant me the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane
Email: francis1@frangipane.org


Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.
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"HIDDEN TREASURES ARE BEING REVEALED NOW!"

May 22, 2007


Kim Clement:

"HIDDEN TREASURES ARE BEING REVEALED NOW!"


May 10, 2007--Detroit, MI

The Spirit of God said, "I am working things out in a very strange way. Men are saying 'where is it, we've looked?'" But God said, "I've set aside two months of this year now for even greater favor than ever before. This month already great miracles are happening, but it is nothing compared to what I am about to do," says the Lord. "I have charged the atmosphere; I have charged the atmosphere with turbulence. I have charged the atmosphere with turbulence," says the Spirit of God. Why? For there is a cleansing coming in the atmosphere, and God said, "that which has become lofty shall be brought to nothing. And that which is nothing shall be brought to a high place." This month, God says, "That which was impenetrable, that which could not be touched or reached shall suddenly be accessible. You call it My grace, I call it My favor and blessing."

For the Spirit of God said, "It shall come to pass, and very shortly, that the things that I spoke even from this prophet within this city are now about to be unfolded. It is without hesitation that I tell you tonight that even in this month that which has never happened before shall happen. That which was impossible shall suddenly be possible. Therefore I say to you, charge the atmosphere with your praises, charge the atmosphere with your shouts, charge the atmosphere with an adjustment," says the Lord of Hosts!

Let there be a sound, a sound of victory!

God says, "It is likened unto the wells that had nothing to bring forth--suddenly the wells shall come forth." What am I speaking of? I am speaking of that which was absolutely unbelievably difficult; it was like rock to strike into. We could not get there, but suddenly, God said, "The rock shall be turned into mud, it shall be so easy;" God said "It shall then be turned into water. For I am telling you that the soil is about to bring forth that which is necessary for such a time as this."

Look, do not be in despair, for God said, "I have promised, and I shall do it. But that which is impenetrable shall suddenly become easily accessible," and God said, "without a fight, without a battle, you shall acquire what I promised you. Without a fight, without a battle, what I promised will be given to you," says the Lord--"enough, enough fighting, enough battle." God said, "Now it's time to enter the rest and the promise of God. In the month of May you shall say, 'this has never ever happened before, it's a miracle, a supernatural miracle!'"


Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com



Shipwreck yields historic riches--$500M worth


We at the ElijahList think it is more than just a coincidence that possibly the largest shipwreck treasure ever discovered in history happened to be made public THIS MONTH. It seems to be confirmation that ANYTHING is possible in the natural realm, as God releases His great favor on the earth in this month of May. You might be convinced that something you once greatly desired is long gone, but God is able and willing to stir the waters and bring the treasure you once valued to the surface. Many Blessings!

For details about the shipwreck discovery, click here (CNN.com)


Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Still a Slave?

More folks came to the Downtown street Church. Great to see some new faces and old ones as well. It is a delight to see friends but when they are in the same old stuff it hurts. Last week sharing the story of the Declaration of Emancipation in the U.S. in 1865 was such an appropriate way to begin the Street Church. Why? Because the folks in the streets have heard the Good News of their freedom but still operate as slaves. The Negroes who received the announcement that they were free did not believe it, ignored it or had that freedom kept from them.

People in the streets and in the church have many great questions about faith, they receive the answer and go away and treat it as information but at the time of hearing it tickled their ears. When and how will the Good News become real for them? The street motto seems to be 'Repay Good with Evil', you don't believe that? Come and spend some time with folks who are addicted to this street lifestyle. The way of the streets may have been watch out for each others back but that was more of a selfish act than anything else. Life in the streets is look out for number one and the life the Church at times as well.

Matthew 5:21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment".

The Good News is God has taken care of our sin. First the folks in the southern U.S. needed to know they were slaves and then they could begin to understand the Declaration that was made for them. As Law (Ten Commandments) breakers we need to take care of that sin in our lives that separates us from God. No more taking things into our own hands and comming up with the punishment, the punishment has been taken care of as well. If you have seen the Passion of the Christ or read the Gospel narratives about the death of Jesus you know how severe his punishment was. The Father allowed this to happen to His One and Only Son, so how do you think He is going to be with us if we don't come to His Son and receive His Gift, his payment in full for our sin?

The folks in the street and the Church need to hear the Good News but first they need to know they are enslaved to sin first.

Downtown Street Church Jan 31 2007

Notes from StreetHope’s Downtown Street Church

The Downtown Street Church the Lord gave us to start will be definitely in Gods' time. He will draw people to the evening. Our efforts to put together an agenda have not worked out precisely to what we thought we heard God speak to us about. I was not very patient in the beginning of the evening but as the evening pressed on I was pleasantly reminded of the Lord's timing is not the same as mine. We will have to rebuild the trust and relationships we had with people in the Downtown again. It has been 10 months since the closure of the drop-in on Pauline Street.

Eight years ago the first female to come into the FVCC or StreetHope as it became to be known was Tia and tonight she returned and unfortunately back in the streets and practicing prostitution. Penny came in withTia, Penny has been in the streets for the last years and continues in her addiction. Penny told me tonight that the doctors are saying Rick is dying (Her male companion for 20 years). Please pray for how the Lord wants us to intervene in the lives of Rick and Penny?

Rick Mickelson and Lance came via an invitation from Ward Draper (volunteer) to help with the food prep and they want to come back and organize the food for the Street Church. Carole Springthorpe came in the role of Intercessor and prayed continually until the time the service began. Catherine Morris led in the prayers, I addressed everyone and welcomed people and told a story about the 13 Amendment (The Declaration of Emancipation) to lead into the study on the Apostles Creed led by Ward Draper. Wayne Griffith provided us with his ability to run the sound system and Lori Macdonald, Tim Ogden and Paul Deary helped with security, setup and take down.

Maggie teared during the prayers and the Lord answered a prayer for a place to stay the night for her. She is very abused and hurting woman that comes across as a tough sort but we know she is frightened and in need of the Love of God. Bill inquired if I married people because he and Sandy are considering marriage. Ben came back and brought with him the couple wanting to get married. Bobby and his dog Brandon arrived and his well behaved dog began the evening waiting at the entrance of the church until I said he would be able to come in. Bobby was delightfully surprised that I would let Brandon enter the church building.

Ernest arrived while we were in the service and promptly got food and joined in the discussions. One other gentleman showed up got a sandwich and left. Karl came at the beginning but chose not to stay.

Questions arose about God and His character.. We spoke of God and His patience and Love for us and we know that He will be faithful and show each and everyone who comes in His Deep, Deep love for them. Sandy has the thought that God is a mean Father. She will shrug off her comments when we say that He isn't and so that reminds me to let people give their opinion and feelings about who God is to them and correct their misconceptions right away.

Slow Motion but Suddenly

I was blessed by this article from the Elijahlist.com and hope you will be as well.

Bill Yount: "BE PATIENT...I SAW MANY HEALINGS, MIRACLES, AND BREAKTHROUGHS TAKING PLACE AS IN 'SLOW MOTION!'" EXODUS 23:27-30
Exodus 23:27-30 "I will send My fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come; and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. And I will send hornets before thee which shall drive out your enemies from before thee. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By 'little and little' I will drive them out from before thee until thou be increased and inherit the land."MANY ARE PREGNANT THIS HOUR WITH HEALING, MIRACLES, AND BREAKTHROUGHS! I personally have been carrying healing on the inside of me for the last four years, and I intend to carry it full term! I believe we get healed from the inside out as our spirit receives it first, and then notifies our body by quickening it by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead! I have had to be careful with whom I shared this with, especially being a man. I know that I am pregnant with healing! Not everyone believes what you or I have conceived from the Lord. If people don't believe in healing or miracles, their words of unbelief could possibly influence our faith and abort it. I believe this is why Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered those things in her heart, for not even Joseph at first, could understand how and what she conceived from the Lord. Mary's response, "Lord, let it be unto me according to your word," put to silence the voice of the enemy and her own questions also.MANY ARE QUESTIONING..."LORD, WHY DIDN'T I RECEIVE MY HEALING OR MIRACLE 'INSTANTLY' OR YESTERDAY?"My greatest discouragement and frustration has been "why is my healing taking so long?" I am learning that God is doing something greater on the inside of me in my spirit man that is eternal, which will outlast my physical body, and at the same time, invade my body with His presence that heals! God is working in our lives with the backdrop of eternity in view! Bob Sorge teaches "God will seemingly take forever to do something suddenly!"
2 Corinthians 4:16, "So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace." WE ARE IN A SEASON OF "LITTLE BY LITTLES" ...BUT LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT!I sense we are living in a season of "little by littles!" At times, the little will look so little that it will seem as though nothing is happening, like you are even taking a step backward. At these moments, look for the "little" improvement in your body or situation. Little progress to us is major in the Kingdom of God! Being faithful and counting your blessings in the little things has a promise from God to make us faithful over many greater things!
Right after the attack against my heart, I began to thank God for my new ministry of "full-time breathing!" I was so very thankful just to be breathing and alive! That's when I believe I began to be attacked by healing! That's when I began to enter into His gates with thanksgiving where healing abounds. Through these years my blood work (especially my good cholesterol) has been a battle with faith and a healthier diet. But with each test every few months, I seemed to show a "little by little" improvement. With my last blood test a few days ago, I couldn't wait to see my good cholesterol level because I have been doing everything I know to bring it up higher. At first glance at the test results, I looked for the good cholesterol number which surprised me--it actually dropped one point instead of rising.
I was so discouraged that I didn't even bother looking closely at the other numbers on my test. Being focused on that one number was so important to me. I failed to see the other numbers which had improved so well, that my doctor said it was my best blood test ever!! Although the good cholesterol fell one point, the other numbers were so good, that my overall cholesterol and blood test report was the best ever!YOUR BREAKTHROUGH WILL USUALLY COME WHEN YOU FEEL "LITTLE" IN YOUR OWN EYES AND "NOT UP TO PAR" FOR A MIRACLE! 1 Samuel 15:151 Samuel 15:17, "And Samuel said to Saul...'When you were little in your own eyes, the Lord anointed you to be King over all of Israel.'"On the day of my last blood test, the enemy was throwing all kinds of accusations against me. I felt unworthy for I was battling wrong attitudes and a "few" imperfections. It wasn't the best day for my test, for it was hard to believe that God could possibly let me live, let alone bless me! But I must tell you that my best test results ever, came on (what I thought was) my worst day to be tested. I think the Lord wanted to prove to me that healing is a gift and that mercy triumphs over judgment. I took the test that day feeling so small and broken in His sight. He loves showing us His faithfulness and love at the height of our weaknesses.I am watching my healing unfold "little by little," causing me to stay focused on the Healer who keeps my healing alive and well.Excuse me, I feel the baby kicking!Bill Yountwww.billyount.com theshofarhasblown@juno.com

What is the Plan?

This is home for some of the Homeless in Abbotsford. Now I need to qualify this picture, it is where some of the homeless live, some by choice others because of circumstances for the moment are out of their control.
Addiction for at least 90% of these folks keeps them in these kinds of living conditions. In Abbotsford there is an ongoing effort by the City and City Police to make sure that these kinds of camps do not continue. Solutions for the homeless problem is being talked about and Out of the Cold shelters and beds are being pursued to house these folks in more severe weather.
StreetHope is Homelesss for the time but we are beginning to get an idea of the future restructuring of the street ministry we have been called to.
Look for further articles on the RE-Birth Continuum of Care coming soon.

My Church Army Family

Remembering Gord Healy

In the picture Gord is the guy with the white hair and his bride Lorna(Nate background & David). Gord, Lorna, Nate and David arrived at StreetHope March 20 2004 and began ministering in the streets the following Wednesday. Nate led the group for about six months and then Gord reluctantly took over as leader. Even though reluctance was there Gord proved to be the leader that was needed for the group from The Church of the Nazarene.
Gord and Lorna quickly invited another group from the Presbyterian Church just off Bourquin to join them in feeding and ministering to the street folks on Pauline Street. There were times when StreetHope was crowded with more volunteers than street folk. The warmth of Gord's personality and ability to relate to the street folks was wonderful to behold. Warm blankets, warm hugs, warm food and genuine care was offered to the people of the streets by Gord and his volunteers.
Thank you Gord for all you were to me and the folks on the streets, you will be missed.
Gord died Sunday August 6 2006 at 4:30 PM with his loving wife and family with him as he went on to be with his Saviour Jesus.