Overlooking Offenses by Os Hillman
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By Os Hillman
Overlooking
Offenses
by Os Hillman
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to
overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11
I
have a friend who tells a story of a lesson the Lord taught him through his
wife. It seems that every time he and his wife would get in the car to travel
somewhere, his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him
where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a
horrible habit that it drove my friend crazy and became the source of many an
argument. Finally, one day my friend concluded that the Lord was trying to
teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his
need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even
thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he
sat.
A
few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a
place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened
a few months later. One day his wife looked at him and said, "John, I just
realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now
realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my
younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that." My
friend nearly fell out of his seat!
Whenever
we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses
can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon
follow. God brings these "offenses" into our lives to develop
character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his
goal of making us more Christ-like. So the next time you complain or resist a
habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there
to develop some quality in you. Pride is the root source of the need to change
another person. A man's wisdom gives him patience-to let go of little offenses.
This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life. Is
there someone close to you who has some habit you really want to change? Give up
that desire to the Lord. Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of
the need to change it.
Os Hillman
By permission only.
To learn more about Os Hillman, go to: www.marketplaceleaders.org.
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"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.'"(Josh 3:7-8). Joshua had been a faithful number two man under Moses for 40 years. Can you imagine serving one man for 40 years? Now that is faithfulness! Even so, when the time came to pass the mantel to Joshua, God knew he needed to be elevated in the eyes of the people in order for Joshua to accomplish his purpose. That is the purpose for elevation - so that you and I can fulfill our purpose and our mission.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/Articles-?blogid=2093&url=10&view=post&articleid=206343&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=Os%20Hillman&fldTopic=0
"Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband." Ruth 1:3-5 Naomi's life was going well. A great husband. Two fine sons who had two wonderful wives. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband died. A little time later both her sons die. Her and her daughter-in-laws find themselves in the midst of shattered dreams. This isn't how life was supposed to be.
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"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.'" Acts 10:19-20 Peter had never preached to the Gentiles. In fact, he believed it was against Jewish law to associate with the Gentiles. God needed to change Peter's attitude about this, so God gave Peter a vision that showed him it was permissible to preach to the Gentiles. The Spirit came to Peter and informed him that some men were about to come visit him, and he was to go with them. He went with them, and the Lord did great miracles in the lives of Gentiles through Peter.