*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

*BEWARE OF OFFENCES*

*BIBLE READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15*

*And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matt 24:10-13 (NKJV).*

A very critical sign of the end time which has become prevalent without people noticing it is offences. As the rapture draws close, one of the major things we will continue to experience is that people will be easily offended against God and fellow man. A cursory look at this sign will reveal its prevalence now even within the church and families. The ability of men to bear with the infirmities of one another is being greatly impaired. This is in line with the words of Christ that the love of many shall wax cold.

It is your love life that enables you to overlook or accommodate the weaknesses of others, make excuses for them and even seek their interest even when you are not happy with them. The rise of offences today is nothing but an indication that the love life of many is truly waning progressively.

Family; both spiritual and biological are at the receiving end of this scourge. At the slightest provocation, news whether verified or not, people are ready to turn their backs on families they have belonged to. The activities of false prophets have not helped this in anyway but rather aggravated the situation with a lot of prophecies like your uncle, your mother, your father etc., is responsible for your predicament. While this can be very true in certain cases, its preponderance makes it difficult to believe. Homes, marriages and families have been wrecked by prophets of doom masquerading as God’s servants.

Guard your heart from offence, against your biological family, brethren, pastor, local chapter and the body of Christ. Today some people have taken this a step further by being offended with God and Christ. The dangerous thing about offence is that once it takes root in your heart, the bile of bitterness fills your heart and colors your perception about everything and everyone. Hebrews 12:14-15(NKJV) says: *"Follow peace with all people, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defilled."*

A key to ridding your heart of offences is walking in love (Rom. 5:5). The love of God in your heart enables you to bear with the faults of others. In addition to this, do not give yourself to gossiping, backbiting and rumours. Learn to verify whatever you hear spoken against you and forgive those who offend you. Apostle Paul actually said the greatest of the three virtues is love (1 Cor 13:13). Seek to be filled with God's love daily so that you can radiate and express it always.

*PRAYER
Thank You Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit by whom the Love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts. As I fellowship with You, let my love tank be refilled daily. I receive the grace to walk away from every offence and to forgive those that have offended me in Jesus Name. Amen