This Scripture was quickened to me today in these early morning hours: "Pursue 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 defiled." (Hebrews 12:14-15)
During the Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Pueblo, Colorado, and again at a clergy wives' retreat in Oakhurst, California, I just shared a teaching birthed by the Ruach and entitled "Take No Offense." I would dare to say that it is the single most powerful teaching the Lord has yet given to me. We are a wounded army of God; wounded by the Church, wounded by parents, children and friends, and defiled by the world we live in. What offenses have caused bitter roots to embed deep in our hearts? Most of us do not even realize those bitter roots are there, and eventually they will form permanent seeds of anger, resentment, and worst of all, unforgiveness.
Yet, I believe the season just ahead of us is one of great and bountiful harvest. I believe the Holy Spirit is going to be poured out in increasing measure - the time of the latter rains we have all been anticipating for so many years! Will our hearts and minds be ready to receive this outpouring? Or, will we be so filled with the iniquity of offense that we are unable to break through into the glorious season of pursuing peace with all people in holiness?
To pursue peace with all people most certainly implies that we must be about the work of forgiveness, asking the Spirit to help us release even the deepest offenses, even the unforgiveable! We must learn to have unoffendable hearts in the days ahead, so that no further bitterness can take root. The teaching "Take No Offense" offers seven vital keys to maintaining an unoffendable heart. I have placed it on my website for free download, and encourage all to freely download it and copy to CDs if you wish. And may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Messiah Yeshua.
http://www.doorkeeperministries.com/dkpfree.html
