30 Days with Jesus: Day 13

How to Block Your Blessings

Scripture - Mark 6:1-6

The quickest way to block your blessings is to become offended with someone. In today's passage, Jesus traveled back to His home town of Nazareth after traveling abroad teaching people about the kingdom of God and working great miracles.

Unfortunately none of that mattered to the people in His home town. They had become familiar with the boy who grew up among them. They didn't recognize Him as Jesus the Son of God, but merely acknowledged Him as Jesus the carpenter who was the son of Mary and the brother of his siblings and that's it (v. 3).

The sad part is, they became offended at Him (v. 3), which limited the work He was able to do among them. Their offense prevented them from receiving greater miracles because it caused them to walk in unbelief (vs. 5-6).

Offense is a killer. It kills relationships, hopes, dreams, and it even causes sickness and dis-ease if we allow it to fester. More than anything, offense breeds skepticism and prevents you from receiving anything from the one you're offended with.

Another thing about offense is that it is rooted in fear and where fear exists there is no faith, therefore it can also prevent you from receiving from God. This is why it is so important for you to handle your offense immediately. You do this by:

• Taking your issues to the Lord in prayer.
• Choose not to be offended. It's a choice.
• Confront the one you're offended with (see Scripture on godly confrontation Matthew 18:15-20). Only do this if it's safe.
• Deal with your feelings and resolve the matter within.
• Get the wrong people out of your ear - sometime offense is instigated by bitter, offended people.
• Forgive the person, situation and even yourself - whichever is applicable.

Get this... the Bible says Jesus, "...could not do mighty work there." Notice it didn't say He “would not” but could not. Your offense limits God's work in your life. Do you want to prevent Jesus from doing miracles in your life? I don't think so. Therefore, it is imperative that you let go of any offenses in your life. When you release offense, watch and see God release miracles.

Journal

• What (if any) offenses are you harboring in your life?
• Why did you choose to become offended?
• What has that offense produced in your life?
• Spend time today giving your offense(s) over to God. Go through the above process and let it go once and for all.

A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. -Proverbs 19:11, HCSB