It surely appears that there is a spirit of offense that has been released upon the earth that is reeking havoc upon both believers and non-believers. We see road rage abounding everywhere along with an abundance of shootings and stabbings in schools,  courthouses and numerous places of employment.

When Cain became offended with Abel, God warned Cain that sin was “crouching at the door” but Cain had to take mastery of it. God was warning Cain of a trap that Satan had set for him that was using an offense for the bait.

God was telling Cain that he had a choice to make. Take the bait or not.

When offenses arise, we have a choice to make. Accept or reject. React or respond. Many times the problems occur when we react rather than respond.

Because of our childhoods, our environments, our teachers and other factors, we develop filters through which we process our experiences. Sometimes these become coping mechanisms which we use almost instinctively for protection or self-preservation.

When we are “born again,” we begin a process of having our minds renewed as old things pass away and all things become new. As we grow in our respective walks with the Lord, we should learn to react less and respond more. In learning to respond, we are less likely to “take the bait” that Satan is offering. If we do react and take the bait, all we need do is to ask for forgiveness because God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Not only do we need to ask forgiveness for ourselves but we need to ask our heavenly Father to forgive the person who has offended us. Jesus set the precedent and we are being conformed to His image.

The key is: don’t take the bait or if you do take it, release it as quickly as the Holy Spirit brings it to your attention. Remember, we are forgiven only to the extent that we forgive. Don’t allow Satan to rob you of your destiny by giving place to unforgiveness. Unforgiveness will give place to bitterness and a continuous downhill spiral in our relationship with God.

Forgive those who would give offense and walk in the liberty in which Christ has made us free.

I had a lot of fun accompanying Keith (Kathy’s Dad) while he bow-hunted for deer. I would have liked to have hunted also, but I felt that the cost of an out-of-state license ($515) was totally unreasonable. Besides, I can have just about as much fun with a camera. Plus I have evidence of the ones I allow to “get away”.

For instance, imagine our surprise to find a llama out in the middle of the Mt. Hood National Forest. We were miles from the nearest homes and there were no camps anywhere near us.

We discussed the fact that they are edible and used for food in South America but in the end we opted to just be satisfied with a picture.

As I was writing and filling in the text for the “About the Pastors” page, I found myself mentioning Body Ministry a number of times. Since there are many who may not be familiar with the term “Body Ministry”, I thought that I should take a moment to share a bit about what we mean when we use the term “Body Ministry”.
In many churches today, the usual ministry model is that of a few ministering to the many. What we call “Body Ministry” is when the body of Christ (The Church) ministers to one another in accordance with 1 Peter 4:10.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:11-16 that the Body of Christ is built up and grows up into Christ by what each joint supplies. A joint is where two or more parts of the Body come together. Whenever two or more of us come together, ministry takes place because Jesus is in our midst.