The NJ Podcast

Let's start with a bit of humor. A little boy was building a model ship, concentrating hard on the instructions. His father, wanting to encourage his son, said, "Son, I see you're working hard. Just keep going!" The boy looked up, eyes sparkling with determination, and declared, "Oh, don't worry, Dad! Even if you tell me to stop, I won't!"

Today, we will talk about a similar spirit of resilience with our sermon titled "Keep Going, Even Though They Tell You No." Our guiding scripture today comes from Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Consider the story of Moses, leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Faced with the impossible task of crossing the Red Sea, and the Egyptian army advancing behind, the people began to lose heart. They told Moses they would have been better off in Egypt. They essentially told Moses, "No." But Moses chose to trust in God's promise and keep going.

I'm reminded of a quote by Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." Moses exemplified this. Despite the obstacles and opposition, he persisted, leading to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the deliverance of the Israelites.

In the New Testament, we see the apostle Paul, who faced numerous rejections, imprisonments, and hardships. Yet, he did not give up. In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul writes, "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Let’s also remember the story of Nehemiah. When he set out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he was faced with mockery, threats, and discouragement from the surrounding enemies. But did Nehemiah stop? No, he kept going. Nehemiah 6:9 reads, "They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.' But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'"

Dear friends, God often calls us to do things that seem impossible, tasks that others may discourage us from. However, God's call on our lives is not dependent on the approval of others. Just like Moses, Paul, and Nehemiah, we are encouraged to keep going, even when faced with opposition.

Let us pray, "Lord, give us strength to continue the work You have called us to do, even in the face of adversity. Help us not to become weary in doing good, trusting in Your promise that we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. In Jesus' name, Amen."

This week, remember that God is with you in whatever He has called you to do. Like the little boy building his model ship, may we have the tenacity to keep going, even if others tell us "No." May God strengthen your hands and renew your determination. Keep going, Church, and be prepared to reap the harvest that God has promised. God bless you all!

Let's laugh to start today. Two brothers were troublemakers. Their mother sought guidance from the preacher. The priest addressed each boy personally, starting with the youngest. "Where is God?" he said, sitting opposite from the youngster. But the boy didn't say anything. "Where is God?" the pastor said, leaning forward. "We're in real trouble this time!" the child raced to his older brother. They think we took God!"

Today's topic is "God is about to promote you." Psalm 75:6-7 is our basis: "Promotion comes neither from the east, west, nor south. But God judges: he puts one down and sets up another."

Joseph's narrative illustrates divine advancement. Joseph's life seemed doomed after his siblings sold him into slavery, wrongly accused, and imprisoned. God worked behind the scenes. Pharaoh promoted Joseph from prison to palace, from slave to governor, because of his dream-interpreting abilities.

Lewis said, "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." Remember that God can use your struggles to prepare you for better things.

God chose shepherd kid David to be king. David's father neglected him when Samuel anointed one of Jesse's sons as king. He was tending sheep, preparing for an extraordinary destiny. Protecting his herd from lions and bears. These experiences prepared him to meet Goliath and rule a nation.

David knew God promoted him. Psalm 3:3 says, "But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." He trusted God's plan despite hardships.

Remember that God's promotions often arrive unexpectedly. God recognises your ability. His promotions are always timely.

Let's be like Joseph and David and trust God's plan even when things look dismal. Remember that God is preparing us for promotion through our current circumstances.

"Dear Lord, we thank You for Your divine plan for our lives," we pray. We believe You are preparing us for promotion. Help us keep our confidence in You through hardships. Help us along this path. Amen, in Jesus' name."

Brothers and sisters, this is not the end. God is preparing you for a supernatural advancement, like Joseph and David. Trust Him.

Have a good week, hoping that God will advance you. Keep your trust, hope, and God's amazing plans in mind. Bless you!

God Hates A Coward

I’ll start today’s message with a joke. Sunday school teachers asked, "Now, children, do you know where people go when they're afraid?" "To the toilet?" a child asked.

Fear can take us surprising places. "God Hates a Coward" is today's topic. Our key verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

God hates cowardice—not cowards. God loves us unconditionally but challenges us to overcome our fears and courageously speak for what is good.

Judges 6 describes Gideon. Fearing the Midianites, he was threshing wheat in secret when God called him to deliver Israel. Being from the weakest clan and the least in his family, he felt weak. God named him a strong warrior. God saw Gideon's courage with God's help, not his fear.

"Fear not," said Charles Spurgeon. Don't worry—He's your God. He will strengthen, help, and uphold you with His righteousness."

God seeks regular people who trust Him in their fear. Trusting Him helps us conquer our fears, turning timidity into courage.

In Matthew 14:28-31, Peter walks on water. After seeing the wind, Peter grew scared and sank. Jesus grabbed him then. Jesus used Peter's fear to teach him—and us—faith and courage.

In Joshua 1:9, God says, "Have I not ordered you? Be brave. Do not be afraid or dismayed; the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

"Courage is contagious," declared Billy Graham. Bravery stiffens others." We must be brave like Joshua for ourselves and others.

God hates cowardice because it keeps us from His magnificent intentions. He wants us to be brave, go out in faith, and trust Him even when we're terrified.

Let's remain faithful. Remember that God gave us power, love, and a sound mind, not fear. Let's be courageous and trust God to inspire others.

Father, thank You for Your Word today. Help us overcome our fears. Give us bravery, faith, and trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

God supports you. Be strong. Be brave. The Lord your God is with you. Church, happy week!

Furnace of Affliction

Before we dive into today's sermon, I have a funny story for you. A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon. "How do you know what to say?" he asked. "Why, God tells me", the father replied. The boy looked amazed. "Then why do you keep crossing things out?"

Humorous as it may be, the boy’s question brings us to today’s topic, "The Furnace of Affliction". Sometimes we may ask God why we are going through difficult times and why it seems like things are being crossed out of our lives.

Our foundational scripture comes from Isaiah 48:10: "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."

This verse suggests that God uses our trials and tribulations—our furnace of affliction—as a means of refining us. The process may be painful, but it's intended to purify us, much like silver is refined in a furnace to remove its impurities.

Consider the story of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who lost everything he had—his wealth, his family, and his health. Yet, despite the intense furnace of affliction, Job held onto his faith. In Job 23:10, he declares, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

Job understood that his suffering was a test, a furnace that had the potential to purify him and make him come forth as gold.

American minister and author A.W. Tozer once said, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply." God uses our pain, our suffering, and our furnace of affliction to shape us and prepare us for His blessing.

Another story that beautifully illustrates this is that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, as recorded in Daniel 3. Despite the king's decree, they refused to bow down to the golden image. As a result, they were thrown into a fiery furnace, but they remained unscathed, and not even their clothes had the smell of fire. Why? Because God was with them in the furnace.

The same God who was with them in the furnace is with us today in our furnace of affliction. He doesn't promise us a life free from trials, but He promises to be with us in the midst of those trials. As it says in Isaiah 43:2, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Our faith, like gold, is more precious than perishable things and needs to be purified through the furnace of affliction. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed."

So, brothers and sisters, let us remember that when we find ourselves in the furnace of affliction, God is with us. He is refining us, purifying us, and making us come forth as gold. It's in the furnace that our faith is proven genuine, bringing glory to God.

Let's pray: "Dear God, thank You for the assurance that You are with us in our furnace of affliction. Help us to understand that the trials we face are refining us and making us stronger in our faith. Grant us the strength and courage to withstand the heat, knowing that You are by our side and that the outcome will be for our good and Your glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

British missionary Amy Carmichael once said, "Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you keep your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clarity of spirit, which is life and peace. In that stillness, you will know what His will is."

Our furnace of affliction can be transformed into a furnace of refinement if we keep our souls on God, if we trust Him, and if we refuse to be hurried and pressed by our circumstances.

As we go into this new week, let us be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Even in the furnace of affliction, God is working for our good.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Go forth and have a blessed week, church!

Your Sins Will Find You Out

First, a joke. A young boy brought home a poor report card. "What do you have to say for yourself?" his mother said, seeing his poor grades. He shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "Well," he said, "at least you know I'm not cheating!"

As today's sermon cautions, "Your Sins Will Find You Out." Today's sermon scripture is Numbers 32:23: "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out."

King David's life shows this. Though he loved God, he sinned. He killed Uriah to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. As our passage cautions, David's wickedness was discovered. God sent Nathan to meet David, revealing his wrongdoing and imposing judgement (2 Samuel 12:7-12).

Einstein remarked, "Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters." King David painfully learned this.

However, David's response to being caught is a model for us. He repents and begs for compassion in Psalm 51. "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me," he laments in verse 3.

The Bible includes King David's narrative. Jonah tried to avoid God's instruction to go to Nineveh. His disobedience got him into a big fish.

Peter refused Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, as Jesus predicted. Like David, he repented after his denial was discovered.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God," says Hebrews 4:13. Everything is revealed to him to whom we must account."

Church, what's the message? God sees all our sins. He sees, knows, and summons us to light.

"Father, we cannot hide our sins from You," we plead. Give us courage to face, confess, and repent. We seek Your mercy. Help us live Your truth and satisfy You. Jesus' name, Amen."

Dear brothers and sisters, we serve a God who sees and knows all. His grace and mercy are great, but our sins will find us. He demands confession, repentance, and a holy life.

Church, walk in His light and remember that His grace offers forgiveness and a new start. Happy week! Bless you!

Before we dive into today's sermon, let me share a funny story with you. There was a man who noticed that every day, his friend would eat an apple. Intrigued, he asked his friend, "Why do you eat an apple every day?" His friend replied, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." The man looked puzzled and asked, "How does it do that?" The friend replied with a grin, "Well, if you throw it hard enough, it should do the trick!"

While we might chuckle at the thought, sometimes, wouldn't we want to throw a metaphorical apple to get rid of some elements in our lives? That brings us to our topic today, "Get The Parasites Out of Your Life." Our anchor scripture comes from Hebrews 12:1:

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Parasites in the natural world latch on to their hosts, feeding off them, often causing harm and draining the life out of them. Metaphorically speaking, the parasites in our lives can be toxic relationships, bad habits, harmful attitudes, or persistent sins.

Let's take a look at the story of Samson in Judges 16. Samson was a man of great strength, blessed by God, but he had a significant "parasite" in his life - his inability to resist temptation, particularly his attraction to Delilah. This ultimately led to his downfall. As we read in Judges 16:21, "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison."

This serves as a strong reminder of the harm that parasites, be they habits, attitudes, or relationships, can cause in our lives if left unchecked.

Jesus Himself warns us about spiritual parasites, things that might defile us from within. In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person."

The late British theologian John Stott said, "Sin and the child of God are incompatible. They may occasionally meet; they cannot live together in harmony." We must strive to eliminate the parasites of sin that seek to undermine our relationship with God and others.

Now, how do we remove these parasites from our lives? First, we need to identify them. We need to ask God to search our hearts and reveal to us any way that is unpleasing to Him. Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

After identifying these parasites, we need God's help to remove them. This requires a heart of repentance and a desire to turn away from whatever is hindering us in our walk with God. Just as the prodigal son in Luke 15 realized his mistakes and returned to his father, we need to turn back to our Heavenly Father, confessing our sins and seeking His forgiveness.

But merely removing these parasites is not enough. We need to fill the void they leave with the things of God. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of the fruits we should strive to cultivate: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Filling our lives with these fruits leaves no room for the parasites to return. It's not just about getting rid of the negative; it's also about inviting the positive. As the famous evangelist Billy Graham once said, "God never takes away something from your life without replacing it with something better."

Finally, we need to stay vigilant. Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." The parasites may try to creep back into our lives, but armed with the Word of God and the power of prayer, we can resist and stay free.

So, as we reflect on today's message, let's ask ourselves: What are the parasites in our lives? What is hindering us from running our race with perseverance? Let's identify them, bring them to God, and ask for His strength to throw off these burdens.

Let's pray, "Dear Lord, we thank You for Your Word today. We ask You to reveal to us any parasites that are draining our spiritual life. Help us to remove these hindrances and to fill our lives with the fruits of Your Spirit. Give us the strength to resist the temptations that may come our way. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen."

Remember, my brothers and sisters, the journey to remove parasites from our lives is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It's a daily commitment to live according to God's Word and His will for us.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may He turn His face toward you and give you peace. Have a blessed week ahead!

Touch Not Mine Annointed Neither Do My Prophets Any Harm

Before we delve into our sermon, let me share a quick story with you. There was a young man who kept complaining about his smartphone's battery life. He said, "I don't know what's wrong with my phone. It doesn't even last a day!" His friend asked, "Well, how often are you on your phone?" The young man replied, "Only when I'm awake."

Just like this young man, sometimes we may not be aware of our actions, especially when they become second nature to us. Today, we're going to discuss an important topic, "Touch Not My Anointed and Do My Prophets No Harm." Our anchor scripture comes from Psalm 105:15:

"'Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.'"

This command from the Lord speaks volumes about the respect and protection we ought to extend towards God's anointed ones and His prophets.

Consider the story of David and Saul in 1 Samuel 24. Despite being anointed as the future king of Israel, David found himself running from the wrath of King Saul. On one occasion, David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul in the cave. But he did not.

1 Samuel 24:6 tells us David’s response to his men who urged him to kill Saul, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." David understood the gravity of Psalm 105:15. He respected God's anointing on Saul, even though Saul was trying to kill him.

David respected God's anointing on Saul, not because Saul deserved it, but because David understood that honoring God's anointed was actually about honoring God Himself. The late Dr. Myles Munroe once said, "The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose." God's anointed and His prophets are purposed to fulfill His divine plans. When we disrespect or harm them, we interfere with God's purpose.

Jesus Himself, the Anointed One, faced disrespect and harm throughout His ministry, culminating in His crucifixion. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

This verse suggests that our actions towards God's anointed and His prophets are a reflection of our attitude towards God Himself. When we choose to respect and protect them, we are honoring God.

Let's take another example. In the book of Numbers chapter 12, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married. The Lord heard it and His anger burned. Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned towards Miriam and behold, she was leprous. Aaron pleaded with Moses, and Moses cried out to the Lord to heal her. God demonstrated the consequences of speaking against His anointed.

I am reminded of a powerful quote by Mother Teresa, "Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness." As believers, we should be careful with our words and actions towards God's anointed and His prophets. We must remember that they have been chosen by God, and it is He who equips them for their work.

So, what does all this mean for us as believers? It means we are to respect those God has anointed, not because of who they are, but because of who He is. We ought to extend kindness, love, and respect towards God's anointed and His prophets, understanding that in doing so, we are honoring God Himself.

It also calls us to a higher standard of behavior. It challenges us to think before we act or speak against God's anointed. We should strive to uphold the principles of love, respect, and peace that Christ taught us.

The words of Ephesians 4:29 should guide us: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

And let's not forget, we too have been anointed by God. As Christians, we have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

We are called to live our lives in a manner worthy of this anointing, treating others, especially God's anointed and His prophets, with love and respect.

In closing, let us heed the words of 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." May we demonstrate this love towards everyone we meet, especially towards God's anointed and His prophets.

Let us pray, "Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word today. Guide us to honor Your anointed ones and Your prophets. Help us to use our words and actions to build up and not tear down. Remind us of the anointing You have placed on our own lives, and help us to live worthy of that calling. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen."

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Defying The Urge To Quit

Good morning, church!

I trust you're all doing wonderfully well today. I'd like to start us off with a little humor. A man went for a hike on a trail he'd never been on before. After many hours, he realized he was hopelessly lost. Desperate, he did what any of us would do... he pulled out his phone to call his wife. "Honey," he said in a panic, "I'm lost. I don't know what to do." After a pause, his wife replied, "Don't worry, dear. As soon as you miss a meal, you'll find your way home."

Now, while that man may have lost his way, he did not lose his determination. This leads us to our discussion today, titled "Defying the Urge to Quit". Let us turn our attention to the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:9:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

In the world we live in, it can be easy to become disheartened, to feel overwhelmed, and yes, even to want to quit. But our scripture today encourages us to persevere, to keep doing good, to keep moving forward, even when we feel like giving up.

Consider the life of Elijah, a powerful prophet of God, as depicted in 1 Kings. Elijah was a man who did not shy away from proclaiming God's truth, even when it meant standing against King Ahab and his wicked queen, Jezebel. Elijah witnessed God perform amazing miracles, including raising the dead and calling down fire from heaven.

However, in 1 Kings 19, after Jezebel threatened his life, we see a different Elijah. He was afraid and ran for his life. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

But God didn't let Elijah quit. Instead, He sent an angel to comfort and provide for him, and in the strength of that food, Elijah journeyed forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God, where God gave him a new assignment.

Just like Elijah, we also have moments when we feel like saying, "I have had enough, LORD." Yet, in these moments, God comes to us. He nourishes and strengthens us, not necessarily by sending an angel, but through His Word, through our fellowship with other believers, and through the Holy Spirit.

In the New Testament, we encounter Paul, a man who had every reason to quit. Beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, and constantly facing death, Paul's journey was far from easy. Yet, he writes in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9,

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Paul defied the urge to quit because he understood what British statesman, Winston Churchill, once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

Our Christian journey will not always be smooth sailing. There will be challenges, trials, and tribulations. We may be tempted to quit, but let us remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33,

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Even when the urge to quit seems overwhelming, we must defy it and lean into our faith. We are not alone in our struggles. We have a Savior who has already overcome the world.

There is power in persistence, power in perseverance. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward."

Look at Peter, who despite his denial of Jesus, was restored and became a cornerstone of the early church. Think of Job, who despite losing everything, remained steadfast in his faith and was eventually restored twofold. These individuals faced tremendous challenges, yet they defied the urge to quit.

The book of James reminds us, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

As believers, we have a hope that anchors our soul. When the winds of life become tempestuous, when the sea of our circumstances seems too vast, our anchor remains steadfast. It is this hope that enables us to defy the urge to quit.

In closing, I challenge you to consider the words of Hebrews 12:1-2:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. It's a journey filled with ups and downs. When you're feeling weary, when you're tempted to quit, remember Elijah. Remember Paul. Remember the words of God encouraging us not to grow weary in doing good.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let His strength be our strength. For in His strength, we can defy the urge to quit and continue running the race set before us.

May God's grace and peace be with you all as you face the challenges of the coming week. And remember, when you feel like quitting, God is there to give you strength to keep moving forward.

Amen, and God bless you all.

Do You Want What Comes With It

Good morning, church!

I hope you are all in good spirits. Before I dive into our message for today, I want to share a light-hearted anecdote. A young boy was visiting a large, majestic cathedral with his mother. As he was marveling at the grandeur of the building, his eyes fell on a plaque with various names and small flags next to it.

He turned to his mother and asked, "Mom, what are these names and flags for?" His mother explained, "These flags represent the members of our church who gave their lives in the service." The boy's eyes widened in awe, but after a moment of silence, he said, "Which one, the 9:30 or the 11:00 service?"

Now, laughter aside, that young boy's question carries more weight than we might first acknowledge. This brings us to our focal point today. I want to talk to you about the subject - 'Do You Want What Comes With It?' Our opening scripture comes from the book of Luke, chapter 14, verses 27 to 28:

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Our dreams, aspirations, and desires are often like that tower. We yearn for the finished product, the height, and the view from the top. But the pertinent question remains: Are we prepared to bear the costs that come with it?

Consider the life of Joseph, son of Jacob, in Genesis. A young man with dreams of greatness - dreams that his family would one day bow down to him. Joseph wanted what came with his dreams - leadership, influence, and power. But what he didn't anticipate were the trials that came along the journey. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, wrongfully accused, and thrown into prison, Joseph found that the path to his destiny was laden with hardship and tribulation.

And yet, Joseph bore his cross. He understood the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Joseph's dreams did come to pass, but it wasn't without cost.

Similarly, Paul, the Apostle, also knew about bearing the cross. Paul was a man of stature, a Pharisee, well respected and revered among his people. But when he met Christ on the road to Damascus, everything changed. He said in Philippians 3:8:

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ"

Paul desired to know Christ, but he was also willing to accept what came with it - persecution, shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment. He counted the cost and considered it worth it. The reward of knowing Christ surpassed all he had to give up or endure.

We all have our own "it", our own tower to build. It could be a flourishing career, a peaceful family life, or a closer walk with God. But we must understand that there is a cost. As A.W. Tozer once said, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One." The real question is, are we willing to bear the cross that comes with the treasure?

You see, bearing our cross is not just about enduring hardships. It is about surrendering our will, it's about complete obedience to God's plans. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me

Today, we will be discussing how to deal with offense. We all have experienced being offended at some point in our lives, whether it was intentional or unintentional. However, how we respond to offense can have a significant impact on our relationships and spiritual growth.

Let us begin with a funny story to lighten the mood. Once, there was a man who was easily offended by everything. His friends decided to play a prank on him by setting up a fake situation where he would be offended. When the man fell for the prank, his friends revealed the truth and told him that he needed to learn to not take everything so seriously.

Let us turn to the Bible to see what it says about dealing with offense. In Proverbs 19:11, we read, "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." This means that when we choose to overlook an offense, we are displaying wisdom and it brings glory to God.

Let us look at some examples from the Bible where people chose to respond to offense in a positive manner.

First, we have the story of Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, but Joseph chose to forgive them and even helped them during a famine.

Next, we have the story of Jesus. He was constantly mocked, insulted, and eventually crucified, yet he chose to forgive those who offended him and even prayed for them.

Another example is the story of Stephen. He was stoned to death for preaching the Gospel, but even in his final moments, he prayed for his attackers.

In each of these stories, we see people who chose to respond to offense in a positive manner, whether it was through forgiveness, prayer, or helping others.

Let us now look at some applicable verses that can guide us in dealing with offense:

Proverbs 17:9 - "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." When we choose to overlook an offense and foster love, we are able to maintain close relationships.

Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." When we choose to forgive others, we are following the example of Jesus and it brings glory to God.

Matthew 18:15 - "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Sometimes it may be necessary to address the offense in a loving and respectful manner.

Proverbs 12:16 - "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult." When we choose to overlook an insult, we are displaying wisdom and it brings glory to God.

Luke 6:27-28 - "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." When we choose to love and pray for those who offend us, we are following the example of Jesus and it brings glory to God.

It can be difficult to not be offended, especially when the offense is intentional. However, as Christians, we are called to respond with love, forgiveness, and prayer. Let us follow the examples of Joseph, Jesus, and Stephen, who chose to respond to offense in a positive manner. Let us also remember the applicable verses that guide us in dealing with offense and trust in God's plan for our relationships and spiritual growth.

In closing, I invite anyone who has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to come forward and make that decision today. As we strive to follow God's will and respond to offense in a positive manner, we will experience peace and joy in our relationships and in our lives. Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today asking for your guidance in dealing with offense. Help us to respond with love, forgiveness, and prayer, even in difficult situations. Give us the wisdom to overlook insults and foster love in our relationships. We thank you for the examples of Joseph, Jesus, and Stephen, who chose to respond to offense in a positive manner. Help us to follow their example and bring glory to your name. We ask all these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

May God bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you as you go forth to love and forgive others. Remember, when we choose to respond to offense in a positive manner, we are bringing glory to God and fostering love in our relationships. Let us continue to grow in our faith and walk boldly and confidently in Christ. Amen.