I hope you’re enjoying a fabulous summer and grabbing all the time you can at the Tree of Life!

That old intercessor, prayer warrior, and prophet Daniel was told by God that in the end times people will run to and fro (airplanes, trains, cars, boats)and knowledge will increase (television, videos, medical advances, cell phones, computers), the wicked will do wickedly and not understand what’s actually going on in this world, but the wise SHALL understand!  (Daniel 12)

The place of wisdom, as in the Garden of Eden, is always with the Tree of Life.  Today we access that Tree of Life through the cross of Jesus, the greatest Tree of Life for mankind today.  So we lift Jesus’ cross and apply His precious blood to our feeble minds, bodies, and souls so that we possess the mind of Christ and the immortality that is ours through faith in Him!

As we consider the end times, I feel compelled to share with you this morning that Jesus said, “You will be hated for my name.  And many will be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.”

Children will betray parents.

Fathers will betray sons.

It’s not fun to know, but it’s in the Bible and I’m just wondering if we’re ready to be hated?  Don’t be afraid of being hated.  FEAR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.

Jesus felt it was important to tell us to be prepared.  Offenses are going to come.  Here are three brief thoughts on what to do when someone offends

“Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re saying.”

us:

1. Don’t take it personally.

2. Jump over the fence of offense.  (Jump over it and get over it!  Move on!)

3. Pray for those who hate you and scoff at you.

“Father, help us not to take offenses personally, and help us to love our accusers as you loved yours.”