Thank you everyone who has read and subscribed to the Fullness Magazine Online. The staff here hopes that it is a blessing to you and that it brings help and encouragement to you as we address real life challenges and issues facing Christians today. After this issue of the magazine we will make some changes. Beginning in January of 2025 we will offer republished versions of the original Fulness Magazine. Fulness played a very important role in offering teaching on the role of Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. We encourage you to read “What the Lord is Saying Today” at www.fullnessonline.org and watch for the republished version of the January 1978 issue of Fulness Magazine entitled “The Fulness of Christ”.
In this, the final issue of Fullness Magazine Online, our collection of authors deals with offense and forgiveness. We have all been offended and we have all offended someone else. Jesus had many opportunities to be offended. Remember, He was crucified for just being who He was. Even though He had those reasons to be offended, He did not allow offense to manifest. How did He do that? Look at what He said when He was being tortured on the cross…“But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34a (NASB1995)
Jesus is the best example that we have to demonstrate how to deal with offenses. First, choose NOT to be offended. Secondly, when you have been offended, CHOOSE to forgive as soon as possible so the unforgiveness does not take root and grow.
Our writers in this issue, WOW, hit the nail on the head when it comes to offense and forgiveness. These are some of the best articles on this subject that I have ever read! Read these, read them again, and allow them to be encouragement to you as you navigate the world today filled with so much offense and unforgiveness.
In this, the final issue of Fullness Magazine Online, our collection of authors deals with offense and forgiveness. We have all been offended and we have all offended someone else. Jesus had many opportunities to be offended. Remember, He was crucified for just being who He was. Even though He had those reasons to be offended, He did not allow offense to manifest. How did He do that? Look at what He said when He was being tortured on the cross…“But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34a (NASB1995)
Jesus is the best example that we have to demonstrate how to deal with offenses. First, choose NOT to be offended. Secondly, when you have been offended, CHOOSE to forgive as soon as possible so the unforgiveness does not take root and grow.
Our writers in this issue, WOW, hit the nail on the head when it comes to offense and forgiveness. These are some of the best articles on this subject that I have ever read! Read these, read them again, and allow them to be encouragement to you as you navigate the world today filled with so much offense and unforgiveness.
The featured author in this issue is Vikki Burke, wife of Dr. Dennis Burk and prolific author. In her article, “The Language of Heaven”, she uses a gripping testimony to illustrate the devasting power of unforgiveness and the wonderful things that happen to us and others when we choose to forgive. She describes what happens when we choose not to forgive and we hold on to offense. She says,
"When we’re offended, we become our own worst enemy because offense is the forerunner to ‘refusing to believe.’ Offense — no matter how big or small — can hinder God’s blessings from flowing freely in our lives. Yet although offense has the power to prevent us from experiencing God’s blessings in our lives, there is a much greater force that paves the road to His blessings and makes them accessible to us. Whereas offense can prevent miracles, this godly force can enable them.”
"When we’re offended, we become our own worst enemy because offense is the forerunner to ‘refusing to believe.’ Offense — no matter how big or small — can hinder God’s blessings from flowing freely in our lives. Yet although offense has the power to prevent us from experiencing God’s blessings in our lives, there is a much greater force that paves the road to His blessings and makes them accessible to us. Whereas offense can prevent miracles, this godly force can enable them.”
Kathy Bohlin, President of Fullness in Christ Ministries, long-time executive with Fullness in Christ Ministries and Elder at Fullness in Christ Church has written a wonderful article entitled, “Let It Go”, describing just how we can stay free from offense. In her words, “Let it go!” She encourages readers to “Don’t be a jerk!” and shows from the scripture just how to do that.
“See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.”
(Hebrews 12:15 AMP)
She points out that,
“We have the responsibility to decide how we will respond to an offense, whether or not the offense was intentional. Why should you allow something someone else said or did or failed to do determine the rest of your life?”
“See to it that no one falls short of God’s grace; that no root of resentment springs up and causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.”
(Hebrews 12:15 AMP)
She points out that,
“We have the responsibility to decide how we will respond to an offense, whether or not the offense was intentional. Why should you allow something someone else said or did or failed to do determine the rest of your life?”
In a reprinted article from The Elijah List, “Unoffendable”, Francis Frangipane describes offense as stumbling over not boulders but small stones. He describes the small beginnings of offense that turn into large judgements. His observation that, “It is often our pride that suffers offense most easily” is a profound statement.
His prayer, “Lord, forgive me for being so easily offended and for carrying offenses. Father, my heart is foolish and weak. Grant me the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ. Amen” addresses the need to be unoffendable!
His prayer, “Lord, forgive me for being so easily offended and for carrying offenses. Father, my heart is foolish and weak. Grant me the unoffendable heart of Jesus Christ. Amen” addresses the need to be unoffendable!
Wanda Rogers, Children’s Director at Fullness in Christ Church, has written an article entitled “Offense and Forgiveness, It’s a Choice” that everyone can use as an example of the ability to choose forgiveness no matter the offense. Wanda is a walking testimony of what God will do in a person’s life when we choose forgiveness over offense. She states the truth very plainly in the first sentence of her article when she says,
“We can choose to be offended, or we can choose not to be offended”.
Wanda also points out that sometimes we may even be offended with God!
“We can choose to be offended, or we can choose not to be offended”.
Wanda also points out that sometimes we may even be offended with God!
Repeat author, Anderick Biddle, has written a most intriguing, Biblically intellectual article entitled “How God Uses Offense and Forgiveness”. In it he encourages readers not to engage in the extreme judgement and offense that is happening in our world today. He, instead, encourages the Body of Christ to follow the Word of God and use it as the roadmap to navigate the treacherous days in which we live. He describes forgiveness as,
“An active process of releasing others from the debt they owe us because of their trespass against us”.
If you like intellectual Bible Study, you will enjoy Anderick’s article!
“An active process of releasing others from the debt they owe us because of their trespass against us”.
If you like intellectual Bible Study, you will enjoy Anderick’s article!
In one of our columns in this issue, Pam Jackson, head of Fullness in Christ Women’s Ministry and What the Lord is Saying Today prophetic writer, describes her journey from abuse as a child and rebellion as a young adult to choosing to forgive those who horribly wounded her. Her understanding of forgiveness according to the Word of God is spot on. Her column titled, “Forgive Like Your Life Depends on It”, could have a subtitle, “Because it Does”! The statement that she makes,
“The Father doesn’t force us to forgive people. His Word tells us to forgive but it’s up to us to purpose in our hearts to forgive”.
“The Father doesn’t force us to forgive people. His Word tells us to forgive but it’s up to us to purpose in our hearts to forgive”.
Our other column is written by one of the most prophetic ladies I have ever met, Jennifer Peikert. She is a prophetic writer for What the Lord is Saying Today and seems to have a direct line to what God is saying. Her column, “The Gift of Shift”, encourages us to be ready for what God wants to do in the life of each individual and in the Church. She heard the Lord say that the “shift” will be accelerated in the coming year.
Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new,’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’”
She encourages all of us to lay down our plans and agendas in order to embrace the shift and receive His best for you.
Again, thank you for your support of Fullness Magazine Online. Do not forget to follow us at www.fullnessonline.org for information on the coming republished versions of the original Fulness Magazine.
God Bless You,
Jonas Bohlin
Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new,’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’”
She encourages all of us to lay down our plans and agendas in order to embrace the shift and receive His best for you.
Again, thank you for your support of Fullness Magazine Online. Do not forget to follow us at www.fullnessonline.org for information on the coming republished versions of the original Fulness Magazine.
God Bless You,
Jonas Bohlin