RESTORING LIFE FOUNDATION MAGAZINE Issue 9
P4 Freedom P10 Set my people free
P23 P27 P30
P17 I believe in miracles P38 Eye Planks
A fresh look at living free in Christ Stand firm don’t lose your freedom Discipleship Coaching Coaching tools included: SWOT LIVING FREE Q&A Plank log
FREE DOM A herd of sheep, controlled by a shepherd is not the picture that scripture paints of the relationship between God and mankind. Rather from the opening scenes in Genesis to the closing scenes in the book of Revelation God unveils a rich tapestry of a loving Father intricately and intimately involved in, but not controlling the will of His children. From the earliest moments in the garden involving the evening walks shared between God and man, to the actual meeting and assisting of the patriarchs, followed by the Israelites, and all who would call on the name of Yahweh in the desert, to the life of Christ and His disciples, through to the scenes in Heaven, all depict not some mysterious hypnotherapist or magician causing people to bark at the snap of the fingers, but rather a loving Father. One who from before the foundations of the earth has used His power to provide, aid, and protect His children’s freedom. From Genesis to revelation we see the cost of freewill, and the price that God himself is prepared to pay on our behalf. The bible repeatedly reveals the way God’s actions erase the eternal consequences of hell and separation for those who love and accept the atonement of Christ. God in Christ so valued our freedom that He willingly gave up His own freedom to ransom us from Hell. As we step into 2015, with all its hopes and dreams let us remember the high price Christ paid for us, throwing off the disappointments, mistakes and failures of our past let us together run the race that is set before us with faith and courage. Praying for a Spirit led 2015, one which grasp the both the benefits and responsibilities that accompany all that it means to be free. Until next time may God bless you richly in 2015
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” ● The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants ● The absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government. ● The power of self-determination attributed to the will ● The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. ● The absence of disabling conditions and the fulfilment of enabling conditions.
Contents P4 P10 P17 P23 P27 P30 P38
Freedom Set my people free I believe in miracles A fresh look at living free in Christ Stand firm don’t lose your freedom Discipleship Coaching Eye Planks
COPYRIGHT © RESTORING LIFE FOUNDATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright of articles and photographs in the Restoring Life Foundation Magazine remain with the original contributors, No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the copyright owner. Applications should be made directly to www.restoringlifefoundation.org
FREE DOM In the beginning when God created Adam and Eve, freedom was at the top of His agenda. But with that power of freedom, came great responsibility. When we exercise our freedom in good ways it leads to godliness, however when we exercise our freedom to rebel against God, and His plans for our lives, our mishandled actions and reactions that we believe grant us freedom, can actually lead to great bondage. Such was the case for our first parents, who through grasping at worldliness and its knowledge, became prisoners to sin, and in doing so surrendered true and godly wisdom.
what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other. If the Spirit is leading we follow by choice, God will not force, cajole or coerce us into following Him. To do so would be contrary to His nature. Whilst we reflect on our freedom we should recognise that whilst as born again believers we have freedom; that freedom was by no means free. It was purchased at the cross and it was Christ, not us, that paid the ultimate price.
In case we should forget Galatians 5 reminds us ‘We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. Following in their footsteps ’ So we are to stand strong - unthrough sin each one of us, (in our derstanding that laws, traditions own way has surrendered) the and formulas have not purchased freedom that the Father gave us, our freedom, but Christ, and if He and Christ died that we might ex- purchased it, He will lead and emperience. Our fallen nature means power us to maintain that freethat not all of our desires line up dom. with Gods plans. Christian and non-Christian alike find themAs the New Year rolls around we selves troubled with life dominat- may re-focus our minds on the diing issues. Therefore, if we are to rection of our lives. This can lead live a sanctified life, we cannot do to New Year resolutions; and new just what we please. For our sinpromises to do, or not do those ful selves wants what is against things that hinder our sanctificathe Spirit, and the Spirit wants tion and walk with Christ.
Large or small, tough or easy, new habits are not usually formed in an instant, but rather over a period of time. Therefore, embracing all that Christ has purchased on our behalf for 2015 as you set
new goals for the year we pray that Gods voice and leading will be exceedingly clear as you continue to take ground and enjoy every increasing levels of freedom.
Overleaf is a SWOT analysis template which can be a useful tool to help you understand your current position as it relates to the aspects of your life that you need to walk in a greater level of freedom. Scripture tells us that people perish for lack of understanding, this is evident in many aspects of our lives on earth. Therefore let me encourage you, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to consider those things that impact the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to your freedom. When you have done so to work out your salvation with fear and trembling .
By Ann Lane
See below for help completing the Freedom SWOT
Helpful and internal origin
Helpful and external origin
Harmful and internal
Harmful and external origin
Strengths—Areas that I need to maintain freedom
What opportunities do I have to help me gain freedom
Weaknesses areas that I need to — establish my freedom
People, places or things that threaten my freedom -
HIS
Never
COME TO AN END;
they are new
EVERY
SET MY PEOPLE FREE
By Yolanda Ballard
Keep on seeking My face for I love you with an everlasting love, and I forever long for your presence for you to meet with Me in the spirit of loveliness and beauty and freedom of spirit, to be able to worship Me for who you are and not what others expect you to be. I will not allow My people to be put in a box and restrained. I want them to be free to truly express their love to Me in freedom of worship.
Yes, My child, you are feeling this expression within yourself. Your whole being wants to express true worship to Me. Every fibre of every muscle cries out for pure freedom. Don’t hold back in any way. Reach out for My strength to be an example of true release of the Spirit of holiness, of truth, of praise, of faith and love. Be an example to My people. Be a light that will lead others on to encourage them that it is all right to be themselves, the creation God made them to be, to be able to express their love to the Father with no restraint.
“Set My people free!” is the heart cry of the Father for this time for His spirit is grieved over the bondage that has been manifesting all over His creation. He created us to truly enjoy Him and to worship Him freely. If My people who are called by My name would humble themselves and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will heal their land and their soul. I will remove from their hearts all the hardness and bitterness, all the restraints. I will break down the walls and release their spirit and give them the freedom they cry out for but don’t know how to receive.
Continue to seek My face and press in for the release of My people from bondage. I want to see the freedom on their faces and in their hearts and in their step. I want even their feet to rejoice in Me. Yes, I want to see a freedom in their walk and in their step. I want My people to dance and rejoice and celebrate and to enjoy Me. I want to enjoy them, by Oh! this bondage. It keeps My intimate flow of love from truly touching their hearts to bring this release.
Keep pressing in against the strongholds. Like I said before it is like coming at a rock with a chisel. If you are persistent, in time it will turn to powder. The same is with the strongholds. As you stand in the gap and be faithful to worship Me and intercede, I will bring down the walls. I will crush the forces coming against My Church. I will set them free for I long to enjoy My children.
Yes, the battle is the Lord’s and the warfare is vigorous. It is a constant struggle but the joy of the Lord is your strength and is a great weapon against the evil one. And the peace of the Lord is to reign over us like a shield of protection. His banner over us is His love and we have the shield of faith and the sword of truth. Our feet are rooted and grounded in the message of peace, of reconciliation, of power and might.
With this in mind and in our hearts we are to rejoice and be free and come against the enemy aggressively, no holding back but pressing in taking our land for the victory is ours and Jesus is our Captain. So, rejoice I say, and be free and celebrate our victory in Him!
So, rejoice I say, and be free and celebrate our victory in Him!
WESTON BUILDING SERVICES LTD
Professional Services
Reasonable Rates Contact us today for all your building needs. RENOVATIONS EXTENSIONS NEW BUILD COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC ALL ASPECTS OF BRICKWORK
WESTONS
BUILDINGS
SERVICES
LTD
T: 01252620706 M: 07462611654 www.westonbuildingservicesltd.co.uk
I Believe In Miracles A wonderful story of Gods amazing healing power
By Jo Cotter
I believe in miracles. Always have – even before I became Born Again. Always will- even when I don’t see the results I’m hoping (and praying) for. My understanding of how miracles work, however, has changed. I’ve always thought of miracles in that ‘wham-bam!’, lay-handson-and-see-instantresults kind of way. Until
closer to 2 years - I have experienced growing pain in my right foot.
this past summer. For more than a year – probably
tion every single day, indefinitely.
X-rays revealed arthritis; my doctor’s solution: ‘Take 2 Tylenol pain killer 3 times a day’. However, Tylenol was no match for the level of pain I was experiencing; and even if it had been, it’s just not healthy to take that much medica-
I Believe In So I prayed, but the pain just kept getting worse. Some days it hurts so badly I couldn’t manage to walk from the van to the front door of the school to pick up my grandson. There were days when I’d step out of the car and the pain was so immediate and so intense, that one of the kids would have to run into the house and grab 2 of my canes.
chair before my foot gave out entirely.
By this past summer of 2014 I began to fear for my mobility. I told God that unless He moved on my behalf, in a year’s time, I couldn’t see myself anywhere but in a wheelchair. The pain had gotten that bad. I told God that I wouldn’t love Him any less if I had to love Him from that wheelchair, but that Even with the canes, it was wasn’t what I wanted for a race to see if I could my future. Despite my make those few steps from prayers and the prayers of the van to the closest others the pain kept
increasing.
presence so obvious and clear to us in ways that Then for summer vacation had special meaning to us 2014 we spent a week in - including a little white Vermont, just a few feet clapboard Church on the from the Canadian border. top of a hill, with ChristWe didn’t go looking for mas lights (in August) God; it was planned as a strung upon a huge wooden business/family/rest va- Cross out front. Terry cation. But God just seemed to show up everywhere. I know God is always present everywhere and at all times, but sometimes in the struggles, and in the mundaneness of everyday life, I have trouble finding God
popped in just as the prayer team arrived; they told him to go back to get me and they would pray, and pray they did. For nearly two hours they prayed for, with and over us. I remember looking at the clock at one point and
with a floodlight.
thinking that it must be broken because those 2 hours went by like it was just 10 minutes.
Everywhere we went that week, there was God – His
Miracles
I Believe One of the things they matter. It’s what I did, prayed about was my pain- every day, every time the ful right foot. One of the ladies got down on her knees and put her hands on my right foot and prayed. I didn’t feel anything. There were no thunder claps. No bolts of lightning. I left the church in as much pain as when we had gone in, hobbling down the stairs one painful step at a time.
pain flared. When we got home from vacation I noticed that although I was still in pain, the pain had subsided a little. I could walk a little further than before.
I continued to talk to my foot (“walk in your healBut something in me must ing” I told it) and the pain have changed because I continued to lessen until began to speak out loud to one day – you’d think I’d my foot, telling it to walk know the exact day and in its healing. That may time, but I don’t – but one sound crazy to people who day, I woke up to NO PAIN. don’t live with pain. No I’m talking the absolute
In Miracles absence of pain. There has our miracle is still on its been no more pain since way. that day . I don’t know why I had to wait almost 2 years for my Every step I take is a miracle; I don’t know why miracle. I was in pain. Now we had to travel so far for I am pain free. I am a the miracle to start. I walking miracle. only know that I used to be in pain, and now I’m not. Sometimes miracles don't come instantly. So I want to Sometimes they encourage come in steps – others, too, in degrees. who have a Sometimes we need that pray for a long time with- seems to go unanswered. out seeing results; that It may be closer than you doesn’t mean God hasn’t think. heard us or doesn’t intend to answer our prayer. Maybe it just means that I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
A Fresh look at Living Free in Christ
By Cheryl Ridener
Every person born of Adam has inherited his predisposition to sin as such we come into the world captive to the world, the flesh, and the devil. As pilgrims on the earth one of our chief purposes is live for the glory of God. To do this we must accept Christ forgiveness, redemption, emancipation and empowerment. This is a work which Christ accomplished at the cross but it is made known to us through the inward work of the Holy Spirit. Living a life of Freedom will therefore be seen in the believer who lives moment by moment in dependency upon Him, sensitive to His voice and in obedience to Him. As you consider your own life and journey with God Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring whether you are living free in Christ.
The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, 20 worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, 21feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these. Galatians 5:19-21 (NCV)
1. Have a look at the list of sins that can keep us in bondage, then ask yourself ‘do I struggle with any of them?’
2. Will you commit to bring the issues that hold you bound to Christ?
Now the Lord is the Spirit,
3. Name the ways you are spending time with God, are you experiencing freedom in His presence?
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.2 Corinthians 3:17
Then you will know the
4.
What promise is hidden in this scripture?
truth, and the truth will set you free."John 8:32
So if the Son sets you
5. Is there a difference between being freed and living free?
free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
In light of what you have discovered what changes do you believe God is leading to make:
My motivations for these changes are:
My main goals in making these changes are:
I will do these things to reach my goals: My plan of Action When
The first steps I plan to take in changing are:
Some things that could interfere with my plan are:
Other people could help me in changing in these ways:
Person
Possible ways to help
I hope that my plan will have these positive results:
I will know that my plan is working if:
Stand Firm – Don’t lose your Freedom in Christ By Charity Gyang
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. STAND firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.
Christ has set us free. He has delivered us from the curse of the law, that is a death sentence (Galatians 3:13). We were like prisoners in jail waiting to die. Then Christ, by dying in our place, set us free (Romans7:6) Anyone set free in this way, that tries to get back into jail would indeed be crazy! But the Galatians were doing that very thing. Having been set free from the prison house of law, they were once again putting themselves back under the same bondage. STAND FIRM then said Paul. Don’t let this happen. They have been justified and saved by grace but now they have begun to put their trust in the law, in their own work and effort.
There are some people who receive Christ by grace but after a little while turn away (Mark 4:16-17). They return to their former religion/ways. If we do this, like the Galatians, ‘we have fallen away from grace.’ STAND FIRM, says Paul. Do not let this happen. We have to be rooted in Christ. “As you have therefore received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanks giving”
A big tree, such as the Oak, is able to stand even the worse storms because its roots go very deep into the soil. So it is with us, when we are deeply rooted in Jesus that we are able to stand firm, and say NO whenever the old nature pops up to tempt us. We cannot mix Christianity with other religions. We cannot merely add Christ to the other gods we previously worshiped, lust, anger, self righteousness, materialism... Either we place faith in Christ or we place faith in our old religion, but not both. TRUSTING GOD CAN seem risky. WHAT IF He let us down? Still worse, what if our faith is empty foolishness? When such thoughts enter our minds it’s easy to panic. We are tempted to take back what we have entrusted to God. We feel safer taking matters into our own hands. In 1 Corinthians 6 19-20 “... and you are not your own, you were bought at a price therefore glorify God in your body and your spirit, which are God’s.
As we are not our own we cannot do anything we like because we feel like it. Now our culture, our beliefs etc must be in line with the Word of God Philippians 4:1 stand fast in the Lord. How do we stand firm? We stand firm by our conduct (Phil 1:27) our conduct must be worthy of the gospel of Christ- stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel... We stand firm by obeying His command. (John 14:15-16; 23; 15:14-15) Obeying Jesus Command build brings Him and the Father to be with you and to help Stand Firm and live for Him We have to walk worthy of our calling. We have to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We have to put on love, the bond of perfection but sink back into our old ways we will be like what How deep are your roots? If you are not standing firmly on the Rock (Jesus) you will find it so easy to fall back into old habits.”... A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him”
If we do not stand firm but rather go back to our old habits we end up as what, Peter calls “A dog returning to its vomit” (2 Peter 2:19-22)
DISCIPLESHIP COACHING: QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU GROW So much about good coaching is mirrored in good discipleship. Whilst some believe that having the right answers is key to success as a coach I realise that having the right question to ask myself, those I work with as well as our circumstances is key to unlock mysteries and divulge secrets, without which we (and I include myself in the equation) will remain locked in harmful and limiting behaviours. Jesus was the master questioner, often using His wonderful questioning to get those He encountered to look beyond what was on the surface to uncover the heart of the issue they were facing. Today we are going to throw out to you 3 questions Jesus asked with some further questions to dig a little deeper: we think every Christian needs to regularly consider these questions as they walk-out their Christian faith. We will carry on this theme of asking the right questions in our later issues, so keep tuned as we share this journey together.
1
What king, marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king marching upon him with twenty thousand troops? (Luke 14:31)
Counting the cost of being a disciple Whether we like to see it or not we are living in an occupied territory. This planet is occupied by people and spiritual forces who would not like us to accomplish our goal of making disciples. In actual fact many laws and systems have been established to directly work in opposition to Gods standard of holiness which means that the culture that has developed around it flies in the face of Kingdom culture. In some parts of the world that means literally living under a death sentences as religious groups murder dissenters, but in other parts creeping compromise has a more destructive impact as it erodes Christian beliefs and morals even within the church which was established by God to reflect Him. The price a Christian plays in the compromise situation is much different to the one they play where life and limb may be sacrificed, nevertheless the question Jesus posed in Luke 14:31 must still be asked. Have you sat down and decided whether you can successfully oppose your enemy?
What is the cost to you? (what must you surrender to walk in a deeper level with Christ?)
What is the cost to your Family and Network?
What is the cost to your own long term goals and lifestyle?
What are you NOT ready to change YET?
How important is this to you REALLY? On a scale of 1—10 : 1 not very and 10 your priority.
2
What are you discussing as you walk along? (Luke 24:17)
When Jesus asked His disciples what they were discussing as they walked along it was not because He didn’t know the content of their conversation, but rather because He fully knew. Whilst knowing - Jesus wanted His disciples to recognise that their hearts were being exposed by that which they said. [A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.] This sentiment is as true for us today as it was for the original twelve disciples. Therefore if you begin to monitor the kind of things that come out of your mouth you too will be able to uncover the contents of your heart. Research conducted by Siemens Hearing Instruments found that More than two thirds of women listen properly when engaged in gossip however research conducted by admitted that a gossip with friends is the only time they are listening to what is being said. Whilst research conducted by global research company found that men spent on average more time gossiping than women whereas women’s conversations were more likely to be complaining about other women, other people's sex lives or their friend's weight gain. What are you discussing, what is consuming your time? If you honestly answer this question you will fully uncover the focus of your heart.
As the wise man in Proverbs 18:21 says ‘The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.’ Are you reaping the consequences of words you have spoken over your own life?
Have your words been like a curse of self fulfilling prophecy over the life of someone else?
Do you need to repent for things you have said that were wrong? If so take the time now to do so.
We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary James 3:1-12
What do you want me to do for you?
3 When Jesus encountered people along the way He often began the discourse with this question - What do you want me to do for you? For an casual onlooker this might appear to be one of those ‘nobrainer’ questions with thoughts along the line of ‘ the man is blind, deaf, lame, etc isn’t it obvious’. This is clearly not always the case. Being partially sighted myself I recognise that my obvious blindness does not point to my most pressing need. Whilst being able to fully see would be great, as it has had a major impact on my life, there is often something deeper which has far greater significance that a casual onlooker would not discern. Unbeknown to the Pharisees in Matthew 9:1-7 the lame man’s greatest need was for forgiveness. Jesus discerned his heart and forgave him. In doing so, He also dealt with the physical healing need and the Pharisees unbelief ( 6"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins "-- then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." 7And he got up and went home.). We should avoid the temptation to approach God with our shopping list as if He is our personal shopping assistant; or with a wish list as if he is some magical genie waiting to grant our every desire. Whilst neither of these is the case, He is our Heavenly Father, who desires the best for His children: His wisdom far exceeds our own and is able to decipher whether or not He should give us our hearts desire. That being said, when God asks the question (Matt 20:32) “What do you want me to do for you?” He is inviting us to recognise that He has heard our cries for help and He is there to deliver, redeem and save those who expectantly called with earnest fervour. Such is the case in Matthew 20:32, these men though blind could see a future with their pleas for help answered. Not able to be put-off by the difficulty of their situation, nor by those who tried to silence them, they cried ever louder seeking the mercy of the king.
Blind Bartimaeus had such an encounter, stuck at the side of the road he cried out "Son of David, have mercy on me!" In reply Jesus asked "What do you want me to do for you?". "My rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!" Bartimaeus immediately followed Christ, receiving not only physical sight but spiritual sightedness too. Mark 10:46-52 So as you encounter Christ afresh today why don’t you come to Him with the answer to the question, Jesus wants to hear your heart what is it that you want Him to do for you? What do you want God to do for you?
Are you approaching God with Ernest (sincere, deep, serious)?
Are you approaching God with fervour (passion, zeal, eagerness)?
Are you approaching God expectantly (hopeful anticipation)?
What are you going to do differently as a result of your encounter?
By Ann Lane When we spend our time consumed with what others are doing we are in danger of missing vital clues pertaining to our own heart condition. Critical to living in freedom is the ability to see our sin for what it is, assume full responsibility and to make time to confess and repent of it without finger pointing or blame shifting. Only then will Christ forgive us and cleanse us from our unrighteous; when we do this we are freed from the eternal consequences of our actions.
Eye Planks Matthew 7:3-5 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck out of your eye;' and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye." "
1. Get alone with God for an unhurried time of reflection and soul searching. Stop and pray as you begin. Pray according to Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try men and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any offensive way in me…” Ask God to clearly reveal to you ways that you have wronged other people and have not made it right. 2. Get a blank sheet of paper and begin to ‘brainstorm.’ Make a full list of all the things that you have done in your relationship to others. Be honest and specific. Image by sippakorn,
We sin against others in specific, concrete ways, and we need to confess the sin in specific, concrete ways. Try not to be vague or over-generalize things. The list should be as comprehensive as possible. 3. Privately confess each of the items as sins, and repent before God. 4. Contact each of the people on your list, with the purpose of asking them to forgive you for the way (s) you sinned against them. 5. Pray and ask God’s Spirit to meet with you and bring healing. 6. Be ready to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Do not argue, defend yourself, raise your voice, interrupt, or lose your cool. This meeting is to be a place of healing and reconciliation, not a time to attack, malign, get revenge, or argue. It is a time to uncover and solve problems, not compound them. Do not go expecting them to in turn ask you to forgive them for the way(s) they’ve sinned against you. That might happen, but it might not. Your motivation in going is to obey God and please Him, not to get the other person to admit their faults to you.
7. You should confess your specific sins listed on your “Log List” and say: “I sinned against you when I…. Or by not… Will you please forgive me?” Move through each item on your list in the same way. 8. Close in prayer together. (Adapted from Christian Living in the Home, p. 139-141, by Jay Adams, P&R Pub., 1972)
My Sinful Ways
What God wants me to do about them
Tel: + 44 (0) 7562 216916 Email: restoringlife@ymail.com Web: WWW.RESTORINGLIFEFOUNDATION.ORG Restoring Life Foundation RestLFoundation