1 Question Believers have the ability to trust Christ differentially in various areas of their lives. Spiritually, I trust Him for my eternal salvation. Practically, I may trust Him for His strength, grace and supply as I go through moment by moment experience. Which is more difficult? Why?

2 This Week i. Explore the process of healing ii. Examine four key aspects of being healed by the life that Christ offers us. iii. Meditate on the character and nature of God revealed in His names. Lesson Plan

3 I. Process of Healing a.Since man is a spiritual being the only possibility that exists for the healing of the conscience is that one must be born again spiritually. b.While the healing process may be difficult, painful, and take time to accomplish, the process is not about punishment for the wrong done in your mortal body, but rather, it is about the discipline of growing into who you are in Christ. Heb 12:9-11

4 I. Process of Healing Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. KJV

5 I. Process of Healing c.Beyond salvation, many times the Holy Spirit demands that we take the appropriate steps to work out that healing as a part of our learning and further sanctification. Phil 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. KJV

6 I. Process of Healing d.Our role in this is to take a fearless moral inventory of ourselves. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring to mind those things which will hinder our growth and usefulness. Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. KJV

7 I. Process of Healing e.Examine the pain. Admit to God and yourself and in many cases, to another human being, the exact nature of your wrong. This is a full and complete confession, that in no way seeks to minimize, or undo what you have done. 2 Cor 7:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. KJV

8 I. Process of Healing f.This requires being humble before God and therefore, being willing to take whatever punishment or consequence that may be handed out by anyone affected by our behavior. 1 Peter 5:5-6 all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: KJV

9 I. Process of Healing g.Wherever possible, we must make direct amends with people who have been wounded by our conduct unless; by doing so you would injure them further. Making this discernment requires both judgment and fierce resolve.

10 I. Process of Healing h.Healing is essential to our maturing in Christ and it is possible. Jer 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. NIV Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

11 II. The Transformation Process a.The problem faced by the believer is not that he is tempted, but rather that in the moment of temptation, like a drowning man fighting against the lifeguard who would save him, he is resisting the grace of God. b.The question for the believer, then, is how can I strengthen my ability to yield to the grace of God rather than to resist it? The answer lies in our gradual, experiential, comprehension of the essential nature of the transformation process.

12 II. The Transformation Process a.There are four keys, which can help us unlock our veiled understanding of spiritual transformation and healing Understanding what is being transformed/healed Experientially learning to trust Christ Yielding of the will to the Holy Spirit Living Christ in me.

13 III. What is Being Transformed? a.Having been born again by the spirit, we are embarking on a journey which will lead us to full maturity in Christ, our true new nature. The attribute of man, which is being transformed, is the mind; the seat of our passions, decisions, and behavior. Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. KJV

14 III. What is Being Transformed? b.Since it is the mind that is being transformed, there are certain activities that we must choose from among alternatives that will promote the transformation of our minds. Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: KJV

15 III. What is Being Transformed? c.This transformation is a process and thus requires repetitious choosing over time and it is in this way that we become patterned and strengthened in the inner man. Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; KJV

16 III. What is Being Transformed? d.Interpreting our experience is what drives our decision to sin, or not to sin and presents us with opportunities to struggle against temptation, or to choose to remain in the river of grace. Therefore we must interpret experience from God’s point of view. Prov 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. KJV

17 III. What is Being Transformed? e.Moment by moment experience is the measuring stick that the Holy Spirit has given to us for the purpose of our own self-assessment. Experience shows us where we are in our own spiritual development and maturity. Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. KJV

18 IV. Trusting Christ a.We must learn through experience that struggling and striving is evidence that we are not trusting. Matt 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. KJV

19 IV. Trusting Christ b.Trusting Christ involves the act of beholding him; where the glory beheld becomes glory imparted to (and reflected by) the beholder. 2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. KJV

20 IV. Trusting Christ c.Trusting involves letting go of the self because attempting to behold Christ while regarding the self is the definition of being a double minded man. James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. KJV d.Trusting Christ means choosing suffering. Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV

21 V. Yielding to The Spirit a.Yielding my will to the Holy Spirit, is contingent upon trusting Christ. If I do not trust Christ, I will never yield my will. b.Yielding my will to the Holy Spirit by definition means an abnegation of self. c.This step requires that I see and believe that whatever God wills for me is the very best possible outcome. Rom 8:26-27 We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. NIV

22 V. Yielding to The Spirit d.Yielding means that I am not leaning on my own sensory based understanding of situations and events. e.Yielding is only possible when I can discern the difference between God’s thoughts and my own thoughts.

23 VI. Living Christ in Me a.I live Christ by fastening my conscious mind on the truth of God. Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. KJV b.Living Christ means that I understand that I am engaged in warfare every moment of every day. 2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; KJV

24 VI. Living Christ in Me c.Living Christ means that I understand that I live in a corrupt world system that is beyond redemption, that it holds nothing of value for me as I am in Christ. Its attractions, values, potentials, and reality are satanic deceptions. d.Living Christ means conscious living, keeping short accounts with God and with man so that my conscience is void of offense.

25 VI. Living Christ in Me e.Living Christ is a continual act of worship in which I proclaim that my sole purpose for living on earth is to glorify God. Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

26 VI. Living Christ in Me f.Another tool in our arsenal is to meditate on the character and nature of God. This is thoroughly revealed to us as we contemplate the names of God; what they mean, and what they mean to us at the moment of our struggle.

a. Meditate on each of the following names of God and assign what it means to you as you face the issues of your life. b. Compose a prayer of thanksgiving to God for each name which reveals His character to you. 27 VII. Application

28 NameWhat it Reveals About His Character What it Means to Me El-ohimGen 1:1Mighty, powerful, strong God the Creator El-ElyonGen 14:18 Most high God, possessor of heaven and earth AdonaiGen 15:2 Lord Master my owner the one who owns me and commands my obedience El OlanGen 21:33 Everlasting God, permanent El RoiGen 16:13 The God who sees he sees both trouble and grief to repay it by his hand El Shaddai Gen 17:1 Mighty, powerful, strong God who supplies and satisfies. The God who is more than enough

29 NameWhat it Reveals About His Character What it Means to Me Jehovah Jireh Gen 22:14 The Lord my provider. JehovahEx 3: 14 The I AM Jehovah rapha Ex 15:22 The Lord my healer. To cure and restore emotionally and spiritually. Jehovah nissi Ex 17:15 The Lord my deliverer, my banner. The battle is the Lord's Jehovah qanna Ex 34:14 The Lord is jealous Jehovah m’Kaddesh Lev 20:7 The Lord my sanctifier. We must learn to look not at what we are separated from, but who we are separated for.

30 NameWhat it Reveals About His Character What it Means to Me Jehovah shalom Judges 6:24 The Lord my peace. He causes us to be in a harmonious relationship: a perfect blending with him. Jehovah sabaoth 1Samuel 1:3 The Lord of the armies of heaven Jehovah rohe Psalm 23 The Lord my shepherd. Jehovah tsidkenu Jer 23:5 The Lord of my righteousness. My legal standing is in Christ before God. El GaborJer 32:17 Mighty God. Nothing is too difficult. Jehovah shammah Ez 48:35 The Lord is there. The Lord dwells among and in his people as the center of everything