You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Restore’ category.
“Family” Was Gods Idea
“If family was God’s idea, and ours is broken, shouldn’t we ask Him how to fix it?” ~ Bob Parr
Many of us come from homes with interesting ways and traditions. Some of these ‘ways’ were fun, unique, and well worth carrying on to the next generation/s. Some of them were hurtful, and destructive in many ways. Because of those destructive ways, some of us were longing for the day when we would see our ‘child-hood home’ in the rear view mirror for the last time.
For those of us that can identify with the “rear-view mirror” comment, perhaps some of those old ‘feelings’ have re-surfaced at some point. When that happens, we may become a bit edgy or uncomfortable (fearful) remembering that old environment or the people associated with those memories.
In His timing, God takes opportunity to re-surface those memories, for revealing to us our emotions that we might turn to Him. Then He can reveal to us His solution to our negative feelings. Often times we need to release and forgive someone, and ask God to redeem all of that time which was destructive and lost.
Besides, “family was Gods idea, if ours is broken, let’s ask Him to fix it!”
Biblical References;
Proverbs 22:23
Ephesians 6:2
Matthew 19:19
Luke 6:27
Ephesians 4:32
For personal “Prophetic Prayer Ministry” sessions in our home office, via Skype, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
Our NEW – Freedom Quest Introductory Video
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words and connections that heal! Every Blessing to you!
Photo by: Bob Parr
Have you ever found yourself almost overwhelmed with fear? I believe that much of the depression that we experience is both initiated and sustained by fear. So where does this fear come from and how do we deal with it?
II Timothy 1:7 says that “God has not given us a spirit of fear…” so we know that God is not scary, in fact He provides us a remedy for “Fixing Frantic” in His word… please read on.
There are several types of fear mentioned in the Bible. Here is one type to consider;
Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
It is the type fear that grips you and dominates your thinking, it overtakes your emotions so that you cannot easily experience the positive emotions such as joy, laughter, rest, or peace that comes when we truly know the Father.
Rather you become controlled by this invisible uneasy feeling that grips your gut, robs you of sleep, and sends you into a state of negativity. It can interfere with your appetite, your sleep, your physical health, your daily productivity and hence destroy your life and relationships.
This type fear is Biblically described as the emotional state of one that is in bondage. And the Greek word and definition for this type fear is; Fear – GK ~ phobos {fob’-os} fear, dread, terror
Note the similarity to our “phobia”?
One of the most comforting passages whenever one is struggling with “phobos” is the famous Psalm 91.
- What is it that you fear the most?
- Is this fear controlling your thoughts and robbing your peace?
If yes, why not follow this link and meditate on Psalm 91, letting Father God comfort you by “Fixing Frantic” with His Word?
For personal “Prophetic Prayer Ministry” sessions in our home office, via Skype, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
Our NEW – Freedom Quest Introductory Video
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words and connections that heal! Every Blessing to you!
It's About Relationship
In the business world and contemporary society, success is measured by our social, religious, or occupational status. We tend to get in a rut seeking our identity in “doing” rather than “being”.
But in the Kingdom of God, success is measured by “knowing” Him.
It’s about relationship.
In Gods Kingdom, He is calling many rebellious sons and daughters to come home.
The Bible suggests that many of us are deceived into thinking that we are secure in Him because we prayed a nice prayer once upon a time.
Jesus explains it well in Matthew 7:21-23.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
All relationships require relating to someone. Relating is active, consistent, and meaningful, not mechanical, hyper-structured, and dry. The sky is the limit to how intimate you want to get with God. Proverbs 3:5,6 encourages us to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct our paths.
God longs for relationship with you and I.
But in the above passage V 23…Jesus says that to some He will sadly say, “I never knew you”.
This is a wake-up call for some of us, a sobering reality that touches our eternity!
If you find yourself in the category of being a “policy holder”, but you don’t ever talk to your “Agent”… there is hope!
Suggested Steps for coming home;
- Repent; Change your mind and ways.
- Reconcile; Ask forgiveness for not seeking to know Him and be known by Him.
- Re-order; Re-order your steps, spend time in the Bible, a fellowship of believers, talk to Him.
- Receive; As you give to Him simple acknowledgments, receive what He has for you.
- Rest; Enjoy a renewed relationship with the One who created you with love in mind.
It’s your life, but I challenge you to share it with Him. He is knocking at the door of your heart, seeking relationship! (Revelation 3:20)
For personal “Prophetic Prayer Ministry” or “Spiritual Life Coaching” sessions in our home office, Skype, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
Our NEW – Freedom Quest Introductory Video
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words and connections that heal! Every Blessing to you!
"Is that so?"
Presumption is just another wicked tool of the devil to trick us into pride.
One definition for presumption is “to take beforehand”.
This can be applied to physical items, situations, but more often than not, it is a mental/emotional posture that we take before getting the facts.
Let’s look into this a bit deeper.
Physical/Material Presumption in Luke 15:11
In the parable of the “prodigal son”, he was presumptuous about the timing of receiving his inheritance. He got what he wanted, but it was not a blessing as is the purpose of an inheritance. Often, when we are presumptuous, God gives us just what we asked for and it becomes a lesson to be learned.
Situational Presumption in Samuel 8
When Israel demanded an earthly King to lead them into battle, Samuel (the Seer) warned them about the folly of having a king. God said “give them what they want, they have not rejected you, Samuel, they have rejected me from reigning over them.” In comparing themselves with other nations, they presumed having an earthly King to protect them was God’s will.
The consequence of their presumption that “this is God’s will” cost them time, resources, and heartache. If we would only learn to stop and ask ourselves “What is God doing/saying?” perhaps we would eliminate unnecessary consequences, and spend more time inside His will.
Mental/Emotional Presumption
We are presumptuous with people probably more often than we are with God. Most of our “stinkin thinkin” is presumptuous.
Examples…
- “Oh great, they forgot about me and they’re not coming at all.” (As their car pulls in the driveway).
- “Where are my mints? I’ll bet she put them in her purse and I’ll never see them again.” (you find them on your table, right where you put them)
- “Why is my boss meeting with everyone but me? They must be talking bad about me.” (a surprise party in your honor was being planned )
Love hopes all things (I Corinthians 13:7) – presumption doubts! Lets learn to stop drawing conclusions without facts.
Because of past rejection & abandonment in our lives, we often take a posture of presuming negative scenarios.
5 Tactics to stop presumption?
- Daily awareness that we are presumptuous.
- Endeavor to get the facts before concluding.
- Ask a friend or mentor to consistently hold you accountable.
- Deliberately focus on “hope” instead of doubt.
- Meditate on Philippians 4:8, Romans 5:5, I Corinthians 13, and I John 4:18.
Presumption is fear based but perfect love casts out every type of fear.
Presumption is an “ancient enemy tactic” to rob us of our “Faith, Hope, and Love”. Let’s route the devil and obey the Word, and watch the enemy flee.
“God does not suffer presumption in anyone but Himself.” Herodotus (484-424 BC)
For personal “Prophetic Prayer Ministry” or “Spiritual Life Coaching” sessions in our home office, Skype, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
Freedom Quest Introductory Video
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words and connections that heal! Every Blessing to you!
Bob Parr ~ Age 17
For some twenty years, rebellion was all I knew. I fashioned my life after it. Drugs, sex, and rock’n roll were my only passions. At age 16, I was married and a father. By age 28, I was twice divorced and because of my wounded heart, had positioned my three children in unacceptable circumstances. I managed to gain custody of my two oldest children. I lived rent free and jobless with my sister in grandpa’s basement, freeloading off both of them.
I lived selfishly, knowing there had to be more to life than what I was experiencing.
Then on Sunday morning, March 10, 1985 I awoke from a cocaine and whiskey hangover. The television was on with the volume muted. I saw Jimmy Swaggart preaching in a soccer stadium in Africa, and his words traveled across the bottom of the screen saying; “if you need a new life, here are the three things that will give you “New Life!”
First you need to confess that you are sinful and commit sins, second you need to ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins, and thirdly, invite Him into your heart to be both your Lord and your Savior.
As I wrote these three things down I also prayed them. I had destroyed so many brain cells in previous years that my memory was embarrassingly limited. I didn’t want to miss this chance at “New Life!” That day, Jesus heard my heart cry and set me free!
I was instantly free from nicotine, alcohol, and drug addiction. He convicted me gently of my foul language. Because of the love I felt from Him, I didn’t want to do anything to displease or disappoint Him. I figured that I had destroyed the first half of my life and I wanted to surrender the second part wholly to Him.
He is not only the God of a second chance, He is the God of another chance!
I soon met my current wife and we have been married for over 22 years now. Together, we’ve preached the Gospel in over 20 countries.
- Perhaps you’re rebelling?
- Maybe you’re feeling stuck in life?
- Have you wondered if there’s a better way to live?
If you desire a “New Life”, pray this prayer right now! Don’t wait another day!
“Heavenly Father, I’ve lived a life contrary to Your plan for me. I am a sinful person. I am asking You, Jesus, to forgive me of my sins, and come live in my heart. I choose to make You both my Lord and my Savior.”
3 Suggested steps for maturing as a Christian
- Bible ~ begin by reading “The Gospel of John”
- Regularly attend a Bible Church near you
- Get actively involved with other Christians.
For personal “Spiritual Life Coaching” sessions in our home office, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
This post is taken directly from a “hard-copy” Gospel Tract that I have published. If you are interested in obtaining quantities of this tract, email us at; info@freedomquestinternational.org or visit our website contact page.
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words that heal! Every Blessing to you!
High Visibility Boundaries
When the Fall of the year is mature, landowners re-establish and re-mark their land boundaries with (high visibility), “No Hunting” or “No Trespassing” signs. This is done to help control who is welcomed on the land to take of its bounty, OR NOT! Permission is required by the owner. The signs are usually fluorescent so they are (highly visible). There can be no question “Where is the Boundary Line?”
An abuser of control in our lives, be it a spouse, a parent, a child, a co-worker, co-student or whoever, can often be identified by their “extreme high to low emotions”. They use emotions to CONTROL and sometimes their physic. They establish or set up “illegal” or “unhealthy boundaries” in the relationship! The victims response often is “Oh good, he/she is in a good mood, or Oh no, he/she is angry and I need to avoid or appease them!” Sound familiar? “Where is the Boundary Line?”
Similar to the analogy of the land owner, the “trespasser” establishes control because there are no (high visibility) signs or healthy boundaries used to keep un-welcomed people (controlling abusers) out. In this unruly relationship, mental and sometimes physical molestation is commonplace. The heart attitude connected to this abuse is often rage, division, and word cursing. Lawlessness abounds, joy is manipulated at best, and bondage dominates. Matthew 24:12 “Where lawlessness abounds, the love of many will grow cold.”
Establishing healthy boundaries (high visibility signs) with the said abuser allows you to separate yourself far enough from them, so you can seek God and seek counsel for God to bless them, and heal them at the root of their problems. The question is are you tired enough of fear and intimidation to establish healthy (high visibility) boundaries that can bring change? “Where is the Boundary Line?”
“Healthy Boundaries” is another part of our Quest for Freedom! Galatians 5:1 “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
For personal “Spiritual Life Coaching” sessions in our home office, or over the telephone please contact us at Freedom Quest International.
We encourage you to share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words that heal! Every Blessing to you!
Yesterday my wife and I were furniture shopping. We have a friend of the family who is employed by the store, and she was our salesperson. While browsing alone, we encountered multiple salespeople who would hit on us, but as soon as we revealed we are working with our friend, they would not even answer questions, or give directions to items. You see, the business mindset is “what can I get out of this?”. Illegitimate sons act this way, but not true sons. “Who’s son are you?” ~ Jack Frost
Used with permission ~ Si Cliff
There is “A Better Way”
Many of us, Christians and/or non-Christians alike have compartmentalized our lives such that our selfishness or self-centeredness takes the forefront of “who we are”. It is incredibly subtle, but like those holograms you have to stare at for a few moments before the actual 3D image is revealed ~ when we finally see, we crave transformation in our lives, or we should. That is God’s Spirit working in us!
There is “A Better Way”
It is living life supporting the endeavors of others. Rather than turning our gaze inward and striving to acquire fame & fortune for ourselves, we begin to seek the betterment of the company we work for, the church we attend, the community we live in, the social club or group we belong to. This puts in motion a foundational biblical principal that is proven to manifest in all our lives to the good or bad depending on our choices! “Whatever seed you sow, you shall surely reap the harvest!” If you plant corn, you will not get apples! If you support your company, your company will in turn trust you, promote you, and take care of you, but the opposite is also true. If you complain, pilfer, and seek only self interests, your days there are numbered and desolate.
There is “A Better Way”
Jesus said in John 14, and I quote “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me”. I have read that verse over the last 25 years and watched my interpretation evolve immensely. I initially thought it meant, Jesus is God and we need to try harder and harder to become just like Jesus, hence the “WWJD” (What would Jesus do” slogan”.) But in the past few years I have realized I am not Jesus, and will never become like him no more than I can somehow become just like my brother the pediatrician! I am me, and that pleases God, you are you and that too pleases God! You see, Jesus came and modeled for us, how to have an intimate relationship with “Perfect Love” in the person of our “Divine Father”. We are to be sons and daughters, not clones!
It is the way of a son or a daughter supporting the fathers vision and endeavors. Jesus modeled this, John the Baptist did too by placing Jesus higher than himself. It is the way of humility, placing others in a higher place than ourselves, and experiencing Kingdom redemptive activities in our jobs, relationships, communities, families, and churches!
4 Tweaks to “A Better Way!”
- Identify attitudes in my life that only promote ME!
- Ask God to forgive you, and receive His forgiveness!
- Begin to help people accomplish their endeavors, sow time, abilities, and even finance in support of them!
- Know that God sees your humility, and rewards the humble heart.
God Bless you as you transition into “A Better Way!”
If this blog has challenged your heart please leave a comment!
To share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words that heal! Every Blessing to you!
Rembrandts Prodigal Son
Jesus tells a story about an ornery “young son” who asked his father for an early collection of his inheritance. We all know this famous story in Luke 15, that when the son had wasted everything, he came to his senses, and came home humbly asking for a place as a slave. What was his fathers response? In return for his “ornery” ways his father highly honored him with a robe, new sandals, and a ring. Jack Frost of (Shiloh Place Ministries) used to say “Completely failed, utterly restored”, re-instated to son-ship! Selah. Jesus also honored his chief betrayer Judas Iscariot by washing his feet along with the other 11 disciples. Are we to honor those whom we perceive as ornery? The real question is, will we choose to honor them? This requires change! Honor is one of the things God is teaching me about in this season of my life! After having grown up in an alcoholic home, there really wasn’t a good model of that for me. Now my father and I have worked through most of our issues, and we are on better terms now than we ever were. We actually honor each other now, more than ever. Could we conclude that when people choose to get real with each other and break the unspoken rules most dysfunctional families practice, “Don’t Trust, Don’t Speak, Don’t Feel”, an environment is put in place for “honoring” to increase!
I often write about the negative side of “issues” probably due to my “exhorter” gifting. I will briefly mention one opposite of “Honor” which is “ornery”. Are you “ornery” or Honoring? Below is what I found on-line about this word. Ask yourself, would those you call friends or family members, or even you yourself, describe “you” in any of these terms?
Main Entry: ornery
Synonyms:
cantankerous, contemptible, crabby, cranky, crusty, difficult, disagreeable, grouchy, grumpy*, hard-nosed, ignoble, ill-tempered, irritable, nasty, obstinate, quarrelsome, rotten, sour, surly, testy, unfriendly, vicious
How can we transition our soul-ish behavior to a more spiritually rich demeanor? We would do well to imprint the word “HONOR” in the forefront of our minds, and very deliberately pray about, meditate on, and even converse with others about what “HONOR” looks like and ways we can begin to walk this out. The benefits are numerous and divers.
Taking “honor” a step further, I am convinced that if we learn to honor all people, even those who don’t necessarily deserve honor, that the biblical principal or “law” of sowing and reaping will kick in and we will begin to experience being honorable!
I want to give you a definition for honor to help you build a foundation in this journey;
Main Entry honor
Synonyms:
acclaim, admire, adore, aggrandize, appreciate, be faithful, be true, celebrate, commemorate, commend, compliment, decorate, dignify, distinguish, ennoble, erect, esteem, exalt, give glad hand, give key to city, glorify, hallow, keep, laud, lionize, live up to, look up to, magnify, observe, praise, prize, revere, roll out red carpet, sanctify, sublime, uprear, value, venerate, worship
Here are three ways we can initiate this godly and “lives changing” transition.
1. Be very deliberate to honor ALL people.
2. Spend less energy being “ornery”.
3. Ask God to show you the people and ways you can practice “honoring”.
Enjoy the transition!
Definitions credited to; http://thesaurus.reference.com/
To share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words that heal! Every Blessing to you!
That title reminds me of the movie “Matrix” where Keanu Reeves is “The One”! I am addressing family systems in this post, and how to improve or repair the way we do family. “Will you be the one” in your family that initiates change?
How does your family operate? Probably similar in many ways to your personal childhood experience. The added ingredient is your spouse and his/her childhood family experience. It gets tricky when we marry these two different experiences, and the meshed reactions to our personal experiences. If we lived in an abusive home, we often either mimic that as adults to our families, or we go the other way and make changes based on judgments we have harbored against our parents, and or siblings. Drastic change, based on fear, motivated by judgments. The variables are numerous! This usually produces an extreme family system that operates in shame. The judgment in our heart against our fathers house will only reap….JUDGMENT! Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked ; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Have you ever said or thought “I will never do that to my kids” or “my children will never have to experience that”. How do you determine whether or not your judging or only observing? My definition of judgment is “an observation with teeth!”
If we choose to mimic our childhood family experience, we lose and so do our loved ones. If we choose to change our family values based on judgments, we are only stuffing the issues deeper. Now the problem has gone into “stealth mode”. Our family system appears to be “better than our parents way” but the problem areas manifest in other attitudinal ways that are more “socially acceptable” than blatant abuse, like anger, passivity, drinking, workaholism to name a few! We call this behavior “having an elephant in the living room”, that no one will address. Control! “I don’t trust you enough to talk to you, about my feelings.” Don’t Trust, don’t Talk, don’t Feel! These are 3 unspoken, dysfunctional family rules! Make no mistake, if we mimic our abusive experience, our children will inherit suffering, and we will inherit being known and feared as an abuser.
I realize that not everyone can relate to what I am speaking of here, but here is some truth for those of you that can, to help heal your family dynamics for generations to come! Shame based family systems have plagued mankind for centuries. This is the way most of us have experienced family. If you do right, you are acceptable, if you do wrong there are divers consequences. The worst perhaps is feeling unloved, no value, and that your opinion does not matter! Selah
It’s time we apply what the Word of God says, into our family systems. (See my post above “Walk it Out”) We can restore dignity to our loved ones, and to our family name. Selah – Try to think in terms of generations!
Proverbs 22:1,4;
1 A [good] name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
4 By humility [and] the fear of the Lord [Are] riches and honor and life.
If we identify with the “judgments” method, the issues WILL manifest in the generations that follow (See Exodus 34:5-7). No eradication until the issues of abuse are appropriated through forgiveness toward the abuser/s. “Will you be the one” to initiate the “renouncing of judgments” both spoken or entertained in your minds in your family? This is the initial response needed to bring generational restoration. Secondly, we begin to speak blessing, and honor, and thanksgiving over our families. Not just in prayer, but directly to the people that represent your living family. “Will you be the one” to initiate change in your family? Will you be “the Repairer of the Breaches, the Restorer of the Streets to Dwell In” (Isaiah 58:12).
- Renounce judgments we have made against those who sinned against us or our families!
- Speak blessing, honor, and thanksgiving over them as they press through their experience or journey. It really all boils down to Romans 12:1,2! The renewing of our mind, our thinking!
“Will you be the one” in your family to begin to think differently? Every blessing as you press in!
If you desire more information on this subject or ministry personally contact us for scheduling @ http://www.freedomquestinternational.org/invite.htm
I hope this post has stirred you for appropriating godly change in your family generations. Please leave a comment. Love to read your thoughts!
To share this post with your network on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, click the “Bookmark” button. Thanks for spreading words that heal! Every Blessing to you!
