TRUSTING THE FATHER - PREFACE
I.
PURPOSE:
To share with you how I have come to understand the Lord.
Having grown up in a very religious background, my
understanding of the Lord was shaped through church doctrine, not the Holy
Spirit. I lived in a constant fear of God that caused me much guilt and shame
(coming too from a life where guilt and shame was a norm for me from my
childhood upbringing). I portrayed God as I did my dad: love, intermixed with
abuse. All the while, constantly trying not to bring on his anger; and feeling
like I was never perfect enough to keep his anger at bay. I subconsciously felt
I was a disappointment in everything I did (developing a perfectionist mindset
and behaviour)—this in turn making me feel I always disappointed God.
I grew up becoming a defeated human being. And being
Born-Again at the age of 16, continued as a defeated Christian. All I did was
wait my turn in this world, longing for the day my days on this earth were over
and I was with the Lord—even though I often felt that some sin I would commit
would instead send me to Hell (not Heaven).
Trying to be the Christian I expected of myself, had become
an impossible chore—yet I didn’t give up trying—which continued those feelings
of guilt and shame when I failed (over and over again). And church didn’t help;
no matter which one I went to… they all seemed to share the same doctrinal
message about me just being a “sinner saved by Grace”; and finding ways to
remind me of my sinful nature and perpetual shortcomings. I felt church wasn’t
there to build me up, but to make me an even more miserable Christian than I
already was. So, I’d stopped going to church.
My life (and life as a
Christian) all began to change when I heard and believed this “un-church” and
“un-religious” message about a Loving God and a Holy Spirit indwelling that
provided power, authority, and a correct understanding of who God the Father
is. So, at age 38, getting Baptised in the Holy Spirit, I began the journey
away from being a defeated Christian! And as I grew with His power and
authority, knowing too He was not judging or condemning me for any failures,
meeting me where I am to help to continually distance me from religion, guilt,
and shame.
This is my desire too for you. To share with you an understanding of this transformation in my life through how I began to see scripture anew. And that, if you happen to find yourself stuck as a “defeated Christian”, or you’re tired of being “Bible-thumped” over the head by churches, you deserve the Freedom that you have been given through Christ Jesus. For, no matter what you do, you cannot minimize the True “Agape” Love that the Lord has for you!
( EACH LESSON AT THE LINKS BELOW - WHICH CAN BE DOWLOADED AS PDF )
II.
GUIDANCE:
A. No matter what I share in this Bible Study
booklet, always let the Holy Spirit be the one to interpret what is being said.
He will always speak the Truth about a subject or verse, and as I genuinely try
and share with His guidance, I will always be growing in the Lord and
increasing my knowledge and understanding of Him. Thus, He may share with you
in more detail, or more accurately. I am not, and should not be, your only
source of understanding—He has given us an array of individuals who know Him;
don’t be shy to let Him guide you to hear the right people.
B. There
is no perfect Bible translation. As such, I reference several different ones. I
also have found that the Lord has me do an in-depth Greek/Hebrew analysis of
verses or key words, and thus come up with a translation that differs from
published ones. In such cases, I refer to the translation version as Provisions
of Grace {PoG}. A {PoG} translation stems from the KJV/AKJV with meaning
derived from the original Greek/Hebrew. {Italicized words} indicate
that they are added for clarity or reference, not found in the original.
C. When
referencing "the Cross", I am attributing it to the entire life and
ministry of Jesus: including His death, resurrection, ascension, and delivery
of the Holy Ghost for and to mankind.
D. The
use of the word “Lord” references the Unified Trinity of God the Father, Jesus
Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
E. Don’t
be afraid to journal and take notes as you go. Your relationship with the Lord
allows you to openly communicate with Him about anything in your life or about
this Bible Study. This can feel odd at times if you are still developing a
trust with Him; but the more you do it, the more you will recognise His voice
and trust Him.
III.
BIBLE STUDY BOOKLET SECTIONS:
As the creation of this 52-Lesson Bible Study Book
manifested, it came about in three primary sections (sets of lessons) over the
course of three years. Each of these sets developed in its own way; also
representative of the seasons of life I was in at the time.
Each section delves into more content, with more direction
and understanding. The first section (set) mainly to gauge what you possibly
currently believe before going into specifics of what I have come to believe
through my relationship with the Lord; progressing into areas of similar
topics. Some lessons referencing other lessons. You may even find it necessary
to revisit some previous topics to look at them in a different perspective.
These sections also reflect a season of my life too—times of
my life and the joys, happiness, trust, struggles, emotions, questioning,
revelations, and difficulty are presented here. From Spirit to flesh. From
highs and lows. From easy to hard. From joy to pain. From bound to free.
This is also not just about me sharing to you; but it is still
an ongoing guideline for my own personal life. I may have insight and
understanding, but that does not mean I've mastered each part in all my parts
of life—nor am I saying I fully understand in all of its depth and breadth…
that is actually a lifelong journey. I still have to learn, grow, fight, and
follow what is being shared with me by the Lord through this life-journey
(involving many others along the way).
Here is a simple breakdown of each section / set:
1. Lessons
001 – 020: These lessons are set to help you to start thinking about
how/what you believe or understand about the Lord (God the Father, Christ Jesus
the Son, and Holy Spirit/Ghost). They are straight-forward in the breakdown of
each lesson; but represent some of the fundamental basics (foundational
elements) of where I have come to in my beliefs and understandings of the Lord.
2. Lessons
021 – 040: These lessons start to become more guided in how I portray and
convey what I believe and understand. Often giving short introductions to the
verses to bring about a thinking / believing you may not be familiar with. Here
I tackle topics that may be unknown or controversial to you. And for me, this
is ok… even if you may not believe the same as what I have come to believe and
understand.
- 029 The Thief (Discernment & Battle) (CSB)
- 030 Humility, Obedience, & Trust (TLB)
- 031 Our Responsibility (With the Lord) (CEB)
- 032 Money, Tithe, & Giving (NLT)
- 033 Loves (NTE)
- 034 Fruit of the Spirit (DLNT)
- 035 Gifts (EXB)
- 036 Armour of God (NIV)
- 037 Repentance & Conscience (GNT)
- 038 The Law (EHV)
- 039 Your Adversary (HCSB)
- 040 Final Judgement (WEB)
3. Lessons
041 – 052: These lessons, for me, represent a great deal of emotion. They
reflect much of the battle I felt in this season between the flesh and the
Spirit. How life challenged my own trust and reliance on the Lord. And how He
is actively teaching me to be able to see the binding impact the world has on
us versus the Freedom He designed us to truly live in (with the same ability
Jesus himself learned as a human being like me—like you).
- 041 Fasting (Meat & Drink) (EHV)
- 042 Soul (Emotions & Feelings) (RSV)
- 043 Storms of Life (VOICE)
- 044 Our Duality (Flesh & Spirit) (NET)
- 045 Sowing & Reaping (LEB)
- 046 Ministry Types (GWT)
- 047 Body of Christ (CSB)
- 048 Overcome the World (TLB)
- 049 As a Child (ICB)
- 050 Freedom (MEV)
- 051 {Correct} Knowledge (HCSB)
- 052 Moving Forward… (RGT)
- Conclusion & Further Topics of Study
IV.
GENERAL BELIEFS:
Through a relationship with the Father, we as children of
the Father continue to come to understand His Heart. As such, we see that He
truly is a Loving Father that is beyond measure and time. His jealousy for all
of us is so great and always so good—He really does only want the best for us
in any and all situations of life. And this Love was demonstrated through the
pure heart and ministry of Jesus Christ—Jesus embodied the Spirit of the Father
and in all ways showed us the Heart of the Father. This is what we believe and
hold true in our hearts.
The following are beliefs and understandings through
scripture that share some of what we hold true about the Love of the Father,
Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.
· God the Father Loves everyone in this world. So
much so, that through the sacrificial giving of His Only Son (Christ Jesus), He
has Gifted us Forgiveness, Righteousness, Health & Healing, and a personal
intimate relationship with Him as a Father.
o John
3:16-17. Romans
3:21-22. Hebrews
10:12. 1
Peter 2:24.
· God is Love. This type of Love is not of our own
ability, but God's unique "Agape" Love as defined in 1 Corinthians
13:4-8. This Love, and no other, is what is demonstrated to all the world from
the Father. And this is the Love we gain in and through ourselves when we
accept Him into our hearts. And His only command to us is to Love Him and each
other in that Agape Love which only comes from His ability in us.
o John
13:24. John
15:12. 1
John 3:23. 1
John 4:7,16. 1
Corinthians 13:4-8.
· The Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom of God is in us
now. It is not a place yet to come (a future Heaven / Reign), or a ritual
(religious activity); but Power and Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy
Spirit.
o Matthew
6:33. Luke
17:21. Romans
14:17. 1
Corinthians 4:20.
· All humans (all men, all women, all races, and
all nationalities) are created equally and have always been so. We are all
created in the likeness of the Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit; not
only from the beginning of Creation, but now. This was clearly demonstrated in
the ministry of Jesus; and is demonstrated now through Christ, to us from the
Father, and in the working of the same Holy Spirit with and in both males and
females; as well as in all races and nationalities. The Lord is no respecter of
persons.
o Genesis
1:26-28. Acts
10:34-35. Romans
2:11. Galatians
3:26-28. Colossians
3:9-17.
· Righteousness has been Gifted to all through the
Completed Work of Christ Jesus. It has been Gifted to all of us by God's Grace
through the finished Faith of Christ Jesus; not by our works (self-righteous
acts), nor through the Law (which has been fulfilled by Christ). It is unto
all, and upon all that believe.
o Romans
3:21-22. Galatians
2:16. Ephesians
2:8.
o Luke 3:4-6. Acts 4:10-12. Romans 1:16. Romans 10:9-10. Romans 13:11. Ephesians 1:13-14. Ephesians 2:8-9. Philippians 2:12-13. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. Titus 2:11.
·
The Holy Spirit has been gifted to every person
on earth. He is with us all, and in all who accept His infilling. And this
infilling does not differ from person-to-person (regardless of gender, age,
status, culture, or nationality)—for the Lord is no respecter of persons. For
we are each given the same Holy Spirit as Jesus has.
o John
15:26. John
16:7-11,13. Acts
2:1-18 (Joel
2:28-29). Acts
10:34-35. Romans
2:11. Galatians
3:26-28.
· The Holy Spirit does not condemn us of the sins
of our flesh; He only brings to light the sin of not believing in Jesus Christ
as our Saviour. When we do not accept the testimony of Truth from the Holy
Spirit to believe in Christ Jesus, it is that sin of not believing that is not
forgiven. However, when we are Born-Again through believing on Him, that sin is
forgiven. All other sins (all the sins of the flesh) were forgiven
once-and-for-all-time at the Cross, and it is not necessary to ask forgiveness
of them.
o Matthew
12:30-32. Mark
3:27-30. John
14:6. John
15:26. John
16:7-11,13. Hebrews
10:12. 1
John 5:6-11.
· Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for all who believe
as part of His Kingdom in us now. The Lord has blessed us with all Spiritual
blessings and demonstrates Himself through signs and wonders; including
miracles, healings, prophesy, words of knowledge, speaking in tongues, and
more. Each one of us as believers can operate in all of the Holy Spirit's
Gifts, just as Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated and more. They are both a
testimony of Christ's accomplishment, and the Lord's Love to both believers and
non-believers.
o Mark
16:16-18. John
14:12. Acts
4:29-31. Ephesians
1:3.
o Romans 6:12-23. Romans 7:14-25. Romans 8:1-39. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. 2 Corinthians 10:3-7. Galatians 5:13-26. Ephesians 4:17-24. Philippians 3:13-16.
These become a testimony in our
lives and relationship with Him. This experiencing of Him is what makes Him so
personal—this is His Love towards us and for us. He wants to demonstrate
Himself to us, so we can fully understand His Love for everyone on this earth. God
Bless (As He Always Does).
V.
RESOURCES:
A. As you go through these Bible Study lessons, I
sometimes refer to my blog ( www.cBadenhorst.blogspot.com ) which also goes into sharing my missions
and relationship with the Lord ( cBadenhorst – Missions ). This
blog is written in a different format than these Bible Studies, so you
might garner further insight into a subject from it.
B. The
following are resources referenced throughout this Bible Study Booklet (no royalties or funding received):
- TPT: www.bible.com/versions/1849-tpt-the-passion-translation (No
longer available on Bible Gateway)
VII.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & SUPPORT:
A
thank you to Kelly and Joshua who are inspirational in this life-journey.
And to all the family, friends, sponsors, and donors who have fed into
this ministry and outreach.
If you would like to
support this ministry and outreach, you may do so via our website or at:
Comments
Post a Comment