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For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law but grace (Romans 6:14).

I. The issue of grace

1. Joy, peace, rest, and victory are elements of grace
2. Difficulty, defeat, and frustration are elements of a lack of grace
   1. If we would continue walking in the same way that we came in none of these problems will occur
   2. As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him (Colossians 2:6)
3. The greatest change in life came at salvation
   1. This change came by simply believing
   2. If the big change came by believing why not continue the same way
4. Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh?(Galatians 3:3)
   1. When we were saved the Spirit of God did a work in us
   2. Do we so foolishly think that we can finish in our own ability
   3. Just as we cannot save ourselves, we cannot change by our own determination
5. The need is not for us to become righteous but for that which is already in our spirits to manifest in our lives

1. When we were given a new spirit we were given a new heart
2. Our heart is the center of our being
3. Our heart is who we really are. It is our identity
4. The heart is the place where who we are in the Spirit and who we are in the soul come together
5. Our Spirit man can only be changed by God, but our heart can be changed by our thinking
6. Our thinking must come into alignment with the Spirit of God
7. Our heart was made new at salvation but our thinking and beliefs have corrupted our heart
   1. What we think and expose our selves to affects our heart
   2. As a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs)
8. The heart is the channel through which the life of the Holy Spirit reaches and affects our entire being
9. When we get defeated it is not a condition of the Spirit but a condition of the heart
10. The Spirit never looses its power, but our heart can feel defeated

1. Trying harder is not the answer
2. Romans 8:29 - For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
   1. If God predestined us then God will see to it that His plan for us will happen
   2. It is His plan not ours, His might not ours
   3. We have a inner need to be transformed & this need will always remain
3. Inability masks
   1. When people are frustrated and unable to affect a change in their lives they will mask (hide or cover it) in many ways
      1. Suppression - stuffing, packing it away
      2. Self justification - excuses, explanations
      3. Criticism - pointing at others
      4. Legalism - rules, rigidity, structure, laws
      5. Depression - anger and frustration suppressed
   2. A mask hides the true self and offers temporary relief at best
4. Unless believers receive the grace to change, their lives will be full of frustration
5. Most Christians want to change but they fight a lifelong battle with the flesh
   1. This usually leads to a “works” mentality
   2. Remember it is by “Grace and not by works”
6. Real victory beyond behavior and performance
   1. Right behavior does not work for long if the craving to act another way is still around
   2. Real victory is not walking away from sin and at the same time longing to give in to it
7. It is not God’s will for the Christian walk to be difficult
   1. He wants us to change. 2 Corinthians 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.
   2. We already are being changed…..and we are not doing it. The change is by the Spirit
8. If your walk has been hard it is time to come to Jesus
   1. Matthew 11:28 - Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest
   2. You may say that you have already come to Him, but now it is time to learn of Him. Matthew 11:29 - 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.
      1. When we learn of Jesus (really getting to know Him) then we can enter into His rest
      2. The children of Israel did not enter into His rest because they did not really know or truly understand God
      3. God told them He would drive out their enemies but they did not trust Him. Hebrews 3:19 - So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
      4. They died in the wilderness because they did not trust His grace to overcome. They did not trust God to do what He said
      5. Entering into His rest (grace) prevents us from dying in our own emotional wilderness

Study Questions:

1. Why are joy, peace, rest and victory elements of grace?
2. If we cannot change by our own determination how can we be changed?
3. Explain how the heart can be corrupted.
4. Explain the term “inability mask.”

Instructions

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Wisdom from God is a necessary element for anyone to be competent to counsel. Scripture refers to two primary types of learners, wise or foolish. The bible clearly defines the two types.

1. Two Classifications of People
   1. The bible divides people into two groups and the divider that is uses is wise people and foolish people
   2. A lack of Godly wisdom has gotten all of us into trouble at one time or another
   3. God will impart wisdom if we are teachable and willing to listen and be correctable
   4. God’s favorite way to correct and guide us is through teaching
   5. Teaching is food for the wise and fodder for the fool. (Dr. Self not the bible)
2. Foolish people
   1. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
      1. A fool is not teachable because he/she thinks they no more than the person that God is using to talk to them
      2. A fool never admits mistakes and constantly believes he is right
   2. Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
      1. Fools do more talking than listening
      2. They love the sound of their own voice
   3. Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
      1. Since our ways are not His ways it is foolish to trust our own ways
      2. Wisdom from God will cause you to be delivered from any situation
      3. God will back up His wisdom with His power for accomplishing what must be done
   4. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
      1. Fools do not want to hear what you have to say
      2. Fools do not want to be corrected
      3. Fools lack the maturity to receive humbly what is a different view than their own
      4. When a fool is corrected by instruction they respond with pride and take offense; Proverbs 12:16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult.
      5. When a wise man is corrected he or she says thank you and listens and is richer as the result
   5. The bible tells us to be careful who we hang out with because they can affect us in our discernment Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
3. Wise people
   1. Proverbs 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves himself; he who keeps understanding will prosper
      1. Prosperity comes when we get God’s wisdom
      2. Many times the keys to wealth are not hard work but smart work
   2. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
      1. All wisdom begins with the Lord
      2. Intimate knowledge of the Lord will bring you the answers that you need- Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
   3. Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own mind is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered
      1. This is a serious warning for us to stop trusting our own ways
      2. God given wisdom will carry you to prosperity, health, freedom, success, peace etc
   4. Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom abides in the mind of a man of understanding, but it is not known in the heart of fools.
      1. Wisdom is a choice
      2. Wisdom is not about your intelligence
      3. Wisdom is about listening to God and humbling our self to His instruction
   5. Some people do not listen to other people’s thoughts that they have to get it straight form the Lord
      1. The Lord is speaking straight to us through other people !
      2. Throughout the bible God spoke through man
      3. The bible inspired by God was written by man
      4. People who do not listen to the people who God has sent into their lives are refusing to listen to God himself.
      5. Pride is usually the result of poor self-esteem. It is a cover up
      6. A wise person is one who will humble themselves to other people and receive
      7. A humble person is a wise person and is the only person who will carry a strong anointing in the long run
   
   
   IV. James 1:5

1. We must have faith that God has spoken
2. If we have no works to go with our faith then we have not truly believed
3. Impartation is when God has put something inside of us
4. Activation is when we use what has been placed inside
   1. Both of these come by asking the Lord in faith
   2. God gives us the power and authority
   3. Power wisdom and authority is useless without action
   4. When God gives us wisdom it is important to act on it
5. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
   1. Jesus’ voice is the walk of wisdom
   2. To follow Christ is the wisdom of God

Study Questions:

1. What is the necessary element from God for a person to be competent to counsel? Discuss its importance.
2. Explain the two classifications of people in the Book of Proverbs?
3. Why is it important to be correctable and teachable?
4. Define wisdom from God.

Instructions

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Matthew 19:26 - But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,” With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

I. The releasing of judgment is the pathway to life without limits

1. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
   1. Most of us do not really believe this is true
   2. We may believe the scripture is true but still have difficulty in experiencing what the scripture promises
   3. Our beliefs are based on our experiences instead of the reality of God’s word
   4. Many peoples personal faith is based on experience that the world has given instead of the truth that God has provided
   5. Our self- judgments determine our beliefs and our beliefs manifest into our reality
2. Everyone lives out of self perception or personal beliefs
3. Our perceptions color our vision and can cause us to lose our way
4. Satan has worked hard to distort God’s truth and plan for our lives
5. That is why Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free
   1. A lie will cause bondage
   2. God’s truth brings release

1. Psalms 78:41 - Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
   1. It is difficult to believe that God can be limited
   2. God actually limits himself because He will not enable or violate self will
   3. God determined that man kind should be free to make choices
   4. God created in us the power of choice
   5. Freedom can be found by making the biblical choice
   6. Slavery results from choosing the way of the world
   7. God is all powerful but in His sovereignty He allows us to choose life or death, by believing and trusting Him or by refusing Him
2. Numbers 13:33 - And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.
   1. God did not see His people as grasshoppers
   2. Our enemies do not see us as grasshoppers
   3. The problem is simply self perspective and self judgment
   4. Their judgment of themselves caused a forty year journey that could have been prevented
   5. God’s promise had been limited
3. Hebrews 4:2 - For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
   1. When what you believe is contrary to the word (God’s judgment) then the word will not prosper in your life
   2. The problem is not God’s judgment but your own
4. Accepting God’s judgment removes us from our own limitations
   1. His grace is limitless and so can we also be in Him
   2. God has judged us as his own children, joint heirs with Jesus Christ
5. A key to winning in life is in seizing opportunities
   1. Opportunities will be lost when we are blinded by personal false perceptions
   2. The walls of limitation can be built by self-judgment
   3. Our self view will create opportunities that are in line with what we believe about ourselves
   4. When our perception becomes God’s perception then we can surely do all things through Christ

Study Questions:

1. How can self judgment determine what we believe?
2. Explain how God can be limited in our life.
3. How does a person get the word of God to prosper in their life?
4. Explain how accepting God’s judgment removes limitations.

Instructions

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I. First Session

1. Let the client talk first; get as much information as you can
2. Ask a lot of leading questions
   1. Example: How did you get that bruise on your arm?
   2. Watch reactions, body language, expression, tone
3. Arms folded, legs wrapped tight, head down, no eye contact; all of these indicate avoidance
   1. The client could be afraid, wondering what is going to happen
   2. Fear being discovered
   3. 3Fear being honest
4. Crying too easily or trying to hold back are indicators of shame
5. Keep notes, write down key things. God will reveal to you important facts
6. Always offer encouragement so they will come back
7. Give them prayers to take home
8. Save your talking for the end

1. Let the client talk again
2. Help them to stay focused, especially on themselves
3. Offer more encouragement and more information
4. You should start seeing some progress
5. Find biblical principles and explain them to the counselee
6. By this time the real issues should become more evident
7. Help your client become more comfortable with talking and desiring help
8. Start to teach boundary principles, such as self-definition and self-worth
9. Affirm what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior
   1. Morality and the world is subjective
   2. Biblical morality is the true morality
10. Always open and close with prayer
11. Give a homework assignment (i.e. journaling, writing a letter to the abuser)

1. Open with prayer
2. Discuss the homework
3. Counseling tip: If you share your personal testimony keep it short and to the point to keep the focus off of yourself
4. Reiterate that Jesus is the answer
5. Know your outside resources if a referral is needed
6. Leave the door open for further help
7. Close with prayer

1. Show a lot of love and unconditional acceptance
2. Constantly affirm and support
3. Know that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom; “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 NAS)
4. Recognize God’s wisdom, “But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”(James 3:17)
5. Know that the abnormal can become normal if it is experienced enough
6. Many people do not know they are being abused because of the longevity of the attacks
7. All truth must be presented in wisdom and love or damage can be the result
8. Have faith. “With faith all things are possible”
9. There has never been a problem that God does not have a solution for
   1. “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
   2. If the thoughts of God are revealed through the Spirit, then the responsibility of being led by the Spirit is vital

Study Questions:

1. Why do you want to get as much information as you can when counseling a victim of abuse?
2. Why is body language important in the counseling session?
3. How does the Holy Spirit help in the counseling session?
4. All you need to do is tell the victim the truth and they will be free. Yes, no, explain.