Moral Purity Provides Protection

When Satan binds a father through hidden sin, he is free to enter the lives of each family member to torment them. Struggles in a child’s life such as rebellion, lying, fears, moral failures, and other problems are often a direct result of hidden sins in the father’s life. In Mark 3:27, Jesus said, “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.”

If the enemy can bind the father through hidden moral failure, he can then easily plunder the father’s “goods”—his wife and children. Satan’s ultimate goal for destruction is not focused only on the father, but also on the man’s wife and children. Satan may even leave the father alone, once the father has given him access to his family through unconfessed sin. A father may be gaining victory over his own sin, but as long as he refuses to humble himself and make a full confession, Satan is free to actively torment his wife and children.

Our children are like mirrors that help us see our own lives more clearly. Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” Thus, if we see signs of rebellion, lust, or any other sin in our children, we must first ask ourselves where those sins are present in our own lives. Just as sin in a father’s life is a powerful tool for Satan, so a father’s open, humble confession is a powerful tool against Satan. A father’s honesty about his own sin releases him from Satan’s bondage and frees him to fulfill his role to his family as their protector.

~Paul Speed
4 Days 2 Freedom
WIT! Ministries

An Affair of the Mind by Laurie Hall

Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Come Back Barbara by John C Miller

Fasting by Jentezen Franklin

Freedom From Bondage by Paul and Jenny Speed

Openness & Brokenness by Paul and Jenny Speed (DVD)

Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard

Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan

Sex Isn’t the Problem – Lust Is by Josh Harris

Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Turning the Heart of Her King by Jenny Speed (DVD)

Understanding Spiritual Gifts by Bill Gothard

Most of the resources listed above can be purchased at the IBLP Store

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7)

❒ Examples in Scripture
● 2 Samuel 9—Mephibosheth was crippled from a very early age because his nurse believed that David was out to kill the descendants of Saul and Jonathan. He lived in a far away land, crippled and in fear, because he believed King David wanted to do him harm. In truth he was heir to the covenant between David and Jonathan, but was living in a desert because he believed, “I am nothing more than a dead dog.” David mercifully repeated the truth to him: to bless and restore him in the kingdom.
Just because we stumble and spiral downward time and again, only means that God continues to pursue us over and over again.
● 1 Kings 18–19:18—A great spiritual showdown had just taken place, with Elijah commanding the people to take a stand between which God they would serve. The prophets of Baal were slain, and the great drought miraculously ended. Jezebel sent a threat to his life, and he ran in fear. He stated his lie twice: “…I, even I only am left.” (1 Kings 19:10,14) God spoke the truth directly to his lie, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal…”

❒ Danger of a Lie:
● Lies affect your relationships with others as well as with your heavenly Father. (Psalm 51:6)
● Your lies will feed the lies of others. Reactions based on a lie will reinforce the lies being spoken to others.
● Lies are used to excuse character flaws—a cop-out for shortcomings.
● Some traits attributed to “just my personality” are nothing more than a mask for the fruit from deep-seated lies.
● You are created in the image of God; Are these accusations against your character true of the attributes of God? Where in the character of Christ do you see your lie? What are we believing about ourselves that does not line up with God’s character?

Separate Person from Performance
Do the circumstances of life dictate who you are as a person? You may never “get it together” or be “as smart as” others, but does that change who you are in Christ? If nothing changes in your outward circumstances, are you still loved and accepted in Him?

❒ How Do We Believe a Lie?
1. Validation—Whoever you give the power to validate you, you also give the power to destroy you—invalidate you.

● Do NOT look for a spouse to meet your needs, and to fill voids in your life! Many marriages come to each other looking to take what the other person has that you want or are lacking.
● Disappointment comes by expecting from another what only God can give. Allow God to answer your core questions. (Isaiah 57:15; Micah 6:8)
2. Hurt/Rejection—The enemy comes in on the tail end of a wound with a lie
● Many times you are hurt or rejected by the very thing you look to validate you. If that painful experience is not responded to in the grace of God, bitterness will take root. Satan will add incident after incident throughout life to reinforce it.
3. Bitterness—Comes when we “sit down” and have a conversation with the Enemy.
● We shake hands with the Enemy and make an agreement
● If we do not take hold of the grace of God, you become the victim. Victims never get free. 4. Lie—Conclusions about your identity based on circumstances or acceptance by others.
● “Because of this circumstance (this person who hurt me), therefore I must be ___________ (worthless, stupid, on my own, etc.)”

❒ Use Irritations to Identify Core Lies
Allow God to show you the issues of your heart, one at a time, level by level. ● Ask God what is keeping you from discovering your lie?
● “Why do I react this way? Why do I have these habits? Why can’t I respond to others and engage emotionally? What is it inside me that leads me to choose to not lay my life down?”
● When we humble ourselves, take our own responsibility and die, God raises us up from the grave to walk in resurrection power.
● You cannot identify your lie and find the truth if you are hiding sin and/or bitterness. When the grace of God is resisted, freedom is bound.
● Certain facets of life, capabilities, abilities, failures, etc, may be true, but what is the deeper lie that pins that to your character? What is the deeper lie from the Accuser of your soul telling you about yourself as a person? i.e.: “I can’t do this or that, therefore I am ____________” (worthless, a ‘nobody’, etc.)
● Repent—take responsibility for making an agreement with the Enemy and agreeing to these lies, instead of just succumbing to the “fact” (lie) that he doesn’t love you, you’re not worth pursuing, you’re abandoned, etc.
● Cry out for God to show you your true character, of who you are in Christ, Whose image you are created in! Expose the lie you have accepted as truth for so many years, and renounce it in the name of Jesus.

❒ Speaking Truth to Others
“Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Engage – Pursue – Restore to Truth vs. Fear – Run – Abandon
● Satan is the Father of Fear and Lies who seeks to divide and conquer. (John 8:44)
● Lies are woven into the things that you fear.
● Reach into the lives of others when they are reacting. Ask them, “What are you afraid of?
Whatever is driving and tormenting you right now is not of God. What is the truth in this situation? What is this saying about His character?”
● When dealing with your children, look for possible lies they are believing which would affect their behavior. They may not always be in rebellion, but are hearing the Enemy’s lies, causing them to withdraw from the rest of the family.
● Just because you identify your lie, does not mean you won’t hear it again. But once you are on guard, you have the weapon of Truth to now recognize it as such, and can speak the Truth to it.

List of Common Lies:
● I don’t have what it takes
● I’ll never be man enough
● I’m not adequate for the task
● If I’m not perfect, I won’t be loved
● I’m Stupid
● I’ll never measure up
● I don’t fit/belong
● I’m just passive
● “He doesn’t love me—if he did, he would ___________”
● I am on my own—abandoned to do it myself
● I am not special, and have nothing to offer
● If I do not control, I will be hurt. I must protect myself
● I don’t need anyon!
● I’m worthless, not deserving
● I’m not needed
● I’m not worth pursuing

Personal Reflection:
❍ When you begin to spiral out of control, what are you hearing? (I’m an idiot, I’m inadequate, I’m on my own, etc.)
❍ What is your first memory of hearing this lie? Where was the grace of God resisted?
❍ When did you enter into a conversation, shake hands with the Enemy, and agree with the lies he fed you about yourself, your spouse, your children, or others?
❍ Identify Commands of Christ that have been violated.
❍ Take responsibility for having that conversation with the Enemy.
❍ Take your questions to God, and allow Him to answer.
❍ Cry out to renounce the lie, and speak truth to replace it. (Speak it out loud!!!)
❍ Resist bitterness, grab hold of God’s grace, and walk in His Truth.

(Photo via Flickr)

During the months of May and June we will be highlighting the Paul and Jenny Speed, and their ministry, “Whatever It Takes!”. They have helped hundred of couples restore their marriages, and encouraged singles to live a life of purity.

Please visit their websites:
WIT! Ministries
Men’s 4 Days 2 Freedom

This session by Kim Leith was shared at the Big Sandy.  The feedback was phenomenal and has helped many ATI families, especially ATI moms.  We pray it was also be a blessing to you.

~The ATI Department

Session Handouts:

• Character Worksheet
• Meditation Worksheet
• Song Worksheet
• Wisdom Book a Month: 4-day Week
• Wisdom Book a Month: 5-day Week
• Wisdom Book PAC’s

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us".

Psalm 103:12

(photo via Flickr)

The following testimonies were sent to us by the Hoffman family upon completion of the
Basic Seminar.

Mr. Brian Hoffman:

“The Basic Seminar helped to reinforce and enlighten me concerning several Principles of Life: Design, Suffering, Ownership, and Success.

I was a professional soldier, and me identity and approach to life were greatly influenced by the Army. I felt I was designed and built for a military career/ life. I thrived under the responsibility and pressure of being a senior non- commission officer.

In January, 2008, I suffered a serious lower back and leg injury requiring surgery and rehab. I was no longer able to perform my duties as an infantry man. This led to my retirement. My design was permanently changed. God showed me, and the Basic Seminar reinforced the fact that God did not do this to me, He did it for me. Since my injuries, God has used the Principle of Suffering to mature me as a Christian, helping me to be a more loving and patient husband, father, and friend.

The injury also made real the Principle of Ownership, God knows best how to use me and my family’s lives for His purposes. God has used the Principle of Success to help me fill my soul with Scripture so that my thoughts, actions, and words are directed by God’s wisdom and not my own wisdom.

Overall, the Basic Seminar has reinforced and encouraged me and my family’s walk with the Lord."

Mrs. Laura Hoffman:

“God is teaching me that the key to success in life is meditation on His Word. For most of my life as a believer, I have read the Bible and have even participated in numerous Bible studies. While group Bible studies do keep me accountable to complete the lessons, I was aware that my life was not noticeably changed. Within a short time, I would forget what I had supposedly learned. My personal Bible reading at home had become casual and “surface.” Something was missing, so I would recommit myself to be more faithful in daily Bible study. However, my attention was easily diverted by distractions and mismanagement of my time.

The Basic Seminar reminded me that God wants to transform me by renewing my mind, will, and emotions. He will accomplish this as I memorize, visualize, and personalize Scripture. I liked the definition that ‘meditation is prayful recitation with personal application.” My family and I began memorizing Matthew 5 a couple months ago, and now we are working on Romans 6. Scripture has new meaning when it is visualized and personalized. God’s Word has become alive to me as it is being engrafted into my soul.”

Ryan Hoffman:

“One thing God has revealed to me is the power to overcome sin. I have a problem with procrastination, and in the past I’ve tried to overcome it with my fleshly efforts, but it never seemed to last very long. I would make lists of the tasks I needed to accomplish, and I would put sticky notes around the house to remind me. I would do okay for awhile, but eventually I would go right back to procrastinating.

God has convicted me about the use of my time. I have dedicated my time to God to use how He wants to. I am asking for wisdom in the use of my time. I realize that I’m dead to the sin of procrastination because victory is already won in Christ. My parents are helping me manage my time, and I strive to meditate on scripture day and night. I have begun memorizing Romans 6 and quoting it when I am tempted to go back to my old habit. As I follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, God will help me overcome this sin.”

Written, May 2010

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

John 15:4 (KJV)

(photo via flickr)

The May 2010 Girl’s Journey to the Heart is in full swing with the girls in the Northwoods. Please keep them in your prayers this following week.

From Left to Right, Top: Bethany Reeves, Sarah Gonzalez, Dana De Jong, Michelle Miles, Laurie Jalbert (Leader), Ruthann Pleus (Assistant Leader), Hannah Hottenstein, Rebekah Miles, Beverly Linton, Laura Straub, Riane Googeg.
Middle: Esther Kelley, Adair Welfel, Chelsey Bontrager, Madeleine Bonin, Dakota Young, Brooke Martens (Leader), Michelle Chan, Anna Tizekker, Elizabeth Shoemaker.
Bottom: Hannah Leverenz, Annah Lands, Korielle Smith, Chloe Fitzhugh, Melody Hanna, Priscilla Keller (Leader), Trina Thompson, Carrie Thompson, Lindsey Thomas.
Floor: Esther Morrison, Victoria Morrison, Hannah Morrison, Hannah Kemerly, Lydia Waller, Lauren Thomas, April Holliday.

The Culinary Arts program equips students to prepare meals that are nutritious, appetizing, and beautifully garnished! Hands-on training, classroom instruction, study assignments, and team  projects provide students with a complete training experience. After completing this three-phase course, each student will understand the skills necessary to serve meals for up to six hundred people and have a thorough comprehension of the multifaceted food service industry.

The Culinary Arts program encourages students to develop a servant’s heart and Godly character, as well as practical skills in food service management. Whether for the home, bakery, or catering service, the Culinary Arts program provides foundational training that  prepares students to pursue expanded areas of interest.

For more information, or to register, please visit the ATI Website. To learn more about Indianapolis South Campus, click here.

(photos via Flickr)