01.23.2022 | HOPE FOR HEALING
HOPE FOR HEALING
Nehemiah 2:17 – “Then I said to them, ‘You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies in waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.’”
Nehemiah 2:18 – “And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work.”
“Wounded people marry wounded people and wound children.” – Dr. Beverly Rogers
Jeremiah 30:17a – “‘For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord.”
“Nothing is ruined beyond God’s ability to restore.” – Pastor Jack Hayford
Nehemiah 2:18b – “‘Let us rise up and build.’”
LET US RISE UP AND BUILD!
How do we partner with the Holy Spirit in the rebuilding of our families?
1. PRAY FOR OPEN EYES
Ephesians 1:17 – “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,”
Ephesians 1:18 – “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”
The Holy Spirit doesn’t want us to settle for living among the ruins of brokenness.
2. CHOOSE HUMILITY
Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Philippians 2:6 – “Who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,”
Philippians 2:7 – “But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men.”
Philippians 2:8 – “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
He humbled Himself.
Humble – to make low
“Loving your family can, at times, be harder than loving your neighbor.” – Dr. Rogers
FAMILY IS MESSY!
3. FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN
Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
“Forgive unconditionally.” – Pastor Seals
Luke 23:34a – “Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’”
Acts 7:60a – “Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin.’”
Lord, open our eyes, help us to humble ourselves, and grace us to forgive as You have forgiven us in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the places in your family that need to be rebuilt and restored?
2. Are there relationships in your immediate or extended family that need to be restored?
3. What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do to help rebuild those relationships?
4. Why is it so difficult for us to humble ourselves and say, “I am sorry”?
5. Is there someone in your family or extended family that you need to forgive? Are you waiting on them to take the first step?