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Catherine Brown has many gifts, including being a teacher and counselor. This is a very "real and practical" hands-on word she has written for leaders to bring healing and wholeness to those they minister to. Believe me, you'll get much useful revelation out of this.
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Catherine Brown:
How To Become a Bridge of Hope and Reconciliation
Ministering in the Grace of God
Today, we continue with our teaching on the ministry of restoration looking at Apostle Paul's thoughts on this matter as he writes to the Believers in Galatia.
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself*, without comparing himself to somebody else...Galatians 6:4
*Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
Paul also said, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12).
Paul chose to confine his boasting to the field God had assigned to him. To have pride in oneself in this context is to possess a humble belief in who God says you are and to work within the boundaries and place of influence God has granted you by His grace. Agreement with God = peace, righteousness, and joy.
However, every Believer has a "blind spot." This is where our spiritual vision is obscured and we need others to help us "see" various aspects in our lives. "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9). We have to be careful not to be pointing to a "speck" in a brother's eye, when we may have a "plank" in our own (see Matthew 7:3; Luke 6:41). Righteous relationships and accountability with true agape love between brothers and sisters creates an environment in which blind spots can be identified and dealt with in the grace of God.
The Heart of Our Father Is To Lift Up the Downtrodden and To Heal the Brokenhearted
When I counsel Christians (leaders or others) I always ask the Lord for His heart for the person/people I am ministering to. Without His heart I would be a clanging gong in an already challenging situation. I have discovered that people do mean to tell the truth, but sometimes the truth gets distorted and it takes the gift of wisdom and discernment to see beyond what is being said, to see the true heart of God in a situation both as it relates to sin and compromise and also to the path of repentance and restoration. Demonic oppression or possession also affects a person's capacity to hear, speak, and respond to truth.
As a minister I need the heart of God so that I do not become blind-sided in my approach to the healing process for the other individual(s). Compassion from Christ prevents us from becoming overly emotive; rather, we remain patient, steadfast in faith, and responsive in prayer/action without operating in offence, anger, or frustration. That is not to say that we tolerate lies; we do not. However, here are just a few of the ways in which I approach this type of ministry scenario:
(1) I undergird the whole process in prayer from prior to the meeting, throughout the meeting, and after the process of restoration.
(2) I am aware that the "facts" that are presented are not always the "facts"; i.e., sometimes information can be twisted either by the individual's perception or other people's perception or by demonic interference. Hence, information may be useful but is not the be all and end all of a situation. Information must be tempered by prayer, the Word of God, and revelation of the Father's heart in the situation.
(3) The presenting "felt needs" of the person requesting ministry are not always the first priority of the Holy Spirit. When counselling/ministering, one must keep a careful ear to listen to both what the person requiring ministry is saying, but more importantly one must listen keenly and act unto what the Holy Spirit is revealing as the main or foundational issues that need to be addressed.
(4) No matter what the person discloses, I choose not to judge the person but to commit the person and any disclosed sin (either their own or others) to the Lord and prayer, trusting the Lord for redemption and restoration.
(5) I always encourage the person to take responsibility for their own sin; this helps them to both acknowledge and deal with sin and its consequences and also to take action and make restitution.
(6) Where it is possible, I will always work with the pastoral support network in a person's life (not everyone has this and this may need to be addressed during the process of healing, also).
(7) Confidentiality is extremely important, but I always explain that if a disclosure is made to me about a situation that requires police involvement, then this is something that would need to be addressed.
It is so important that we do not harbour unforgiveness in our hearts and minds; we must not act without mercy or condemn others. Instead, we are to release a good measure of mercy and grace, running over... How we choose to treat others and what we choose to give to others determines how God treats us.
I once ministered to a dear woman who had lost her child in a tragic accident; she felt responsible for the death of her child and had carried this burden for years. The presenting facts sounded shocking, but the police had investigated at the time of the death and there was no legal burden on the woman or her husband. Nonetheless, she was consumed by feelings of guilt. Our human response is sadly often to judge others, to apportion blame, or to bruise others with condemnation. The heart of our Father is to lift up the downtrodden and to heal the brokenhearted. For this dear woman, Christ came with His glorious healing, and after decades of pain, she was finally free.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2
Each One Should Carry His Own Load
...for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6:5
Having instructed the reader to help others carry their load, Paul now says we should carry our own loads. Is this a contradiction? No; they are two different spiritual principles. On the one hand, we are commanded to love our neighbor, and in this respect, we help to carry their loads. The new point Paul is undergirding is that we are each personally responsible for our own thoughts, actions, words, and deeds before God. In this respect, we have to take ownership of our own sins, errors, mistakes, and be responsible for repentance and right stewardship so that we may walk in the fullness of freedom Christ has purchased for us at the Cross.
As leaders, we will help carry others' burdens, but we must ensure that the primary onus of responsibility for sin lies with the person responsible for the sin – not the leader. If we are guilty of sin we must own up, confess our sin, relinquish it, renounce it, ask and receive forgiveness and restoration, and move on. It is not helpful to fudge over issues that a person needs to take responsibility for themselves. For instance, when ministering to those with alcohol or abuse issues, it is important that the person accepts that the core of their addiction is not to be excused away through blaming others (even when difficult circumstances have been a part of the decision-making process that caused the person to take a wrong path), but rather the person needs to "own" their own part in the addiction problem. The path back from addiction includes facing the pain of brokenness and accessing God's healing. Maintaining a healthy life requires developing the emotional maturity to make decisions and walk in the consequences of those decisions (whether good or bad). The compassion of Christ cares enough to speak the truth in love.
Mutual Encouragement
Anyone who receives instruction from the word must share all good things with his instructor. Galatians 6:6
This is first and foremost about sharing spiritual blessing – mutual encouragement. This is a theme Paul often refers to. For instance, in his letter to Rome, Paul says that he longed to see them so that he might impart a spiritual gift to them to make them strong and that, as a result of this, both parties would be "mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:12). A godly leader loves to pour God's best into those whom he or she serves.
Secondly, it also points to a financial blessing. While the apostle speaks of "the rights of an apostle" to be financially supported, he is careful to also state that he did not use them. Freely we have received and freely we should give. The Gospel will, indeed, make provision for the person who lives by the Gospel, but we must remain ever vigilant so that we never permit greed to determine our ministry steps (see 1 Corinthians 9:14).
1 Corinthians 9:11-15 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?...But we did not use this right...In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the Gospel should receive their living from the Gospel. But I have not used any of these rights... (See also 1 Timothy 5:17-18.)
This does not mean an apostle should not receive financial blessing, but it reveals the heart to live a life of sacrificial giving on the part of the leader. The motivation in ministry is not money, it is love and servanthood and to be a blessing.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58b
How To Reap Life and Blessing In the Spirit
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8
When we sow the Word of God, we reap benefit from the Word of God. When we sow to the Spirit, we reap life and blessing in the Spirit. If we sow to our flesh, we reap death and destruction. Inward character, good or bad, will be reflected in the fruit of our lives. I believe that whatever we sow into a person's life in righteousness will ultimately bear good fruit, even if we personally do not see that fruit. The timeline of God is often different from our own best expectations.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble... Proverbs 22:8
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Your Divinely Appointed Season
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time [kairos] we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of Believers. Galatians 6:9-10
Paul speaks of time in relation to the Greek word "kairos," which speaks of a divinely appointed season. When we move in the timeline of God He pours out abundant harvest blessing.
I ministered to a man of God last year who was all but ready to give up his calling. He was exhausted and completely at the end of his tether. God met this precious one through the Word of God and the story of Joseph's process: From the pit to Potiphar's house, from prison to palace, each spoke divine encouragement and substance to the minister. We also took time to pray for him and to shower this man with God's love. I asked those present who knew him well to speak words of encouragement and to say why and how much they loved him. It was a tender and powerful time as we washed his feet with prayer. The minister was suddenly able to see God's hand in his life and came to understand his timeline and his circumstances. He moved from utter despair to destiny relocation in a heartbeat of hope. Within days he had begun a Bible College and his ministry is still flourishing today and producing wonderful fruit to the glory of God. He is raising up sons and daughters in the Kingdom, equipping and empowering them for the Lord's service. This is a tremendous example of God's "kairos" in the healing and restoration process of our lives.
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18
Carrying Others' Burdens
In summing up, we are to carry each other's burdens as Christ instructed:
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
When Christ helps us to carry our own and others' burdens, we find:
· Rest, peace, and joy for our souls
· We learn from the Master; our past, present and potential future mistakes are learning opportunities in the grace and the mercy of God to experience transformation of our inner man, producing testimony and good fruit to God's glory
· We experience a release of our burden(s) and we are unchained from the yoke of sin that once bound us
· We receive the easy yoke of Christ to walk freely with Him; we are blessed to be a blessing.
· We become a bridge of hope and reconciliation to those in need of a helping hand.
May God bless each one of you today in the abundance of His love and encourage you in the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Shalom,
Catherine Brown
Founder/Director, Gatekeepers Global Ministries
Co-Founder, Scottish Apostolic Networking Enterprise
Email: admin@gatekeepers.org.uk
Catherine Brown is the founder/director of Gatekeepers Global Ministries (GGM) and is a sought-after national and international preacher and teacher. She is presently leading a global evangelism and discipleship mission entitled "GGM 7 Million Souls" and is working with her team and valued partners from many nations to achieve the vision objectives. She operates in an impacting apostolic/prophetic mantle with a strong revival thrust on her preaching, serving the Church and the lost through Christ's Gospel of love. She has ministered in Europe, Africa, Israel and the USA and has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptized, healed and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with signs and wonders following. Catherine's passion for Christ and His Kingdom is contagious and wherever she ministers people are envisioned, equipped, empowered and mobilized. Catherine is married to Stephen and they have four lovely children and live in the West Coast of Scotland.
