Tag Archives: learning

CCIM College Correspondence School

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We’ve a short term, one year project underway.

In order to establish our CCIM College Course in an online kind of way we are testing out our instructions, pace and rhythm of the course, with a small group of students.

We will be doing this as a correspondence course direct with our Executive Director, Cyndy Lavoie, author of our College of Capturing Courage International Ministries.

It will be facilitated via email. With one or two emails a week that relay the process and instructions for taking the course bit by bit, one step at a time, we hope to help those who have been wanting to take this course.

It will be a solid year of study. It is for those wanting increase in personal renewal and leadership development before the Lord; strength from your inside out.

  • College of Capturing Courage International Ministries
  • Correspondence Course Opportunity
  • One year of study
  • August 2019 to August 2020
  • One or two emails per week from Cyndy to you
  • Instructions and step by step process for working through the course
  • With feedback and reporting expected from you on a monthly basis
  • Comes with certificates and final diploma as each section is completed

This opportunity of CCIM College Course for one-year’s correspondence with Cyndy is by application as we need to keep the number of students to 20 or less so that we can stay in good communication. Too many students would compromise the year.

  • For majority world folks there is an application process below.
  • For western folks this year’s correspondence course is offered by donation to CCIM with a suggested donation of $100 per month.

After this year of direct correspondence the course will be available as an online learning course. NOTE: If you do not take the course this year, in this way, it will be available online and at a self-paced rhythm in further years.

To see more about CCIM College and it’s contents click HERE. 

To see the Core Learning Outcomes click HERE.

Then, if you are interested please fill out this application form and press the ‘submit’ button. You will hear back from us in about two weeks time.

Chapter 17: Simple Sermons

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Chapter 17: Simple Sermons

I write this today to give some practical and simple guidelines to those who are compelled to share the word of God but may struggle with any of the following:

  • Do not have a Bible school training
  • Do not have opportunity to study the Bible for hours at a time
  • Are brand new to the Bible

This simple guide can be used by pastors and by lay persons to prepare a simple sermon, a Bible study class, or to simply share a personal testimony.

“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” Proverbs 1:5  ESV

1.  Read God’s word daily

The Bible is best when we make it a part of our every day.  Bit by bit, reading little by little, we will become familiar with its pages and all that God has to teach us through it.

Reading the Bible on a daily basis is like tithing a tenth of our day to God.  It can be hard to take the time to read the Bible, but when we do we by our actions declare our trust of Him over our lives and our desire to honour him each day.

Note: always begin with a simple prayer of invitation for God to teach you. Like this,

“God I come today in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.  I invite your revelation to my mind and heart and spirit.  I stand against all confusion of the enemy today.  I am dependant on your wisdom God.  I welcome you to teach me.  Amen”

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 ESV

2.   As you read make note of what stands out to you

Rather than focussing on understanding great long texts at a time, read each day until a thought or verse stands out to you.  Sometimes this might be after 20 verses, sometimes it might be after 3 verses.

Remember that the point of Bible reading is to be impacted by the Holy Spirit.  And the Holy Spirit can work through many many verses or just a few.  Trust God to teach you as you read His word.  Do not gobble it up thinking this makes you a better pastor or person.  Take your time and really chew each story and verse.

When a portion of a verse impresses itself upon you, make note of this. Either write in the margin of your Bible where you are reading, or in a journal write out the verse and what has impacted you about it. Both are best.

Writing small notes in your Bible will help you find those places again, and will help you to recall how God has used each part in your life.  Writing longer responses (but they don’t have to be long) in a notebook will help you later as you glance back at what God has been teaching you.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

3.  After 3 months look back over your notes and see what God has been speaking to you

It is an interesting thing to be noting day after day small thoughts and impressions as given by God, and then to look at all of these impressions at one glance.  Very definite patterns emerge and themes of God’s instructions and movement in our life become apparent.

At this point take a bit of time to sit before the Lord and invite further direction and revelation, or to simply worship and thank the Lord for what He has been teaching you.

The Bible is the word of God, the voice of God, and in this we are invited to interact with it and through it to interact with God. Our study times simply become conversations with God.  So we thank Him and give honour to Him for his voice penetrating our hearts and lives.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 ESV 

4.  Begin to identify how God’s teaching is making a difference in your heart and life

After a few months of daily reading even just a little bit of your Bible you will begin to notice a difference in your thinking and in your hearts response to life.  While the changes will begin happening immediately we often cannot notice them right away; mostly because changes that last happen little bit by little bit.

God shifts our thinking in small ways. Our Lord leads us day by day.  The Holy Spirit reveals things bit by bit.

Small changes building up over time make for the longest lasting transformations.  Small is best when it comes to our walk with the Lord and our interaction with His word.  Trust him to be teaching you and in turn take the time to glance back and see the difference in your life.

Remember, we do not study the Bible just to know the Bible.  We study the Bible to be changed by the Living God.

Ask yourself:  How am I different today than I was three (or six or twelve) months ago?

This becomes a vital part of your story and of the messages the Lord is giving you to share.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV 

5.  Begin to share with others how God’s teaching is making a difference for you 

When we begin to share with others about what God is doing in our life, we want to simply give our testimony.  We simply declare how God has impacted us.  For instance, instead of sharing all of the Bible verses about how we do not need to fear, it is just as powerful to simply give testimony, “Six months ago I was afraid of many things. But today, after reading His word and seeing how much God loves me and is taking care of me, I am no longer afraid.  My courage is building.” 

This simple sharing can be done among small gatherings of friends, when you are walking with your spouse or sitting with your family.  It is the way for anyone new to this to begin passing on the messages God is giving you.

You do not need to have fancy words or big long sentences to share the Lord’s goodness in your life. 

Rest in simple testimony.  For the authority with which you speak is based on your personal encounter with the Living God.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17 ESV

6.  After a time of doing Steps 1-5 you will have plenty of material for a sermon

All that is left is to organize your thoughts.

•A. Know your main point (what do you want people to go away with?)

•B. 1st point

•C. 2nd point

•D. 3rd point

•E. Add in the verses that God used to teach you these things

•F. Include relevant stories to help tell your point

•G. Have a conclusion

Remember:  Share how God is impacting you.  What have you learned?  How have you changed?  What does God’s word say to this?

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

7.   Close in prayer.  Be authentic and simple

The power of prayer is found in our lives alongside the Lord.  As we walk in obedience to God’s leading in our lives our prayers become stronger in their power and authority.  Big words and long sentences do not make for stronger prayers.

The people you are teaching and leading need to know that they can pray as well.  They need to know that prayer is not a big mystery but a simple conversation between us and God.  Teach them this.  Use your own prayers to model conversation with God.

Thank God for the lessons he is teaching us.  Invite Him to give more lessons.  Declare blessing over His people.  And close with an Amen.  It really can be as simple as this.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Matthew 6:7 ESV

And finally, for those of you who are pastors or spiritual leaders in your communities, teach this simple method of study and sharing to others.  Also, make room in your church services and as small groups of believers gather for others to share in this way.

We want to be learners of our Lord through each other.  The Body of Christ is vital to our well-being and each one can bring a fresh word from our Lord. As leaders we must make room for this.  For every one of your people who have a Bible (and for those who don’t join up with someone who does), take small bits of time on a regular basis to read and discuss and learn together.

While the Bible is a big book it is best taken in small bites, and after time those small bites add up to full meals and satisfied lives.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 ESV

Prayer

“God we come together today in the name and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We confess that the Bible is a big book and many times we are swamped with anxiety about how to share it all.  Today we choose to rest in you. Today we settle into your leading and guiding, your wisdom and insight.

We invite you to teach us.  We open our hearts and minds to your direction.  Lead us in all things.  Most of all help us to make you and your word a priority in our lives.  Help us to read even just a little bit of your word on a daily basis. For those of us who do not have Bibles, we ask that you would enable us to have them.  For those of us who cannot read we ask that you team us up with those who can.  May we simply study together.

All in all we thank you for your movement in our lives and that we are ever changing into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We bless you Father God.  Amen”

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

Application

  • Follow the instructions for a simple sermon and then give a sermon using this method 
  • Write out a 4-6 sentence paragraph telling about your experience of using this method 

Summary – simple sermons

Read God’s word every day.  Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 1:5

Ask God to grow your understanding.  John 14:26

Allow scripture to purify you, to challenge you, and to change you. Hebrews 4:12

Share how Christ is making a difference in your inner person. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Chapter 8. Disciples

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Chapter 8. Disciples

per — Capturing God’s Heart Volume #40

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

The church is where disciples are being made.

Where disciples are being made there is the church. * as quoted from Victor Choudhrie in ‘Teach Them to Obey’ 

The Biblical definition of church has always been about making disciples.  It is easy to gather and even easier to build a building than to build disciples.  Somehow, we have mistaken church to be about buildings and programs.  Yet the church is the people, the body of Christ.

Consider what we are told about the early church,

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”  Acts 2:42 ESV

The early church was formed of simple and small communities of people where instruction and understanding naturally flowed in the context of fellowship, of eating together, and in prayer.  There were no large gatherings, and there were no ‘church’ buildings, gatherings, or agendas, as we know it today.

Simply put, church is where the gospel and manner of Jesus Christ is passed on to others and where we are to take on identification with Christ and become like him.

Yet we have, in our formalization of the gospel in our church attendance and programs, in fact watered down the gospel.  We easily miss that Jesus offers to any who would be his disciple, a two part invitation, the first, ‘come to me’, the second, ‘learn to die to yourself’.

KEY: Disciples are those who have 1) turned toward Christ in the fullness of their heart, and 2) who are learning to die to self.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” 

 Luke 14:27 ESV

This is a hard message. It does not support much of our modern preaching where we are told that if we come to God he will make us big, or wealthy, or happy. Instead, Jesus basically says, ‘come and die with me’.

It is important that we understand this.  The gospel is an invitation to die to our selfishness, our own comfort, our need to be recognized, our arrogance and pride, our own best thinking and understanding, our prejudices, our self-pity, and more.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

It is as we come into contact with the true Lord Jesus Christ that we will become more gentle, we will honour all people, and we will be faithful to walk alongside others through the messiness of life rather than demanding some sort of christian facade.

Our hatreds, our impatience, our contempt, our disdain, our bitterness, our arrogance, our pride, our selfishness, our need for vengeance, and more, will all be put at the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we will become new creatures in Him.  The persons we once were, we will no longer be. And we will grow in steadfastness and faithfulness, regardless of the circumstance or difficulties of our life.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4 ESV

This is the promise of our Lord to us.  To grow us up in Him, to strengthen us through the trials, and to change our hearts and minds and lives from the inside out.

So, the first mark of a disciple is someone who has turned to Jesus and is in process of dying to self.  The second mark of a disciple is the ability to both give and receive, to enter into true fellowship with the Lord and each other.  Consider this,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 7:21 ESV

And we may ask, what is the will of our Father in heaven? It is this:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:34-35 ESV

Here Jesus is giving a new commandment.  Now, just prior to these verses Jesus had this conversation with Peter,

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.  He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”  John 13:3-9 ESV

Jesus was taking the role of a servant and performing the lowest act possible, that of washing the dirty and dusty feet of his disciples.  He was modelling to them the attitude that they were to take with others. He took on the job no one wanted. 

But Peter could not, at first, receive from the Lord.  His pride was too great to enter into the vulnerability of having Jesus serve him and minister to him.  And Jesus, as we see in verse 8, asserts that without the washing of the Lord we have no part in him.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is where we are first washed, but then this ‘washing of the Lord’ continues within our faith communities as acts of service to one another, primarily coupled with the ability to receive acts of service from others.

Now some will more easily receive, and these ones must learn to serve.  Others more easily serve, and these ones must learn to receive.  There is no division on this.  In the Kingdom of God there are not some who serve and some who receive.  We are all to serve and we are all to receive.

The early church was marked by this mutual uplifting and teaching of each other.  And where this radical, God-centered model of church is today, there is thriving presence of the Lord with much growth and delight in Him.

This manner, this attitude of fellowship, of giving and receiving, is what marks a disciple:

1.  A disciple does not count him or herself better than others.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 ESV

2.  A disciple serves the people around him or her.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV

3.  A disciple becomes vulnerable and receives from others.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 

Matthew 11:28 ESV

4.  A disciple knows his or her brokenness and welcomes the healing touch of the Lord through others.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” 

Matthew 5:3-5 ESV 

5.  Disciples allow no distinctions amongst themselves.

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:27-28 ESV 

Jesus brought a model of corporate service to each other. He calls us to himself, and he then calls us to die to ourselves.  Here, in humility and love we have the ingredients of a revolution, something so vastly different from our natural human natures that Jesus said these are the marks by which others will come to know God.

Model the Lord Jesus Christ in all you do. Be blessed as you pass Him on.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45 ESV

Application

Let us review.  The church is where disciples are being made and where disciples are being made, there we have church.  Church is the body of believers, it is not a building. 

The difficulty with church buildings is that they take our focus away from our primary work in the Lord — to make disciples.  There is so much to think about and to take care of when we have a physical building to create and then sustain.  Perhaps this is why in Luke 10 that Jesus taught his disciples to go out and preach the good news, but to bring no money bags, travellers bag, or even a pair of sandals. 

These are pretty radical instructions.  And yet, when we see the amount of focus that is required to maintain a church building we can see the wisdom in Christ’s instructions. I wonder if he is telling us to go as simply as possible, and to in fact, go with nothing in the way of earthly property or concerns. 

The Kingdom of God is an upside down, inside out, kind of thing.  The Kingdom of God does not work according to our best understanding of how the world works.  In fact, Jesus continually challenged us to think in completely revolutionary ways. 

Bottom line, we are to be making disciples while simultaneously shunning anything that would take our focus off of this goal.  How do we do this? 

We begin by eliminating all that is distracting us from making disciples.  What might be distracting you and your church (the people you fellowship with) from making disciples? 

1.  Take some time in silence with the Lord.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the things that are distracting you from making disciples.  Keep in mind that these might be very good activities, and yet, in the end, if they hinder you from the primary work they must go. (18)

2.  As you hear from the Holy Spirit, do not push away the revelation of the Lord.  Keep in mind that we are often very attached to the ‘good’ things that we do.  Yet, be willing to wrestle through what God is telling you, and to eliminate any things that are taking your focus from making disciples. 

3.  Next, and over the course of a few weeks, take one bold action step that shows you are intent on obeying this conviction of the Lord.  Be intentional.  Do not be rash or in haste.  But do respond to the Lord and take action to make the changes God is impressing upon you. 

4.  Then, become a disciple yourself.  Look back over what a disciple knows, and see if you know these things.  Are you a disciple of Jesus?  As you consider this question, again, ask the Lord to lead your thinking and to bring clarity to your understanding.

To make lasting changes it is important to implement one new change at a time.  Bit by bit is how we are transformed in our inner person and in how we are leading.  Application is about taking one new thought and allowing it to shift what we are doing. 

So, as you consider these thoughts, make notes, consider what needs to be changed, and then implement one thing at a time.  Then, after a bit of time implement another change.  In this way, you will be able to look back and see the action steps that you took and the results. 

To finish off this lesson, I share with you a prophecy from Pastor Walter in Kenya that he passed on to me in the fall of 2013.  It is a strong warning and admonition from the Lord and relays the heart of our Lord.  Take time to read it and then read it again.  

Allow its message to shift your thinking and the way you are leading within the body of Christ. 

“This is a new time. A new time on the face of the earth. A new time in My Kingdom on earth.  Listen to Me, Please Listen to Me. You must listen to My voice. Do not train the sheep to follow you. Do not train the sheep to listen to your voice. Equip them to be sent forth, prepare them for the journey. You must not hold back. Do not hold yourself in reserve, this is not about you.  

It is not about your kingdom, your ministry, your efforts, or your work. For I am doing a new thing. It is like the old, it is like the New Testament. The pastor did not do the work of the flock. The pastor encouraged My body, tended My body, prepared it for the work of My kingdom. He who would be greatest as a pastor in My flock must be the least. You must be servant of all, just as I have been, just as I still am.

I am protecting and feeding the flock. Recognize that these [in your church] will go out and do the work – greater works than I am doing. [It is Jesus’ ministry, He is doing this to blossom and come forth. We need the attitude of John the Baptist – He must increase and we must decrease.]

I am the God of the living, I am not a God of the dead nor am I dead. All who come to Me will live and I will give them eternal life that they will live forever in the kingdom that I am establishing. My Kingdom will soon be evident in the earth and you will see those who are propelled by the life of God. You will see holiness and purity emerge in the people who have allowed the refining fire to purify their hearts and minds. I am a refining fire and I refine all who would come to Me and say, here I am, refine me.”  

Summary – disciples 

Church is where disciples are being made and where disciples are being there is church. 

Ephesians 2:20-22

We are called to make disciples.  Matthew 28:

A disciple does not count him or herself better than others.  Philippians 2:3

A disciple serves the people around him or her.  Galatians 5:13

A disciple becomes vulnerable and receives from others.  Matthew 11:28

A disciple knows his or her brokenness and welcomes the healing touch of the Lord through others.

Matthew 5:3-5

Disciples allow no distinctions amongst themselves.  Galatians 3:27-28

We must ensure that we are Disciples ourselves.  Matthew 27:21-23

 

Footnotes: 

18. As you enter into listening prayer, set the space and time with this prayer: “I come before you God in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ. I desire your revelation God. I declare that all lying, deceiving, and confusing spirits must be silent in the name and blood of my Lord Jesus Christ. I invite you God, to speak to me.”

Chapter 6. Freedom

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Chapter 6.  Freedom

per — Capturing God’s Heart Volume #6 

Today I share what I have found to be a simple yet profound process of bringing the freedom of the Lord into very specific areas of our lives.

Receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour is the first step towards this freedom.  And then as we continue to walk with Him we can begin to bring His freedom into very specific areas of our life, increasing His light within our own hearts and lives, experiencing freedom and the lightness of the Lord in increasing measure.

Freedom in any area of life comes about through a process before the Lord.  (10)

1.  CONFESSION.  Confession is where we say “I did it”.  Confession admits to something that has gone wrong, and by our own heart and hand.

The ability to confess comes when we see clearly our sin.  Those things that offend, deny, or outright attack the character of God.

“I did it”

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”  James 5:16a ESV

The next part of freedom comes when we are repentant.  When our hearts find remorse and sorrow for our sin.  Repentance comes as a gift from the Father.  The Bible is pretty clear that without the revelation of the Holy Spirit over our hearts we will not understand or even see a need for repentance.

2.  REPENTANCE is the place where we declare our sorrow over actions, thoughts, words, whatever it may be, that contradicts the glory and nature of God.

“I am so sorry”

It is quite possible to have confession, “I did it”, without repentance, “I am so sorry”.  But to have full freedom we must have both.  First the acknowledgment of wrong-doing, and then the grief and sorrow regarding that.

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret”                             2 Corinthians 7:10a ESV

3.  RENOUNCING.  This is where we declare, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I say NO to this in my life.”

“I renounce (the name of the specific sin) in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is where we hold our hand out so to speak, against the sin, against the stronghold, and declare “No More!”

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and wordly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age”  Titus 2:11-12 ESV

4.  BREAK the hold of the sin upon us.

This, all of this, can only be accomplished in our lives because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross some 2000 years ago.  He did the work, we merely bring it specifically into and over our lives.  Breaking the hold of the sins over us goes something like this:

“I (name of self), stand in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ and I declare the stronghold of (the specific sin) broken off of my life.  Where it has woven itself into my life, today I say ‘no more’ in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.  I remove its grip from my life, I break its hold, I sever its grasp, all in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.”

Breaking the sin, using whatever picture the Holy Spirit gives us, can only be done through the authority of Jesus.  It is why we keep saying His name so many times.  ONLY the name of Jesus Christ has any power to break us free from sin’s death grip.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?”  Isaiah 58:6 ESV 

5. CANCEL the accompanying things of the enemy, that most likely have come along because of the sin.

For instance, when we sin we agree with the enemies plans over our life.  When we sin we enter into an agreement with Satan.  This is like a legal document in the spirit realm, that then plays out in life-debilitating ways.  Cancelling the assignments and curses and authority of the enemy is as simple as declaring it so.

“I (insert your own name) stand in the name of my Living Lord Jesus Christ declaring that all assignments, authority and curses of the enemy be cancelled this day.  I declare all things of the enemy in relation to this sin silenced and bound to ineffectiveness, No More!  Today I declare a new contract written, this one unto the Lord with all glory and honour to him, all in the name and the blood of my Living Lord Jesus Christ.”

“God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.   This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”  Colossians 2:13b -14 ESV

6.  CLAIMING comes next.  It is the place where we receive from God’s heart and hand that which replaces the sin.

*If there were something to replace the sin in your life, what might it be? (remember, forgiveness is already a given based on the work of Jesus Christ).  Here we receive into our lives all that is beneficial, to replace the stronghold of sin that is now cancelled.  We then give God the thanks.

“In the name and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, I receive _______________ from the heart of the Father. Thank-you God for this gift. I press it through my whole being, heart, mind, spirit and body in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank-you for making a way for me to glorify You God.”

“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.  Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant,”  2 Corinthians 3:4-6a ESV

7.  SEAL this work.  Covering it and protecting it with the presence of the Lord, sealing ensures that the enemy cannot muck about with the work done.  It claims the work as part of the Glory of God and not anyone else.

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I declare this work sealed and kept for the glory of God and God alone.”

Language is powerful, and speaking God’s heart into our lives is powerful.  Speaking and declaring in the Name and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is powerful.

It is because of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ that we can stand in the same authority and declare freedom.  We do this verbally, out loud for ourselves.

“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9 ESV

This has been but a short summary of the process of bringing specific freedom into specific areas of our lives. We can do this because of the authority given us in Jesus Christ when we believe on Him.   And when we do this for ourselves, out loud with our own mouths, we participate in the power of the Kingdom of God come to earth.

Application

1.  Memorize these steps to freedom: 

    1. Confession
    2. Repentance
    3. Renouncing
    4. Breaking
    5. Cancelling
    6. Claiming
    7. Sealing 

2.  Write a short summary of each step and why it is necessary.  Memorize this also. 

3.  Practice praying these steps once every day until you are fluent in them. Use the following script. Notice the shift in your heart and spirit as you bring specific things to the Lord in this way. 

*Note: each day you want to ask the Lord to reveal to you something that he wants you to bring to the cross of Jesus, that you may be free. 

“God, I come before you in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ.  I set this time and space for your glory and honour.   To any lying, deceiving, or confusing spirits I say ‘silence’ in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ. (11)

Jesus, what would you have me bring to you today?  (12)

( Wait and listen for the Holy Spirit to direct you.  You will get a sense of what to bring to Jesus and to the cross. Let’s pretend that the Holy Spirit is directing you to bring your anger to the cross.  James 1:20)

Jesus, today I confess to my anger (step 1).  I realize that my anger is not compatible with your work or spirit.  In fact, many times I am damaging others with my anger.  I am sorry (step 2).  Today I renounce anger in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. I say ‘No more!’ to anger today (step 3). (13)

With the strong arm of my Lord Jesus Christ I reach back into my past where anger first took root in my life and I remove it, leaving nothing behind.  I unwind the chains and stronghold of anger from my life in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.  And I declare every link of that chain severed (step 4). 

In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ (14) I cancel all assignments, curses, and authority, of the enemy that has been over and through my life because of this anger, and I send all things to do with this anger to the place where the true Lord Jesus Christ chooses to send them (step 5). 

Jesus, what would you have for me in place of this anger? 

(now, wait and listen to see what the Holy Spirit might like to give you in place of anger — or, alternately, you can ask for something, such as patience)

Jesus, today I receive from you a new patience for life and people and all things.  Please soak your patience into my heart, mind, spirit, and body.  May I be a new creature in you (step 6). 

Thank you Lord for your work in my life today.  I wrap myself in the love of the Father, I declare myself covered in the name and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I breathe the Holy Spirit through me in a new way today.  

I seal this work in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ.  To any messing of the enemy in this work, 

I say “No, back off’.  I reserve and preserve all the glory for God alone, in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord.  Amen and amen. (step 7)”   

Summary – freedom

When we sin we create agreements with Satan.  1 John 3:4,  Isaiah 59:1-2

Sins are: 

    • Physical actions of our flesh.   Galatians 5:19-21
    • Words spoken carelessly.   Matthew 12:36
    • Attitudes not in accord with God’s heart.   2 Timothy 3:1-7
    • Judgments (contempt) against others.   Matthew 7:1-5

All sins invite bad fruit.  Matthew 7:18-19

To be transformed we enter into confession and repentance.  1 John 1:9,  Proverbs 28:13

We break agreements with Satan and declare new agreements with God.  James 4:8-10,  Joel 2:13

Footnotes: 

10. The prayer ministry processes in this course are heavily influenced by elijahhouse.org  prayer ministry model.  

*  NOTE: Further in the course we will be teaching more about inner healing prayer.  Please use the healing prayer process for yourself only, until you have completed the teaching in the later parts of this course.

11. We include this pre-step. We always begin listening prayer by inviting God to speak to us, and by silencing the lies of the enemy. We want to only hear from God and so it is important to set this expectation and to declare the space and time set for God’s heart and covered by Jesus. 

12. In the same way, unless the Holy Spirit directs us we may not know our strongholds. We take the time to ask Jesus to reveal to us what he would have us free from, and we take the time to become silent in our inner spirit and to listen to the Lord. ALSO it is very important that we ask very simple questions with very few words. This is hard to do as our natural habit is to speak many words, but when we speak many words we become unable to hear the Holy Spirit’s whisper back into our hearts. Therefore, as you ask Jesus a question, use no more than 4-6 words. 

13. Do not add extra words to this prayer process – simple is best.

14. We use ‘in the name and the blood of my Lord Jesus Christ’ because it is only in the power of Jesus that we can be free from anything. Only his name has the power to free us. It is suggested that in specific spiritual warfare work we speak his complete title ‘Lord Jesus Christ’.

CCIM Core Learning Outcomes

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College of Capturing Courage International Ministries teaches 15 Core Learning Outcomes. It was a few years back during a long ministry time in one of the countries we’ve been to, that we realized CCIM is bringing a few handfuls of key principles, and that if folks ‘got’ these key principles their lives would be changed.

I went on to identify these core teaching of CCIM College. There are 5 key Inner Healing & Deliverance principles, 5 key Spiritual Authority principles, and 5 key Leadership principles.

Inner Healing & Deliverance 

1.  Whole Hearts     (courageous transparency, open lives; roots and fruits)

2.  Inner Healing Model     (generational strongholds, bitter-root judgments, unholy soul ties)

3.  The Power of Agreements     (the kingdom of God vs. the dominion of Satan)

4.  Healing Model for Justice     (true worship, full integrity, right with God and man)

5.  Poverty Strongholds     (refusing violence, pain upon pain healed in Jesus,  addressing the stories we tell)

Leadership 

6.  Taking 100% Responsibility    (no blaming, no excuses, no ‘reasons’)

7.  The Covering of Jesus    (keeping turned to Jesus, identifying subtleties of motives)

8.  Relationships    (mutual submission, maintain trust  and safety, keeping short accounts, quick to make right)

9.  Coming on the Inside    (as lambs and not wolves – in peace, vulnerable, the way of Christ, mutual receiving)

10. We live Micah 6:8 – justice, mercy, humility   (we take action, we advocate, we enter into the mess, Isaiah 1:18)

Spiritual Authority 

11.  Rejecting paganism    (bring light in and darkness flees, simple prayers, rejecting religious strongholds, leaving law behind)

12.  The Chasm    (going deep with God, abiding in Him, allowing him our whole life)

13.  The Wide Road vs. The Narrow Road   (rejecting religion, remaining in Christ, restoration not retribution )

14.  Leading in Revival for the deliverance of our nations      (hunger for God, repentance, religious strongholds broken)

15.  Sulha      (we run toward the world to take on the stones)

We are challenged to let God love us. We are challenged to put down ought and should. We are challenged to come into the light of the Lord with all the good, the bad, and the ugly of our lives. We are challenged to take courage to be authentic and honest before the Lord and before each other.

We are challenged to surrender our plans to the oversight of the Holy Spirit. We are challenged to rest in the work of Jesus. We are challenged to both wait on the Lord and then to move nimbly and quickly per the Lord’s instructions. We are challenged to re-know ourselves as sons and daughters of the most high God.

We are challenged to love our enemies. We are challenged to forgive. We are challenged to ensure that God is Lord of our ministries, and we are challenged to come into the vast and generous understanding and whole-heart of God, for us and then through us to others.

By the grace of God we are coming to see:

AT CCIM we want to see

CCI School of Discipleship

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P1320433 compressedI’m near the finishing line. For over a week I’ve been in my cave writing and editing and praying over our Course One – The King’s Heart. I’ve a deadline to send it off to Madudu, Uganda later this week.

While I’ve written the course for us western folks previously, it needed quite a bit of re-crafting to ensure it is in fact useful for our overseas pastors.

There is a lot of my heart in Madudu. And it is here that I so felt the thick presence of God, and have been so compelled to pour into the pastors and lay-leaders there.

All of our activity in Madudu is overseen by Geoffrey, our lead hand in Uganda, and Pastor Kakuba, the lead guy on the ground in Madudu.

The picture accompanying this post is from our School of Discipleship that met in August of last year.

And as they meet again in a weeks time we ask your prayers for their good success.

We also ask that you consider donating to the gathering – for help with food, transportation, and printing costs.

You can see more about that HERE