Gregg's Rest Stop (Hands Free Living)

Published: Mon, 10/08/12

Gregg's Rest Stop

October 8, 2012

Journey in Christ

Hands Free Living

See! I will not forget you.

I have carved you on the palm of My hand.

(Isaiah 49:15-16)

It was a blessing to teach an 8-hour Grace Life Conference to 8 precious people October 4-6. A key topic was Surrender. Surrender is not to the enemy, but is an on-going surrender to Christ, entrusting to Him all we are holding on to as we try to control and cope with life, including holding on to guilt and shame.

Following is a dialogue between me (and any Christian...please insert your first name) and Jesus describing the miracle of surrender. We don't work to surrender in order to earn the right to walk with Jesus, we simply surrender to Jesus as He faithfully walks with us!

For you see, Jesus displayed a pure and perfect surrender on his journey to the cross for you and for me. And now this attitude is in you and me through the Spirit of Christ.

Let this mind be in you

which was also in Christ Jesus

who humbled Himself,

even to the death on a cross.

(Philippians 2:5, 8)

CLOSED MIND AND HANDS

Jesus: "What are you holding on to, Gregg?"

Me: "Oh, not anything really."

Jesus: "Then, just let it go."

Me: "Oh, no, I can't to that."

Jesus: "What are you hesitant about?"

Me: "Well...well. Well, it would just hurt too much!"

Jesus: "I know, I know."

Me: "Oh Jesus, I feel so dirty, so ashamed, so hurt."

Jesus: "I know, I know."

Me: "Oh Jesus, I can't let others see what I'm holding."

Jesus: "But you can let Me see. You can trust Me."

Me: "But Jesus, I can't, I just can't do this!"

Jesus: "I know you can't Gregg. But let Me put My hand on your closed hand. See the scar in My hand. Feel the life in My touch."

OPEN HEART AND HANDS

Me: "Oh dear Jesus! Yes! I am opening up my hands to You! And oh my goodness! Look! Look! There was no guilt and shame in my hands all along! It just felt so much like it! Oh Jesus! I really am free, aren't I?!"

Jesus: "Oh yes, Gregg. I took all your guilt and shame away through My cross. And I have buried them forever."

Me: "But Jesus, I still often feel the pain of all the guilt and shame and regrets."

Jesus: "That's ok, Gregg. Be free to feel. Be free to feel the pain. You can entrust your feelings to Me. Be free to cry. I'll cry with you. I am your gentle Healer."

Me: "Oh Jesus, oh Jesus! Thank You, dear Jesus!"

Jesus: "Now, with your open hands, receive all that I have for you and all that I am to you...and walk with Me."

Me: "I do love you Jesus."

Jesus: "I know you do. And I love you, Gregg. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you when you will surely be tempted again to hold on tightly to other feelings, hurts, thoughts, memories, rights, and coping habits. It is in those times you and I will have the precious opportunity to fellowship together in My Garden of Gethsemane. This is where you can open your hands and heart to your Father with Me.

Me: All quiet now, pondering these living words of Jesus. Listening with a grateful and relieved heart. Looking into the loving and accepting eyes of Jesus. Resting in Him. Listening for more.

Jesus: "Always remember, Gregg, I not only hold you in My hands, I live in your new heart."

CLOSING

I really believe God relates to us by our personal name. God bless you in your precious walk with the Lord this week!

A special fellowship at the

Grace Life Conference in Spartanburg SC

October 4-6!

About

Discipleship through

Counseling

Teaching

Training

Gregg Gibbons

Pastoral Director

Michael Chalmers

Training Director

Kellie Boggs

Fellowship Director

Joy Gibbons

Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator

Carole Blyth

Board member and women's ministry coordinator

Randy Garrick

Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church

Paul Crews

Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church

Journey in Christ website link

Personal website link

Partnership

I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).

YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.

3-minute discipleship video

Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!

On September 19th, Lifetime Ministries (formerly Lifetime Guarantee Ministries) published one of my Rest Stop articles.

Following is the link to this article:

Article "From the Heart to the Head"

Ministry News

Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013. Clink on the following link for our brochure:

ADT 2013 brochure

Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!

Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.

Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC.

Carole and Joy, along with 6 ladies trained through Journey in Christ, are providing more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in Aug 15 through Oct 3. A glorious time of transformation! The plant manager has requested that we follow up with another ministry phase in the Spring of 2013!

Michael will be teaching on the topics of Making Sense of Suffering and Total Surrender to our 9 students in the 5th of 8 sessions for our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training Oct 11-13..

Michael is leading a weekly small group for Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville this Fall.