by Golda Kay Barrilleaux
Table of Contents
Dedication.............................................................................................4
Abused by man, Loved by God....................................................................5
Introduction ..........................................................................................7
Course of Outline.....................................................................................9
A Special Message .................................................................................11
Lesson One: The Prodigal Selling His Birthright............................................12
Lesson Two: The Prodigal Came to Himself................................................ 14
Lesson Three: Reconciliation.....................................................................16
Lesson Four: Compassion of the Father......................................................18
Lesson Five: Spiritual Paramedic’s/My Prodigal was dead...............................21
Lesson Six: Rejoicing.............................................................................25
Lesson Seven: The Best Robe...................................................................27
Lesson Eight: The Ring..........................................................................29
Lesson Nine: A Haven............................................................................32
Lesson Ten: The Rightful Place.................................................................37
Poem..................................................................................................41
Glossary .............................................................................................42
Reference ...........................................................................................43
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A Haven
Instructor’s Manual
All Scripture quotations are from the King James unless otherwise noted. Scripture references identified
are taken from the Thompson Chain Reference Bible copyright ______by the ____________coporation
and the ___________. All rights reserved.
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Dedication
To my Friend, Husband, Savior, and soon coming King, thank you
for loving me, forgiving me, protecting, accepting me and restoring
me to your Kingdom. I love you!
In loving memory of my daddy Owens O’Quinn, Sr., who set the
wonderful example of a Godly Father in my life.
Bro. Bobby Graham, Sis. Doris Graham, Rev. Kenneth Thornton, Sis. Diana
Thornton and Beverly Bingham their faithful love and example of the Good
Samaritans to me. What wonderful mentors of God’s Word and love.
Sis. Jo Ann Johnson and so many intercessors that never gave up on me and
stood in the gap for my soul until. Thanks!
To my precious daughter, Jai’me, who has been with me through all the
times of pain, restoration, tears, and joy. You have stood by me no matter
what, accepted me, understood, and loved me as I am. Though times haven’t
always been the best, so thankful we still stand giving all honor, glory and
praise to Jesus. Thanks from my heart...love you bunches! MUM
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Abused by man..........loved by God
On November 14, 1953 I was born to wonderful, God fearing parents. My home
environment was directed and taught from the Holy Word of God. At the time, my
parents became aware they were going to have another child; an elder in the church sent
them a note that stated, “When your daughter is born, name her Golda Kay”. Now I can
see how the hand of God was upon me in my mothers’ womb, as Jeremiah testified in
Jeremiah 15I can also relate to the Psalmist’s words in Psalms 139:13-17 reminding me
of the passage of Scripture found in Jeremiah 1:5 .“Before I formed thee in the belly I
knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” Now I
understand Psalms 139:13-17 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me
in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid
from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lower parts of the
earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my
members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none
of them. How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God; how great is the sum of them.”
I was baptized in Jesus name at the age of 12. During this time I had something happen
to me as a child and as a teenager that would begin to change my life. As a result, I began
withdrawing into a shell. I began to feel so unworthy, that Jesus didn’t love me, and
became a very angry, bitter, and self-centered individual. My life became a numb
existence everywhere I went, including church, youth activities, and camps. I eventually
turned my back on the most precious gift anyone could ever have in his or her life, Jesus
Christ. Soon I was snared and caught up in the things of this world, and as Paul
confessed, I became the “chiefiest of sinners”.
I have gone through divorce, abortion, experimented with drugs, and have experienced
physical/mental abuse. I was almost choked to death and was raped. As the Prodigal my
birthright had been sold to the enemy of my soul. I was bruised, battered and broken by
the sins of my life. But someone cared, and someone prayed. They stood as Rizpah did
in 2 Samuel 21:10 - “And Rizpah the daughter of Ariah took sackcloth, and spread it
upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of
heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of
the field by night. Because of these prayers, God in His mercy pulled me from the pit.
In 1991, at a revival where one of my childhood pastors was preaching, I found my way
back to an apostolic altar and made things right with God. I had to lose everything before
I could find the most important thing of all- a lasting, and eternal relationship with God. I
fell in Love with the Master who became my Husband, and so began my journey of love
and restoration in His hands. I am so thankful God still saw a flicker of flame within me
and restored me to my rightful place in His kingdom.
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During the time of my restoration God sent a wonderful couple to work with me. Their
ministry of love was awesome. They were there with godly wisdom and advice when
needed and applied the healing balm of God’s Word to the wounded areas. They gave
me a Haven, a place of rest for my weary, abused, and heavy-laden soul. They directed
me – not to psychiatrists and drugs, but to the Word of God and the door of the Father’s
House. He met me there with open arms.
Permit me to share something every prodigal needs to know. God may not be easy
on you when you step back onto His fold. From my own experience He may be
harder on you than anyone else. So rejoice in what He will do and bring about in
your life. You will not always understand, but remember He is trying to reconstruct
a solid rock foundation under you, and to develop a relationship with you that will
not be shaken or broken again. Trust Jesus with your life; put your future and
destiny in His hands, then in His own time you will be restored to your rightful
place. Your attitude and obedience to whatever He asks will determine the outcome
of your relationship with Him. So rejoice when put in the fire. Rejoice when nailed
to the cross. Rejoice at the time of hardships. Rejoice through your times of
loneliness. Rejoice when others do not understand. Rejoice through your tears and
simply offer up sacrifices of praise unto Him. Continue to be an open vessel
allowing the Potter to bring about the complete work of removing the old man and
restoring the new. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice,” (Philippians
4:4).
God has made me innocent in His eyes once again. God has accepted me and is allowing
me to work in His Kingdom to help restore others that are wearied by the cares of this
world. Through God’s word we can overcome and be more than conquerors. Jesus is
ever faithful and ready to forgive. He never sleeps nor is He ever to far away to hear
your cry. The Shepherd left the 99 to find the one wayward sheep and I am so thankful
He did that for me.
As Corrie Ten Boom wrote in her book “The Hiding Place” there is no pit so deep that
God’s love is not deeper still.”
Golda Kay Barrilleaux
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Introduction
The Prodigal had two choices; he could choose which master he wanted to serve. The
prodigal was so happy knowing he had made the right choice, but a little too late down
the road he discovered the choice made was wrong, and the consequences for sinning,
and rebelling against God caused his soul to be snared by worldly pleasures, riotous
living, spiritual starvation, and complete spiritual destitute.
Are you a Prodigal? Longing for the Father’s House? Remember, our Father is a God of
Compassion, Love, and True Friendship. May this Bible study be a beacon of light, give
you Spiritual guidance and wisdom in helping to restore someone to the rightful place in
God’s kingdom.
Jesus is a friend to everybody He met, and gave unconditional love. In the Word of God
Jesus was ridiculed for sitting down with the sinners, the poor; the hurting, and those
shun by society. Today if Jesus was robed in the flesh and walking among us, you would
find Him reaching, teaching, healing, and bringing peace to a troubled soul. He would be
ministering to individuals through His word, with words of encouragement, by
instructing how to be saved, convicting, and binding up the wounded heart with open
arms. Can we settle for less? No, His word tells us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Permit me to say, every Prodigal is coming back into the fold carrying a lot of worldly
sins that must be removed through prayer, fasting, and love. The Prodigal must be willing
to allow God to have complete control over their life for the process of rebuilding and
restoration to be done. Most Prodigal’s will struggle with the thoughts of “will God
accept me again”, or “ I have done so many things wrong will God ever forgive me”.
God will accept you, love, and restore you no matter where you are at, what you have
done, or how deep the scars the pits of sin has left in your life. God will cover you with
His wings of Love, Mercy, and Grace. God will take everything that has happened in
your life and turn into stepping-stones of achievements, so that you can help others, and
further His kingdom. Your past will become a fading memory and God will cast all you
sins into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered, or brought up again.
In today’s society, love, and friendship has become a thing of the past, and is totally
distorted. The human race has abused it to a place we do not even know the true meaning
of love and friendship. The world has become self-seeking, self-pleasing, “if it feels
good, do it”, and nothing is a sin anymore. Because of this type of thinking, the beautiful
“Cross of Calvary” has become distorted.
The world needs to be directed back to Calvary. The world is hurting. We the Holy
Ghost filled saints of God have a calling upon us. We must be a Good Samaritan to
unsaved souls, the hurting, and backsliders. We must offer Jesus, and the true plan of
salvation to those in need of a healing touch from the Master’s Hands.
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We must be His hands and feet to do that work that is needed in these last days. May we
set aside our indifferences and reach out to the hurting of this world. May we get our
hands dirty and lay down our life for a friend and for the sake of their soul.
Not long after I was back in church, my daughter and I decided to give some food to
others and as we began to clean out our pantry, this is what was impressed upon me “if
someone is cleaning out their pantry, they will pass what they do not want to someone
else, if we will not eat it, why are we giving it to someone else expecting them to, why
don’t you give them the same things we would want” “the very BEST.”
This is what God has so freely given us “His very best”. We must do the same with
everyone we meet. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man would lay
down his life for his friends.” And Jesus spake this parable in Luke 15: 3-7
“ What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not
leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until
he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying
unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep, which was lost. I say
unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,
more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance
Our Father has the table spread, the royal ring, and the best garments ready for you. Jesus
is looking down the road right now ready to forgive, to heal, to restore, and make your
life new again. “For old thing has passed away and all things have become new.” So run
down the road to your Father’s house into His open arms and watch as He miraculously
restores you, and begins the beautiful tapestry of your life with His tender hands of love,
and mercy. It does not matter where you are at right now, stop, consider, and return to
the Father’s fold. Open up the doors to your heart and allow Jesus to come again. Let
Him be “Lord of All” and allow Jesus to “rule and reign upon the throne of your heart”.
Choose the right Master today and you will never regret making this choice. So make the
“RIGHT” choice now.
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Outline of Course........................
Lesson One
The Prodigal Selling His Birthright:
Matthew 6:24 “no man can serve two Masters: for either he will hate the
one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Lesson Two
The Prodigal Came to Himself:
And when he came to himself, he said, how many hired servants of my
Father’s have bread enough to eat and to spare, and I perish with hunger.
Are you hungry for the true peace, happiness and love you can only find
from God? Then look toward your Father’s house and return home. He is
waiting with open arms.
Lesson Three
Reconciliation: 2 Cor 5:19, 20, Eph 2:16, 1 Sa 29:4, Matt. 5:24.
Lesson Four
Compassion of the Father:
Compassion actually means, “to suffer with someone.” When that individual
looks into your eyes what do they see, can they see you absorbing their pain.
Compassion animates prayer life, without it you cannot intercede.
Lesson Five
Spiritual Paramedic’s/My Prodigal was dead:
We the church of the New Birth according to the book of Acts are Spiritual
Paramedic’s to the lost, backslid and dying world. We hold the Breathe of
Life in our hands. How we minister, reflect and bring life to an individual
will determine the jewels in our crown.
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Outline of Course........................
Lesson Six
Rejoicing:
Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep, which was lost. I say unto you,
that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than
over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance.”
Lesson Seven
The Best Robe:
Isaiah 61:3 “To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees
of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Lesson Eight
The Ring:
The ring of the Lord showing His ownership in your life has seven jewels,
they are: Peace, Access, Joy, Glory in Trial, Patience, Experience, Hope,
and Love.
Lesson Nine
A Haven:
Your Heavenly Father must become your Haven. A haven is: to cover; to
enclose; a cove (sheltered bay): a harbor (shut in by the shore): beautiful, but
chiefly good, valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use) better, fair, honest,
meet, well, worthy, a place of safety, asylum: a place offering favorable
opportunities or conditions (a tourist’s); A place of refuge or rest, sanctuary.
A means of securing or stabilizing; an anchor!
Lesson Ten:
The Rightful Place:
You were made to praise the Lord, You were made to glorify His name In
every circumstance, To find a chance to thank Him, You were made to love
Him, You were made to worship at His feet and To obey the Lord, You were
made for the Lord
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Special Message
What an AWESOME GOD we serve!
Some 15 plus years ago, our Lord crossed our paths with Golda K who was so wounded
and in need of healing. These two Scriptures were the 'spring board' to help bring her to
restoration: Isaiah 58:12 and Isaiah 61:1-4. She had no idea what paths this journey
would take her down, only that, no matter what she was going to serve God. She has
endured much and
"To God Be The Glory"!
We are privileged to call her a "friend".
HAVEN became a word that Golda Kay used often and is being birthed
into this Bible Study to bless and help others on their journey. What
great things He has done and is doing in her life!
Bobby & Doris Graham
Walker, Louisiana
By: Jaime Kay Barrilleaux
Holden, LA.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson One
“Selling of A Birthright”
Matthew 6:24 “no man can serve two Masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.” The Prodigal chose to serve and waste his substance on the things of the
flesh, instead of the things of God.
Luke 15:11-32
“And he said a certain man had two
sons. And the younger of them said to
his father. Father, give me the portion of
goods that falleth to me. And He divided
unto them his living. And not many days
after the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far
country, and there wasted his substance
with riotous living. 14) And when he had
spent all, there arose a mighty famine in
that land; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to a
citizen of that country; and he sent him
into his fields to feed swine.”
God teaches us in Proverbs 3:1-4 “my son
forgets not my law, but let thine heart keep
my commandments: for length of days and
long life, and peace shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind
them about thy neck, write them upon the
table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor
and good understanding in the sigh of God
and man.”
The enemy of your soul will paint a beautiful picture and cover everything sinful with
beauty. The Word of God says, “He is a liar and the father of it” John 8:44. He will lie
and totally lead you away from God. The greatest pleasure satan has is trapping one of
God children into a web of sin, then leaving you hopeless, continue deceiving you and
will lead you to total destruction.
As a backslider or prodigal begins descending spiritually “turning their back on God”
these are the fruits that will become manifested in their life.
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Galatians 5: “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. The
works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:
1. Adultery –
A sinful act between two people outside the boundaries of marriage. Spiritual
adultery - loves idols or anything more than God. Corinthians 6: 9 “ Know ye not
that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, not effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind.”
2. Uncleanness –Morally or spiritually impure “What soever things are pure”
3. Lasciviousness-Lewd and lustful.
4. Idolatry-Worshipping other things more than God. “Thou shalt have no other
gods before me”
5. Witchcraft-The use of sorcery or magic; communication with the devil
6. Hatred – Conflict- their love for God will wax cold and they will begin to hate the
pure nature and principles of God, His Word, and church.
7. Variance – Disagreement, Inconsistency - there life will become inconsistent with
the will of God
8. Emulations-Ambition or the act to excel over others
9. Wrath-Strong anger, divine chastisement
10. Strife-Bitter conflict, blaming their situation on others, not wanting to take
responsibility for their own actions.
11. Seditions-Resistance to authority, rebellion against God, those that have authority,
and unto those who look out for their soul.
12. Heresies-Contrary to the Word of God, disobedience, and will believe lies
13. Envying –wanting everything to be better than someone else’s.
14. Murders-Destroying a life, hatred toward brothers and sisters in Christ
15. Drunkenness-Drunk on the pleasure of life
16. Rebelling -
And such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” The prodigal must long for
the Father’s house “A Haven.”
Scripture References:
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Two
“The Prodigal Came to Himself”
Have you ever just been riding down the road and all of a sudden it feels like “a light
goes on in your mind” and remembered something you needed to, well this must have
happened to the Prodigal because “HE CAME TO HIMSELF”.
When he woke up, he realized how wrong the
decision he made was, and how deep in the pit of sin
he was, but yet those who were hired servants of His
Father were being treated better
Luke 15: 16-17
And he would fain have filled
is belly with the husks that the
swine did eat: and no man
gave unto him. And when he
came to himself, he said, how
many hired servants of my
Father’s have bread enough to
eat and to spare, and I perish
with hunger.
The word fain means “ gladly”. The prodigal would
gladly have filled his belly with the husks the swine
did eat. As he came to himself, the Prodigal realized
the servants in his father’s house were better off than
he was.
Why would a Prodigal give up a life full of Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness,
Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance for a life of sin? Why would the prodigal
give up a home full of the presence of God, the spirit of prayer, and where the gifts of the
spirit operate to live and hunger after what swine have, because sin had already crept into
the door to his heart and began to take root? Because the prodigal has taken his eyes off
the things of God and the things of the world was alluring him to greener pastures
When the Prodigal “came to himself” his life was full of:
a. Self will - Choosing to go against the will of God, his commandments and
principles set forth in His word.
b. Selfishness – thinking of yourself and no one else, Ex: Luke 10:31-32,
c. Rebellion – not obeying the commandments of the Lord. Deut 11:28, I
Sam 12:15, Heb 2:3
d. Separation- being separated from the house of God, his fellowship and
protection.
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e. Sensuality – fulfilling the desires of the carnal flesh. Romans 1;28,
Romans 8:7, Titus 1:15
f. Spiritual Destitution – Pro 14: 14, Religious indifference Mt 24:12,
Unfitness for the Kingdom Luke 9:62, Bondage of forms Ga 4:9, Divine
Displeasure He 10:38, Loss of Spiritual Enthusiasm Rev2:4 Emptiness of
Life Luke 11:24-26
g. Abasement – lack of spiritual insight John 6:63-66, Love of the world 2
Ti 4:10
h. Starvation-from the Word of God, in the gutter of sinful living, no
physical food to eat, and dying.
i. Unforgiveness: Matt 5:24
Restoration of a prodigal takes time, energy, love, and patience.
Scripture References:
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Three
“Reconciliation”
Life always gets better when Jesus becomes Lord of all! Life always improves when the
Master is in control. The word of God teaches “Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the sight of meekness, considering
thyself, lest thou be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of
Christ.”
Luke 15; 18-19
I will arise and go to my
father, and will say unto
him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and before
thee. And am no more
worthy to be called thy son:
make me one of thy hired
servants.
Oh such sweet release, what sweet joy divine when
we as humans can see how we are wrong and find the
place of repentance at the feet of Jesus and make
every thing right. If we would humble ourselves and
admit we have sinned, God is faithful and just to
forgive. We must bring to the Father the right kind of
sacrifice, meet for repentance.
We must realize repentance is not a weakness; it is beauty, joy, and music to our Father’s
ears. In our weakness He is made stronger. He is able to teach us, and we come to
understand there is one only who is perfect. That is God alone.
The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy; I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full. Prodigal/Backslider you know what it takes to admit you have
sinned against God, to make an altar, repent, be filled with the wonderful gift of the Holy
Ghost, and be baptized in Jesus name. “Come home...come home. He who is weary
come home. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling oh sinner, come home.”
Reconciliation is a two way street, you must take the first step, and God will meet you the
rest of the way. It is to settle or resolve, to reestablish friendship, Lordship, to restore a
relationship with God. It is allowing God to become LORD OF ALL once again in your
life.
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Scriptures Reference:
Isaiah 53:__ “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquity,
and by His stripes we are healed.”
John 7:37-39 “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud
voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come unto me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as
the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John 10: 9-10 “ I am the gate; whoever enters through me shall be saved. He will come
in and go out, and find pasture.
Matthew 11:28-30 “ Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.”
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Four
“Compassion of the Father”
M. Scott Peck made a powerful point when he says that real love is “ the will to extend
one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.”
Compassion, while love, as a positive emotion,
extends from your heart to the person in pain.
Compassion enables you to receive their pain as
your own, as though you are the one suffering.
Luke 15: 20-21
“And he arose and came to
his father, but when he was a
great way off, his father saw
and had compassion and ran,
and fell on his neck and kissed
him
Compassion actually means, “to suffer with
someone.” When that individual looks into your
eyes what do they see; can they see you absorbing
their pain. Compassion animates prayer life,
without it you cannot intercede.
The Bible never camouflaged the weakness of people. God used David. God used
Abraham. God will and can use you. Yes you are wounded, yes you are hurting, and
sometimes you will break boundaries, become weak, or out of control, don’t give up. Go
to the Father’s house of compassion, His Haven of Rest, His hospital (the church), and let
His compassion and love flood through you. Remember there is a peace that comes from
knowing God has included you in His plan even to the last details. All you have to do is
allow Him to do it.
Jeremiah “I know that plan that I have for you it (finish the scripture here).... Our
God knows all things, sees all things and is touched by the feeling of our infirmities. He
alone understands the need for compassion and not receiving any. On Calvary, He was in
need of a friend, and compassion, but instead He received vinegar. This did not deter God
from doing what He was called to do. He reached out to the person beside him and gave
not only forgiveness, but showed love, and gave compassion to this individual.
When is the last time you ran to someone and had compassion for the state they were in?
How is the person doing sitting next to you each Sunday morning, Wednesday night, or
even on the job? How is their life really going? Have we taken time to find out? Are
they sleeping in God, are they hurting, have they been bruised, yes by life, man, brothers
and sisters in Christ? It amazes me that we walk around thinking, “no that not true,
someone in our church wouldn’t do that”, “they wouldn’t hurt you”, but yes they do.
Why do we the children of the One True living God hurt one another? Then we write it
off as I am “being used of God.” We must be very careful become the very reason this
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individual is withdrawn, hurting, bruised, and/or leaving God. We cannot afford to
become a stumbling block in anyone’s life.....(put the scripture here).
We must follow the example of compassion and love God left us in His Word for our
brethren, sisters, and everyone we meet. We are the only Jesus they will see. May we
become so soaked in Him, in every fiber of our life, that Jesus is all that oozes out in our
every action, word or deed. We are representatives of the Lord. We are His
ambassadors.
The Apostle Paul wrote “ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift
to make you strong-that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s
faith. Romans 1:11-12
1 Corinthians 13 instructs us.............
Love truly is God’s greatest gift, and its praises have never been expressed so eloquently
as in these thirteen verses taken from 1 Corinthians. This time-honored passage, a
favorite often read, is a simple way to say........
I LOVE YOU
Verse 1:
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not LOVE, I am become as
sounding brass, or tinkling cymbals.”
Verse 2:
“And if I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and
if I have all the faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not LOVE, I am
nothing.”
Verse 3:
“And if I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned,
but have not LOVE, it profiteth me nothing.”
Verse 4:
“LOVE is patient and kind. LOVE is not envious; LOVE is not arrogant or puffed up.”
Verse 5:
“It doth not insist on its own way, is not resentful, is not easily provoked, and thinketh no
evil.”
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Verse 6:
It rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.”
Verse 7:
“It beareth all things, it believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Verse 8:
“LOVE never faileth: but as for prophecies they shall fail; as for tongues, they shall
cease; as for knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Verse 9:
“For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part.”
Verse 10:
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall pass away.”
Verse 11:
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but
when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
Verse 12:
“For now we see through a glass darkly: but then we will see face to face: now I know
only in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Verse 13:
“So FAITH, HOPE, LOVE abideth, these three; but the greatest of these is
LOVE.”
Jesus MUST be the LOVE of YOUR LIFE. He must become FIRST in all things in you
life. He must be in complete control and rule and reign upon the throne of your heart.
“There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its’ worth. It sounds like music in my ears,
the sweetest name I know. Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus. Oh how I love
Jesus, because He first loved me.”
Allow Jesus to love you today. Allow His love to restore, mend, bind up all broken, and
wounded areas in your life. Be healed in Jesus name.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Five
“Spiritual Paramedic’s”
Ever had something in your life that meant the world to you. You would do whatever it
takes to see that it was protected, returned, or restored to its’ original position in your
home, life or heart. This is how the Prodigal’s Father felt. He knew sin touches every
aspect of man’s nature; spiritual, mental, moral, and physical (Eph 4:18, Jeremiah17: 9-
10, Titus 1:5, II Corinthians 7:5 and Romans 7:18). The Father knew His son was dead
because of the sins in his life. He knew if he could get his son home “The Healer” would
be in the house. Healing by its very definition takes into account the purpose, the
process, the prior condition, the end result and the motive of the healers or the healing
agent. The healing of the soul is the central mission of God himself.
Luke 15:24
“For this son was dead,
and is alive again, he
was lost, and is found
and they began to be
merry.”
This is where we become Spiritual Paramedic’s and breathe
the Life of God back into the Prodigal or others who are
hurting from the sins of their lives. Jesus showed us that we
could judge the sin while we love and care for the
individual placed in our care. “For we have not an high
priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; Hebrews 4:14
How Do We Bring Back a Prodigal from the Dead?
A. Clear the Airway and Remove Blockages:
1. Sin
2. Rejection
3. Manipulations
4. Controls
5. Fear
a. Rational Fear = a result from an actual experience in which a
person has been hurt
b. Irrational Fear = is met on the level of emotion, that is, by
showing love and compassion. Fervent prayer successfully
combats fear.
6. Physical needs
a. What state are they in financially, clothes, home
7. Doubts
8. Misunderstandings
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9. Distrust of other people
a. By being a true friend
b. By assuring this individual of their worth in the sight of
God.
10. Satanic Power
a. Pump faith scriptures into this individual
1. Hebrews 11:6
2. Romans 10:17
B. By Attitude:
1. Reach and understand their level
2. Show the Prodigal an accurate picture of his condition
3. Have compassion
4. Pray intently for the spiritual gifts to operate in you, Spiritual
battles requires you to fight with spiritual weapons
a. Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
b. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh
c. II Corinthians 10:3-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
C. By Actions:
1. By Breathing for them
a. They may be to weak or unable to make it alone
2. Pray for them and with them
a. Prayer is the most powerful force we have. Intercede for this
individual.
b. Bind the power of satan
c. Pray for them to have courage and strength
d. Pray they will gain more insight and wisdom
e. Pray until you have victory for them
3. Stand on the Word of God for all directions, guidance and
instructions for their every need
4. Befriend them
5. Accept him/her as a person
6. Keep everything you hear in strict confidence
7. Express your appreciation or admiration for specific traits,
qualities or actions in or by this person
8. Be a sounding board for his/her ideas and views
9. Listen actively to this person.
10. Keep communication open with this person
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11. Spend time with this person. As an alternative, consider involving
them in your family, job or leisure activities.
12. Face problems with them by showing them through the Word of
God how answer for these problems can be found.
13. Legitimize their feelings. We must learn to affirm a person’s
feelings, even when we disagree. Be careful how we react to these
feelings that we do not blurt out a judgment.
a. 1 Corinthians 4:5
14. Do not offer words, philosophies or ideas, instead get involved, be
committed, sacrifice your time, expend your energy and accept the
task set before you.
15. “And bind up his wounds” by using the “Healing balm” of God’s
Word.
a. Accidental wounds. “Life itself can sometimes be difficult”
Remember these wounds are painful.
1. Lost of jobs
2. Broken relationships
3. Financial difficulties
4. Hit with disappointments in life
b. Intentional wounds ‘deeper the pain of knowing someone else
deliberately did it”
1. Rape
2. Abuse
3. Rejection
4. Gossip
5. Slander
6. Other kinds of hurtful behavior
c. Self-inflicted wounds
1. Must deal with the reasons of why
16. Show love
17. Show Compassion
a. Go to bat for them
18. Show Commitment
a. Commit yourself for the sake of their soul
19. Giving of yourself
a. Through time
b. Moral support
c. Spiritual strength
d. Physical help
20. Love them like Jesus loves
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D. By Aftercare
1. “Some must have physical help to leave the pit” By using our
resources, which are, God, His Word, Oil and Wine, and finances to
continue taking care of this individual.
2. “Bought them to an inn, and/or church” By giving them shelter,
protection, guidance, and basic comfort necessary to restore this
individual back to spiritual health and wholeness. This is a beautiful
example of Jesus and the church’s role
3. “Took care of him” Take care of him throughout the night, by prayer,
fasting, obedience to God, being available to talk, listen, guide, and
comfort.
As good Samaritans we must be able to feel their pain, understand their guilt and
loneliness, not condone their sins and as God set the example by showing compassion
and ministering to the hurting soul of the Prodigal. Assure them that the love of God is
unselfish and eternal love includes them. Communicate the following truths to them.
a. God is love
b. God uniquely created each person. We are fearfully and
wonderfully made.
c. God loves them in spite of their sins
d. Love caused God to find a way to redeem man from sin
e. God provides for each individual
f. Every good gift comes from God
g. God’s love is unsolicited and voluntary
h. God’s love is unconditional
i. God ‘s love is eternal
Scripture References:
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.”
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:35, 39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, of famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nor heights, nor
depths, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I John 3:16 Herein is love, not that we loved God, because He laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Six
“Rejoicing”
In the Word of God, remember the woman at the well and how Jesus told her of her life.
She left and told others of what He had done.
Remember the little woman who lost
her mite, swept and looked
everywhere, and when she found it,
rejoiced.
Luke 15: 3-7
“ And he spake a parable unto them, saying.
What man of you, having an hundred sheep,
if he lose one of them doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go
after that which is lost, until he find it? And
when he hath found it, he layeth it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh
home, he calleth together his friends and
neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with
me; for I have found my sheep, which was
lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall
be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,
more than over ninety and nine just persons
which need no repentance.”
Remember the mother whose son
was dead and how the prophet Elijah
was used by God to restore life to
her son. Do you think she kept
quiet?
Have you ever stood by the bedside
of someone you love, watched as life
was slowly leaving and there seemed
to be no hope. Then the elders of the
church gathered around, prayed and
God in His mercy restored life. Did
you share the good news about what
God had done? Of course!
What is the first thing we as humans do, we call everyone, share the good news, and we
rejoice together. Everyone shares in the celebration. You prepare the every best and the
favorite food. You keep them close. You make sure they feel safe, protected, clean,
clothed, loved, and warm.
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And
when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, REJOICING.”
This is how the Father of the prodigal felt when his child returned home. He even tells us
“Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep, which was lost.”
Then our Lord goes on to share with us “I say unto likewise JOY shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth”
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Jesus further states, “more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no
repentance.” What is God telling us here? He is telling us to leave our world of comforts,
habits, traditions, and man-made ideas. We need to go find the unbeliever, go find the
backslider, go find the son and/or daughter, parent, friend, and companion that needs the
breathe of God moving and operating in their life. Be a Spiritual Paramedic for Jesus.
All of heaven will rejoice, then bring out the best food, the best garments, and Jesus will
smile down from the throne upon the lost sheep returned to His fold. Then watch as
Jesus begins to perform His miraculous operation in this person life of restoration.
Scripture References:
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Seven
“The Best Robe”
Have you ever been riding down the road and saw someone standing with dirty clothes,
shoes with holes or no shoes at all, unkempt hair, unclean teeth, tired, hungry, lonely, sad,
desperate, and in need of a friend. In your heart you wanted to stop and help this person,
but because of the cynicism of society today, the feeling of being unsafe caused you to
pass this individual by and not offer the help you desired to give.
Luke 15:22
“But the father said to his
servants, bring forth the
best robe, and put it on
him; and put a ring on his
hand and shoes on his feet
What would the prodigal have done if the Father of the
house had treated him this way? His soul would have
been condemned to the lake of fire and no mercy given.
Instead the Father of the house looked beyond all the
prodigal faults, and show what he could become. He
didn’t pass judgment, but ordered the best robes and
ring to be place on the prodigal, marking him as one of
His own for all to see.
He did not allow the tradition of men to stop him from his son, or from his son being
restored spiritually, mentally, physically and financially. He gave him the very best. He
gave him beauty for ashes.
Isaiah 63:1-3
Verse 1:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me: because the Lord, hath anointed me to preach good
tiding unto the meek: He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to
the captives, and the opening of prison.” God has appointed and anointed us to preach
His gospel. He has shosed our feet with the gospel of peace. It is our responsibility
through the Word of God to bind up the brokenhearted, to help bring them to complete
liberty in Jesus.
Verse 2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn;
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Verse 3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be
called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Verse 7
For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their
portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto
them.
Verse 10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed
me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as
a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with
her jewels.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Eight
“The Ring”
On the ring that was given to the Prodigal were eight jewels of reconciliation.
1. Peace-
2. Access –to the throne
3. Joy-strength
4. Glory in Trial-experience
5. Patience-ye possess your soul
6. Experience-
7. Hope-beyond earthly life
8. Love-built a wall around him that no man can take down
Romans 5:1-10 teaches a Prodigal
Romans 5: 1
Justification through faith brings the believer results:
Peace with God
Grace
Hope
Assurance
Tribulations
The Love of God
The Holy Spirit
Romans 5: 2
Tribulations should be listed as a blessing of our salvation
1. Financial
2. Physical needs
3. Trying circumstance
4. Pressure of sorrow
5. Sickness
6. Persecution
7. Mistreatment
8. Loneliness
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Romans 5:3
In the middle of these afflictions God enables us to seek His face more diligently and
produces in us a persevering spirit and His character to overcome the trials and
tribulations in life. . We are able through the grace of God to look above and beyond our
present problems by using His word as our sword, shield and instruction manual and
become Christian eagles to soar above the storms that will be sent our way.
Romans 5:4
We learn to overcome
1. By experience,
2. Patience and
3. Hope.
Romans 5:5
We will be able to have the love of God shed abroad in our heart to comfort us in our
trials. His love
sustains us
gives us hope
continues to flood our heart
Romans 5:6
Without God we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things
Faith
Joy
Strength to overcome
Romans 5:7
Romans 5:8
Calvary speaks for itself
Romans 5:9
Because of Calvary we can
Salvation from wrath
Reconciliation to God
Eternal Life
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Romans 5:10
Saved by His life
The believer continues to be saved by living faith and union with
God. We become His children. He will make every provision to save us from sin,
spiritual death, and spiritual destitution.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~A Haven~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesson Nine
“A Haven”
A Haven
When I look around in this world and see how many individuals need a home, someone
to really love them, somewhere they can lay their burdens down, find peace, rest,
comfort, hope, love that passes all understanding, and a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother. All that comes to mind is a Haven, God’s House, His fold, and His love. How
would Jesus take care of this? How would He want us to take care of this situation?
Jesus would open His arms, invite them into His house, feed them, clothe them, wash
their feet, and give them peace and rest. They would be able to dine with Grace, Glory,
and Peace. He would keep a light shining in the window of the house, so they can find
their way home.
The doors to “A Haven” must never be shut to anyone. They should be able to know
they can walk into this Haven as they are. They need to know they will be accepted in the
condition they are in, but must understand, their past life must be left at the door, because
a new life will begin, with a new dream, a new vision, a new destination, and their life
will never be the same again.
All your old friends, such as bitterness, hurt, pain, envy, anger, jealousy, strife,
destruction, sinful nature, will never be allowed to stay, they will have to leave on
