Immanuel's Light, Glowing in the Likeness of Christ Jesus

By Rev. Dr. Sandy Brisbane

In Immanuel's Light; Glowing in the Likeness of Christ Jesus, Sandy Brisbane gently and lovingly leads the reader on a personal journey of healing and recovery. Through a combination of her own testimony with relevant biblical concepts she sets the stage for personal application of the gospel of grace to real life issues. Sandy also encourages a healthy introspection through a series of pertinent questions that allows the student to discover the truth for themselves. Her emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ brings the reader face to face with the One who truly heals the heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 17, 2009
• ISBN: 9781449063764

Rev. Dr. Sandy Brisbane

Rev. Dr. Sandy Brisbane and her husband Greg have a wonderful testimony of a broken marriage that God rebuilt and made beautiful. They both love their South Florida home, 3 dogs, fishing and boating. Sandy and Greg are both ordained ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are pastors of Freedom Fellowship, a church of Alpha Ministries Inc. They minister to married couples and those preparing for marriage. Their ministry website is www.beautifulmarriage.org. They are members of The United New Testament Church in Al. and they are members of Christ Fellowship Church, Palm Beach Gardens Fl. Sandy is an Affiliate Member of South Florida Association of Christian Counselors, a Professional Clinical Member of National Christian Counselors Association and a Pastoral Member of Sarasota Academy of Christian Counselors. Her credentials include being a National Christian Counseling Association licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and a Certified Temperament Counselor. You will find her listed on the counselor's website at www.ncca.org. She is a Provider for Premarital Education in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and is a Certified Pastoral Counselor for Prepare/Enrich-building strong marriages. Sandy is a Certified Faith-based Recovery Support Counselor through Alpha Ministries. Sandy has been a student of God's living word for many years. She has received a Masters and Doctorate in Biblical Studies, a Doctorate in Ministry and a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. All her Seminary Degrees were earned at Andersonville Theological Baptist Seminary. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Stephens College and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from F.I.U.

Book preview

Introduction

How do we become the person God wants us to be? The answer to that question is something many of us long for. Whenever we begin to align our goals with God’s goal and our desires with God’s desires we will rid our life of much anger, anxiety, hopelessness and depression. Basing our identity and sense of worth on living in a harmonious family is a huge mistake. The reason is there is no guarantee that it will happen. When others fail us we become full of anger or resentment towards our less than harmonious family. It is when we define our worth by anything other than God’s goal for our life we are headed for a fall. Often times we have worthwhile desires but they are poor goals by which to determine our worth because they can be blocked by people or circumstances. We should decide, I am going to be the person God wants me to be. That is God’s goal and nothing is impossible with God. Who can block that goal? You are the only one who can. As long as we cooperate with God’s goal our success is assured. God’s basic goal for your life is character development, becoming the person God wants you to be. It’s a Godly goal because no one can block it except you.

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Each of us experience what I would call obstacles to the Life in Grace. There is a probable reason any of us are not experiencing the kind of life that God intended for us. Generally we don’t live the life of grace because of an obstacle. The purpose of this workbook is to help each of you see what your obstacles are and give you tools in order to be over comers.

Some time ago I spoke at a women’s Christian retreat. The topic of the talk was about obstacles and included some doctrinal teaching. After the day several women came up to me excited about what they had learned and they thanked me. One of them said to me… I have been a Christian in the church for 30 years so why was I never taught this stuff? That is what God used to inspire me to write this workbook for you. I have gathered some of the resources I use as a Pastoral Counselor and compiled it in this workbook. Jesus desires for you to walk in an intimate fellowship with Him. I pray that God will teach you to be open and honest as you begin to walk in the freedom Christ has for you. Our present side of eternity is about changed lives. May your life be forever changed for his glory. This workbook will help you surrender to the cleansing of Immanuel’s light and bear His fruitfulness.

Chapter 1

Obstacles to a life in grace

An obstacle is anything that gets in the way or hinders. The Bible is full of people confronting obstacles. Think of Moses and the Red Sea; to have thousands of Egyptians in chariots riding down on you and seeing nowhere to run. Now that would be terrifying! How about the disciples out on the sea with Jesus, who was fast asleep, while a hurricane type storm was raging all around them. I live in South Florida and I know all about those kinds of terrifying storms. Obviously Biblical people were familiar with dangerous obstacles. We each have experienced the challenges of personal obstacles. I would like share a bit of my testimony and some of my obstacles to a life in grace.

I have a clear memory of praying to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior when I was 12 years old at a church camp. I believe it was at that moment when I became born again, a New Creation in Christ. At the camp we were dismissed to our bunks for meditation and prayer after the church service and altar call. I remember closing my eyes and praying to Jesus when suddenly I was seeing a very bright light, but my eyes were still closed. I prayed Jesus, God is that you? I was afraid to tell anyone of what I experienced and kept quiet about it for many years. I loved Jesus all the time but lacked the Word in my life. I grew up in a family that did not read the bible together regularly. As I grew physically I did not grow spiritually and did not know my true identity. I did not know who I am in Christ. I did know Jesus was my Savior and I prayed and attended church on