TIRED OF BEING A BROKEN PERSON? TRY THIS......

                          

YOUR SOURCE OF WHOLENESS

“…He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

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Mankind was always meant to find and maintain their wholeness and well-being in the Living God of creation. One day God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  So “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV) When “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

Afterwards, God said “… it was very good….” Why is humanity so lost and broken? “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made…was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). However, “… one sinner destroy[ed]… much good” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). The image God made was “very good,” but now it was marred by sin.

God had ONE instruction for the image he MADE: “….of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17).  “…[But]… the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely die…” Did they die? Yes. They immediately became “…dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

When the Serpent lied and interfered by changing God’s Word from “….thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17) to“…Ye shall NOT surely die…” it radically changed man’s image. “….. AT THAT MOMENT their eyes were opened…Then the Lord God asked…“What have you done? …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT).

“….their eyes were opened …” (Genesis 3:7 NLT). “….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  …they hid from the Lord God …[they were] afraid …the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it. Then the Lord God asked the woman…“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”…” (Genesis 3 NLT).

“…their eyes were opened… …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT). Their eyes were open and awakened to a new awareness, which included a LOST of innocence and holiness. Minds that were once protected by God – like earthly parents protect the minds of their young children from the many evils of the times. The serpent said, “….God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened …knowing good and evil…” (Genesis 3:5 KJV).

The serpent’s promise summoned an unknown consciousness derived from a lost image now marred by sin. “….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  …they hid from the Lord God …[they were] afraid …[the man said]… “It was the woman …[the woman said]…“The serpent deceived me...” (Genesis 3 NLT). They felt shame, guilt, hid themselves from God, tried to cover themselves, were afraid, and passed the blame.

“….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  ..” (Genesis 3 NLT). They felt shame, disgrace, humiliation, dishonor, indignity, and embarrassment over their nakedness or the sudden stripping of their covering, which was God’s Holy Spirit. “…God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

Therefore, God “… CLOTHED [man]… with splendor and majesty…” (Psalms 21:5 NLT). “… crowned them with glory and honor….” (Psalms 8:5 NIV). “…Crown[ed them] …with love and compassion…” (Psalms 103:4 NIV). Man was “…fearfully, … wonderfully made [and simply] marvelous…” (Psalm 139:14 KJV).

When “…God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). God’s clothing or covering are his glorious attributes. “…Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art CLOTHED with honour and majesty. Who COVEREST thyself with light as with a garment…” (Psalms 104:1-2 KJV). “…The LORD reigns, He is CLOTHED with majesty; The LORD has CLOTHED and girded Himself with strength…”  (Psalm 93:1 NASB). God “…COVEREST [him]self… with LIGHT as with a garment…” (Psalms 104:1-2 KJV). God’s light or glory exposes his pure and holy nature so all can see.

However, “….they (Adam/Eve) suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  ..” (Genesis 3 NLT). “….they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves…” (Genesis 3:7 NIV). We see the downward spiral of sin. Adam and Eve went from being clothed in glory by God to clothing themselves in fig leaves.

Mankind is still burdened with clothing themselves in order to conceal their marred image from scrutiny. Whether aware of it or not, mankind highly desires to be whole again and restored to the glory of God’s image, as they were in the beginning. However, they seek to clothe themselves in the wrong places. They seek to clothe themselves with “.. .everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—[that] comes not from the Father but from the world…” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).

“….they (Adam/Eve) realized they were naked…” (Genesis 3:7 NIV). They were physically “naked” before, but like a baby or toddler, who has no shame or awareness of their nudity - as they run freely around the house. The baby or toddler does not perceive his or her nudity as indecent or unbecoming, or improper. A baby or toddler feels no shame, embarrassment, or sinful emotions, within themselves, as they freely RUN around the house naked. Neither did Adam and Eve as they dwelled in the Garden of Eden. Everything was free, pure, innocent, and holy: body, soul, and spirit. THEN “….they realized they were naked…” (Genesis 3:7 NIV). “…their eyes were opened… …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT).

They were immediately stripped of the Glory of God, which seriously marred their image and suddenly a sin consciousness invaded their whole being: body, soul, and spirit. The image of God was lost it seemed forever. The covering of God’s holiness, purity, innocence, righteousness, and glory were GONE. They were NOW unprotected and defenseless against the darkness into which they had plunged. They couldn’t overturn their decision. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

They were no longer like the baby and the toddler running freely around the Garden of Eden, but were now aware of their physical bodies to which they became ashamed. “….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  ..” (Genesis 3 NLT).

Body image deals with the way you perceive your own body to be and assume others perceive it that way too. Body image is highly impacted by family, friends, social community, and the various forms of media. Millions and millions of people are unhappy with at least one aspect of their physical appearance. Over 55 billion dollars are spent annually on weight loss alone – in an attempt to change body image.

Mankind is still dealing with shame though body image and trying to cover up those parts in which they are ashamed to expose to the public. “….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  ..” (Genesis 3 NLT).  

The corruption of image (body, soul, or spirit) began in the Garden and has perpetuated itself from one generation to another for centuries. Mankind finds ways to cover his or her body image, but it is no substitute for their lost Godly image. “….they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they … cover[ed] themselves.  ..” (Genesis 3 NLT).

Body image does not include covering up or hiding the sin and shame from the all-knowing God. “….they … cover[ed] themselves.  …they hid from the Lord God.” (Genesis 3 NLT). “…Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the LORD….” (Jeremiah 23:24 NLT). “…Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account…” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV). “…For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings…” (Job 34:21 KJV). “…Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalms 139:7 KJV). “…they hid from the Lord God...” (Genesis 3 NLT).

Adam and Eve now had a consciousness of sin, were saddled with guilt and shame, and were compelled to hide from the God against whom they had transgressed and offended. King David said to God, “…against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight…” (Psalms 51:4 KJV). “….. AT THAT MOMENT their eyes were opened…Then the Lord God asked…“What have you done? …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT).

What had they done? They had destroyed the original image where the body, soul, and spirit were once pure, innocent, holy, and WHOLE. The place where body, soul, and spirit were spiritually connected in blissful harmony, fellowship, and relationship with the Living God of Creation. Sadly, “… one sinner destroy[ed]… much good” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Mankind struggles with the unfulfilling and endless pursuit for wholeness and well-being in everything or everybody, but God, to this very day. No matter how hard they try, they can’t get back to the original wholesomeness and well-being that comes ONLY from reconnecting with the Holy God. “…I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t.

I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want (WILL) to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am!

Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

What can make you whole again? The answer: Only God through Jesus Christ. “….Who will free me from this life ….dominated by sin? …The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it!” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass….” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NASB).

However, some people are still hiding themselves from God and won’t come to him in order to be whole again. The Word says, “.and ye will not come to me that you might have life...” (John 5:40 KJV).  “YOU will not come to Me…” means you will not respond to God’s call to wholeness and well-being.

Most people seek wholeness and well-being in every place and every one, but God. Every human being eventually comes to the table of life realizing they are broken and incomplete within themselves. However,  it is easy to start feeling and believing you need a RESOURCE outside of yourself in order to be whole, or have a sense of well-becoming, or be complete.

You will find and discover, in this pursuit of wholeness, the “desire” to be whole can be as demanding as hell and the grave: NEVER SATISFIED. “…Hell and destruction (death) are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied…” (Proverbs 27:29 KJV).

Trillions of people have died since the fall of man. In the 21^st century the grave is still swallowing-up our love ones, which demonstrates death is NEVER satisfied. Hell is the same way as it opens its mouth to swallow-up the ungodly; generation after generation, century after century. Death and Hell “…are never full…” (Proverbs 27:29 KJV). "The leech has two daughters, 'Give! Give!' they cry. "There are three things that are NEVER SATISFIED, four that never say, 'Enough!'…” (Proverbs 30:15 NIV).

Likewise, human desire is NEVER SATISFIED. “….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT). “…the eyes of man are never satisfied…” (Proverbs 27:29 KJV). The lusts for fulfillment or wholeness, outside of God, are a human desire that will never be satisfied. “…he is a …..man, …who enlargeth his desire as hell, and… as death, and cannot be satisfied…” (Habakkuk 2:5 KJV).

However, “…God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…I [God]… satisfy …and refresh everyone …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB). “[YOUR] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…Everything [else]… is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content…” (Ecclesiastes 1:8 NLT). “….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT).

A woman desires and longs for affirmation from her husband, which she feels she didn’t get growing-up with her father. She believes if she gets the affirmation from her husband it will satisfied her need to feel whole and complete. In order to get the affirmation she transforms into everything her husband’s wants her to be almost to the point of practically becoming a doormat.

Instead of getting the affirmation she so desperately longs for, she gets criticism. Her desire for the elusive affirmation gets harder to attain instead of easier. She finds herself chasing his heart for days, weeks, months, and then years and never gets the affirmation she longs for. Her desire is NEVER satisfied. Her husband rejects and ignores her need for affirmation for years. “….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT).

This longing for wholeness is man’s pursuit of the missing completeness that died when Adam and Eve ate from the tree. “….of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17).  “…their eyes were opened… …“  (Genesis 3 NLT). They had LOST wholeness and well-being and their once God-like image had become broken, impaired, and marred.

A marred image is the result of the disconnection with God. A disconnection with God is the reason for a marred image highly impact by sin. “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).  “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17).  Anyone separated from God is “…dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

When you are dead, you are devoid of life. “…Dead in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…I am all too human, a slave to sin…. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. …I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want (WILL) to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.   Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). Jesus is “…the way and the truth, and THE LIFE…” (John 14:6).

God is YOUR SOURCE OF WHOLENESS AND RESTORATION. In the beginning God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). Man was whole and complete in body, spirit, and soul. “…fearfully, … wonderfully made [and simply] marvelous…” (Psalm 139:14 KJV). After God’s creation of man, he said, “…very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

However, “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).  “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…I am all too human, a slave to sin…. I don’t really understand myself, for. …I want to do what is right, but I can’t. …Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

No matter where you look for wholeness and no matter who you seek for wholeness…it is only found in God through Jesus Christ. “…He was beaten so we could be WHOLE. He was whipped so we could be HEALED…” (Isaiah 53:5 NLT). “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV).

We all want to be made whole. “…But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick….” (Matthew 9:12 KJV).

It may be a quiet cry for wholeness or a loud desperate cry for wholeness. There may be an obvious need for wholeness or a total blindness to the need for wholeness. You may acknowledge your need for wholeness or completely believe you are NOT broken “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). . Whatever your attitude about wholeness, ONLY “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV).

“….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT). “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world…” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT). The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life will never satisfy the entrenching, iniquities of human desire for wholeness, but man will pursue fulfillment, outside of God, nonetheless. “….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT).

Things and people become the illusive physicians for our broken condition and yet, known or unknown, we remain sick and “…dead in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…I am all too human, a slave to sin…. I don’t really understand myself, for …I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The woman who chased after her husband’s heart for years and years; seeking the affirmation that, she believed, would make her whole - was NEVER satisfied. “….Human desire is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT).  After all her desperate attempts for affirmation and years spent trying to gleam it from her husband; finally she gained his affirmation. What had it cost her? Did if fulfill her?

NO, it did not give her the wholeness she had sought. By the time her husband began to affirm her, she was in a worst state. For example, “…And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew WORSE, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, …said, Who touched my clothes? …And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. …And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee WHOLE; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague….” (Mark 5:25-35 KJV).

“…And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? And …the woman …declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee WHOLE; go in peace….” (Luke 8:43-48 KJV).

“…And, behold, a woman, which was diseased… came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment…For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be WHOLE. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour…” (Matthew 9:21-22 KJV).

In another example: “…After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk…waiting for the moving of the water….And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made WHOLE, and took up his bed, and walked…” (John 5:1-8 KJV).

The woman spent 12 years trying to be whole and the man spent 38 years trying to be whole, but it took Jesus to do it. You don’t have to believe it and you are FREE to pursue wholeness and well-being any way you desire. However, the bible tells us ONLY “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I am the …WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV).

The bottom line: “….Don't put your confidence in … people; there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT).

The woman who spent years trying to gleam affirmation from her husband didn’t realize he was broken too. He either had no affirmation to give her because he lacked affirmation himself, or he had no glue what affirmation was or that it was even a necessity. She was disappointed.

After all these years of chasing after him, he was not the answer. Finally she turned her eyes towards heaven.  “…I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised….” (PSALMS 119:107 NLT). God said, “…after you have suffered a little while, he will restore … you…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). The woman came to know, only “…The Lord … restores [YOU]… to health…” (PSALMS 41:3 NLT). God says, “…I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “….The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

All those years she spent chasing her husband’s heart and affirmations left her deficient.  ONLY “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). You can “…delight in weaknesses…. For when [you are]…weak, then [are you]…strong …[God’s]… power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV).  ^“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). He restoreth [your]… soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

 Jesus affirmed her over and over. However, “…God …suppl[ied] all [her need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God]… satisfy[ies] …and refresh[es] everyone …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB). “…He restoreth [her]… soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

ONLY “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “….as many as [were]…touched [by Jesus]… were made perfectly whole...” (Matthew 14:35-36 KJV). “…And great multitudes came unto him …and [were]…cast …at Jesus' feet; and he healed them  … the maimed [were made]… whole … they glorified the God of Israel…” (Matthew 15:30-31 KJV). “…He restoreth [YOUR]… soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).

“….Don't put your confidence in … people; there is NO HELP for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT). ONLY “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).