Embracing Healing and Identity in God's Love
Summary
Today, we opened our hearts to the reality that God desires to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. We reflected on the story of James and John, who dared to dream big but hesitated to ask Jesus directly for their request. Yet, through Christ, we are not just seated near Him, but in Him, in heavenly places, with access to every spiritual blessing. Many of us carry wounds, disappointments, and traumas—sometimes for years or even decades—believing that healing is out of reach. But the truth is, God’s heart is to meet us in those very places of pain, to bring restoration and wholeness, not just to our bodies but to our hearts.
I shared my own journey of brokenness, trauma, and the long road through anxiety and PTSD. Despite trying every avenue—counseling, deliverance, inner healing—my breakthrough came in a moment of raw surrender, when Jesus Himself met me, wept with me, and healed me. This encounter was not just for me, but a testimony that Jesus is still the healer of broken hearts. I’ve seen Him do it again and again, in rooms full of people, in quiet conversations, and in miraculous moments where scars disappeared and hope was resurrected.
We explored how the enemy’s primary attack is on our identity as sons and daughters of God. When we forget who we are, we give the enemy authority he does not possess, and our problems seem to grow larger than our God. But our true identity is only found in the Father’s voice, in His affirmation and love. The Father sees every wound, every moment of rejection, every place where hope has died. He is not distant; He is present, ready to reach into the deepest places of our hearts and bring life again.
Today, the invitation is to stop holding back, to let the Father’s love touch the places we’ve hidden or tried to manage on our own. Whether you’ve been waiting for years or are just now realizing your need, this is a moment to receive the embrace, affirmation, and healing of the Father. He declares over you: you are significant, precious, capable, and deeply loved. You are not an orphan—you are a son, a daughter, and the Father is proud of you. Let Him mark your heart with His love and begin a new journey of healing and breakthrough.
Key Takeaways
- God’s capacity to heal and restore far exceeds our imagination or expectations. Even when hope feels deferred and our faith is battered by life’s circumstances, God is able to do immeasurably more than we dare to ask. The key is not striving for more faith, but simply showing up with an open heart, willing to believe that He can move in our lives today. [29:55]
- Deep wounds and traumas often remain hidden beneath the surface, shaping our lives in ways we may not even realize. True healing comes not from suppressing or running from our pain, but from allowing Jesus to meet us in our brokenness. His compassion is not distant—He weeps with us, and His presence brings the kind of healing that no human effort can achieve. [37:15]
- Our identity as sons and daughters of God is the foundation of our authority and freedom. The enemy’s primary strategy is to attack our sense of sonship, causing us to forget who we are and to live as if we are powerless. When we reclaim our identity in the Father, we stop magnifying the enemy and begin to walk in the authority and inheritance that Christ has secured for us. [43:31]
- The Father’s love is not just a theological concept, but a tangible reality that brings transformation. When we encounter the Father’s heart, He heals not only our physical bodies but also the deep places of our hearts—restoring confidence, joy, hope, and even our ability to feel and express emotion. His affirmation—“You are significant, you are loved, I am proud of you”—breaks the power of shame, rejection, and self-hatred. [01:01:39]
- Breakthrough often requires a step of faith and vulnerability. Whether it’s standing up in a room, coming forward for prayer, or simply opening our hearts in a new way, God honors our willingness to respond. As we declare breakthrough over our lives, families, and circumstances, we align ourselves with the truth of our identity and the power of Christ to bring creative miracles and lasting change. [01:11:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Opening Prayer and Surrender
[01:30] - Honoring Leaders and Setting the Tone
[03:10] - Ephesians 3:20 and Audacious Faith
[06:45] - The Story of James and John’s Request
[10:20] - Seated in Christ: Our True Position
[13:00] - When Hope Feels Deferred
[16:30] - Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ
[19:40] - My Story: Trauma and the Longing for Healing
[33:24] - The Encounter: Jesus Heals My Heart
[38:21] - Testimonies of Heart Healing
[43:31] - The Enemy’s Attack on Identity
[45:46] - God Speaks and Moves in Power
[47:14] - Miracles Among the Youth
[51:03] - Faith in Action: The Hospital Miracle
[53:50] - The Father Wants to Heal Hearts
[55:06] - God Sees You: A Word of Knowledge
[57:14] - Responding to the Father’s Invitation
[58:17] - Prayers for Healing and Freedom
[01:00:57] - Releasing the Father’s Blessing
[01:03:41] - Letting the Father Minister
[01:10:11] - Invitation to Step Forward
[01:11:48] - Declaring Breakthrough
[01:16:35] - Ministry Time and Closing Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
- Ephesians 2:6 – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
- Matthew 20:20-23 – The story of James and John’s request to sit at Jesus’ right and left in his kingdom.
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Ephesians 3:20, what does Paul say about God’s ability compared to our own expectations or imagination?
2. According to Ephesians 2:6, where are believers spiritually seated, and what does that mean for our relationship with Jesus?
3. In Matthew 20:20-23, how did James and John approach Jesus with their request, and what was Jesus’ response? [27:48]
4. The sermon mentioned that many people carry wounds and traumas for years, sometimes without realizing it. What are some ways these hidden hurts can show up in our lives? [34:26]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon described how James and John dared to dream big but hesitated to ask Jesus directly. What might this reveal about our own hesitations to bring our deepest needs to God? [27:48]
2. The speaker shared that true healing came not from striving or trying every method, but from a moment of raw surrender to Jesus. What does this suggest about the role of surrender in experiencing God’s healing? [37:15]
3. The enemy’s main attack is on our identity as sons and daughters of God. Why is remembering our identity in Christ so crucial for our freedom and authority? [43:31]
4. The Father’s love was described as not just a concept, but a tangible reality that brings transformation. How does encountering the Father’s love break the power of shame, rejection, or self-hatred? [01:01:39]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon said that God can do “immeasurably more” than we ask or imagine, but the key is simply showing up with an open heart. What is one area of your life where you have stopped asking or dreaming big? What would it look like to bring that to God this week? [27:48]
2. The speaker shared about carrying trauma and pain for years before experiencing breakthrough. Are there places in your own life where you have been “holding the balloon underwater”? What would it look like to let Jesus meet you in that place? [34:26]
3. The enemy tries to make us forget our identity as God’s children. Are there specific lies or accusations you have believed about yourself that you need to replace with the truth of your sonship or daughtership? [43:31]
4. The Father’s affirmation—“You are significant, you are loved, I am proud of you”—was spoken over the group. When was the last time you received or believed those words? How can you let the Father’s voice be louder than other voices this week? [01:01:39]
5. The sermon described moments where people took a step of faith—standing up, coming forward, or simply opening their hearts. What is one practical step of vulnerability or faith you could take this week to invite God’s healing or breakthrough? [01:11:48]
6. The speaker mentioned that sometimes we try to manage or hide our pain instead of letting God touch it. Is there a part of your story or heart you have tried to keep hidden? What would it look like to invite God’s love into that place? [53:50]
7. The message ended with a call to declare “breakthrough” over our lives and circumstances. What is one area where you need to declare God’s truth and authority, and how can your small group support you in that? [01:11:48]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in quiet, asking God to show them any area where He wants to bring healing or speak His love. Encourage anyone who feels comfortable to share, and pray for one another as the Spirit leads.
Devotional
Day 1: God Can Do Immeasurably More Than We Ask or Imagine
No matter how broken or hopeless your situation may feel, God is able to do far more than you could ever ask or imagine. Even when hope has been chipped away by life’s hardships, God’s power is not limited by your circumstances or your past. He invites you to open your heart, to believe again, and to trust that He can pour life and blessing into places that have felt dead for years. Today, choose to believe that God’s goodness can break through, even in the places you’ve waited for healing the longest. [27:48]
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have stopped asking or hoping for change? Can you bring that area to God today and ask Him to do immeasurably more than you can imagine?
Day 2: Every Spiritual Blessing Is Ours in Christ
Through Jesus, every spiritual blessing has already been given to us—not just some, but every blessing. The work was finished on the cross, and now the invitation is for us to adjust our hearts and step into the fullness of what God has provided. Even when you feel unworthy or weighed down by past wounds, you are invited to receive all that Christ has made available. Let your heart believe that you are blessed, chosen, and loved, and that nothing can separate you from the abundance found in Him. [33:24]
Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"
Reflection: In what ways have you been living as if you lack God’s blessings? How can you intentionally step into the truth that every spiritual blessing is already yours in Christ?
Day 3: Our True Identity Comes from the Father
The enemy’s greatest tactic is to attack your identity as a beloved son or daughter of God. When you forget who you are, you may begin to believe the enemy has authority he does not possess, and you lose sight of your authority in Christ. Your true identity is not found in your wounds, failures, or what others have said about you, but in the voice of the Father who calls you His beloved. Only by receiving this identity from the Father can you walk in the authority and freedom Jesus has given you. [43:31]
Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV)
"And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"
Reflection: What lies or doubts about your identity have you been believing? How can you intentionally listen for the Father’s voice affirming who you truly are today?
Day 4: The Father Heals Broken Hearts and Restores Hope
God sees every wound, every trauma, and every place of pain in your heart. He is not distant or indifferent; He draws near to heal, restore, and bring life where there has been loss. The Father’s love is powerful enough to reach past your circumstances, your history, and even the places you have tried to hide. Today, let yourself be open to the healing touch of the Father, trusting that He can bring hope and wholeness to the deepest parts of your heart. [53:50]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Is there a place of pain or disappointment you have been hiding from God? What would it look like to invite the Father into that place and allow Him to begin healing you today?
Day 5: You Are Seen, Loved, and Called by God
You are not invisible to God. He sees you, knows your story, and calls you significant, precious, and loved. Even if you have never heard words of affirmation from an earthly father, your heavenly Father declares over you that you are valuable, capable, and chosen for a purpose. Let these truths sink deep into your heart, and allow the Father’s blessing to shape your sense of worth and destiny. [01:01:39]
Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"
Reflection: What is one way you can remind yourself today that you are seen, loved, and called by God, regardless of your past or what others have said about you?
Quotes
praise be to our Lord God Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ that's a fusion chapter 1 verse 3 how many of you know that every is a good word not some spiritual blessings in Christ through Jesus we receive every spiritual blessing in Christ so on the cross Jesus did all the work so in order for us to step into every blessing in Christ guess who it is that needs to adjust a little bit not him we get to adjust a little bit and we get to come into moments like this where it's like God I can actually step in I'm gonna make the decision to believe in my heart even though I'm wrestling with hope deferred even though I've been broken down even though I've been betrayed even though I've been slandered against even though my family's going through this my finances are going through this I'm gonna make the decision to show up with my heart and I'm gonna believe with my heart knowing that you can do immeasurably more hey [00:32:27] (53 seconds)
And I believe we were engaged at the time and we're sitting down and we're just kind of talking and we're sharing about our childhoods. And we already knew a lot, but not, not enough. We're talking and Sophie shares some things about her childhood. And I start sharing some things about mine, things that I thought were normal. Because when you grow up in dysfunction, you think that it's normal because it's all that you know, hey? So I'm sharing some of these things that I had experienced. And I watched this woman who I had just fallen in love with. She, she grabbed her abdomen and she keeled over and she began to sob. And she said four words, four words that actually transformed my life. This is what she said. She said, your childhood wasn't normal. And I understood in a split moment, I understood why I was having panic attacks every single day. I understood why I was chronically depressed. I understood why I was constantly anxious. And it wasn't long after when I realized it's like, oh, I have chronic post -traumatic stress disorder. I just didn't know it. And I'd been surviving all that time. [00:35:06] (63 seconds)
I'm sitting on my couch and I'm playing my guitar and I'm just spending some time with the Lord. And all of a sudden he spoke to me and this is what he said. He said, Luke, my goodness is going to pass before you today. And I was honest. I said, God, I don't actually know what that is. I know that's in scripture, but I don't, I don't actually know what that means. No word of a lie. You can believe me or not. I saw something in my peripheral vision and I look over and I see this man sitting next to me. You know, he wasn't glowing. Jesus didn't look like the King of Kings. He came lowly like the friend of friends. And I watched him as he reached over and put his hand on my heart. And it was like his hand went into my heart, into these deep places of hurt and trauma. And I began to weep. And let me tell you, that in and of itself was a sign and a wonder because when you grew up how I grew up, if you, if you didn't get hard and tough, you didn't survive. So I didn't know how to cry. And I started sobbing. I started weeping for two and a half hours. The powerful thing is, is that Jesus wept harder than I did for what I went through. A man of compassion, hey? That was the moment when Jesus healed me from chronic post -traumatic stress disorder. [00:37:14] (85 seconds)
When the enemy comes to tempt Jesus, every single time before he starts with a temptation, he says, if you really are the son of God, dot, dot, dot, and he goes on with his temptation. Jesus just received a blessing of sonship, and the first thing the enemy attacks is his sonship. The enemy's after our identity. See, when we forget who we are as sons and daughters of God, we forget that we have authority in Christ, and when we forget that we have authority in Christ, we assume that the enemy has authority, and we crown him with power, and all of a sudden, he begins to look really big, and we begin to look really small. [00:43:56] (39 seconds)
It was brand new for them. And as these miracles and healings were taking place, these youth, they were so astounded that they actually couldn't stay in their pews. They ran up to the front and crowded around and made this circle, and everyone who would step into this circle would get healed. It was astounding. I've never seen anything like it up till that point and ever since. There were girls there who, due to depression, they would actually cut their arms, self -mutilate themselves, and they had scars all up and down their arms. And we prayed over them in this circle. And after we'd pray, we'd rub our hands over the scars, and we would watch those scars just completely disappear. Thank you. [00:47:16] (43 seconds)
And some people might get offended by that and be like, well, what's the point of that? A few lines disappearing. What a pointless miracle. Are you kidding me? If God's erasing scars that were due to self -mutilation, He's not just erasing scars. He's erasing depression right off of their hearts. He is. There was one girl who stepped into the middle. She was born blind in one eye, and we got around to pray for her, and I grabbed this little nine -year -old girl, and I was like, come on, dear, why don't you pray for her? And this little nine -year -old girl prays over this 14 -year -old girl, and she prays over her eye. And we're like, open up your eyes. Is anything happening? She opens up her eye, and she's like, I can see, but it's really blurry, and I see people walking around like trees. Isn't that interesting? Hey, she didn't know that in the Bible, but we prayed for her again. God opened up that eye. She saw people for the first time through that eye. [00:48:21] (58 seconds)
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