I remember well when I said “Yes” to forgiveness. Bitterness had tormented for years. It contributed to depression and anxiety as I rehearsed all the negative and hurtful things a certain someone had done to me. I didn’t see my condition as bitterness or unforgiveness – I saw it as self-defense. I thought I was protecting myself from future wounds. So I reminded myself often of what they had done so I wouldn’t let myself get too close and be wounded again.
“I forgive them from my heart”, I said, after watching this short film. It worked like magic.
All of a sudden that person became human again. They were no longer demonized in my mind. I recognized that they were a broken person in need of grace and forgiveness just like me. What I perceived as a mountain of offense suddenly became a mole hill. I began to see how they were suffering and because of their own pain and dysfunction they ended up wounding others. As the saying goes, “Hurt people, hurt people.”
“Nobody gets away with anything. Everything bears consequences. I’m not asking you to excuse what he did. Im asking you to trust me to do whats right and know what’s best. Forgiveness doesn’t establish relationship. It is about letting go of his throat.”
The Shack
Forgiving others means letting go of our resentment and surrendering our thought for revenge. As pointed out in an article from the Mayo clinic, “Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you.”
Forgiving actually set the forgiver free.
Here’s the miracle: I found that when I forgave, it not only healed my heart, but it also protected my heart from future wounds! The person didn’t change. They still said hurtful things and treated me the same way but now it was like water off a ducks back.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a solid book about forgiveness then I would recommend picking up Reckless Grace by Bill Vanderbush and Brit Eaton.
Searching for a Faith That Works, with Bill Vanderbush
Have you ever been seeking advice from a pastor or a counselor and posed a question framing it with, “a friend of mine struggles with…” and it was really about you?
Yup. I did that… in this interview. This talk became my own personal sermon and it was extremely helpful (and I am sure it will assist you in your faith journey with God as well). In this interview I wanted to get at the heart of what God would want my faith journey to look like. I’d also like to stop sabotaging myself and running away from God in fear.
Bill Vanderbush pastors Community Presbyterian Church in Celebration Florida right outside Disney World. I had previously interviewed Bill Vanderbush about a book he coauthored with Ted Dekker called The Forgotten Way. Check that Interview out here! He also tours about the country speaking at conferences.
Bill Vanderbush Spoke at Accelerant Conference
Bill came to Green Bay Wisconsin on May 17th through 19th, 2018 to speak at the Accelerant conference held at Elevation Church!
Accelerant: a substance used to aid the spread of fire.
The intention of the Accelerant Conference is to take an existing flame, Christ in you, and turn in into an inferno. So that you, the burning bush, will “burn faster and brighter and hotter and better than ever before. The purpose isn’t to start or spark a revival but to sow into an existing move of God that we recognize is happening”. – Bill Vanderbush (Conference speaker)
It was said of Jesus that he would baptize (“immerse”) us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Jesus once said, “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!” (Luke 12:49)
What did he mean by this?
Well, knowing Jesus, if he wanted the world on fire, then this HAS to be a really good thing!
As you seek God, may your heart be filled with expectancy (Not Expectations!) of what God might do to bring transformation in your life. Yes, I know it takes courage to actively move toward change. But you can trust the Changer (Jesus) to move you into something far better than you’ve ever known before!
Searching For a Faith That Works with Bill Vanderbush Interview Show Notes
How do we stop sinning and living a life pleasing to God?
How do we cultivate a close relationship with God and other believers?
What is the difference between Scripture and the Word of God?
Why do people (I) self-sabotage?
What do you say or pray for someone who seemingly has no spiritual hunger?
What does it mean to be under the jurisdiction of the New Testament?
Scriptures we discuss:
2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NLT)
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
Years ago after reading that verse about looking for teachers to suit their desires. I had the thought that what our ears itch to hear is something hard. Some rules that we can keep or some hoops to jump through so that our ego can be involved in our own salvation.
It seems that the truth of the Gospel is that we rest in the finished work of Christ we don’t add anything to it. Jesus, whose name means “I AM Salvation” is the author and finisher of our salvation. Jesus leaves no one out. He left no sin out. It is our choice to embrace this new life Jesus offers us and get established in his love and the Fathers embrace. To fan into flames the love of God within us.
As Paul wrote to Timothy,
“I remember your genuine faith . This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:5-7)
The conversation begins with us talking about Ryan’s friendship with Bill Vanderbush who I interviewed in Sozo Episode 0003. Bill was an influence and contributor to Ted Dekker’s book The Forgotten Way and is a regular speaker at the Kingdom Culture Conference and also at the upcoming FREEAccellerant Conference at Elevation ARC facility in Green Bay on May 17th through May 19th. (Visit Elevation website for details)
Ryan and I discuss topics such as what it mean to be “in Christ“?
“You are royalty! You are amazing! You are the Light of the World!”
Do you see yourself this way? Are you operating in your true identity?
Ryan answers the question, “What is the purpose of the church?” We unpack what the New Testament and Jesus says about our Apostolic mission as believers and about the five fold ministry to equip the church to do the work of the ministry changing atmospheres wherever we go.
THIS is why Elevation Church is Building the ARC (Apostolic Resource Center). A place to Come, Get Equipped, and Go!
Come to learn your identity in Christ. Get Equipped to discover your particular purpose and function in the body of Christ. Go be ministers of reconciliation in this world and transform the world in your own spheres of influence.
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
Ryan and I also talk about the church wounds that have caused many to neglect meeting together, or even giving up on church entirely. How do we refrain from taking offense? How do we embrace the forgiveness that will bring healing? As a believer, you have been given authority by Jesus to forgive and bring healing to the world!
Enjoy this conversation with Ryan Kibbe! I trust it will help you learn how to fully enter into and engage a growing community of faith. We want this for you! Jesus wants this for you! The benefits are worth the risk!
I pray that you will come to fully experience the essence of the Kingdom of God in your life and home which is defined by Scripture as:
“Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit”!
More about Elevation Church Green Bay:
A New Building Space of Elevation Church Apostolic Resource Center (ARC)
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure Rediscovering The Forgotten Way of Yeshua
In this podcast we are talking with Bill Vanderbush who cowrote with Ted Dekker on their Magnum Opus, The Forgotten Way. (Bill is responsible for the Meditations in the book and the Study Guide.) This book is very significant to the Awakening that is (and has been) coming to the body of Christ!
I started to notice a change in Ted Dekkers Novels when Outlaw came out. “Wow, this is different. What happened to Ted?”
It seemed a shift had occurred in Ted’s life and I told my wife at the time, “Ted Dekker is going to be a critical player in the next Great Awakening”.
The following novels, the Outlaw series, encouraged me even more. And then A.D. 30 and his follow up book A.D. 33
Finally I had the opportunity to meet Bill Vanderbush at a conference and picked up a copy of The Forgotten Way. We hit it off right away, went out for coffee, and had some great conversations.
He taught on how to listen to Holy Spirit and “prophecy” – to reveal Jesus by strengthening, comforting and encouraging others as we speak the same thoughts God has for someone.
You want to see something fun?
My wife Catherine and I went to the 2017 Kingdom Culture Conference in Green Bay. After teaching about prophecy most of the sessions, and especially on the last day, the speaker Bill Vanderbush decided to put it into practice by calling some people up front to “prophecy”. My wife Catherine was one of the first to share that night. Then our good friends Kyle and Emily prophecy over Bill!
Here is the whole definitely-worth-your-time talk with Catherine sharing at about an hour in (link to where she starts):
“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV
Prophecy then is a divinely inspired word of revelation (which literally means unveiling – WOW! – that’s the very word Catherine received in her prophecy!) straight from the heart of Jesus that “strengthens, encourages and comforts”.
Would you be surprised if I told you that Prophecy has little to do with “telling the future” or “the end times” or giving a “thus saith the Lord”? (I would highly recommend not trying the last one. It is bad practice for New Covenant saints).
Revelation 19:10 actually tells us that Prophecy is to “reveal or unveil Jesus”, to speak what he is saying. It is giving a clear witness of Jesus. Listen to this:
“Worship God, because what Jesus is saying is the spirit of prophecy!” Revelation 19:10 ISV
Here are some other ways the verse is translated:
“…the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” NLT
“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” NASB
“For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” NIV
Bill Vanderbush tells a story about how he once told a meeting, “You all have Jesus THE Prophet living in you. That makes you all prophets.” The empowered people of God he then brought up from the crowd to minister amazed him with the heart of the Father revelations they brought by the Spirit.
So, how can we learn to hone and use this spiritual gift? Well, desiring it seems a great place to start!
“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives–especially the ability to prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT
Here is where you can pick up The Forgotten Way on Amazon:
