The Power of God’s Grace in Nursing

Looks afreshat the availability of

Power and Peacefor ALL Nurses.

Expected Outcome

That every Nurse will be in a more secure position

• To re evaluate his/her own personal resources for peace and power.

• To share with Nurse colleagues what he/she has found of value.

• To more effectively manage stress and minimize the unintended consequences of stress in Nursing.

Telescopic View

The Heritage of Every NZRN

NZ Nursing LOGO

At the heart of Nursing in NZ

Is the Cross

Head That I will constantly pursue the study of the arts and exercise my knowledge to benefit those suffering and to disseminate such knowledge…

Breast The safe and sacred repository of confidential knowledge entrusted or divulged during sickness…

Hands Extended to help, comfort and relieve the sick and the suffering.

Knees Shall bow in supplication to the Almighty Creator for guidance and aid to succour

and relieve the sick.

Feet Shall not falter, loiter or linger when journeying to alleviate the suffering

of the sick.

NZRN BADGE 5 pointed Star.A star shines with clear brightness

NZRN BadgeSignificance of Colours

White Purity, glory, majesty, victory and completionRed Atonement for sinfulness.

Abnegation of self in the interests of charity = love of God for man.

Blue Royalty and wealth with loyalty and devotion to the sick

Gold Redeemed with faith purified, offering of service with constancy and wisdom.

The significance of each detail of the NZRN badge reflects the depth of thinking and commitment of our pioneer Nurses in making Nursing in NZ a profession

of quality.

JUST THINK NURSE!

In 2009

Do you know?

The Relevance of the

Gospel of Jesus Christ to

Nurses and Nursing and

Where can this be found?

The Relevance

of the

Cross

To

Nurses and Nursing?

ASK

“ASK, and it will be given to you;

SEEK, and you will find;

KNOCK, and it will be opened to you.”

Mathew 7:7

“Gospel” Means Good News

What then is this Good News of Jesus Christ?

and

Of what Relevance is itTo Nurses and to Nursing?

Covenant by Man

A Covenant is an agreement that is made between men for mutual protection, securing peace, friendship and promoting commerce.

A pledge is a promise given for security of debt; an assurance of integrity.

A Covenant is also a spiritual agreement between leader and people that is sealed by outward rites.

Covenant by GodA Covenant made by God is a spiritual

agreement for all peoples.

The Old Covenant was ratified by a blood sacrifice and prefigured the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The New Covenant promised in Eden, was proclaimed to Abraham, dated in prophecy, fulfilled in Christ, ratified by His blood, remembered in the Lord’s Supper and called everlasting.

Pledge of Spiritual Things

The Holy Spirit in the heart

“Now He who establishes us in Christ and has anointed us is God, who has also sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.

2 Corinthians 1:22

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing (Nursing) is God, who also has given us the Spirit as guarantee.”

2 Corinthians 5:5

Relevance to NursesJesus said• “And I will pray the Father, and He will give

you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive...”

• “But the Helper the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things...”

John 14:16, 26.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ to Nurses and Nursing

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

• For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

• John 3:16,17.

Saved From? Saved To?Condemnation from disobedience to

God’s laws written in man’s heart.

Salvation is personal deliverance from sin through the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Professional deliverance from collective sin through personal and professional repentance

National deliverance comes when the peoples of a nation choose to be obedient to God’s Word

Good News & Relevance• God’s unconditional love for everyone

• God’s free gift to every Nurse is His one and only Son the LORD Jesus Christ.

• A personal gift that has to be received.

• Whoever means anyone who believes in God’s Son will not perish but have everlasting life.

God respects each Nurse’s freedom to choose.

Relevance of Bible Blessings for Nurses

• “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book”

Revelation 20:6

• “Blessed are those who do His Commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city (of God).”

Revelation 22:14

Good News & Relevance

• God does not condemn anyone

• Jesus Christ does not condemn

• Jesus Christ came that all Nurses could be saved through Him.

Each Nurse has the freedom of choice.

Who Condemns What?

“He who believes in Him (Jesus Christ) is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”

John 3:18,19

Choice brings Responsibility

Each person, condemns him or herself when exercising the right not to choose God’s gift of Salvation.

The freedom not to choose salvation results in the automatic acceptance of the alternative option.

Each Nurse has the freedom to accept or reject God’s gift of full and free

salvation.

Nursing Challenge

A Misconception is either:

An uninformed decision or

A deliberate lieA

Standard isA measurement of quality control

Relevance for Nurses

How can any Nurse appreciate the relevance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if he/she has not read the Bible?

How can any Nurse repent or believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ if he/she has not heard the truth of the saving power of Jesus Christ that is freely available to all who come to Him?

Relevance in Practice

Nurses are involved with people in every sphere of life and perishing

• Prior to conception

• From conception to birth

• Throughout each stage of life and death

• In grief and in suffering

• Midst wellness or brokenness -mental-physical-emotional-spiritual

Nurses Standards

GodNurses set standards of practice According to the law and what seems best for Nurses and Nursing.

The sermon on the Mount, Mathew Chapters 5,6 and 7 clearly contrasts man made stands and God ordained achievable standards for personal and professional accountability.

Validity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

How can Nurses be sure of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus

Christ?

and

How can he or she test the validity of this good news for

Nurses?

Beginning: The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

• Historical proof is clearly recorded by the Scribes and Prophets in the Old Testament

of the Bible and is confirmed throughout the New Testament.

• Reputable Archaeological findings have verified Bible facts

Ask in Faith in God

Jesus answered and said “Have faith in God...

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive and you will have them.”

Mark 11: 22-24

Justice in God’s Covenants

1st Covenant with man (Adam and Eve) gave absolute freedom with the request to respect and honour the need for one small restraint with knowledge of the consequences of spiritual and physical death.

Man’s choice to enter into temptation resulted in failure and spiritual death in life.

.

Covenants Cont.

God’s next and subsequent Covenants with man proved His justice and His mercy for each person according to the choice he or she made or makes today.

The birth of John who was to prepare the way and the birth Jesus Christ, are clearly documented revealing God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His Covenants.

Luke 1:68-79

Authority of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God as it is written in the Prophets:

“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.”

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the LORD,

Make His paths straight.’” Isaiah 40:3

Recorded by Mark 1:1

Disciple John’s words

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

“...Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

“... He who is coming after me is mightier than I...”

Mathew 3:2, 7,11.

Relevance to Nurses

REPENTANCEthe

Pre-requisite

To entering Heaven, the Kingdom of God.

Conception of Jesus Christ

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus...

...And of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Luke 1:30-33

Birth of Jesus Christ

Mary’s concern ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man.’

Response of the Angel of the LORD

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:34-35

Confirmation of Holiness

Joseph, betrothed to Mary and being a just man and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. The Angel of the LORD intervened

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

And she will bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from sin.

Mathew 1:19-21

Covenant and Prophecy Fulfilled

“Behold, A virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” which translated means “God with us”.

Then Joseph...took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son and he called His name Jesus.”

Mathew 1:23-25; Isaiah 7:15

Physician Luke Clarifies John and Jesus

John was the result of the prayers of a righteous husband and wife Elizabeth who was filled with the Holy Spirit only after she heard the news of Mary’s conception thus John was filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb.

Whereas Jesus was the result of the Holy Spirit anointing Mary’s womb when the Power of the Highest overshadowed her.

Luke Chapter 1

Genealogy of Jesus

• Mathew chapter 1 clearly documents Jesus’ maternal lineage from the book of genealogy to His birth.

• Luke chapter3 documents Joseph’s lineage only after Jesus commenced His ministry at 30 years of age when, as was supposed, he was the son of Joseph.

Relevance for Nurses Nurses are now in a position to base their decision-making on proven historical facts as opposed to:

A Philosophy which is a branch of knowledge or academic study, a particular system of thought or doctrine.

Mythology that is based on a figment of the imagination>myths, legends, folklore, and tradition.

Jesus Obedience to Holiness

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

John tried to prevent Him, saying “I have need to be baptized by You...

Jesus said “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”

Mathew 3:2,13-15.

Outcome of Obedience to God’s Will

Then Jesus when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water and behold the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

• Mathew 3 :16-17.

Relevance to Nurses

No Nurse will have the confidence to believe in, and draw on the Grace of God’s Power, or the Power of God’s Grace in the practice of Nursing, unless convinced of its reality

Nurses who do not have a convinced mind will not be able to edify and effect much needed change in nursing.

Relevance to Nursing

Rather than being able to critically analyse Nursing Theories, situations or research, many Nurses listen to ‘whoever’ and sadly, the more persuasive their talk, accepts it with little, or no thought or

consideration, to the overall outcome.

The mind of Nursing will always be as healthy and active as the collective mind of every Nurse, whether new graduate or retired or between, the two extremes.

Relevance to Nurses and Nursing

What would the outcome of obedience to God’s Word by each Nurse be in her/his home?

What impact would each Nurse’s obedience to God’s Word have on the Nursing Profession and the Health Services as a whole?

Jesus said “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be

added unto you”. Mathew 6:33

“ComeCome to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Mathew 11:28-30

A valid question by Nurses?

How Would Nurses benefit

If they chose

to COME to Jesus in faith?

Jesus Christ’s Invitation and Promise

• “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.”

John 7:37

• “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”

Revelation 21:6

Specific Assurance

• “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and life abundantly”

John 10:10

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

John 12:46

Bread

• “I am the bread of life.”• John 6:48

• “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

• John 6: 51

Light

“I am the light of the world.

He who follows Me

shall not walk in darkness but

have the light of life.”John 8:12

God’s Intervention in Nursing

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to the Father.”

John 14:12

Application in Practice

Methods are essential elements in Nursing and yet they tend to make us less secure as people and as professional Nurses.

Why?Because rigidity, like a creeping

paralysis, tends to blunt the sensitivities and instead of an acute, comprehensive versatile approach narrow specialization takes over.

Culturally Sensitive Approaches

Decision-making is a relatively easy process but implementation is a most taxing and sadly too often unrewarding exercise.

Culture is imbedded in religion and religion is integral to Culture

Decisions, approaches and methods are generally made more difficult due to the complexity of multiple cultural and religious overt and covert influences.

Fear

Fear (of making a mistake) is perhaps the key, most well guarded and suppressed emotion that limits effective barrier crossing in every area of nursing from decision-making to implementation.

The desired/expected outcome being effectively diverted by stress levels that culminate in burnout and less than optimum patient-staff ratios due to Nurse attrition for what-so-ever reason.

Relevance of Freedom and Liberty for Nurses

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

• Galatians 5:1

“For you, Nurses have been called to liberty, only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Galatians 5:12

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men –

As free yet not using your liberty as a cloak for vice, but as servants of God.

Honour all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.”

1 Peter 2:15-17

Relevance of Freedom and Liberty for Nurses

Good News for Nurses

“Therefore, if the Son of God makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

John 8:36

The Cross?

• Without the Garden and the Cross all of Jesus words would have been no different to those of any other prophet or great teacher who has lived and taught in this world.

• The purpose of Christ’s birth and life were to culminate on the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross of Calvary(the place of the skull).

•

A garden is a protected, cultivated place. Gethsemane means an

‘Oil Press’.

• Jesus began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed as He went out onto the Mount of Olives into the garden:“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful

and deeply distressed”.

“O My Father, if it is possible, let thiscup pass from Me; never-the-less not

as I will, but as you will.”

WHY?

• We have glimpse into the depth of the mental, emotional and spiritual suffering as God the Son prepared to meet once for all time God the Father’s righteous demand for man’s disobedience, my sin and yours.

• “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it,

Your will be done.”

OIL

• Through prayer the LORD Jesus Christ wrestled with the reality of our, sin that would destroy us without mercy.

• Every atom of His life was being squeezed as the olive to give us the pure oil and fragrance that would enable each Nurse to grow in holiness in the midst of life in a world burdened with sin, suffering and sickness.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is costly.

It cannot and has never been achieved through good works.

Forgiveness requires a completely changed – transformed – heart.

The price for our sin was paid on Calvary when the man Jesus and God the Son paid the ultimate by willingly offering His life blood for each person.

Cost

Jesus Christ wasBetrayedMocked and RidiculedScourged and whippedAccused by false witnessesJudged by the educated, religious and political leaders of the dayFound to be without faultExchanged for a murderer & insurrectionistCrucified between two thieves.

Mercy on the Cross“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Luke 23:34

Jesus care for His mother at the cross gave dignity to ‘woman’“Woman, behold your son!” and to the Disciple “Behold your mother!” and from that hour he took her to his own home. John 19:26-27

Repentance finds Mercy

The repentant thief “ LORD remember me when you come into Your kingdom.”

Jesus reply “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Luke 23:42-43

Christ Gave His Life

• Pilot: “Do you not know that I have power to crucify You and power to release You?”

• Jesus Christ “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”

In Control to the end

• Darkness covered the land as Christ took the whole burden of man’s sin alone. Mark 15:34

“My God, My God why have you forsaken Me?”

• “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit”, and having said this He breathed His last. Luke23:46

Mystery and facts The Grave & Beyond

• The grave was carefully sealed and constantly guarded

• Yet Christ rose out of the grave clothes.

• The stone was rolled back

• Jesus was seen, recognized by voice and appearance, taught the disciples.

• His Assention to Heaven was witnessed.

• John chapter 24

Relevance for Nurses• Nurses are now in a position to exercise

his or her own faith to:• Explore further the Bible to understand

more the character of God , His plan for him/her

• Repent , ask God’s forgiveness and receive this in the LORD Jesus Christ, and also to receive the ‘Helper’ the Holy Spirit who will teach all things.

• Know the sustaining and overcoming power of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ in his/her life.

Relevance for Nursing

The light of Christ will shine when Christ is accepted as the advocate working through Nurses in the system.

The Mind of Christ will bring new attitudes and approaches, deeper understanding of knowledge,

The Helper, the Holy Spirit will enable Nurses to achieve higher levels of competence with peace.

Eternal Salvation

Begins with new meaning and relevance as Nurses execute their

professional ministry of Nursing with love and compassion.

Will be strengthened within each Nurse through hope and assurance of

God’s unfailing presence now and for ever.

Fear will be overcome.

A New Song in Nursing

Nurses will rejoice as more excellent ways of meeting the complex

challenges of Nursing are realised.

Patients and their families will experience a fragrance in Nursing that brings quietness, confidence

and peaceful assurance.

Co workers will find new meaning in the peace that prevails.

The Power of God’s Grace in Nursing

Begins and ends at the

Throne of Grace