I get to work with:
(what the world would call):
child abusers
sex offenders
criminals
drug addicts
alcoholics
crazies
As a sinner myself, and one who knows the power Satan has and the victory that can be found in Jesus, I know that one day, these hopeless can be called:
(what Christ calls them):
free
forgiven
pure
transformed
more than a conqueror
made new
Satan is powerful. He uses whatever he can to deceive us. He convinces us that we are worthless, beaten down, and without hope. He is the father of lies.
"The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
Every day at my work, I see the power Satan has. But the truth, the truth that can pierce Satan and beat him, is that Christ is Lord. Christ is victorious. He has and always will have the upper hand. All He asks is that we call out for him, that we need him as we need breath, as we need water.
TRUTH is what wins out. TRUTH is how we beat our addiction. All of us are addicted to something. Some days we may think we are better than the drug addicts, the criminals, but the resounding truth is that we are not. We are all addicted to something- vanity, weight loss, porn, alcohol, being loved, being wanted, being perfect. Every day we walk in chains and our ONLY hope is Jesus.
We must seek truth to be the most desperate desire of our heart. Truth is found in the Word of God. Not just the pages of your bible, but its words, its meaning, the grace that whispers through it.
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE.'" John 8:31-32
If you have not ever heard of the book Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore, you should get it! It been a tool for freedom for me. In the book, you can read scriptures written as prayer. You can choose topics that may be on your heart and that TRUTH helps you to overcome such as: Overcoming Idolatry, Unbelief, Pride, Feelings of Rejection, Addiction, or Food-Related Strongholds.
I wanted to share a few verses, written in prayer form, that I think speak directly to us addicts, the sinner in all of us who so desperately needs truth.
"Father of mercies, no mater what I've done or how long I've done it, there is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2) Hallelujah! Help me to fully accept this truth."
"Father, as a believer in Your Son, Jesus Christ, I am under grace, not under law. (Romans 6:14); therefore, sin does not have permission to be my master."
"Because of Your great love for me, You, God, who are rich in mercy, made me alive with Christ even when I was dead in transgressions. It is by grace I have been saved. (Eph. 2:4-5)
"Lord, according to Your Word, I was once in darkness, but now I am light in the Lord. Help me to live as a child of light. (Eph 5:8)
"Father, help me to be confident of this, that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6)"
"Father, Your Word instructs me to put on the full armor of God so that I can take my stand against the devil's schemes. For my struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, help me to put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, I will be able to stand my ground. (Eph 6:10-13) Don't ever let me forget that I have a very real enemy who wants me in bondage. Help me to discern his schemes and take my stand against him in the power of Your Spirit."
May you be encouraged to fight for freedom, my fellow addicts, and know Christ our Lord as your savior and redeemer.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
