Once and for All (eBook)

INTRODUCTION

If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

C. S. Lewis

The goal of this book is to provide readers with the truth—the kind of truth that will set them free, as Jesus Christ promised: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32, NKJV). An addiction of any type is a form of bondage. It controls you and limits you. Picture a dog on a chain. He is outside, so he is somewhat free. However, he is not completely free—he can only go as far as the chain will allow. He can get a running start, but then bam, he is on the ground, stopped by the chain. Addictions are like the chain on the dog. They work the same way, hindering us and preventing us from living the full and abundant life God designed for us. They kill, steal and destroy us and those around us.

The truth, though, is that there is a way out. You can obtain freedom today! The foundation for getting free lies in God’s Truth and a faith-based approach. The key is to apply biblically based principles related to eradicating addictions and restoring your heart. This eradication and restoration is based on the life work of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the confirming power of the Holy Spirit. It is His work, not mine. Jesus Christ paid the all-sufficient price on the cross for you—Once and For All. Jesus Christ came to rescue, to heal, to restore and to set the captives free. Bondage is the opposite of freedom. God wants you free, completely free, as Jesus was completely free. He can take care of any problem, hang-up or habit you have. He said in John 6:63 that the words He spoke—they are spirit and they are life.

THIS BOOK’S BASIS: GOD’S TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

This book will allow the readers to increase their understanding and knowledge of the truth, increase their faith, and release the Holy Spirit’s power and anointing to eradicate and replace addictions in their life with the love of God. It is different from other worldly methods or processes available today due to the following reasons:

• It is based on Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit (it is God-made, not man-made)
• It eradicates the addiction versus medicating it
• It deals with the heart/spiritual issues behind the addiction and replaces them with God’s love and promises
• It provides biblically based truths for maintaining freedom versus coping with the problem
• It is simple and clear
• There is no condemnation for the addict—just restoration. Jesus never condemns. He came to heal, deliver and restore!
• It assists the readers up and out of bondage—into their God-given calling and purpose
• It emphasizes that today is freedom day—not tomorrow, next week or next year—today!
• Big God means Big Free!

I know for a fact that God’s word is truth and it works. Personally, I have been set free through it. I also teach a “Free Indeed” series based on these biblical principles, and I have seen them in action. As we minister to individuals with different addictions, the Holy Spirit confirms these truths that set people free. I have seen them applied not only to all kinds of addictions including, smoking, pornography, eating disorders, gambling, anger, fear, drug use, anxiety disorders, and a host of other issues. Whatever has you bound is coming off in Jesus’ name!

I want to be clear that this book’s intent is not to downplay or disregard other methods or plans that help individuals with addictions. Rather it is to provide a faith-based, biblically principled approach to addiction eradication, replacement and heart restoration. Any method that helps an individual overcome their addiction without countering God’s Truth should be viewed in a positive light. I consider all individuals free moral agents, the way God designed us, and I would not want life any other way. I believe that if you freely choose to walk through this process, God will honor and bless your efforts—so read on and get free!

THIS BOOK’S PURPOSE: HELPING YOU GET FREE!

The purpose of this guide is simple—Jesus paid the price for our freedom, so let’s get free! Several sections of foundational freedom principles and truths are included; perhaps you already know these in part or in full. They are provided to build and refresh your faith. The goal is to come up and out of that which entangles you and into your God given calling and destiny. This is not Michelle’s plan; this is God’s plan as He gave it to us in His Word. I am merely one of the megaphones He has chosen to use. He wants you free, and He is a 100 percent kind of God who never changes and never fails.

Please enjoy your reading, and remember, God never condemns you. Rather, He convicts you and desires that you to take His path, a better way to complete freedom today. God loves you. I smoked for over 20 years, and I tried many times to quit but could never sustain it. I never tried it with the truth and power of God, though. His way is different. It gets to the root of the problem. Until the root is removed and replaced, it will only drive you to stay addicted to whatever has you bound or even cause you to find a new addiction to something else. It will never allow you to be satisfied and fulfilled. The good news is that God always provides a way: “God is faithful … when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV). And what God does, He does forever! I am living proof.

INVITATION AND OPENING PRAYER

I would like to open your reading with the following prayer (please pray this out loud):

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, we welcome You to this place and into our lives. Holy Spirit, we ask that You prepare and open our hearts to receive the powerful and living Word of the Lord. Remove any thinking that isn’t in agreement with God’s ways and open our spiritual eyes and ears to hear and receive. We welcome You to heal, restore and deliver us; to touch our hearts, our minds, our emotions and our bodies today, in the name of Jesus. We thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your death and resurrection. It is Your blood that cleanses us from our unrighteousness and restores us. We speak to fear, anxiety and any enemy forces and render you useless in the name of Jesus. Father, release Your Holy Spirit of Life, Love, Liberty and Adoption to flow freely in our lives from this day forward. Lord, touch each person with Your presence, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK AND ITS COMPANION TOOL KIT

Using this book as a guide, you will gain insight into God’s plan for your life. His plan is for you to experience freedom, healing, restoration and fullness of life. When that happens to you, it doesn’t mean hard times will no longer come, but it means that you will go through them differently. They will not have the same effect on you that they once did.

Let the information presented in this book help you on your way to eradicating your addictions and experiencing the healing restoration of your heart. Each chapter contains various items that I hope you will find useful. The chapters begin with stories of individuals who have overcome their addictions. While your freedom process won’t be exactly like anyone else’s, I hope their testimonials will encourage you. They declare the mighty works of Jesus Christ confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you read the testimonials, keep in mind that although they may not talk about your exact addiction, the biblical principles and victories won can be applied to any addiction — even your addiction! Remember, too, that you have your own story to tell, and your story is going to change in dramatic and surprising ways. It will become more and more wonderful as time goes on, because God says “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

Spaced throughout the text are the Scriptures applicable to your walk into freedom. It is so important to read those, meditate on them, speak them, and apply them to your situation in life! There are also prayers written to serve as examples for you if you are not sure how to pray. The sidebars of encouragement and the bulleted lists visually highlight vital information, and I also share some special announcements with insights I know God gave me as I walked my way through this freedom process. I also hope you will find the FAQs and Liberty Tool Kit in the final chapter particularly helpful in adding clarity and ensuring you have applied the freedom principles. Finally, I provide a few appendices at the back for your benefit. They include proclamation cards that you can tear out and carry with you, each Scripture used in the text so that you have all the Scriptures at hand in one place, and a bibliography. My prayer is that the tools I have provided will speed you on your way to a victorious, joy-filled freedom.

What I do not want this book to become is a science or method unto itself. Turning it into a legalistic process won’t cut it. It is God’s power and presence that does the work, and that is available...