L.I.F.E. MINISTRIES (eBook)

A Biblical Approach to Overcoming Addictions

Michael R. Dixon (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022 | 1. Auflage
286 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
978-1-6678-6660-4 (ISBN)

This is a forty lesson Christ centered addiction recovery workbook based upon the Truth of the Bible. This workbook can be completed individually or as part of a support group, such as L.I.F.E. While addiction certainly has a physical and a mental component, there is also the most important spiritual aspect to an addiction. In order to address the spiritual aspect, one must turn their attention to our Creator. God reveals to us, through the Bible, how we were created to live and how we can live life abundantly. L.I.F.E. stands for Living In Freedom Everyday. L.I.F.E. Ministries is a 501c3 nonprofit that ministers to those struggling under addiction. This workbook is the curriculum to the LIFE program which is based upon John 10:10, 'I have come to give life and to give it more abundantly.' Jesus

This is a forty lesson Christ centered addiction recovery workbook based upon the Truth of the Bible. The author draws from personal experience of how he has found healing and deliverance from drug and alcohol addiction through a personal relationship with God. While reflecting upon his own recovery, the author draws from the scriptures teaching us biblically what God says about our addictions and how we can overcome them in the power of God. God tells us that an addiction, in whatever form it may take, is idolatry. We become controlled by someone or something other than God. We were never created to live our lives for anyone other than God. When we look to God in faith, dealing with our false gods and casting those idols down, we can experience a power we have never known before. A power to save, heal, and deliver. If you are ready to stop listening to the voices around you and to begin renewing your mind with what God says is true, this workbook can be a tool leading to your deliverance and healing. Throughout the pages of this book are the life transforming testimonies of others, just like you, who have taken this journey and are forever changed.

Living Abundantly

Week #1

Would you prefer many blessings in your life or only a few? How about money? Recently the lottery system in North Carolina has been overwhelmed with huge jackpots, sometimes over 1 billion dollars, and long lines of people in stores trying to purchase tickets. So, based on that response I think it’s safe to say that most people would like to have an abundance of money. This L.I.F.E. curriculum is about abundance. Our focus is to help people experience the good life, the full life, the abundant life that only Christ can bring. Reason with me just a moment, since God created us shouldn’t He be the first one that we turn to for direction on how we should live? I mean, God had a purpose and plan in mind when He created us. Interesting enough, this abundant life has nothing to do with how much money you have or how many toys you own. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Rick Stanley, the younger step-brother of Elvis Pressley. I remember Rick sharing with us his experiences growing up as the younger brother to Elvis. At Christmas, Elvis would bring home motorbikes, toys, and all kinds of expensive gifts for everyone. Elvis seemed to have it all. He was rich in wealth and recognized around the world. Yet, Rick said that he would often hear his brother say, “I’m lonely. I’m not happy. I’m struggling.” You see contrary to what so many believe, it’s not wealth or even being an iconic figure like Elvis that brings a full life. Let’s begin our discussion today as we think about where this abundance can be found. We will continue to look at this subject during the next two weeks.

Listen to the words of Jesus:

John 10:10 (ESV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came

that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Based upon that verse the thief comes to do what three things?

1. _______________________________________

2. _______________________________________

3. _______________________________________

Has the enemy been successful in your past in fulfilling one or more of his intentions? How? Please explain:

There is clearly good and evil present in this world. The battle between the two is evident and clear. The enemy desires to destroy and Jesus comes to bring us life and that we might “have it more abundantly.” Abundant life offered by Jesus! I searched for that “life” for many years before coming to Christ for what only He could provide. You probably have as well. I tried so many things to try and fulfill a hunger I seemed to have deep within and nothing seemed to satisfy me for very long. The drugs and alcohol, the immoral lifestyle, the partying and life of crime, only brought me pain and trouble. I am excited to share with you in this lesson my experience that has ended my search and brought to me real life in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-12 (ESV)

“for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”

There are two words in verse 12 above that speak of abundance. What are these two words?

1. ___________________________________

2. ___________________________________

God doesn’t want us to simply survive but He desires that we actually thrive! You were actually created to thrive. Isn’t that good news? Often when I ask people, “How are you doing?” I hear the response, “Well, I’m making it.” “I’m getting by.” “I’m surviving.” Wait! That doesn’t sound like abundance of life to me! Today we will discuss the first thing that’s needed for you to experience the abundant life of Christ:

#1. FAITH

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 3:7, “we have been comforted about you through your faith.”

What do you think faith means?

The word faith is translated from a Greek word which means, “trust,” or “firm persuasion.” Where do you ultimately place your trust? What is it that you are convinced is completely trustworthy? Paul found comfort in knowing that the people to whom he was writing had placed their faith in the right place. He identifies the object of their faith in 1 Thessalonians 3:8, “you are standing fast in the Lord.” This means that they were trusting God’s Word to be completely reliable and trustworthy.

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

According to Psalm 119:105 God’s Word is referred to as:

#1. _____________________________________

#2. _____________________________________

Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread

alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’”

According to Matthew 4:4, we need more than physical food. What else do we need?

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

As we place our faith in God, and live our lives trusting Him, God is pleased and we are blessed. Faith pleases God but faith also places us in the proper position in life to experience God’s abundance. You must have faith in what God says in order to live victoriously in this abundant life. Grab these promises from God with your faith:

Romans 8:37 (ESV)

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

How can trusting the above verse aid you in recovery?

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

That is a promise from God! You can trust God and every promise He has ever made. How does 1 Cor. 10:13 give you strength to stay clean and sober?

Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

We are called what? ___________________________________________

Decide right now what will be the object of your faith. Are you going to continue to trust in yourself, your own ability, your own will-power, and self-determination to change? How has that worked for you in the past? Have you experienced long-term sobriety? Will you trust in man-made theories and philosophies to walk in victory? Listen to how God describes programs and methods that are void of His truth:

Romans 1:22 (ESV)

“Claiming to be wise, they became fools…”

God offers you all you need to be forever changed! He does not tell us that change will be easy but He does promise to give us all we need for change to be realized.

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

“as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

Fill in the blank: “His divine power has given to us ____________________ that pertain to life and godliness….”

Take advantage of all the resources God has placed around you to aid you in recovery. Become active in a Bible believing church. Plug into the available support groups. Mediate on the prayers and steps that are taught. Do your homework. See your therapist or counselor. Do everything you can to stay clean but don’t leave God out! Make sure that your number one priority is to have faith in what He says above all else. His Word is the foundational truth that we will look to together through this program.

A word of testimony:

“I started experimenting with drugs throughout high school. I ended up getting pregnant. I got really sick and was prescribed pain pills as well as other medications. I stayed on the pain pills for two years. I became addicted and my addiction led to heroin. I ended up losing full custody of my son. After I lost my son, I wanted my life back. I went to outpatient treatment and they prescribed me more medications. Honestly, the medications I was prescribed were worse on me than the drugs I had become addicted to. I began to self-medicate again because nothing else was working....

Erscheint lt. Verlag	22.9.2022
Sprache	englisch
Themenwelt	Geisteswissenschaften ► Religion / Theologie ► Christentum
ISBN-10	1-6678-6660-5 / 1667866605
ISBN-13	978-1-6678-6660-4 / 9781667866604

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