Brothers and Sisters I want to share this with you. A friend of mine from way back when we were in school sent me this message in FB messenger and this was my response…Praise Jesus!
His Question:
Michael, you may not remember me. We went to school together. I’ve been places you have and had addictions. My question is how do you do it? Everything seems wrong and bad now, though I see how happy and well you’re doing? A little advice or guidance would be great!
My Response:
Hello My friend! The answer to your question: “How do you do it?” is this… I DON’T. JESUS DOES!
When I used to do it myself it would only work for a period of time and then I would fall again under my own strength! I found freedom from addiction and have been completely delivered from it when I surrendered my life to Him! I gave Jesus my whole self to do with me as He wishes to make me a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
My life had crumbled and I lost everything but instead of trying to get it all back I surrendered to Jesus and only sought him and then he restored my life.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
In my complete brokenness I cried out to Jesus and Surrendered to Him. And now I stay surrendered each new day. Sometimes I have to surrender many times a day and keep giving my cares and worries dreams and hopes to Him! In His hands I am good. In my own hands, I am headed for destruction. Once I realized this truth I was set free!
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
When I lost everything sitting in prison and Jesus was all I had that is when I realized Jesus is all I need! I finally surrendered my life to my creator and have allowed for Him, the potter and me the clay, to continue a good work in me shaping me and molding me into the image of His son. It’s all about reading the Word of God and believing it and then doing it and becoming it! Surrender to Jesus Christ, the Word of God and let God fill you with His Holy Spirit where there is POWER to overcome all things. Resurrection Power to have a Victorious Life! When you are operating or walking in the Spirit you will not be led by the desires of your flesh where addictions hide! You will be in the Spirit and your life will bear fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16-25 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
This is the truth that set me free and the reason I am living a life of happiness and joy! It’s not always great but is always good even when the bad times come because when those storms come my life has a sure foundation.
Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
The same feelings, emotions and stresses still come against me as the always have and always will. The same that used to drive me to drink and do drugs except now my feet are firmly planted in Jesus Christ my sure foundation and now I am not moved or swayed or swept away by alcohol, methamphetamine or cocaine. Instead of going to those substances that only bring temporary relief, I go to Jesus Christ and drink of the Holy Spirit which brings me back into peace! My cure is Jesus Christ! His rest is the cure for all my worries, anxieties, cares, stresses, hurts or concerns! Because I already know what He has brought me out of and delivered me from and I know that He will continue His good work in me doing more of the same! He is faithful!
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
You must Surrender to your creator and give Him back your life so He can complete His work in you changing you into the likeness of His Son! Surrender daily!
The reason why I have been successful at staying off alcohol and drugs is because I have chosen to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I made a decision to become His disciple! You see when I follow Jesus He leads me away from addiction and prison and into an abundant life!
Luke 9:23-27 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very soul? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Be blessed my friend! Become His disciple and follow Him!
Jesus is the Cure
Addiction is a cancer
A plague and destroyer from within
A common cold
Quickly to set in
Feeding on your light
Blood stained in the end
A life entangled in a noose
A soul chained to sin
Always waiting for an answer
To questions without end
Unable to understand
The unfaithfulness of a friend
Addiction is always calling
The spirit always pushed out
An ancient decision
A new way has been found
Addiction is planted
Seeds of wickedness sown
Evil spirits hidden in the drugs you use
The effects will grow unknown
An addict to be discovered
Will always arrive unawares
Will fall hard for the deception
Exciting fun was the snare
Once caught with a smile
The trap closes its grip
Now the game has changed
The addict put on the tip
The point of all confusion
A steady stream of lies
Unending sorrow
Flood of tears fill the eyes
Broken heart no surrender
No white flag in this sad song
Addiction is a journey
The way very long
Only to capture the moment
The day the lie is found out
Addiction can be destroyed
Call for Jesus with a shout
Scream for your savior
Yell for your soul is in doubt
Be plucked from your hell
For only Jesus is the way out
Salvation for all is now
For you the addict it is today
Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life
Only then can you be saved
Be baptized in repentance
In the water you shall lay
Be filled with the Holy Spirit
His Fire will burn your addiction away
Praise His Holy Name daily
For praise will stand the test
In Christ Jesus there is no addiction
In Him the cure is His rest
Addiction in you no longer remains
In its place now you are blessed
Jesus is the cure
In Christ Jesus you are your very best!
~ Reverend Michael Bowen