Not Just Recovered but Delivered Ii: He Is Able

NOT JUST RECOVERED

BUT DELIVERED II

He is Able

Dr. Anthony Lightfoot

AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2010 Dr. Anthony Lightfoot. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/01/2017

ISBN: 978-1-4520-3773-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-3774-5 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Foreword

Introduction

Clinician’s treatment protocol

Definition of a family

Socioeconomic constraints

Cultural Competence

Precautionary measures and aptness of family therapy

Stages of change and levels of recovery

Modality

God based deliverance

How to know yourself

Steps to Serenity

History of the Twelve Steps

What are the Twelve Steps?

How do people change?

Stages of addiction

Submit to the Process

Step One (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Two (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Three (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Four (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Resentment, Fear, Repressed or Inappropriately Expressed Anger, Approval Seeking, Caretaking, Control, Fear of Abandonment, Overdeveloped Sense of Responsibility, Low Self–Esteem, Fear of Authority Figures, Frozen Feelings, Isolation, Irresponsibility, Inappropriately Expressed Sexuality, Character Strengths, Additional Inventory, Helping each other in Worship, Helping each other to Obey, Prayer for Step Four

Step Five (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Six (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Seven (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Eight (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Prayer)

Step Nine (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Ten (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Eleven (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Step Twelve (Preparing, Understanding, Questions, Working, Prayer)

Epilogue

Glossary of Terms

Christian Self – Help Resources

Bibliography

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] Philippians 4:13.

Anthony Lightfoot D.Div.

Founder/CEO Divine Intervention Treatment Solutions

(213) 297-9252(Cell)

Alightfoot777@gmail.com (Personal email)

Dits9800@yahoo.com (Business email)

www.treatmentisdivine.org (Website)

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who want to be totally freed i.e. delivered from the bondage of Satan in reference to addiction or compulsion.

Foreword

I would like to begin this book with an opening prayer for all those who would read this manuscript and also for those whomever the reader comes in contact with that the glorious light of the Holy Spirit will shine and reign within their hearts and that He will do whatever miraculous work within that needs to be done in order for the Father to be glorified. Heavenly Father, I worship You as my Lord and King. I praise You that You are all – knowing and can see the end from the beginning. That You uphold all things by Your power. That You hold my life in Your hand. That You see my past and my future. I lift up to You all that I am and ever hope to be. Make me an instrument through which Your will is accomplished on earth. Use what I have for Your glory. Lift me up to see Your perspective that I may become who You would have me to be. Through this manuscript allow me to be able to apply the principles that I will not only be recovered but delivered; so that I may tell my testimony to someone else in order for You to get all the glory, the honor and the praise, and so that they can live without the incomprehensible demoralization that addiction/compulsion brings. Lift me up to rise above my limitations so that I will manifest the calling that You have put on my life. I don’t want to limit what You can do in me and through me because I don’t have an adequate vision of what Your heart desires to accomplish. Lord, help me to know You and Your will as it applies to me. I pray this prayer right now for every reader or contact in the name of Jesus; to you be ever glory, honor and praise – Hallelujah and thank God for deliverance!!! And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which He called you. And we pray that God, by is power, will fulfill all your good II Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT). To open this manuscript to where our God’s Son in heaven who is the Prince of Peace may guard your heart and mind throughout the reading of this material; I would like to pose four questions, which I would like for you to answer throughout your reading:

A. On a scale from 1-10 how is your relationship with your creator?

B. What are you actively doing to improve your relationship with Him?

C. What characteristics of the Spirit do you believe that you are lacking? (e.g. patience, tolerance, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, kindness, love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control).

D. How do you believe that you can acquire these characteristics?

Abstract

The reason that I am writing this book, as each of you readers will find, is to relate my testimony of how I have been delivered from crack cocaine, marijuana, phencyclidine, and alcohol. I have learned early on that the only way that I can keep what I have is by giving it away. This is ultimately an altruistic act. I do it of my own free will, absolutely not expecting anything in return or with any other ulterior motives than to help others.

I have found a process of living life more abundantly through Christ and the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This process of living is through being totally delivered i.e. transformed by the renewal of my mind (cf. Romans 12:1-2). My actions are dictated on what I am thinking about. Therefore, if I am entering optimistic/positive thoughts into my head, then constructive and helpful types of deeds will follow.

Finally, the reason for writing this book entails a gift from God because He is the only one who incited and furthered my insight towards putting these words together. I hope that the words on these pages will help someone to know that they not only can recover from this seemingly hopeless state of mind and body but they can be delivered, hence, giving all of the praise, glory, and honor due His holy and righteous name.

Furthermore, I have researched books and other materials that include information concerning recovery, self – help initiatives, and Biblical/Christian living works. I have investigated and made inquiries so that other ministries may benefit. For this book is not exclusively just for people with addiction problems; this book is meant to help anyone who wants to know themselves so that they can be of assistance to someone else who may be encouraged by their example. I believe that we are all connected. This means that if I am hurting my neighbor hurts too. If my neighbor hurts then I hurt. This thought also extends to benefits as well. Meaning that, if I am successful and wealthy (not only financially) then my advantage should be forwarded onto the next person.

This thought evolves from one of the great sayings of Jesus found in Matthew 19:19 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. For if I first love myself then I will not do anything that would injure or impair my life. Hence, if I love my neighbor as myself I will not damage or cause harm mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually to anyone else. Thank you and happy reading.

Introduction

This researcher has found for reasons implicated in this document that many individuals suffer from phenomena and/or diseases that are not so readily discussed in our society today. This is of course unfortunate because an individual cannot receive help unless he or she understands and therefore reveals to their self and another human being that there is a coexisting dilemma. Therefore, my reasoning for this book is to uncover the devastation that plagues many humans to further discover a new plan (i.e. way) of life. This is to first and foremost let them know there is a way out and that way is through the powerful deliverance supplied by the one and only Jesus Christ. For He says in His Word that I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

As stipulated and alluded to earlier my reasoning for writing this book is to reveal, remove and release society into greater realms of kingdom thinking. To reveal a new understanding of how to become totally delivered from any obsession that may insist its way into our perceptions. Second, to remove any hindrances that may block the manifestation of the Holy Spirit having its way. Finally, to release God’s people to further empowerment of kingdom building. This will in turn bring all of the praise, glory, and honor to our almighty and sovereign God in which He is so due.

For the bottom line is He is the only one that has the power to change us as we admit and submit to His moving Omniscience (all knowledge), Omnipotence (all powerful), and Omnipresence (everywhere at the same time). Now Lord, I ask for your being to indwell each individual that will grasp this book. Have your unconditional mercy and grace with them, through them and in them. To you be all of the glory, praise and honor in Jesus’ name amen and thank God.

The primary objective of this book is to give instruction to readers on how to find out who they are through Who He is, which can then show the reader what their primary purpose is to be and to do on earth. This will be shared in a general way from the author’s experience, strength and hope so that the reader will question himself/herself regarding what is the nature of his/her problem/sin i.e. disconnection with God. For the bottom line is: many people do not care about how questions relate to the person that they are asking but in a nutshell they are asking the questions to themselves so that they will be able to find their own truth. This truth pertains to how the individual may become delivered and not just recovered. In order to do this we need to find out what the root of the problem is; not just the surface issues or symptom concerns. This origin of the crisis that we are in came about when we were delivered from the womb. For the Holy Scriptures say in the Psalm of David that Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me Psalms 51:5 (NIV). This crisis has caused an alienation with the One Who took the time to create us in His image (cf. Genesis 1:26). And this alienation has also caused us to become disconnected with our Spirit, which has been the source of our irritableness, restlessness and discontentment. Therefore, what I propose in this book as the solution to the dilemma is to develop a relationship/connection (not religion) with God; so that our progressive alternative, which is to be happy, joyous and free will come about.

This freedom is ultimately from the bondage of self; that which keeps me hindered while always looking at how it affected me, how I feel and what I can get out of it. I intuitively know that life is not all about me but I cannot for the life of me stop thinking about me. I know that I am not much but I am all that I think about. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says on page sixty-two Selfishness - self centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self- seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate 1994 Serenity BBS®. Now a normal human being would realize that when I step on the toes of my fellows that they will retaliate. Therefore, rationally, if I do not want them to retaliate then I will not step on their toes. However, when I am thinking only on self I cannot or will not see how what I do affects others. This is the scope of this book that will show us how to not only think of self but to apply the golden rule to most situations. The golden rule for those who do not know it is to do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. Therefore, if you would not want someone to step on your toes then invariably you will not step on theirs.

In my view, the way that I am allowed to think of others more than or at least as much as myself is to enlarge my spiritual life. And the appropriate way that I have found to do that is by communication with God (i.e. prayer). Take for example, my relationship with my wife or my best friend down the street. I cannot increase or broaden my contact with that particular individual unless and until I expand or extend my verbiage with him or her. One thing that I would like to insert here is that Our Father God is no different. He wants to have relationship with you. In all essence and reality, this is why we were created. The scriptures say that He has set purposes and plans (i.e. vision) within us for us to prosper and not to fail (cf. Nehemiah 2:20 & Psalms 1:3) Moreover, these purposes and plans that He has set within us, He is exceedingly abundantly able to complete it (cf. Ephesians 3:20). This is done to give us a hope and a future with no end. I know that you reading this book right now have wondered What on earth am I created for? or What is my purpose/function in life? In a nutshell, you and I were fashioned to please Him and the only way that I have found in my experience to do that is by knowing what He wants, which goes back to communication (i.e. asking Him what He wants). When (not if) but when I do this I will be not only able to please Him by fulfilling my purpose but I will also feel like I have achieved my ultimate goal in life. For me, it has allowed me to be secured in who I am (e.g. not trying to please the next person while at the same time hurting myself – people pleasing).

Back to communication with Him; take for instance my car is broken and I do not know how to repair it, I will immediately call a mechanic in order to get my car back on the road. Let us also take for example if my television or sink stops working. Even though I as a man think I should have the answer for how to fix it, if I have not had any training in these particular fields that thinking will be absolutely futile. However, if I call a television repairman or a plumber he or she will have the answer to fixing it because he or she has accessed the knowledge through books and experience. Thus, the knowledge of the problem will become functional and he or she will be able to refurbish or mend the problem. Therefore, in order for you and I to gain knowledge of our quandary we will have to connect with the one who knows about us. If you have not gotten the clue yet, it is God who knows all about you and I. For He has all knowledge (omniscient) about you and I because He created us in His image (cf. Genesis 1:26). Therefore, He and only He can give us the steps that we need to take in order to be relieved of the problem of self, which is our character and personality. Through this book my hope is to help my readers to uncover, discover and discard the issues, situations, and/or circumstances that have come into our lives and that hinder us from becoming a whole (free) person.

I invite you at this moment to make a commitment to this process in order for you to have the skills to be who God has created you to be. Let us pray: Dear Lord, Sovereign Master, we come to you today as your children knowing that we were created in your image to become like you so that we may help someone else to do the same. Lord Jesus, we recognize that there are some things in our lives that are hindering us from our connection with you so we ask you right now in the name of Jesus as we go through this book that we will not flake or procrastinate in what you would have us to do in order to be in your will. We ask that you help us to uncover, discover and discard those things that have happened in the past that cause us to be worried or have resentments and anger. Let us now take on a new life in you with living water. Satan, we command you now in the mighty name of Jesus to take your filthy hands off of us. We do not belong to you any more, we are a child of the King and His name is Jesus, who is our Lord and Savior. We will not submit to any of your plans again but we will do what pleases the Father who is in heaven. Lord, help us to be totally committed to this prayer even when we do not feel like it. You know our hearts and that is to serve you. So Lord, we thank you for doing it all right now in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus amen and thank God. Now praise God for the prayer that you just prayed!!!

In the opening chapter of this book, I would like to first define the central theme of this book entitled Not Just Recovered but Delivered. To do that we must take an investigative look at what recovery as opposed to deliverance is. We as human beings have a lot of connotations, denotations, and derivations of similar words that simply are not the same, which means that if we study a text it would be an exercise in futility if we read without the same meaning. Therefore, it is my hope to clarify the distinction between these two important words represented here in this text. These words are: Recovery and deliverance.

In the Hebrew text the word hǎyǎh means to recover in the sense of revive in several contexts. For example, But when they had given him Joseph’s messages, and when he saw the wagons loaded with the food sent by Joseph, his spirit revived Gen 45:27 (NLT). This was an act to restore or stimulate his spirit from despondency. Other examples of individuals being motivated (i.e. brought back to life) are:

The LORD heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life I Kings 17:22 (NLT).

One day Israel’s new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria, and he was seriously injured. So he sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover II Kings 1:2 (NLT).

Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the body they were burying into the tomb of Elisha. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet II Kings 13:21 (NLT).

Isaiah had said to Hezekiah’s servants, ‘Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover’ Isaiah 38:21 (NLT).

However, in the Greek text we find the word eleutheroo, which predominantly means to set free, with the sense of being rescued, or delivered from. This is found in the verses stipulated here:

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:32 (NLT).

Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness Romans 6:18 (NLT).

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life Romans 6:22 (NLT).

For the power of the life – giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death Romans 8:2 (NLT).

All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay Romans 8:21 (NLT).

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law Galatians 5:1 (NLT).

All of these were examples of God doing for them what they could not do for themselves, which is being made free (i.e. delivered) from bondage into freedom. Freedom is something that we can successfully connect with as long as we have an intimate relationship with the Father. Having that intimate relationship with the Father is what makes the difference and totally encompasses what this book (i.e. recovery and/or deliverance) is all about. In my observations of the various treatment centers, detoxification facilities, and/or mental health institutions there is a pervading factor that seems to be an aura deriving from the participant’s spoken word of these places. That aura is once an alcoholic/addict always an alcoholic/addict. This in my mind tells me that the individual is defeating the purpose even before he or she gets started. It also takes away the advantage we have as believers in Christ Jesus. For the scripture so clearly states in Romans 8:36-37 that As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us Romans 8:36-37 (NIV). Also another favorite passage in the Holy written Word affirms that I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Philippians 4:13 (KJV).

Not to belabor the point but these scriptures really give me energy. They in actuality speak my Spirit mind. For they indicate what I as a man have as a blessing from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and not to me only but to all who love His appearing (cf. II Timothy 4:8). I believe that it all starts with accepting as true what God deems as accurate of His creation because He lives within you. For as the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states deep down in every man, woman, and child, is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of other things, but in some form or other it is there (pg. 55). We have this impression for good reason, which was given to us by Him; that He is there and that He will never leave us not forsake us (cf. Hebrews 13:5). All of this, as will be thoroughly indicated throughout this book, can only come through relationship. Not organized religion, but intimate connection, which dictates communication. Thus, prayer and meditation is the avenue that we need to travel in order to gain this closeness.

As indicated here in James 5:13 Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it. And those who have reason to be thankful should continually sing praises to the Lord James 5:13 (NLT). This prayer for the healing of the sick comes from the Greek text proseuchomai, which refers to the act of laying on of hands. This is indicated in the following verses:

These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them Acts 6:6 (NLT).

So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way Acts 13:3 (NLT).

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church and prayed for them with fasting, turning them over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had come to trust Acts 14:23 (NLT).

Our other word that is used for contemplation and/or consideration comes from the Greek text siah, which is a verb with the primary sense of to meditate, to ponder, and also to talk in a general sense. As we understand this scripture of Psalms we can derive that the Jews, like the Greeks and Romans meditated intensely upon the Word of God day and night. I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD! I will obey your principles. I cry out to you; save me that I may obey your decrees. I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise Psalms 119:145-148 (NLT). As it designates here King David the psalmist was an early riser, which perhaps contributed to his eminency. His day began with God, before he undergone any business or pleasure; his admittance was to pray and acknowledge Him in all of His ways, so that He could direct his pathway (cf. Proverbs 3:6).

I don’t know about any of you readers but I can definitely confirm that in my pathway I need for Him to give me an unswerving direction. Therefore, I will initiate this action by recognizing Him for who He is as my God, leader and commander. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Well as a matter of fact it is as uncomplicated as we allow it to be. Imagine that. Furthermore, when we accept and admit that He is our Almighty Power that can do anything but fail, which involves trusting Him; He permits us to rest all of our cares upon Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (cf. Matthew 11:29-30). And this is our comfort that whenever we pray day or night, He hears us because He through His unfailing grace gives us total access to His majestic throne. Therefore, we humbly bow before Him to first become familiar and acquainted with; for being God all by Himself, then we ask Him to please forgive us