For years, my Christian walk closely resembled brewing storm clouds. I seemed
to literally move from one storm to the next, never stable, generally confused
and struggling. I found that many Christians are in the same boat: buffetted
by the winds of circumstance, frustrated that they don't live in the peace and
joy God has promised them. Only as I've allowed God to work in my life have
I begun to really walk in freedom and live the abundant life He
desires for all of us. I have a long way to go-I am most assuredly a work in
progress!
On this page, which I intend to update from time to time, I want to highlight some resources and teachings that God has used to bring victory in my life, in the hope that the same resources will help and inspire others. No matter where you are in your walk with Jesus, even if you have strayed far from the fold, the promise of God is that He will complete the work He's begun in you, and lead you to triumph. "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6)
Two books that truly helped set me free in this struggle were Victory Over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker , both written by Dr. Neil Anderson. Dr. Anderson, a former pastor and professor of theology, is the head of Freedom in Christ Ministries, a ministry that seeks to equip believers to resolve, and walk free from, emotional and spiritual conflicts. Victory Over the Darkness, the first of the two books, gives clear, Scriptural instruction on who believers are in Christ, and how to be freed from the burdens of the past and false thinking. The Bondage Breaker addresses spiritual warfare, and shows believers how they can be freed from the deceptions that Satan tries to imprison us with by standing firmly on the truth and promises of God's word. The Lord used both of these books to bring me out of a great deal of bondage.
Another excellent work on the subject of understanding our identities as
Christians is The Search for Significance by Robert McGee,
the founder of Rapha, a highly regarded national Christian counseling
organization. McGee thoroughly addresses the idea of how we mistakenly base
our self-worth on the standards of the world, which is centered around
performance, rather than by the standard of God, which is based solely on
grace. This book is a good guide for those are suffering from life's losses,
such as career reversal or divorce.
Joyce Meyer, an internationally respected Bible teacher and conference speaker, also offers a great deal of teaching on our identity in Christ, in the form of audio tapes of her conferences and workshops. God has used many of her teaching series to bring growth in my life. A victim of abuse at a young age, Joyce has allowed God to work healing and maturity in her life, often through difficult trials and circumstances. One inspiring aspect of her messages lies in the fact that she has lived what she teaches. One of her best series that relates to our Christian identity is entitled Kingdom Living. This, and other teaching tapes, are available from Joyce Meyer Ministries.
Lastly, sometimes because of deep wounds in an individual's life, some require the guidance of a professional Christian counselor to help discover the freedom God offers. Such counseling must be Biblically based, using God's word as its guiding authority. Secular psychology can only offer answers that are, at best, incomplete. Some organizations that can point to such counseling services are Rapha, who may be contacted at 1-800-383-HOPE, and the American Association of Christian Counselors, who offer a number of resources for both counselors and counselees at their website. Focus on the Family offers a one-time, no cost counseling service. As well, their staff can help locate professional counselors in many areas of the United States. They can be contacted weekdays at (719)531-3400.
Last Update: 1/4/01
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