Tetelestai Recovery

The Last Word

As part of an ongoing prison ministry at Lansing Correctional Facility behind the razor wire, we discussed Tetelestai (It is finished) with the inmates. Together, we explored the truth and finality of the power of Jesus’ words which delivered complete healing, grace, and forgiveness to all of mankind.

Not only did it call an end to addiction, dysfunction, and criminal behaviors, but it created a starting point for the beginning of something new, powerful, and unexpected. On the third floor of an old stone prison chapel, we embarked on a weekly tour of Jesus words and works.  We explored, discovered, and embraced the expansive impact of His words, “It is finished!” into other areas of our lives where we still struggled.

There we found freedom, commitment, courage, grace, love, compassion, fulfillment, and the desire to face our ailments and our addictions head on and in a permanent manner. Christ’s grace and what he did on the cross cannot be undone and neither can his words “It is finished.”

We documented what we discovered in that old prison Chapel. We wanted to preserve for others the testimony of our experience with the power of Tetelestai.  Jesus’ word had enabled us to move out of a lifestyle of relapse, despair, hopelessness, and criminal behaviors. We were able to move into something life-changing, and life-preserving, just like Christ’s work on the cross. We were excited to share how Jesus made us each a new creation.

A Date With Destiny

Limitless


Numbers 11:23
“Is there a limit to my power?” the Lord answered.

You have invested your most valuable assets into the spiritual riches of God’s Kingdom. Your contributions of trust and loyalty are given freely to God and His returns never disappoint.

Unflinching faith comes to you like a divine download and you are often amazed by a sudden level of confidence which seems to appear out of nowhere.

You actively seek help from God because you know His power has no limit. As a reward for your humility and authenticity, the Holy Spirit infuses you with wisdom and power that far exceeds your natural human abilities.

You are able to accomplish things others have deemed unattainable and you give all the credit to Jesus who turned your impossibilities into possibilities.

You find that this realm of ‘ridiculous faith’ has proven to be the most exciting and fulfilling method of maneuvering through this human experience.

As a world of miracles opens before you, you scale to heights you never dreamed possible.  And as your confidence in God grows stronger, you see your life filled with the reality of His limitless power.

Tetelestai Recovery

The Eternal Mystery: Why Unanswered Questions Matter

We don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. In fact, sitting in the unknown is what keeps us intrigued and engaged. It places our curiosity on high alert and keeps us digging for more clues.

We enjoy stumbling through the vast expanse of the unknown because we love tapping into an intelligence that outpaces our own. We pray for a fresh word and feel certain there is always one on its way.

We make peace with our unanswered questions. We know they will serve as the driving force that keeps us captivated with the vast expanse of this great eternal mystery. 

What are some unanswered questions that you struggle with?

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Tetelestai Recovery

Conflict and Controversy

As we level up, we begin to realize how unproductive it is to spend time analyzing controversial topics or arguing over the meaning of obscure scriptures. We avoid the debaters and instigators. We steer clear of the loud, sweaty preachers yelling about sin and eternal damnation.

We choose rather to participate in worship services, recovery groups, and Bible studies that are surging with positivity and hope. Our fellowship gatherings serve as a recharging station where we plug into the power and become energized for the work ahead. We focus on encouraging the gifts and talents of fellow believers.

We remain open to new opportunities, even though we feel awkward outside of our comfort zones. We understand that fear of the unknown is an obstacle everyone encounters, but it need not hold us back. We stay open to change and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice, in response to the Spirit’s directives.  

Chapter 1, Leveling Up

A Date With Destiny

Embracing the Holy Spirit: A Guide to Spiritual Clarity

Happy Birthday 11/13



You know how to give good things to your children. How much more then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

Luke 11:13

The Holy Spirit has infused you with clarity of purpose and divine destiny. You maintain a higher level of spiritual perception because you listen to the Spirit and follow the instructions you are given. You have the mind of Christ and share His thoughts, ideals, and goals.

Your Spirit-controlled mind gives you a supernatural vantage point which allows you to view life from the divine perspective, outside of time, space, and human emotion.

You receive increasingly more light as you walk with Christ through the seasons of life.  Having the superior guidance system of the Spirit allows you to be in the right place, at the right time, making good decisions.

You deeply desire to live as the Spirit guides, because you want to do the right thing for yourself and those you love.

Spiritual directives come to you through divine insight and experience. You find comfort in knowing that the wisdom of Christ is gift from God rather than an academic accomplishment of your own human intellect.

You appreciate the strength of the Spirit when embarking on difficult journeys through forgiveness, regret, loss, and insecurity. You know that when your mind is controlled by the Spirit, the concept of faith is not difficult to comprehend.

As you continue to identify His thoughts and ideals emerging from your own mind, you realize that the Holy Spirit is truly yours and therefore, the possibilities are endless.

Tetelestai Recovery

Out of the Comfort Zone

It only takes a little faith us to get out of the boat and trust Jesus to keep us afloat. We want to stay in the safety of the boat where everything is familiar. We want to experience smooth sailing with no waves or winds. However, there is a little seed of faith inside which tells us there is so much more to life what we have known. We are certain that we have a destiny to fulfill. We know it starts with a single step…out of the comfort zone and into the unknown.

We take a deep breath, whisper, “It is finished!” to our fear of change and take that first shaky step toward the sound of His voice.

Name a time when you took a risk and moved forward despite the presence of natural fear?

How has that experience empowered you?

Tetelestai Recovery

Divine Destiny

We believed we were no longer damaged, dysfunctional, disease-ridden plagues on society. We sensed that our bodies, souls, and spirits were coming into harmony with our divine destiny. As light seeped in where the darkness had been, we saw things we’d never seen before. We understood spiritual concepts which had seemed confusing in the past.

Tetelestai Recovery

Feelings vs Truth

We know that our emotions can be a powerful force that affects us, body, mind, and soul. We also know that Jesus has made a way to escape being controlled by our feelings, which can range from pesky to obsessive or even frightening. We are told in the Word that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. This flies in the face of feelings which indicate something is wrong with us. Our feelings are no match for the Word of God. If the Creator of the universe says we are righteous, then our emotions have no right to dispute it.

We have been made right by the blood of Christ which was donated as a divine transfusion to heal us from the inside out. The emotions we feel, the sounds we hear, the words we say, and the images we see, must all defer to the words of our King who has decreed ‘tetelestai‘ (it is finished) over all that is wrong with us.

Tetelestai Recovery

Unrealities

At the end of the movie, while still experiencing these physical reactions associated with danger, the lights in the theater would brighten and the audience would stand to leave. Those feelings of tension, which had been so prominent a few minutes earlier, would completely disappear along with its physiological effects.

We were never really in danger, but our feelings responded to sights and sounds from the screen, rather than the truth of reality. Surprisingly, our physical responses quickly corresponded with our feelings, despite the fact that our emotions were based on unrealities.

A Date With Destiny

Trailblazer – November 6


Judges 11:6
They told him, “Come, and lead us, so that we can fight the enemy.”

God is always in front of you, guiding the way, clearing a path, and leveling the field.

Much like the football player who receives a handoff and advances up the field on a path cleared by his teammates, you run with the destiny you’ve been given. You remain confident that angelic forces are blocking the opposition and opening a path to the goal line.

With a sure win in sight, your life is filled with first downs, goals, and extra points. 

Eventually, when the clock runs out, and you leave the field, you will be met by your adoring fans from past generations who have been cheering you on.

Jesus will welcome you with a winning smile and enthusiastic praise for a game well played.