Greed, lust, strife, envy, deception, and fear were familiar to us. Generosity, honesty, loyalty, wisdom, honor, and humility existed outside of our comfort zone. These traits seemed unattainable for those of us who seemed so deeply damaged.
We sometimes felt it was impossible to be comfortable in such unfamiliar territory.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
Within these words of Jesus, we found our stability. We stopped beating ourselves up for failing to accomplish what no human could. We realized our New Normal was a gift from God. We could not force it or coerce it. We would not need to use our old manipulation techniques to con Him into giving us a new life.
Thankfully, our old ways became so frustrating and futile, we finally let them go. We felt like gymnasts on the uneven parallel bars. Releasing our grip on what had previously stabilized us, sent us reeling wildly in mid-air, hoping to catch hold of the new life when it came within reach. We grabbed at anything and everything that might be it.
As we called an end to our addiction, using Christ’s words, “It is finished,” our recovery took root and began to grow into a new life filled with promise. We began to detect subtle changes in our thoughts and behaviors, but they often fluctuated so rapidly, we sometimes wondered if they were real or imagined. We understood that the development of our new life would take time, but the changes we had hoped would happen quickly seemed to be taking forever. Many of our old habits, which we desperately wished would vanish, continued to linger. And some of the expectations we set for ourselves just weren’t happening.
However, we also noticed that some of our undesirable behaviors that we previously accepted as normal (or just being human) had disappeared without any effort on our part. In fact, there were some attitudes and mindsets which were so deeply ingrained in our personalities; we didn’t even think they could be removed. Yet, they disappeared without a trace, and we knew it was a God thing.
Say, “It is finished,” (John 19:30) in agreement with Jesus.
It is the only scripture you need to know. It covers all the bases when you can’t think of a specific one to claim over your particular issue.
Speaking scripture creates a vocal vibration of God’s thoughts, generating power which can impact both the natural and spiritual realms. Speaking the words of God into the atmosphere brings change to any situation.
We found such truth and freedom from this Greek word that we began using this concept as the basis for a faith-based Recovery program which offers permanent freedom from addictions and other life dysfunctions.
Tetelestai is a complete sentence. It is a prayer, a command, a statement, and a prophecy of what is to come. Call for the power of Jesus final word from the cross to come alive in your life. Whisper it softly; shout it loudly; sing it; say it; use it. His words will change your life.
In the original language of the New Testament, the phrase “It is finished,” was translated from the Greek word Tetelestai. I was introduced to this word one day when I was well into my fourth year of permanent healing from addiction. I didn’t realize at the time that I was entering the phase of my recovery that would prove to be permanent.
It was through this word that I started to delve deeper into the power of the last words of Christ “It is finished.” I discovered the power of Tetelestai, during a year-long court battle which had been a residual consequence from my old life. The day I appeared in court to hear the verdict and receive my sentence, I claimed this scripture and the word Tetelestai over my case. I was relieved by the peace it held and became willing to accept whatever God had in store for me, even if it meant a year in prison.
I prayed this scripture and acknowledged the fact that God had already redeemed me. He had made me a new creation by healing me from addiction. As I was praying that morning, God was working on the judge. He gave the judge an insight into something that no one else had seen. To everyone’s surprise, he dismissed my case, and I walked out of there a free man.
We all knew that Jesus, my advocate, was at work in that courtroom. I also know that He delivered the insight into my judge’s mind around the same time my wife and I were praying that morning. When the verdict was given, it seemed as if Jesus said, “’It is finished! Let my servant, Marc get back to handling the work I’ve given him to do.”
I suffered from anxiety all my life and didn’t know what to call it. I self-medicated with drugs and alcohol, which only made the problem worse. I ended up hitting bottom in the worst way and was facing prison. Thankfully, I didn’t run. I did my time and that is where I met Jesus. I continued progress after my release and recently celebrated 17 years clean and sober.
Since leaving prison, God has placed people in my path who would help me in my journey. One was a doctor who understood addiction and provided me with safe, legal, non-addictive medication that relieved my anxiety. Later, God brought a man into my life who was also in recovery. He had found Jesus and sobriety while incarcerated several years earlier and was currently hosting AA and NA meetings in our local jail. We eventually married and now enjoy a life that is better than we ever imagined possible. We owe all credit to Jesus who gathered up our shattered lives and restored us to sanity.
Through our journey and subsequent prison ministry, we wrote the book, Tetelestai Recovery: It is Finished, which details our journey into the freedom and recovery found in the final words of Jesus, “It is finished!”
“The water continued to go down. By the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains could be seen.”
(Genesis 8:5)
You are a grateful person who sees logic and organization in the way God sets precise timing for each moment of life.
You do not spend your days lamenting the past, or worrying about the future. Instead, you choose to live in the moment and wait for God’s signal to tell you when the time is right to move forward.
You can see in nature that seasons change according to God’s plan and perfect timing. Seasons of dormancy usher in new growth and seasons of harvest give way to times of rest.
By waiting for God’s guidance, you can rest assured that your progress will be sure and steady. There will be times of waiting. There will be times of forward movement. Each step is scheduled for a specific season in your life which has been prearranged by God.
You do not squander your life away by overwhelming your days with busyness. You enjoy each and every season, knowing that change is constant, and timing is everything.
You observe the stress and pressure on those who view time as an opponent to be overpowered, rather than a friend on which to lean.
You rely heavily on God and His timing to give you guidance and structure. You are relieved that there are times of waiting and preparation because this insures you do not have to take on everything at once.
You realize that some of the seasons of life are like the bitter winds of winter. These days are difficult and hard to endure. Sometimes the waiting is unbearable, but when the time is right, a warm gentle breeze breaks the icy chill and ushers in the colorful array of new growth.
Therefore, you practice gratitude. You know that is what will get you through the difficult seasons when days are dark and minutes pass like hours.
Even though the waiting may seem endless and harsh, you know that if you wait for God to move first, you will always be in the right place at the right time.
“They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege to participate with us in service to the Lord’s people.”
(2 Corinthians 8:4)
You understand the value of teamwork and are a firm believer in the increased productivity which results from having unified goals.
You excel at inspiring group participation. You are gifted at organizing projects and are known for being able to generate a sense of camaraderie amongst your colleagues.
Not only do you share your inspiration, but you also share your success. You never keep the accolades to yourself. All team effort is received and enjoyed equally among all who participate.
In this passage, the believers wanted to joined forces with the early church leaders to help the ones who were struggling with financial, political, and legal issues because of their faith. The problem which began as a crisis, ended as an outrageously profitable experience for all involved. It was a windfall beyond their wildest expectation. This teamwork provided a sense of satisfaction and purpose for everyone who worked together for the common good of all.
This one event gave these young believers a solid sense of reliance on Jesus and on each other. This would serve them well in the years to come.
Like those trailblazers of ancient times, you value the bonds of trust which develop through teamwork.
You are not afraid to ask for help. You thrive on brainstorming and problem-solving endeavors. You are energized by the camaraderie of joint efforts and you thrive in collaborative groups.
You are a capable, dedicated teammate. You are also competitive and intense. You love to see your team win. You are you are passionate about victory celebrations and love to share in the rewards for a job well done.
“So, the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth.”
(Genesis 8:3)
There are times when you are ready to move into a new phase of your journey, but you have not been given the signal that it is time to move forward. Like Noah waiting for the water to subside, you may have to be patient and wait before taking the next step.
As the anticipation about an exciting new project build, the wait can sometimes seem unbearable. However, without a signal from God that the time is right, an otherwise successful mission might become a disastrous mess.
If Noah had skipped the waiting period and began unloading the ark as soon as the rain stopped, the passengers and animals might have all perished in the flood waters.
While the ark was not the most desirable place to be, it was the safest. It may have been quite smelly and dirty, but it was the right place for Noah to wait. In time, the waters receded, but it was a gradual process which required great patience.
Even though the waiting might have been tedious and boring, it was necessary. Noah may have been ready, but the earth was not.
Similarly, you also experience times when you are ready to take on a new assignment, but the new assignment is not ready for you.
Although waiting is often more difficult than the work itself, it is an essential element in your success.
“With praises from children and infants you build a fortress, silencing your enemies. All who turn against you God, are left speechless.”
(Psalm 8:2)
Praising God creates a solid force field of protection around you, no matter what the circumstance. You know that simple, childlike praises are often the most powerful.
Based on this verse, the praises of a His children are the building blocks from which God constructs protective barriers.
You know that praises do not need to be wordy, well-written or complex. A simple, “Thank you God,” “I love you Jesus,” or, “What an amazing sunset you’ve created!” is all it takes to silence the enemy and render the forces of darkness speechless.
Finding Total Recovery in the Words of Christ, "It is Finished!" 