Walking in Victory

TESTIMONY
 
This testimony first appeared in the December 2002 Walking in Victory Newsletter.  The Author is still active in alcoholics for Christ today and now has 27 years sobriety.  It still carries a powerful message as to why we need to keep coming to AC and actively working our program, not only to maintain sobriety, but to continue to heal and grow our personal relationship with the Lord, as well as helping others that come along behind us.  This has been reprinted with permission from the author.

Why AC Still?

            I was recently asked by a friend why, after 19 years of sobriety, I am still attending “those alcoholics meetings,” and why I would still label myself a “recovering alcoholic “.  I told my friend it is because I still need the meetings.  After he had asked me that question I put a lot of thought and prayer into it and came up with the best reasons I could think of.

            Would you ever ask this question?  “You have been saved for 29 years, why do you still go to church?  You have been saved and washed clean, you are a changed person, a child of God”>  My answers are yes, I am a new creation, a precious saint of God and to stay true to my Jesus I attend church every chance that I get.  As Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version) tells us:
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

And, because the Lord requires it of me to stay in right standing and so others can not only lift me up in prayer, but so I stay accountable to those will keep me honest.  Also that if the see me in a weak state, they can restore me as Galatians 6:1 (NIV) directs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Next, I am getting together with others who know right where I am in my recovery, because they have been where I currently am walking and can guide me around the rocks and post holes (sometimes vast pits).  They’ve heard all the code words for “I am falling and need help getting back on solid and stable ground.  Where someone who has never had a real addiction problem would just tell me to pray and leave it at the altar and I’ll be fine, someone who knows the pain and the temptation will sit and not lonely listen and pray, but also share how they overcame.   And I can beat that problem too.

Revelation 12:11 (NIV)They overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Next, why do I consider myself “still recovering” after 19 years and use the term “alcoholic” – well, I’m still human; I still have a sinful nature and I am still tempter by the OLD ME- the flesh.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Corinthians 12:5-7 (New International Version)
5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

And last, my answer, to him would be there are a whole lot of people out there that not only don’t know who Jesus is but are dying, because of it and so are their children, and for generations to come!  They think that because of their addictions, they are spoiled goods to God, (like I thought that I was 20 years ago).  Then someone took my hand and introduced me to a man who ate and drank with the scum of the earth, and he showed me just what he did for me with his nail-pierced hands, lifted me and said He forgave me for all that I had done in mind or body; covered me and said don’t all into this sin again and did not then forsake me with clichés.  We all work out our own salvation through fear and trembling.  Now I still tremble real bad from time to time with what goes bump in the night, and it is comforting to me to have a human hand to hold when I need it and to be that same hand to someone else when they need it.  (Twelfth Step).

When will I be fully recovered?   When I hear “Well done, my true and faithful servant enter into they rest”, by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – my true, ever merciful and ever present “sponsor”.  May those who come behind us find us faithful.
MEG G 8/15/2002

April 12, 2010

My spiritual mentor asked my one day why I kept remembering and talking about a situation that happened a year ago. She pointed out to me that maybe I had not really forgiven the person who had cause the hurt and pain in this particular situation.  At the time I truly believed that I was the one who should receive an apology. I had prayed about this and talk to Jesus about it a ago so I thought it was case closed, forgiven and move on. Then my mentor asked me if I thought I had handled the situation with grace and love. O, Oh! I had to admit I didn’t, I was so hurt, I now realize that I probably had hurt her by my reactions at the time.  By my re-calling the matter in my mind and talking about it with my mentor, I realized that I had not really forgiven in my heart.    I wanted to be free of the mind game going on in this whole matter.  Since I had already verbally talked to her and apologized a year ago, I knew I had to pray and discus the matter with the Lord again.  

 During this time Jesus put this scripture in my heart about Matthew 5:23, 24. – “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar.  Go and be reconciled to that
person.  Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”  
Jesus asked me if this scripture said anything about who had hurt who? Oh! No it doesn’t. I realized that it says that who ever remembers first is to be the one to go to do the amends.  So, I felt that the Lord was leading me to write a letter and really put this into the past and move on. 

 “Dear Sister in the Lord,
Hoping all is well with you as you receive this card.  I believe the timing is appropriate
 for us to make amends.  I realize some of the hurt and pain you experienced last year
was my fault, for this I ask you to forgive me. I have been praying for you and your
ministry. I pray God will give you all of your hearts desires and ever more. May you
share in and receive all Christ Jesus has anointed you to accomplish in the Kingdom
of God.  I pray a greater blessing in all you do and I pray Jesus will manifest upon
you the gifts he has planned for you.  May the Lord always shine on you.”

After I had written this letter, I receive a wonderful letter from her in response and she actually said sorry to me.  Praise the Lord!  The freedom I received in my spirit through working this amends and Step 9 was so good and Jesus then blessed AC in Canada at our very next Promise Keeper Event we attended. 
“His promises are faithful and True”
Thank you, Jesus!
Robin Walker
Canadian Elder
 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The annual picnic is scheduled at a new location this year.  Please consider how you or your group would be willing to help.  We need volunteers.  Please remember that we take a love offering at this event and would appreciate any help that you or your group can provide, so that we can keep sponsoring the event.

PRAISE REPORTS

The first Barbeque at Tuesday's New Life Baptist in Fraser was very good! About 50 people showed up from various groups & the church. Many shared about what God has been doing, and recovery.  Praying that these types of events continue to grow us individually and as a ministry!

Pontiac’s, Thursday night live meeting was delighted to be invited to attend a special Saturday Night Easter Service at Bethany Pentecost in Lake Orion.  Betty Bridges and the rest of the “Amazing Grace Band” joined with the Church in providing a musical program focusing on Easter and the Ascension of the Lord.  It was wonderful to feel the presence of the Lord at this service and to celebrate His supreme sacrifice, so that we might be saved and forgiven of our sins, to experience eternal life in heaven.

Pontiac also celebrated our “13th Step” dinner this week.  We have a celebration, each time we complete the 12 Steps, and look forward to beginning again, and learning even more the next time around.  We celebrated with food, music, testimony and prayer. It was a great success.  Future dinners will be posted on this website, with an open invitation to attend.

This praise report was sent by: Ray K

Greetings brothers and sisters! The S’nite live! group, of Madison Hts., Michigan, had its first Easter dinner on the Saturday before Easter.  A splendid time was had by all!  Good food, good fellowship, and good music by the AC Brothers band.  This may become an annual event.

This April marks fifteen years since this meeting was started.  We thank the Lord for his many blessings along the way!  We hope you will come out and fellowship with us sometime.

                                                             God bless, Ray

The 2010 Women’s retreat was held in the National Office Building at 1316 N. Campbell Royal Oak MI.  About 40 women attended.  This was a first step retreat with emphasis of letting go of things that you have walled off in your heart.  Trusting God to heal you and help with the situations.  The retreat was a success with much prayer and sharing.  The special prayer rooms provided a personal touch and a real opportunity for healing.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We are grateful for all the Lord does in our lives.  You may call the National Office with any special needs or prayer requests.  Tammy will be happy to pray with you, and pass your requests on.

WHY NOT SHARE YOUR OWN TESTIMONY?

If you have a praise report, or If you have been blessed by AC Meetings, Retreats, or the Training Seminars
we would like to hear from you! Why not share your blessings with all of us, about what God is doing in your life?
There is no deadline. We will use them for the next upcoming Newsletter that is put out.

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PRAYING FOR YOU ALWAYS! GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SOBER!