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Christina Cook Lee

Media Producer - Author - Blogger - Songwriter

Overcoming

Facing Reality

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Topic: Overcoming
Focus: Facing Reality
Acts 1:8 (NIV) (Jesus said) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
I have two sisters—one older and one younger. When I was around seven or eight years old we saw the movie Peter Pan on television. It wasn’t animated. It was the one with Mary Martin. It seemed so real. After my sisters and I saw Peter Pan, we thought we could fly, too. Except, we didn’t have a bedroom with windows as big as doors that you could ‘throw open’. We just had a normal window–not the kind large enough to stand in while we were thinking beautiful thoughts waiting to fly away. We lived in a little house in the country.
We had a big silver propane tank in the back yard. We loved playing on it. Sometimes it was a horse. Sometimes it was a UFO. It was whatever we needed it to be. What we needed it to be this time, was a launching pad.
We had a tractor tire filled with sand for a sand box next to the propane tank. In Peter Pan they had magic dust. We didn’t have any of that—but we had sand. So, we got in the sand box and sprinkled some sand on our heads and climbed up on the propane tank and started thinking beautiful thoughts. We thought about our birthdays—and Christmas. We were ready and waiting to ‘take off’, but nothing happened. So, we tried harder—thinking of every wonderful thing we could imagine—but still, nothing happened. I don’t know how long we were up there trying—but we never did fly. We were so sure we were going to—that we had taken rope and tied one end to our waists and tied the other end to the propane tank. So that once we got ‘up’ we’d be able to get back ‘down’. Ah, the faith and fantasies of a child.As the years went by, life took some unhappy turns for me. I learned another kind of fantasy. For quite a few years—running from reality was my way of coping with the mess I had made of my life. I kept myself medicated with various prescription tranquilizers, speed, marijuana, cigarettes, and lots of alcohol. If I stayed numb—things didn’t seem quite as bad—except they weren’t getting any better, either…far from it.(Read more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day
New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Surprisingly, I had a good career. I owned a couple of businesses and traveled all over the world. I had plenty of beautiful jewelry—five closets full of nice clothes, shoes, and purses. New cars. Fabulous homes. I had ‘everything’ materially speaking.

After several years of combining drugs and alcohol, my insides were raw. I was in and out of the hospital with ‘knife pains’ in my abdomen. I always carried a large bottle of Maalox in my purse. One doctor told me if I didn’t do something drastic, I was going to lose four feet of my intestines. I continued to drink and take drugs for a few more years. Prescription muscle relaxers ‘for the pain’ were added to my tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and alcohol.

My lungs were in terrible condition. I had serious respiratory problems and had to use inhalers all the time. Another doctor said if I didn’t quit smoking it was going to be disastrous. He said he had never seen such a bad set of lung x-rays for anyone my age in his life. He said I should not smoke one more cigarette. I was 24. I smoked for two more years.

I was in a lot of pain and hemorrhaging frequently. I didn’t seem to be able to help myself. I tried all kinds of things, but I just didn’t have the strength to quit on my own.

One day, in desperation, I was at the end of myself. I said, “God, fill me with Your Peace and with Your Spirit.” God had to have given me the words to say—because I had no idea what I needed. When I prayed that simple prayer, meaning it from the bottom of my heart—He came into my life in a whole new way. The heavy weight of all of the sins of my addictions and wrong choices lifted. The Christ I had accepted at the age of six in a salvation prayer became real to me in a way like I had never known before.

That day was the beginning of my life as an overcomer.

Declaration: I will find new strength and the ability to face reality as an overcomer by being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Peace.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Losing ourselves in Christ

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Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Losing ourselves in Christ

John 16:33 (NKJV) These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Fear of the future can find its way into our lives early on.

I was born in 1951 and in my childhood, it seemed like World War II must have been ‘long ago’–since I hadn’t been alive during the time it happened. At the ten-year anniversary of the World Trade Center attack, it was a stark realization to me that the mid 50s was truly the early aftermath of World War II.

Grasping that information gave me the ability to understand better why there was still so much reference being made to the World War II when I was young. There were some references I wish I had not been exposed to—but, many of the harsh realities were continuing to unfold.

It was at church where a slide show was presented, revealing some of the atrocities of the holocaust. The vivid black and white pictures on the big projection screen left a horrific impression on my young mind. I saw dead bodies piled high on a flat bed wagon. I saw people who were barely alive and starving from gross malnutrition. There were many images of the dead and dying–and of the severe chambers where millions of them were executed.

The idea of it all was so unthinkable. I couldn’t stop imagining the awfulness and how horrible it must have been for the families who were torn apart.

No wonder I had nightmares. No wonder I laid awake at night worrying that another war would happen and that my dad would have to leave us and go fight for our country. In spite of the sometimes scariness of his angry spells, the thought of not having a dad at all was just plain terrifying.

(Read more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

Way back in the beginning, God created a perfect environment for man and woman. It was His desire that they would live on earth in peace and harmony with Him–enjoying all of the magnificent things He had made. Everything was wonderful for a while. But, because of disobedience to God’s desires—people allowed sin and its effects to enter into the world–and things were never the same after that.

Later on, Jesus came offering new possibilities to those who would put their trust in Him. Near the end of His life in human form, John chapter 16 gives us the account of Jesus preparing his followers for the time when He would have to go away.

The talk He was giving reminds me of the comforting words my mother would say when my parents were about to leave us with a babysitter or our grandparents for a while. It was the assurance of her saying, “We’ll be back in a little while”, that I held onto until they returned and I saw them coming through the door.

Jesus was letting us know in this passage that we would face tribulation. It was no secret. He knew better than anyone what mankind was capable of. But, instead of letting our imaginations run wild–He was telling us to receive the peace He was able to give us by  ‘losing ourselves in Him’. He was saying, “In the world there is tribulation—but don’t live in the world—live in Me and live happy, because I have overcome the world.”

When we lose something—we have to let it go. Letting go isn’t always the easiest thing to do—even if it is the best thing. Losing one’s self in Christ means letting go of fear. Isn’t it about time we did that?

Declaration: Because fear of the future can cause me to be depressed and could drive me toward addiction, I will find new strength by choosing not to live in the world, but to live in Christ. As I lose myself in Him, His power will enable me to be an overcomer, through whatever may be ahead.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Reigning victorious

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Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Reigning victorious

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…

If you are serious about staying free, you’re going to have to recognize that what you have been battling is not just depression or substance abuse. You have been in a fight against the enemy of your soul. The fight you are in is not necessarily something you can see with your eyes. It’s a spiritual conflict.

What it all comes down to is gaining the understanding of the nature of your conflict and doing what you can to protect yourself with what God has given you.

Ephesians chapter six has some important instructions for people who want to live a victorious life. Part of the chapter is focused on proper preparation for the battle.

The Word of God says you are supposed to be strong in the Lord and in the great power of His strength. You are directed to put on a full set of armor, created from various gifts God has given you, so you will be able to resist the devil’s evil tricks. You aren’t fighting against people on earth, but against the rulers and authorities and powers that are part of this world’s darkness.

You are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil forces that would like to dominate the heavenly world. That’s the real reason you need to be covered with a powerful armor—provided by God Himself, for your benefit. If you owned a set of armor, but didn’t put it on—you’d be an easy target. So don’t be ignorant and leave your armor at home in the closet or under the bed. Put it on! Then you will be able to stand strong against the one who would like to extinguish the light that is in you.

If you fight the battle with your armor on—you will stand before God when the battle is over.

(Read more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

An important item in the armor you have been given, is a belt of truth. Truth is not optional in the battle you are fighting. It is not something you employ only when it is convenient. It is what you must learn to live by. It’s so important, that it is what will hold you together and create a covering for your mid-section. This belt is not a fashion item. It is a strong, wide, bullet-proof support that is impenetrable.

Another area that desperately needs protection is your chest. Your heart and lungs would be completely vulnerable if your chose not to wear the breastplate of righteousness. In a spiritual sense, your heart is the place where God dwells within you. Being covered with righteousness is what enables you to breathe in the breath of life that comes from the Holy Spirit.

You wouldn’t go to battle with bare feet, so it’s critical that you put on your Gospel shoes. Covering your feet with the  Good News of peace will help you be able to stand strong and walk without receiving an injury that could cripple you.

Your enemy has the ability to shoot at you with burning arrows. You have the ability to deflect those arrows by using the shield of faith. The devil’s darts bounce off your faith. The shield of faith is not the size of a trash can cover—it’s a field of the glory of God around you that evil can’t penetrate. This shield comes when you are surrounded by the presence of God. God can’t dwell where there is evil, so this should motivate you not to compromise your integrity.

You’d be crazy to face your enemy without a helmet. God has given you the blood of Jesus Christ as your salvation. This blood is powerful and will guard your mind, your will, and your emotions.

With all of your armor, you still need a weapon, so take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the living Word of God powered by the Holy Spirit in action.

Use your mouth to say all kinds of powerful, Spirit-filled prayers. When you use your tongue to speak audible words that agree with the Word of God, miracles occur. The power of God is unleashed through you and you have the authority of an heir of the kingdom of God!

Overcoming is more than staying away from the wrong company and influences…it’s employing all of the Spiritual tools available for you to stay in the battle and win. Your armor will prevent the enemy from stealing your soul.

Declaration: I will find new strength to overcome all of the attacks against me by operating in the full armor of God.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Planning ahead

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Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Planning ahead

2 Peter 3:17-18 (NKJV) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, it’s a time to be more determined than ever to keep making progress in recovery. Knowing the dangerous areas of the course you are traveling, can help you stay out of trouble.

This season is possibly the hardest time of the year to navigate and stay on track. You might have to face the fact that you just can’t accept every opportunity that is offered to you for socializing—especially if you know you will be confronted with too much temptation. It’s much better to plan your strategy ahead of time with your own best interest at heart. Be ready to decline invitations that would be wrong for you.

Many of the reasons people regress at this time of year are due to memories of other years and experiences that are painful to recall. What you have to remember is that the end of the year comes around every year. It’s something you’re going to have to find ways to cope with sooner or later, so you might as well get started. Make the determination right now that this year is going to be better…but also recognize it won’t be, if you don’t prepare yourself. When you don’t have a premeditated plan for success—in a moment of weakness, you might make the wrong choice and fail.

(Read more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

One way to have a better future, is to realize you have the potential of blowing it just as badly this year as any other year in the past. Let’s face it—it’s true. You have to be honest about reality. Depression and addiction are like a huge vacuum that can consume anything in its path. When you put yourself in the wrong place with the wrong people—chances are much higher that you’ll get sucked in.

What can keep you from falling this year is Jesus. If you spend time meditating on the gift of His presence—and what keeps Him present—you will understand how He can, and can’t protect you. Of course His power can protect you when you choose it—but when you ignore Him and deliberately walk into darkness—He won’t follow you there…you’ll be on your own. Jesus is ‘Light’. Light and darkness can’t dwell together, according to 2 Corinthians 6:14. You know you can’t make it without Jesus, so when you make the decision to walk away from Him, you won’t have His strength helping you to be faithful.

There’s no point in trying to prove anything to anybody. You are the one who will suffer most if you fail. The people you might think you want to impress, aren’t going to be impressed when you’re back at the bottom of the pit. The only thing you’ll prove is that you’re no different than they are, if you step back into ‘their world’. Don’t go thinking you’re going to show them how well you’re doing. Just don’t put yourself in that place at all—it’s not worth it.

Even if you make plans now to avoid temptation, be prepared for that unexpected moment of weakness. The enemy of your soul knows exactly where to hit you. He’s fully aware of your weakest point and he likes to take people by surprise. I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to be on your guard 24/7.

Start making new healthy traditions for yourself. If you have to spend some time alone as a result of turning down an invitation—make sure to have a plan. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Surround yourself with others who are Spiritually stronger than you are—not weaker. Look for a few things to do throughout the season that will build your faith. Keep yourself immersed in the Word of God and stay around other Christians who bring you encouragement. Most importantly, look for opportunities to do things for others.

Everyday of the season, try to imagine how you’ll feel mid-January. If you’ve been able to be strong without compromising or falling into despair—you’ll be able to approach the new year with more optimism. If you fall during the holiday season and have to start recovering all over again in January—you’ll be feeling like a loser and everything in your life will be harder.

I have to fight hard during this time of year, too. My first divorce was final the day after Thanksgiving. The last violent separation in my second marriage happened on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. I have many distressful memories of extremely desperate circumstances during the Christmas holidays. I have to lean into the Lord with all my heart during this season…so I know how hard it is. If I can do it—so can you. His grace is sufficient for both of us.

Declaration: I will find new strength by making the decision now to lean into the Lord—during the final weeks of this year. I will plan ahead and be determined to stay away from the wrong people and places. I will win and not lose this battle with the help of Jesus.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Finding the strength to be an overcomer

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Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Finding the strength to be an overcomer

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Even if you have the faith to believe you can be an overcomer, there will be times when you will face the temptation to reconsider the decision you made to recover from destructive habits and follow God’s ways.

God stands by you, with all of the power you need to succeed—but God likes to have you ask Him for help. He wants to hear you say you need Him. He knows you do—but He wants you to reach out for Him—and He wants you to live in a perpetual state of need—for Him. He wants you to be strong in your faith. Not strong in the sense that you know you are capable of doing anything—but strong in the sense that you know HE is capable of doing anything—and that with your hand in His, you can make it through this.

So, we’ve established that: 1) you need to have faith in order to please God, 2) you must stay in a place of perpetual need of His strength and power, 3) you must spend time diligently seeking God, in order to be granted His ongoing blessing. Sounds simple enough, right? Just three easy steps to being an overcomer. But, how can you have the faith you need in order to please God?

(Read more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

It may be impossible to please God without faith, but God didn’t make it impossible to obtain more faith. Anyone who doesn’t think they have enough faith to stay on the right track doesn’t have to worry, if they truly have the desire for more faith.

The way to get more faith, is to feed on scripture. That’s right, consume the Word of God to strengthen your spirit, just as you would consume physical food to strengthen your body. Jeremiah 15:16 says,”Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your Name, O Lord God of hosts.” According to that verse, consuming the Word of God will also bring you joy and the ability to rejoice.

Now, some people might say, “But, I don’t know if I’m ‘called’ by His Name.” Well, take this comparison to heart. When a person parents a child, the child is normally given the parent’s last name. So, the child is called by the name of the parent. If you believe in Jesus Christ—you are a Christian. In other words, you are called by Christ’s Name. You became His own when you chose to follow His ways.

Some people occasionally wonder whether God really loves them. If they would just bother to read His Word, they wouldn’t have any doubt how much He cares for them. It’s repeated over and over throughout the Bible how very much God loves and cares for those who have chosen to follow in His ways and be known as His own.

Some people might wonder why they don’t have the power to resist temptation or believe that God can give them a miracle—yet, they don’t find the time to read His Word and allow it to remind them of His power and might.

When we ignore taking time for Spiritual hygiene on a regular basis—making the effort to ask God for forgiveness when we fail—our attitude starts to stink. There are basic things we need to do to keep our spirit clean and healthy—in the same way we need to consistently pay attention to the cleanliness of our physical body.

Here are five verses to ‘feed on’, from Philippians 4:4-8:

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

In closing, Isaiah 65:24 says, “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

Declaration: I will find new strength to be an overcomer by cultivating faith through consuming the Word of God, staying in a perpetual place of need for Him, and spending time seeking God.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.

Stuff

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Topic: Overcoming

Focus: Stuff

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I have to confess there are some days when feel like more of an overcomer than others. I have been clean and sober since 1978…so, the things that test me these days are not drugs and alcohol. I have enjoyed many good years of sobriety and appreciate the quality of life I have without them.

My challenges these days are trying to grasp what is really important at this time of my life. Every stage of our existence is unique. We can always bring wisdom from the past along from one stage to the next…but other than that, a lot of things just don’t fit. Every stage of life involves acquisition and retirement.

Most people think of retirement as something you do when you get old enough. They assume it’s when you settle back and live on whatever you’ve managed to put away along with what you get from the government. But truthfully, some retirement happens each time we step from one stage of life to another.

(ead more below)

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New Strength Inspirational Statement of the Day

When you were small, your parents did a lot of your ‘retirement’ for you. When you were too old to play with certain toys, they had to make the decision about what would be put away in case more children came along, or what should be retired. Some things were shared with friends who had a child just a little younger than you were—or they might have been sentimentally tucked away…just because.

A lot of stuff comes along with childhood, so there was a lot of material ‘retiring’ to do during those years, as you quickly passed through shoes, clothes, storybooks, and other paraphernalia. But in addition to ‘stuff’, you also retired some of your behavior—and acquired some new.

That stage of your life was a time when you were constantly learning. You acquired new knowledge and understanding every single day.

During the teenage years, things might have gone a little crazy. A lot of things your parents thought you should have, might have gotten thrown out or hidden when your parents weren’t looking—and some things your parents wished you would get rid of, you simply wouldn’t part with. At that age, and all ages, people are trying to figure out who they are—so some things are just a mystery all the way around.

When you moved away from home and started living on your own, another process took place. You had to make more decisions on what was relevant and what was not. You wanted to be thought of as an adult and have your independence, yet there were some things you still weren’t ready to let go of that probably went along with you when you made the move.

Right now, you might still have some things that have been carted with you from one residence to the next that you rarely look at and you could actually live without, yet you feel an attachment to—or a responsibility to hold on to…a little longer.

I admire missionaries who have been able to part with everything to follow a long-term life’s calling to a foreign country. Could you do that? I know I would, if I had to—and so would you.

Some missionaries probably don’t let go of everything, but I’m sure many do. It probably is better for them to get rid of all of their material ties, if they truly plan to stay on the mission field permanently or indefinitely. That way, they wouldn’t be as tempted to just go back, if things got rough.

If someone was starting out fresh as a missionary in a foreign country with nothing, they would have to acquire the things they needed. Eventually, when they had ‘new stuff’, and acquired new relationships and understanding, they might feel like where they were, was more like ‘home’.

What is it about ‘stuff’ that makes us feel at home? And how do we make the decision what stuff is still relevant when we get older? I’ve never been very good at making those kinds of decisions, so that is my battle to overcome, at the moment. Truthfully, I’ve had more of an addiction to ‘stuff’ than I ever had to drugs and alcohol.

Declaration: I will find new strength by keeping my eyes on freedom. I will find encouragement in the example of brave people who have selflessly laid down everything in order to follow the call of God.

IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO NEW STRENGTH DEVOTIONAL BELOW, A NEW SEGMENT WILL COME TO YOUR EMAIL EACH DAY.

For music selections that will help bring hope and encouragement during your recovery from depression and addiction, https://www.youtube.com/user/NewStrengthMusic/playlists?sort=dd&view=1

All NEW STRENGTH posts are Copyright by Christina Cook Lee 2012. Please request permission to re-post or re-blog.