prophet-mark

[prophet-mark]

When Addiction Grips the Soul: The Struggle for True Freedom

I’ve come to realize something that many people don’t fully understand until they’re in the thick of it: when someone is addicted—whether to drugs, alcohol, lust, greed, or any other destructive pattern—getting free is not as simple as it sounds. It’s not just about willpower. It’s not just about saying “no.” Addiction is a spiritual prison, and the chains often run deeper than we see on the surface.

The truth is, a habit formed becomes a life transformed. What may start as a small compromise or fleeting indulgence can quickly become a stronghold that reshapes our character, our choices, and our very identity. And once the door is opened—even just a crack—it’s all too easy for darkness to flood in.

The Bible speaks to this reality with sobering clarity:

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” — James 1:14–15 (NIV)

There are so many people today bound by things they never thought would control them. Sexual immorality. Impurity. Bitterness. Greed. Pride. These aren’t just moral failings—they’re spiritual entanglements. And the deeper they go, the harder it is to break free.

But here’s the hope: freedom is possible—just not in our own strength. True freedom doesn’t come from self-help strategies or temporary fixes. It comes from surrender. From repentance. From the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36 (NIV)

Freedom begins the moment we stop trying to manage our brokenness and start inviting God into it. It starts when we admit that we are powerless on our own and need a Savior who can break every chain. And He can. He has. He still does.

If you’re struggling—or know someone who is—don’t minimize the battle. But don’t despair either. There is grace for every relapse. There is mercy for every mistake. And there is power available to walk in newness of life.

Addiction is real. Bondage is real. But so is the Deliverer.

[prophet-mark]

Would you still be seen?

As the night wore on, well past midnight in my region, the Holy Spirit posed a question to me that I felt compelled to share with you (see picture below).

By the grace of God, we who have been chosen have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light

We who believe have been conformed to the image of Christ.

Romans 8:29 says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”

We no longer live but have become a reflection, a mirror image of our Savior.

Gal 2:20 AMP I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Now that we have been reconciled with our heavenly Father, let us put off everything that leads to death.

Rom 8:13 AMP for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.

And your answer is?

[prophet-mark]

Victory is already inside of you

Breaking the mold of addiction requires boldness and a genuine desire to overcome. No one has ever overcome a challenge without a commitment to do so.

Make that decision today to commit to breakthrough and put that commitment to work...

[prophet-mark]

I want to be found by you

My child, I have never hidden Myself from you, for I want to be found by you.

Matt 7:8 ..."Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for"... The gift of seeking will be given, this is the promise the Father shares with us today. "If you look for Me, you will find Me. If you desire to dwell in My presence, all you have to do is ask. Simply come by your faith, and you will find Me, for I have not hidden Myself from those who diligently seek Me."

[prophet-mark]

Listen to My voice

Listen to what I, the Lord your God has to say. Do not listen to the voice of man, it only serves as a distraction, do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you, but the voice of the Lord can be trusted, for it will sustain your heart as you follow My leading.

Seek Me out. Look for Me, for I want to be found by you. I AM not hidden, but standing in plain sight. Run towards Me. My arms are open to receive you. Comfort and contentment are all found in My presence. The radiance of My glory is My distinctive attribute. I AM recognizable, I AM visible, I AM omnipresent, so come... run towards Me.

Oh how gracious you are, for you have not treated me as I deserve... your love has always been unchanging, everlasting and faithful towards me.

Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 15:20 NKJV "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

[prophet-mark]

Be filled with the spirit of prayer

Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 09:40

To be filled with the fullness of God is to be fully conscious of and yielded to God's presence, strength, care for others, spiritual authority, moral excellence and character (holiness, righteousness, love). God wants us to be filled with his fullness both individually and collectively, as the Church of Christ.

Talks about the attitude in which we are to pray.

I want to reveal Myself to you, to show you who I AM and to demonstrate My power through you. In order for this to happen, you have to begin by setting all things aside that hinder you from seeking My face. You have to learn to enter into the secret place of My heart reserved for you.

Your "hunger" for more of Me is a desire I placed into you, but the time has come for the insatiable appetite you have to be set in motion. You cannot remain "spiritual hungry" without searching for the spiritual thing you desire.

My word, My promise, those who ernestly (conscientiousness) seek Me shall find Me, for I am not far off. (Matt 7:7)

▪Begin by praying in the spirit...

▪Humble yourself in My presence...

▪Seek My face...

▪Be filled with the spirit of prayer... prayer will overtake you, consume you, become you!

Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

[prophet-mark]

Things have to change

If we continue doing things the way they always were done, progress might not be as visible as when we step outside of what we have become accustomed to and dare to challenge the norm.

Jesus came to rescue mankind from an indifferent mindset, to free us from sin and condemnation and in so doing, he gave each one who would believe in Him the opportunity to be called a child of God.

Friend, religion will keep you wrapped up in self, but when we dare to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, something takes place on the inside of us, a transformation occurs, a suddenly happens and we see ourselves no longer as slaves, but free in Christ, confidently able to declare, we are in right-standing with our heavenly Father.

[prophet-mark]

Keep on going.

Even when faced with various obstacles, the end will always be greater than the beginning.

[prophet-mark]

Do we understand what God's love is all about?

Many years ago while ministering in Cape Town, I spoke about the love of God and what His love accomplished for mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ. When I was done, the pastor of the church stood up and said, "Mark always takes the easy way out".

At the time, I knew he was aluding to the fact that my preaching was not a deep theological expression as much as it was simply and an easy subject to talk about

Yet and over the years, I've come to understand the love God has for me and that His love for mankind is what the Gospel is all about, yet this unexplainable, compassion, changes lives in the most powerful way, even when it is most misunderstood, it's miracle power still accomplishes everything it set out to do.

I am convinced the church does not know or understand the true intrinsic value of the love our heavenly Father has for each one of us.

Our inability to express this love to one another is proof in itself that we have so much to learn.

[prophet-mark]

You will not be disappointed

My purpose in you is constantly unfolding, day-by-day, my word is accomplishing all that it set out to accomplish. Therefore, rest (dwell at easy) (be dependent on - centre on - be content) in Me. I am bringing all things together in you. Every facet of my divine plan is constantly unfolding in you.

In a vision I saw a blueprint been rolled out (unfolding) and on it, every step revealing another part of God's lifesplan for each one of you...

Yes, I am gathering the remnant, the souls of those who I have declared, the righteousness of God, to myself (See MHC Jer 23:1-8). I will sheperd those who have been sheperdless. (Jeremiah 23:3-4 NKJV "But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking," says the LORD.)

Fear no one, but the Lord your God! Be quick to do all the I ask of you. Run faster, move quicker, for the time is short, the day is coming to an end. Prepare your lanterns and encourage the people who I send you to, those who I have gathered to prepare themselves for the hour is at hand.

Behold the Son of man is already at the door!

[prophet-mark]

Is it not time to surrender our hearts to God?

There is a constant tugging of the heart, but surrendering to God seems afar off for many!

Holy Spirit always draws attention to the holiness of God in the believers heart, yet we continue to resist and the question is why?

Why do we hold back from completely surrendering our hearts to Christ? What is it that prevents us from obeying the gentle call of God? These are some of the questions that I have thought about and asked lately.

It never ceases to amaze me how blase we handle the free gift of Gods love, given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ and what the reality of His love would mean to those who would simply embrace the goodness of the Fathers heart towards them instead of resisting all the time.

1 Cor 6:19 TPT Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary.

The abundant life that Jesus talked about in John 10:10b is to live life in its abounding fullness of joy and strength for spirit, soul and body and is only experienced when we unconditionally submit to the Christ in us.

Perhaps we don't truly understand what it means to submit or to be obedient to God. Maybe we have become so self-centered that we forget the true position we now have in Christ.

Whatever the reason, the time has come that we who are called by His name, would choose to surrender our lives in true humility before God and in so doing, we will come to realize, we are indeed the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.

If you want to know where you stand in relation to this question, your prayer life will answer it for you!

[prophet-mark]

Rejoice in the Lord

Numbers 11:23 NKJV And the LORD said to Moses, "Has the LORD's arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not."

Rejoice in the Lord, for I AM with you, even to the end. I have never turned against you and have remained at your side.

People will speak out against you, those who I love thinking that they honor me by doing so. There self righteous acts shall come to nothing and shall be their judge.

Forgive those who sinned against you. Be still in My presence, allow me to heal your heart, for that which lies ahead of you is far greater than what is behind.

See I have spoken, and my word shall not return void, it shall accomplish all that I set out to do in you.

Psalm 40:13 NKJV Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me!

Psalm 40:16-17 NKJV Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" [17] But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

Listen to all that I instruct you, for now you shall encounter my word and shall see the salvation of the Lord. Rest in me. Soon you shall travel and my word shall be evident in you. Remain faithful. Be steadfast in doing good. Pray without ceasing. Seek (enquire of) the Lord your God always...

I will deal with those who rose up against you and cause them to see the error of their ways. Forgive and be healed!

[prophet-mark]

[prophet-mark]

[prophet-mark]

Let it go

Over the course of my life and the many years of ministry, I have seen and experienced both good and hard times. I have been hurt, broken down, criticized and condemned by the callous words of men, and most often from amongst my own peers. Nevertheless, during these years, God has loved me through it all and has used every situation I have ever faced to work on my character for His good.

In the process of my life, I have learnt to forgive those who treated me in this way and in so doing, I find myself confidently walking in the peace that only Jesus can give.

It's a fact, people will hurt you, and most often those closest to you, but God wants you to walk in the liberating freedom of the Cross and to forgive every judgement and condemning word ever spoken against you. My friend, you do well to remember, their ignorance is not your life!

Forgive those who hurt you, let it go, for when you do, the unspeakable peace you experience will cause joy to erupt from deep within you.

Today, Jesus wants you to know, those whom He has sets free are free indeed (John 8:36). So, let it go and walk in the freedom you deserve.

[prophet-mark]

Friday, December 28, 2018 at 09:24

Redemption

Is the redemption of your soul not more important to you than the constant obsession you have to continue in the sin you knowingly pursue.

The grace of God enables you to move beyond the soul destroying carnality of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [17] If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Colossians 3:5-11 NKJV Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, [7] in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. [8] But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, [10] and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, [11] where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Shared with Memoires for Android

[prophet-mark]

I belong to God

You are the everlasting inheritance of God.