New Wine Testimony: Jade

I had given up drinking at 21 after being baptized and remained free from drugs and alcohol for 12 years but when my wife left me for a close friend I was a really broken man. I decided to open the door to alcohol again. At the time I didn't realize the extent of the journey away from God that small decision would take me. It was a season in my life I never want to have repeated again. During my drinking days I relied on it for happiness and had to drink through the day to fight off facing my unhappy reality.While I was drunk I got into sin more than I ever had in my life before God and did things I never would have dreamed I would have. Of course It was only ever a short term escape and sobering up always brought me back to the harsh reality of being in the middle of great loss and not putting my trust in God. After being away from Church for 18 months I found a new church and began trying to rebuild my walk with God. Whilst I made progress I found it hard to give up the life of sin and continued partying and living a double life for nearly two years. During this time I tried my best to give up the drugs and alcohol but it seemed that either the lure of sinful pleasures or the pressure of life would get to me and I wouldn't be able to maintain a pure walk with God. After having many bad experiences, Losing relationships, friendships, my business, all my worldly possessions and nearly having a breakdown I found myself at the point of having nowhere to go but to really get serious about serving God. So I set my face toward God, stopped partying and made new friends in Church. I stopped going to Bars etc and seemed to be making great progress, however I hadn't closed the door to alcohol and would still drink at home and with meals when out with friends. Life was still very hard and so when things got me down I would still run to the bottle and binge. The final straw was when I was at a party and knowing no one else but the host. I was drinking to try and fit in and be popular with these new people I didn't know. After half a dozen drinks or so I left my drink at the bar to go to the toilet. I don't remember much else after that and the next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital. Long story, short, someone had spiked my drink while I was away from it. I apparently became violent and was beaten up to be subdued. I was devastated to hear this as its not my character at all. As I left hospital with tears streaming down my face I prayed to God "please help me get free from this curse of alcohol". I told my Pastor what had been happening and he suggested I do the New Wine course with Setting Captives Free. So I agreed to do it. The course has done wonders for me! Within 4 days I knew I was free. The lessons I did every day made me realize the Grace God has for me If I simply choose to be obedient and follow after him. I haven't touched a drop since and know that the freedom in Christ is true lasting freedom. Life is so much better now. God now fills my days with peace, hope and joy that nothing takes away. I can see his blessing has returned to my life and that he is restoring the prosperity I once had. I am so grateful for Gods Grace and Mercy, the team at Setting Captives Free for this wonderful ministry and my mentor Mark Lawrence for supporting and believing in me on this journey to freedom. What Jesus says is true, "If the Son sets you free, you shall be free in deed" Amen.