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the FREEDOM letter
©
FIRST QUARTER EDITION 1999, VOL. 14
"May the Season of Lent cause us to reflect on the importance of the message and sacrificeof Jesus" Tom Lomas
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WELCOME
The Freedom Letter and 40 Days to Freedom are publications of Freedom Ministries, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation (#N94000005074) and a non-denominational Christian ministry. The book, 40 Days to Freedom, is a procedure for healing addictions and obsessions given by God to Tom Lomas, the author, in answer to desperate prayer when on the brink of a second suicide attempt.
Tom’s addiction of almost forty years was classified by psychiatry as “masterful instinct” (incurable). During the forty-day walk in the desert of his soul, he was spiritually reborn and set free. God then disclosed the reason he was given a procedure instead of an instant healing was that Tom would write 40 Days to Freedom that souls in bondage all over the world would experience this same, glorious, God-given freedom.
This issue of the Freedom Letter shares only a few of the many healing testimonies received by Freedom Ministries, Inc. since early ‘95 when 40 Days to Freedom was first distributed. Freedom Ministries, Inc. is qualified as a 501-C3 charitable organization (IRS #585090062).
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MIRACLES SHARED
From Longwood, FL ........ You heard from God after my sharing; and the group prayed over me and for the situation and ministered hope and strength of Jesus Christ and gave me a copy of 40 Days to Freedom which was such a great gift and blessing from God. You counseled me briefly; and I want you to know how very much I appreciated your compassion and wisdom and the love of Jesus you have.
Subsequently, the book has taken me deeper on my journey with the Lord; and I did the 40 Days to Freedom Program myself and also my mother as Jesus led. Since that time, she has been saved, born again and baptized with the precious Holy Spirit, is back in church and overjoyed with her new life in Christ. The bondage breakers have set her free. Recently she was enabled by God to completely forgive my brother-in-law in jail and is truly free to love him with the love of Christ. I believe your book helped contribute to that outcome.
My brother-in-law has been imprisoned for three years and has fifteen years more for aggravated murder. It is hard for all of us especially my sister who has two girls ages six and twelve. He has been in bondage to sexual addiction ; however, the day he was imprisoned, he cried out to Jesus, his only ray of hope in his life at the bottom of his personal pit and accepted Christ into his heart and was saved. God has a plan! Praise Jesus!
He grows daily in Christ. I truly believe it is time to send him 40 Days to Freedom. He’s thirsting and hungering and also testimonies of other men to encourage him that he is not alone will cause him to be greatly nourished.
My sister is not saved but is beginning to seek the Lord. I spoke to her many times about Jesus and also about you and your ministry; and she was interested. I think she would benefit from your book as well especially if you included to both of them your newsletter - testimonies from other inmates.
Thank you, Tom, for who you are and your ministry which is truly a magnificent gift to us all and a direct connection to God the Father. <fm><
From Austin, TX ...... Your “40 Days...” is, indeed, a gift from the Holy Spirit! Thank you, Jesus, for putting it on Tom’s heart to write this, and for putting it on Harold’s heart to send it to me! AMEN!
So, I’ve made it through Day SIX! Hallelujah! THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE THE LORD HAS THE BURDEN!!!!! WOW!!! I JUST FIGURED THAT OUT!!! I mean, I had read it - seen the words - but it JUST CLOBBERED ME OVER THE HEAD AS BEING FOR REAL! WOW! FANTABULOUS! <fm><
From Tulsa, OK ....... I was introduced to your book while in county jail and shared it with others while at a rehab. As a matter of fact, I believe that your book 40 Days to Freedom was instrumental in initiating my husband’s walk with the Lord. My father leads a recovery group at the church and I was hoping you could send him a couple of books to share with the group. <fm><
From jail in Key West ...... When I got back here I was full of resentment and the little bit of spirit that dwelled inside of me has been strengthened by this experience. As each day passes, I find myself getting closer and closer to the spirit of Jesus Christ. To be completely honest, Ms. (Chaplain) Judy, I started reading 40 Days to Freedom; and I found the truth about myself; and, although I’m not done reading it, I have begun to take the steps that are offered in the book to find my true identity in the Holy Spirit. I never wanted to accept the fact that I was responsible for the position I am now in; but, through the spirit of our Savior that lives in me, I have no choice but to own up to my short comings and pray for forgiveness and the strength to overcome.
I read in Mr. Lomas’ book that, even though we accept Jesus, many of us still live in the sinful ways that we used to. Well, Ms. Judy, that really hit home with me. I took that pretty hard and I begged for forgiveness. You see, even though I’m clean of drugs and I don’t have a gun and all the money I used to have, I still have the obsessive and controlling mentality and it took being in the box to realize that. I’m slowly evolving, Ms. Judy, into a man that is just and spiritually led, something I should have been a long, long time ago; and, for once in my life, I can actually say that I am beginning to love myself and everybody else around me. Praise God and all His glory!
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From prison in Frankfort, IN ..... I am starting my 81st day of 40 Days to Freedom; and each day my relationship with the Lord, our Father, is getting closer! I can feel Jesus in my heart; and I know how to keep Satan away from my mind. I keep telling myself that I’m going to pass Tom Lomas’ book along to the next brother (it was a gift from my sister); but I just can’t part from it right now!!! I use it as a daily Bible study too. <fm><
From prison in Wewahitchka, FL ...... I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 1992 after leading a very sinful and lawless life with many years having been wasted in various jails and prisons. I was very serious about my repentance and my commitments to God. I attended church and I searched the scriptures on a regular basis; but still I felt that I wasn’t complete; and that there was something wrong. The spiritual happiness and inner peace was missing. I felt that I was torn between a great battle with Satan pulling one way and God the other. I fought against Satan with all the strength I could muster. I reached out to Jesus with all my might; but I could never gain complete access to him.
In 1994 I was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Since then I have sought God more determinedly than ever; but I still missed the true message of Jesus Christ. I sought God; but I sought Him with anger still in my heart for the officials who I felt had done me a great injustice.
After reading your book, I’ve found where I was wrong. I wanted God’s forgiveness; but I refused to forgive those who had wronged me. I refused to let go of my anger and bitterness which of course blocked God from forgiving me.
It was only after reading your book that I discovered that I could never be forgiven until I forgave. I not only have to forgive my enemies; but I also must love them because it’s like you said, “we are all creations of God.” God loves us all, whether criminal or official. If there’s a difference between, God knows; but He still loves both.
I have prayed to God to help me to forgive and love my enemies. I’m not sure if I’ve succeeded yet; but I do know that I have a greater inner peace than I’ve ever had; and I face each day with a better outlook than I did before I prayed for God’s help.
I feel that, because I have recognized my own failures and sought God to help me forgive my enemies, he has begun a great work within me. I recognize my weakness; but I also know the awesome strength of God. If I am willing to let go of my excessive baggage on unforgiveness, then He will relieve me of its terrible weight.
Thank you so much for your book; and special thanks for the guidance of the Holy Spirit who not only guided your hand in writing, but also placed it in my path and led me to finding and reading it. <fm><
From prison in Clermont, FL ...... After struggling many years with an alternative sexual preference; this addiction was so strong I had to convince myself, many years ago, that this addiction was biological and there was nothing me, or anyone else, could do to alleviate my addiction. After reading your book, i was so impressed by the simple, yet strong biblical principles that I prayed and immediately applied this method to my life long alternative sexual preference. After applying the method in your book to my sexual addiction, I was finally able to conquer this problem. I thank God every day for my copy of 40 Days to Freedom. This book has truly been a blessing. Once again I would like to thank the God in you for writing this book. <fm><
From jail in Miami FL ........ I am a believer in Christ and also a member of Strategies for Success taught by Pastor Sunshine Jones. I had a habit of gluttony (eating for no reason); and, after reading your book and taking the 40 day challenge, I lost that habit. Now I’m using your book to get rid of another one of my habits. <fm><
From Hong Kong ...... When I see the word freedom on your address I keep seeing Mel Gibson yelling out freedom in "Braveheart"...I guess we have to be as determined. I am on my 8th day, truly it has been good, great really, I am amazed!!! I have tried lots of things but this must have a real anointing attached to it because I do not feel I am doing that much. I seem to have a song in my heart throughout the day and I am having real feelings about Jesus. There is no condemnation, there is a rest. <fm><
From Bartlett, TN ..... Several months ago, I stumbled onto your book at our local library. My immediate response was This is God............but my second response reflected the disappointment and disillusionment of the years of "Christian self-help" I have finally been healed from. I didn't want to get back into that. After reading a few of the pages, I felt safe that this book wasn't about turning God into my magical genie or santa clause............that is was about believing that God is who HE said HE is...........not what I want Him to be for me.
My husband and I began our journey. My husband after smoking for 20 years, is free today! I was delivered from a spirit of rejection.............and I have begun another journey in more freedom of addiction.
I am wanting to share my journey with others in my life. I'd like to order 5 books for my friends who I have testified to.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and testimony and life to bring others to Christ. We have been challenged to love as we have always desired to love. Our lives are changed by His love for us! <fm><
From Ruston, LA ...... 1/19/99 ...... I am in college and a group of me and my friends are working on starting a college Bible study.I was on the internet and I saw your book and I was wondering if you could send me a as many copies as you can. I think that your book would be a great starting point for the group. Most of us are saved but we are battling with trying to live for God and also hold on to the world. We have been praying and fasting that we give the world up and totally surrender to God, but it seems the more we pray and fast the busier the devil gets. We want more than anything to totally live for God but there are a lot of temptations out there and we are trying hard to overcome them. We have a strong desire to be free from the devil and alot of times when we meet alot of the girls and guys are very discouraged because they end up sometimes giving in to the devil in their daily walk. But I feel that by us using your book and setting time aside everyday for 40 days to defeat the devil we can get our freedom back.
2/11/99 ...... Hello Tom, things are going great, we are really excited about the book, we are on day 11 today and we have really been seeing some changes in ourselves and each other. When I took the book home to church many of the members were really excited about it and wanted to borrow it when I was finished. But as far as the group goes man we get excited when it is time for us to meet. We spend alot of time on testimonies on what the Lord has done for them, for the day. The group has really grown, I have given out all the books, so we share with each other. But I just thank you for your help we could not have done it without you. I also want to let you know that your book is very popular down here in Louisiana. Oh, as soon as we get some money we will send you a donation so you can continue to send your books out. We want you to continue to let your book touch the lives of other young people like it is doing ours. Once again thanks and you will be hearing from us. <fm><
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BORN AGAIN?
Blessed brothers and sisters, today there is much talk about the end times and the last days. Whether the world, as we know it, is soon to end or not, it might be important to realize we still have an opportunity to steal heaven. Jesus said, "unless a man (woman) is born again, he (she) cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Among our many denominations, we have differing views about rebirth or getting saved; but, if we really hunt the scriptures for the pieces of the puzzle, we determine that it involves the Holy Spirit who delivers the Divine Love of God into our souls which transforms us into new creatures causing the scales to fall from our eyes, giving us the "eyes of Jesus" that we might see the truth and be set free from our bondages to the false gods of this world.
There is, to my knowledge, no other spiritual practice, that gives us the hard evidence that something has really and permanently happened within us as true rebirth. I would add that if you claim to be saved or born again and you have not the sure knowledge that you have been "transformed into a new creature," then you are not as you claim. Do we really think that if we are not "perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect," we will suddenly be one with God upon our physical death? This “perfection” is also misunderstood. Jesus was not talking about perfect in man's eyes as no one of us can ever be. He was talking about perfect in God's eyes which He alone defines and does not divulge to us except that it starts with the transformation through spiritual rebirth.
Some of us might be afraid we'll have to give up too much with this new dedication. I can assure you, no matter what your position or situation in this life may be, God will not require that you surrender anything worthwhile. I can also assure you that He has only your and your loved ones' best interests in mind. So we really have nothing to lose except that which is not good for us. So all right, let's say you agree rebirth is desirable. How does one go about getting born again?
Again we look to scripture. Jesus said, "seek and you will find." He also said, "love God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength." I believe this is the key, our love relationship with God. Not just one way but a cycle. When starting contemplative prayer, I focus on loving God as Jesus described. But soon I'm aware of God's presence loving me with a far greater love than I can ever hope to muster. It's as if I am being spiritually hugged and caressed by my Father Creator.
To make getting born again easier for His children, God has introduced into the world a step-by-step, one-on-one procedure called 40 Days to Freedom. This same procedure used to free countless souls from the chains of addition and habitual sin for the past four years has given those same souls spiritual rebirth. Indeed spiritual rebirth is the ultimate freedom.
So now there are no longer any excuses. We know we don’t have to give up anything worthwhile; and we have easy access to a God-given format for getting born again. Then why does that little voice still say, “wait!”? Well, of course, we think we have plenty of time. Why not wallow in good old mother earth just a little longer?
What if, this time, the end timers are right? Sooner or later they have to be right! If it’s sooner and we procrastinate, the day of separation of the sheep from the goats arrives and catches us unprepared, the pearly gates could be closed, locked, and sealed with us on the outside. What’s that you say? Our loving Father would not do that to His blessed children. Not only does the Bible tell us He will; but logic confirms that He will. It has to do with this precious gift, given only to His highest creation, called free will. He will not force friendship, oneness with Him, on us. Like the father of the prodigal son, God will never force us to come home. He waits with open arms, even runs to meet us, but will never invade our right to refuse Him. Otherwise we would all be robots not His friends which denotes free choice.
Now, if we on the other hand don’t procrastinate, if we seek the rebirth with everything we have and judgment day is not upon us, what then? Then we simply get an early start on heaven before leaving this earth. Don’t believe it? Read 40 Days to Freedom. <fm><
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IN CLOSING
Is freedom important? Can joy and peace and fulfillment exist without it? Jesus gave his all that every person on earth may be free to choose to go home "to his Father and our Father, to his God and our God" (Jn 20:17). In addiction, admittedly after bad choices, sinful choices against God and man, we lose our ability to make this choice. Once walking in bondage, we are no longer able to see the truth. This is why with so many issues today both sides see their way as the truth; but there is only one true way, God's way. Indeed we have been deceived into surrendering our freedom for "eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear" (Mk 8:18).
During the forty days in the desert of my soul in 1990, the scales fell from my eyes and I was given the "eyes of Jesus" (40 DTF). Every man became my brother and every woman my sister, all of our souls knit in heaven by the loving hands of our Father Creator. By Day 30, I was aware that, like the lepers of scripture, the incurable had been healed, totally, irrevocably. The "masterful instinct" was gone and in its place was Divine Love and freedom, a freedom that put me in full control of my own mind and actions for the first time at age 50.
But this awesome gift was not just for me. 40 Days to Freedom is God’s free gift to all His children. By the grace of God, over the past four years 16,000 copies have been distributed to 24 countries, 49 states, all US territories, 119 prisons and jails, and 183 ministries and churches. Truly anyone on earth who wants to become a better person or grow closer to God will benefit from this procedure.
If you would like to assist in blanketing the earth with 40 Days to Freedom, you may order and distribute copies without charge or refer our "Welcome Page" (http://www.40days2freedom.org) where our book may be downloaded. Donations should be mailed to Freedom Ministries, Inc. (address on "Welcome Page"). We solicit your testimonies of freedom and rebirth through 40 Days to Freedom. We also solicit your prayers for the rapid fulfillment of God's promise to provide 50,000 new copies (third printing) of 40 Days to Freedom. Until next issue we pray you will be basking in the light of God's awesome FREEDOM all the days of your life. Amen. <fm><
Yours in love and truth,
Tom Lomas
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