Freedom Starts Today

Overcoming Struggles and Addictions One Day at a Time

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You're about to take a huge step toward freedom

Porn, pills, food, money, alcohol, social media, body image, status, sex, anxiety. Whatever you're struggling with, John Elmore knows what it's like to be stuck and how to get free. In 2005, he put a loaded shotgun to his head and later had three doctors tell him he was going to die of alcoholism. More than fifteen sober years later, he leads the world's largest weekly recovery gathering, re:generation, where people journey toward healing in Christ.

In Freedom Starts Today, he makes a huge promise to the addicted: you can be free from your struggle, and much sooner than you may think. Through easily digestible readings grounded in Scripture and the practice of daily surrender, Elmore shows you how to break the cycle of addiction, make war against sin, and find your identity in who you are and not the shame of what you have done--one day at a time.

Leave behind struggles, addiction, and shame as you walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the love, mercy, and forgiveness of the God who is not only by your side but on your side.


"Revival is a hard thing to quantify, but it always includes a growing devotion to the Lord and repenting of sin. And that is the fire God will start in you as you live out what you'll read within the pages of this book."--Jennie Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head; founder and visionary of IF:Gathering

"John has walked the road of recovery and helped countless others do the same. I am thrilled that he has put a resource in our hands that can help all of us!"--Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church DC; author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married

"I've personally witnessed God use John Elmore to set prisoners free by the thousands. The methods in Freedom Starts Today are proven and effective at helping anyone walk in the abundant life that Jesus promises."--Jonathan Pokluda, bestselling author of Welcome to Adulting; host of Becoming Something podcast; pastor of Harris Creek in Waco, TX


John Elmore (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the senior director of pastoral care and director of re:generation, the world's largest weekly recovery program, at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas (watermark.org). He lives with his wife and best friend, Laura, and their three children in Texas.


Endorsements

"It has been said, 'We often underestimate what we can do in a week and underestimate what we can do in a year.' In Freedom Starts Today, John Elmore dismisses long-range planning and big-dream visioning in favor of a focus on your next 24 hours. What can you do today? Whether you have a small struggle or an overwhelming addiction, John's daily entries will bring focus and freedom to your life day by day. Don't delay. Start today."

Kyle Idleman, author of Don't Give Up and Not a Fan; senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church

"Freedom Starts Today is a clarion call for believers succumbed by secret sin, from porn to pride and everything in between, to find the freedom and deep fellowship promised in Christ. This is a practical lifeline to freedom."

Josh McDowell, bestselling author of Evidence That Demands a Verdict, More Than a Carpenter, and more than 150 books

"I trust John Elmore. He lives and leads others by these words in our church. Revival is a hard thing to quantify, but it always includes a growing devotion to the Lord and repenting of sin. And that is the fire God will start in you as you live out what you'll read within the pages of this book. It's a fire our world is craving and I hope spreads to the ends of the earth. Churches must become hospitals. And John Elmore is the one to lead such a movement."

Jennie Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head; founder and visionary of IF:Gathering

"I am a John Elmore fan! Over the years I have been inspired by John's candor about his struggle with addiction and his journey to freedom. He has walked the road of recovery and helped countless others do the same. I am thrilled that he has put a resource in our hands that can help all of us!"

Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church DC; author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married

"Jesus is all we need. I sing it all the time. 'Who do I have in heaven but you?' And yet I fall way short! At times I crave and run after things of the world. And every once in a while, a book like this comes along and helps unpack how to take advantage of the resource that is ours in Christ. How to cash in the eternal chips of our inheritance. How to return to and enjoy our First Love over all things. I have had the privilege of walking in community with John over the last few years, and I can honestly say the freedom in Christ to which I have had a front-row seat is now also yours. Drink deep--one day at a time. Let's go!"

Shane Barnard, singer/songwriter for Shane & Shane and WorshipInitiative.com

"Over the past decade, I've had a front-row seat watching God use John Elmore to set prisoners free by the thousands. He is, quite literally, the best pastor I know. The methods in Freedom Starts Today are proven and effective at helping anyone walk in the abundant life that Jesus promises. If you are wondering if this book is for you, I assure you it will be an amazing journey you don't want to miss out on. Freedom, indeed, starts the second you begin reading."

Jonathan Pokluda, bestselling author of Welcome to Adulting; host of Becoming Something podcast; pastor of Harris Creek in Waco, TX

"Every year, John Elmore comes and teaches our young adults about the power of God over sin in their lives. The resulting fruit of the Spirit is sanctification seen in surrender, confession of sin, repentance, and freedom to live the full, abundant life Jesus promised. As I told John when he was just a couple of months sober, "The soil is most fertile in the valleys." Begin your journey with God through Freedom Starts Today, and your valley will soon become Christ's victory."

Dr. Joe White, president of Kanakuk Ministries; founder of Kids Across America; international speaker; and author of over twenty books

"Whether our issues are pain or shame, Freedom Starts Today is a reliable, ninety-day roadmap to real freedom in Christ. This book by John Elmore is refreshingly honest, personally convicting, creative, and engaging. The quotations and daily accountability exercises alone are worth the price. This is a book to read and then recommend."

Dr. Mark L. Bailey, chancellor and fifth president of Dallas Theological Seminary; senior professor of Bible Exposition; author; and pastor

"John Elmore is one of my favorite people. When he speaks, I listen. When he lives, I learn. When he writes, I read. You may not get to hear him or see him, but I am glad you can read what he has to share about the hope of Christ's transforming power and the life that awaits all who come weary and heavy-laden. Dive in, read well, and live free!"

Todd Wagner, pastor and elder of Watermark Community Church; author of Come and See


The Author

  1. John Elmore
    © Mo Sadjadpour

    John Elmore

    John Elmore (ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the senior director of pastoral care and director of re:generation, the world's largest weekly recovery program, at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas (watermark.org). He lives with his wife and...

    Continue reading about John Elmore


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