September 2018

Welcome! It’s amazing to hear from so many being blessed from around the world. Most are rejoicing because of the testimony, but many are hurt by others and by their own making. The Epistle of James says:

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” 1

A New York Response…

You may be able to identify with Logan, who wrote from the state of New York, saying,

“Thank you so much for informing me of your website. What a blessing! All that I read really opened my eyes.

“I too am a submissive person, which I realize as I get older is not a very good trait to have. I can understand why you went down the path you did.

“I am currently struggling with that feeling that I cannot meet the expectations of my family, and it is driving me mad. I also crave the love you talk about.

“Do you have it now? What advice do you have for me? I love the post card that you sent me. Thank you so much! I look forward to hearing from you. Logan, NY.”

Submit to God’s Love…

Contrary to Logan’s letter, being a submissive person is a great quality to model as long as we’re submitting to God and not to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We are to resist anyone who is trying to take us down the wrong path, by submitting to God and showing our dependence and willingness to be loved by Him.

James wrote, as we “…submit to God” and “…resist the devil…he will flee from you!” When we submit to God’s love, it causes our desires to change from the lust of this world [its approval, drugs and illicit sex], to new desires fulfilled by the beauty of his lovingkindness. He is the only one who can keep our love tank filled by satisfying the deepest cravings of our heart. “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.” 2

In the 60s, I gave in to Satan’s pride, rebelling against the healthy and godly living of my traditional family. From experience, I know the path of pride, selfishness, and self-indulgence that leads to confusion, strife and so much more. My advice is to submit to God and resist the devil.

Draw Near to God’s Love…

In the next verse, James tells us how to submit to God, writing, “Draw near to God [love] and He [love] will draw near to you.” For me, I draw near to God’s love by meditating Scriptures concerning His love for me. For instance, I’ve memorized John 3:16, but there are many more references, to name a few:

• “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” 3
• “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 4
• “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 5
• “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 6

Now, you’re to meditate these scriptures and locate more, building your faith in God’s love. Submit to His love; resist the devil’s lies; draw near to God, and you’ll experience His presence as He [love] draws near to you. By renewing your mind, true contentment, peace and serenity will flow forth causing a time of refreshing from the Lord.

With the devil fleeing, the cravings of the past will loosen their hold, since you are admitting them and humbling yourself to God’s love. This new-found revelation of His love will be ten times better than anything in the past, as He lifts you up to rebuild your life.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 7

Confess, Pray and Be Healed…

Logan mentioned his struggle with the feeling [fear] that he can’t meet the expectations of his family. If you are struggling with this too, as I did in the old days, it’s time to confess it to them, getting it out in the open so it can be dealt with immediately, because “…faith without works is dead.” 8

One thing you know is, that God loves you, and another thing, that He accepts you, “…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” 9 So, as you pray with your family, realize that God loves and accepts you just the way you are and so should they in light of God’s grace. Remember, “there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…” 10

As you confess your fears of not meeting your family’s expectations, pray with them in agreement that God loves and accepts you, and be healed. This will not be easy, but with your God-given power and authority in Christ, healing is at hand!

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” 11

A Prayer for You…

Dear God, thank You that even right now, Your forgiveness and Your perfect love are raining all over me, because of Your Son’s finished work at the cross. Take every lingering sense of ugliness, guilt and condemnation in me. I believe with all my heart that right now when You look at me, You see me in Christ Jesus. I am clothed in His robe of righteousness, favor and blessings. Thank You for Your abundance of grace and your gift of righteousness in my life. Through Jesus, I will reign in this life over every sin, addiction and failure. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture References (NKJV):

1) Jam. 4:7, 8a; 5:16a
2) Psa. 63:3
3) Jere. 31:3
4) Rom. 5:8
5) 1 Jn. 4:9
6) 1 Jn. 4:10
7) Jam. 4:10
8) Jam. 2:17, 26
9) Eph. 1:6
10) 1 Jn. 4:18a
11) Jam. 5:16, NLT