COM Newsletter - August 2023
SONS AND DAUGHTERS
OF GOD
“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18
It is impossible for man to depict anything in movies or other entertainment that grasps the power and love of our Father in Heaven. We are wowed by so much of the unreal and miss the real. Personally, I am impressed and wowed by, more than anything else, that the most powerful Presence and Creator of our universe says I am His daughter. “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3. With a Being that powerful, Who formed the worlds and says that I am His daughter, I will have faith that He made me on purpose to be His daughter.
Today, many influencers are out there. We are so easily influenced by their thoughts and the viewpoints of today, that we forget they are not God. Understanding our vulnerability to influencers is important, especially when the strong human messages of today are literally changing people, confusing the masses, and leaving us without an identity or love for each other. Yes, we are a race that struggles with birth defects, illness, and sinful tendencies, but today we find ourselves listening to the wrong voices and the wrong messages.
What is the definition of influence according to Webster’s Dictionary? 1.: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways: sway. 2. a.: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command.
We can be influenced by good or by evil and vice versa, we can be influencers for good or evil. Only those that allow God to speak through them and guide them can truly be influencers for good. Jesus speaks through His word and makes the answers simple.
“15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV
“5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
“9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9 NKJV
Today, there is a strong message about gender and how we were born. The Bible says it is wrong to be with the same sex, to commit adultery, and clearly states that God creates us as men and women. Still, we are being influenced toward another message. How is this message gaining such a big following today?
Research has shown that children and teenagers, ages 10-14, are proven to be the most easily influenced age group as they are unconsciously fearful of being different due to society's response to difference, which produces emotional insecurity. https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/23212474.power-peer-pressure-influence-affects/
I am going to pause here a moment and share a little about myself. I loved being a girl and today I love being a woman. When I was a teenager there was no message being adopted that questioned that. However, if I were a teenager today, my life might have been tragically derailed due to human influence. At 14 years old I was struggling with quite a bit of hair growth on my face. My parents took me to the doctor and found that I had too many male hormones, for which they prescribed electrolysis and birth control to help. In addition, I loved playing with cars and hanging out with boys more than girls and dolls. I was not feminine like my friend Linda was, who was liked by many boys. That was then. Today, a doctor might have said I was really a boy, and I may have been subjected to confusion, anxiety, depression, and lack of identity, not knowing who I really was. This is terribly confusing for the teenagers and adults of today. How can such a damaging message like this gain such influence?
So why has this message had such a strong reaction, buy in and influence? There are many reasons why we are vulnerable to wrong influences. Influence is often an unconscious act. People are not always aware of when they are being influenced, which is why it works.
People want to be different from others but also seek a sense of belonging. They feel secure making choices they think are popularly made by others, or that make them fit in.
People also often have a hard time making decisions. Wrong decisions can not only tarnish your image but also lead to a waste of time and resources.
Making a productive decision requires thorough research in the Word of God and knowledge of every aspect of your decision. However, it is not easy to find the time and energy for the required effort every time.
We might think that one way to avoid making a wrong decision is to follow someone else’s suggestion. People, in general, tend to go along with suggestions made by someone they consider to be a credible expert or a trusted friend.
I can tell you that I am a girl who became a woman and I love that God made me a girl on purpose. I have no desire to be a man or think that I am a man. I was spared the message of today when I was a teen and the most vulnerable. It is awesome that God made women who are feminine as well as those who are a bit tom boyish. How awesome that He made men who might be gentler as well as those who are super tough. If you look in nature, God has created a huge variety of everything. We should all value our own special uniqueness and the detail that God put into us. Let’s not change who God has created us to be- the Sons and Daughters of God!
“6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
SPECIAL MESSAGE
Q&A
Question: I’ve committed my life to Jesus and am a Christian. My issues lie with pornography and having impure thoughts every time I see a good-looking guy. What I’m most concerned about as a Christian is that it still turns me on. What do I do about lustful desires? Any advice would be great.
Reply: Your question addresses a very common concern among repentant gays. First of all, I think you will find some significant help in this area of my various resources, i.e., the book “That Kind Can Never Change! Can They..?”, also, “Strait Answers to the Gay Question”, and others more available in our website www.comingoutministries.org.
Here are some brief pointers, however:
The Bible tells you that you can bring every thought into captivity. Temptation is not sin, for Jesus was tempted in all points like as you, yet without sin. But dwelling upon the temptation is lust, which is sin. So whenever you detect a lustful thought or idea, turn the page, flip the switch, change the channel, or look away. God will help you to do this, if you re-consecrate your life to Him each and every morning, and perhaps throughout the day as well.
David the psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). Commit some of those exceeding great and precious promises to memory, and draw upon them whenever tempted. Jesus beat back Satan’s temptations by saying, “It is written ...”
I like the way Joseph handled his almost overwhelming temptation with Potiphar’s wife. He was young, the hormones were raging, and he was confronted repeatedly by her. Putting the will of God first, and that of his friend and master Potiphar second, he ran from the scene saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against [my] God!” (Genesis 39:9)
His feelings, emotions, desires, and urges were subjugated to those of God, and he fled in victory.
Just a few pointers; I hope they are helpful. Please go through the information on my website thoroughly, for I know there are more answers there for you.
Victor
Q&A text taken from:
Author: “Victor J. Adamson”
(Ron Woolsey)
Some scenes from this year’s
ASI Convention
SPECIAL MESSAGE
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