FJWL_01:100
         Say not, "I am strong, I cannot be hurt. I am a Christian, I cannot be deceived." For even the very elect shall be deceived if they do not stay tuned in to My voice. Look around you. Do you not see some of your own family, your own brothers and sisters and friends deceived by the riches of this world, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life? They desire to be free to do what they want, not seeking My will but following their own desires. Many have already fallen prey to the desires of the Enemy, being used by others to make money when they were not willing to be used by Me to reach souls.
         Oh, the way of the transgressor is hard! There is no need for them to go through such hard times. For I am as a rich father, willing to give them what they want and need if only they would be willing to do My bidding. Is it so hard? I ask you, is it so hard to do My bidding? Does it seem a difficult road to follow--the road of submission and yieldedness in My will?
         Compare it with those who have chosen their own way, their own road. So many have suffered. Some have died. There is so much loneliness. They are willing to sacrifice the love they have in My Family for a life that is empty of true love. There are some who have chosen to bare their bodies for lustful men--for what goal? Surely not to win them to Me! Have they not chosen to do this for money, power, and lust? What motives do they have?
         I feel hurt, because although they willingly prostitute their bodies for lustful men, they are not and were not willing to bare their souls, hearts and minds before Me--to shed their cover-ups, pride and selfishness. They have chosen the hard road--the one that will lead them down a very difficult time in their life, until they return to Me in humility and shame. And they will return!--Some after much buffeting by the Evil One, who tempted them with the wealth and so-called freedom of this world--riches that in reality leave you poor in faith and in spiritual bondage.
         This is all a visible lesson for you, for each of you must choose. Now you are protected from harm. You've been sheltered for years by your parents' faith. They have taught you, protected you, and prayed for you. But now you have stepped over the threshold and entered a world that is new to you. Your life is changing, your body is changing, your mind is changing. You must now make decisions. You must learn to choose what is good for you. You will not be forced to love Me and to do My will. I want you to love Me, and I desire you to follow Me, but I cannot force you to do My will. I cannot force you to love Me.
         Each of you is different. Each of you has desires you want to fulfill in your life. Some of those desires are healthy and good for your spirit; other desires are dark and evil and will only bring you emptiness if they are fulfilled. However, I will not force you to choose My way and the things I desire for you. You must make the choice on your own.
         I say to you, watch and pray. Watch and observe those that love you, for they want the best for you. They want to lead you in My plain paths. And pray--pray for those who lead you, that they may guide you into My truth, into the glorious future that I have planned for you!
         When you were a child, you spoke as a child, you thought as a child, you understood as a child. But now you have grown and are no longer a child. You must put away your childishness, your foolishness, your childish thoughts and games and shallowness, for I have truly given you more--much more than you can imagine! I long for you to come into full adulthood, to be a disciple for Me!



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family