August 2021

john316Welcome! The memories still haunt us from August ’69, but thankfully, our loving and merciful heavenly Father comforts us through faith in His great grace.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 1

A Gracious Response…

“I recently came across a video on YouTube about the Manson murders, which I’ve always known about.”

“I clicked on it because it seemed interesting, and that’s when I discovered you’re a Christian, and you have your own ministry. So, I went immediately to your site to check it out. I read a great deal and learned a lot about you! I cross-checked what you wrote with the Bible, and that’s when I knew I had to contact you right away!

“I have been a Christian ever since I was a young child, and I’ve always been very sensitive and close to God. I like to think I have always had discernment and despite a lifetime (41 years) of trouble and bad times, bad choices… I know it was God’s love and grace that saved me more times than I can possibly count! I am a recovering addict (meth), and I used to be in and out of jail for most of my adult life… That’s over now, thank God! Bit I grew up in an alcoholic home and had an abusive stepdad which left me tainted I guess you would say, even a little bitter, which hinder my happiness a great deal.

“I believe God had His hand on you and your life and what a blessing that your mom kept on praying for you relentlessly your whole life! What an amazing mother! I am so glad you found the Lord, regardless of the circumstances! I know God uses people like you and me to do His greatest work in the world, and always has! I am so sorry you had to go through the things you did.

“I feel I can learn so much from you… I have problems fully trusting God sometimes, and don’t really know how to pray from my heart. You are truly a blessing to this world, and I pray for your continued good health, protection, safety, and God’s blessings. Sincerely, Cynthia, USA.”

God is Able…

The feelings are mutual, Cynthia. Like you, “I know it was God’s love and grace that saved me more times than I can possibly count!” I don’t even deserve to be alive today, but I’m reminded of what the apostle John wrote: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 2 We are living pieces of evidence that there is power in the precious blood of Jesus.

At the same time, I can’t help but think of all the victims left in my wake for which I am so deeply sorry. The pain endured by so many is too much to bear on our own shoulders alone. Yet, our heavenly Father never intended for us to handle pain in our own strength, according to Isaiah chapter 53. That’s why He sent His Son full of grace and truth to enable us to do what we cannot do in our own ability. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 3

God’s Ability at Work…

As born-again Christians, God lives in our Spiritual core; the Holy Spirit empowering us to overcome mental, emotional and even physical pain by His power. He is “…able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” 4 Did you get that? He is able to do even “…above all that we can ask or think according to the power that works in us!!!” Do you have a sense of power working in you? If not, what is stopping you from taking authority over those areas of your soul that inhibit you from walking freely in the power of the Holy Spirit?

In my own life, I have anxiety at times, even desiring to isolate myself. I call it solitude, but truthfully, I have trust issues because of the consequences of my past. I can choose to set back in my laziness, or get to work on my issues, walking by faith, and sensing the power of God’s love, acceptance and security flowing from my spiritual core. The apostle Paul wrote: “…may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 5 Maybe you have issues in your life that you need to admit? [See: Spirit, Soul, and Body chart 1 and 2].

An Amazing Mother…

Lastly, I must mention my relentlessly praying mother, since Cynthia did in her letter. After I moved to California in August ’67, she even came out here a few months later, trying to convince me to come back home to Texas. She knew I was too immature to make it so far away from home, but I wouldn’t listen because of my pride and lust. Under the surface, I was in fear of failing to meet her expectations, full of guilt, shame and pent-up anger, while medicating myself with marijuana. I not only needed prayer, but I needed Jesus, the Healer, for that sense of power within and for my desires to change.

These areas of my life have healed over the years, thanks to God’s grace, but I’m sharing them as an example to help identify your own specific need. It took mom eight more years of prayer before I received Christ on May 23rd, 1975. Needless to say, she was ecstatic to hear the news, and she shared it far and wide, I hadn’t come home, but I was at home with Jesus in my heart. That’s what eventually really mattered to her, so we could be together with Jesus face to face along with dad and siblings. Won’t you receive Jesus today?

“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” 6

Jesus, please forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. I rejoice that Your resurrection from the dead shows Your complete victory over sin and death – making me holy and acceptable in God’s sight. Thank You for providing the way for me to have a relationship with my heavenly Father and eternal life. Thank You for hearing my prayers and sending Your Holy Spirit to heal me in areas where I have been wounded and my emotions have been damaged. Please give me the strength and wisdom to walk in the center of Your will now and forevermore. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Scripture References (NKJV):

1) Heb. 4:16
2) John 1:17, NLT
3) 2 Cor. 12:9a
4) Eph. 3:20, NLT
5) 1 Thess. 5:23
6) Heb. 11:6, NLT