GN649_2: THE LAW OF LOVE AND SENIOR TEENS!       Peter #81        4/95
--Comments on the Prophecies from Summit '95 About Sex for 16- and 17-year-olds!
--By Peter Amsterdam

(Note: Please remember that when we use the term "YAs" in the pubs we are referring to the young people ages 18, 19 and 20. Thanks!)
         1. A tremendous amount of prayer, discussion and counsel went into formulating the policy in the Love Charter that now allows senior teens to have full sex with other senior teens and YAs. In fact, the question of teen sex and what teens should or should not be allowed has been the subject of extensive discussion, prayer and counsel off and on for years now!
         2. As Mama mentioned, when the Love Charter was originally drafted, the 16- and 17-year-olds were not going to be allowed to have full sex. In fact, at first they were not even going to be allowed to have skin-to-skin touching of another's genitals. That would have meant no allowances for skin-to-skin masturbation of another, no oral sex, let alone sexual intercourse.
         3. During the months of writing and finalizing the Love Charter, the subject of which limitations on sex should or should not be put in place for senior teens was discussed back and forth with a large group of counselors, including Mama, our teamwork, the CROs and the many representatives who attended the Charter workshops worldwide! Some folks wanted to allow more, others less, and the dilemma was that both groups had very good reasons for feeling the way they felt. It became obvious that there were many advantages to allowing the senior teens greater liberty, but there were also many possible drawbacks. By the time the Summit rolled around, we had discussed this subject from A to Z and heard many differing opinions and some very convincing "arguments" on both sides. It was a difficult decision, to say the least!
         4. Finally, during the Summit, we came before the Lord in desperate prayer and asked for His direct guidance and confirmation in prophecy as to whether the senior teens should be allowed full sex if they want it, or whether the restriction of "no skin-to-skin touching of another's genitals" should be kept in place, as was the plan at the time that we had this prayer and prophecy session. The Lord answered our questions very clearly, contrary to the way most of us were leaning at the time, and gave a strong "yes" that indicated that our senior teens should be allowed to have full sex, if they so desire. You senior teens are probably real happy about that, and you can be very grateful to the Lord for intervening on your behalf! Praise the Lord! Along with answering our main question, our Good Shepherd also gave lots of counsel and instruction about how to put this new freedom into practice. Isn't it thrilling to see the Lord unfold His mysteries to us in answer to our prayers? He can make even the most complex issues clear, when we take time to ask for His guidance. Praise the Lord!
         5. The prophecies from that prayer session are printed in full at the end of this GN, but I'd like to help you senior teens "digest" the prophecies a little by highlighting some of the key points, so we can be sure not to miss anything the Lord has to say. I didn't think you'd mind too much if we spent a bit of time going over these prophecies, since the Lord is talking about you and talking about sex, which are both subjects that are probably of great interest to you! (By the way, I have selected quite a few excerpts, as they are full of wonderful specific counsel, but please still be sure to read the full version of these prophecies on pg.13.)

Senior Teens Set Free to Live the Words of David to the Full!
         6. Often we use the expression "the Law of Love" rather narrowly, equating it only with the sexual application, when actually it is the godly principle by which our entire lives, as Christians, should be governed. Granted, often the Lord does use the expression to refer to the sexual connotation, as He has in the following prophecies, but in its broader sense, the Law of Love applies to our whole way of life. It encompasses all aspects of our life. You senior teens have learned lessons on how to lovingly relate to and care for others through your witnessing, your ministering to others and your interactions with each other, etc., so you have already had some experience in learning to let the Law of Love govern your actions. At the Summit, the Lord spoke very clearly in prophecy about His desire for you senior teens to now be able to live the Law of Love to the full, including the practice of sexual freedom with one another.
         7. As you may have experienced, when the Lord speaks in prophecy on a subject, there are times when His answers may seem a little "gray," a little mysterious, and you have to really study the prophecies over and over and almost have a supernatural gift of interpretation to understand what He's saying. But in this case, He spoke very clearly, saying:

         8. "Do not put temptations upon My young people that they cannot bear. Do not put restrictions upon their showing of love and affection, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.--That is the liberty that they hunger for.
         9. "They desire to show that they are responsible. Some might fail, some might fall, but through that fall they will learn lessons. So fear not what could happen; fear not man, neither the opinions of man. But stand strong in the liberty which I have given you. ...
         10. "For milk is for babes, but strong meat is for them that are of full age. Do you look at these as babes, or do you look at them as of full age? I say unto you that I look upon them as those that are of full age, whom I have nurtured and strengthened and brought into My ways for many years.
         11. "I have imparted unto them great wisdom and great strength and great teaching and great training. There may be those among them that are babes, and these may need greater shepherding. But these My young ones for the most part are those that have come of age and can be entrusted with this meat. And these liberties shall not become a stumbling block, but shall become a strength to them. It shall be a dew of refreshing and a rain of refreshing. It shall restore their hearts and be a moisture and a feeding and shall draw them close to Me. ...
         12. "How shall they learn unless I am allowed to teach them?--And how shall they resist the temptations of the world where they will be boldly witnessing, unless they know they can receive love and comfort amongst clean folds and safe sheep, where they receive not the afflictions of the perversions of the Egyptians? How can they glow with the love that I would have them show as a witness to the world, unless they are being recharged in heart and mind and spirit and loving fellowship in their own folds?--Where they can answer boldly: 'My God hath supplied all my needs according to His riches in glory! I need none of your whoredoms and your temptations, for the pleasures of the Lord's Kingdom are greater than the pleasures that the world would offer me!' So trust in Me. These are Mine and I shall not allow them to be tempted above that they are able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape. ...
         13. "Indeed, the days are short, the days are evil, the times grow darker. Ye have not that many years left wherewith these may grow into the full maturity that I would have them to grow into. So hold them not back, for I shall be their Shepherd.--And they shall not fall, but they shall rejoice and they shall love thee and thank thee and kiss thy hand and weep upon thy neck and say, 'Thank you, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for trusting me even when I looked like I would fall. I will not fail thee.'...
         14. "(Thy youth) now seek to see the direction that My great Family shall take with the passing of David. They wonder in their hearts how it shall be and what shall happen. But they shall rejoice greatly that the Words of David are upheld and are held high that all may see, and that there shall be no shame, and that all shall be able to partake of this, My great love."

Varying Degrees of Participation!
         15. Some of you senior teens undoubtedly rejoiced upon reading the Love Charter and hearing the news of this change, whereas others might have felt a little apprehensive. That's understandable. The prophecies mentioned that there will be varying degrees of participation in this sexual freedom. There will be those of you who are completely elated with this new freedom and rarin' to go for it, and that's fine. Whereas some of you might feel quite shy and insecure or even a little afraid, and you prefer to go more slowly. That's fine too.
         16. Maybe some of you don't know much about sex and you're still quite self-conscious around members of the opposite sex. Or maybe you're not really interested in sex just yet. Or maybe you only want to experiment with a little bit of sexual fellowship and gradually grow into more. Don't worry! This isn't a race or a competition, so those of you who wish to go slow or are hesitant don't need to feel like you have to "go along with the crowd" or yield to pressure from your peers. In fact, there shouldn't even be any peer pressure! We're expecting you senior teens and YAs to be loving to one another and make it easy for each other by not embarrassing or teasing or pressuring anyone in any way. The Lord expressed your feelings and your need to act in faith with this freedom as follows:

         17. "For behold, these young ones are on the threshold of great change, monumental change in their lives, and many will fear. Many will fear the future, for they feel insecure in themselves, and they feel that they are not yet ready. They stand before the great, mighty, wide ocean of My Law of Love, and there are those who would just put their toe in, and there are those who would wade out ever so carefully, and there are those who would dive in! For there are those who are at different levels, and each one must have his or her choice. They must not be forced, and they must not succumb to peer pressure or the desires of others, but each one must walk according to his own faith.
         18. "For without faith it is sin. Each one must live this Law of Love according to his or her own faith, for only in this will they be able to experience and feel the warmth of love that I want them to feel. ...
         19. "Therefore I say, guide them and shepherd them step by step and slowly, that each one may operate according to his or her own faith and that none be forced and none be embarrassed."

There Will Be Tests, Trials and Lessons!
         20. When you read the prophecies in full, you'll notice that there are numerous mentions that with this new freedom will come tests and trials and lessons. Of course, that is to be expected. You're entering a new phase of growth and responsibility. As you experiment with more sexual sharing, you may find yourself in new situations, experiencing new emotions and fighting new battles. The Lord will use your loving interactions with one another to teach you about the Law of Love, draw you closer to the Lord, and help you love Him and others more.
         21. But learning to live the Law of Love isn't easy. You'll encounter new challenges. You'll be making personal choices you haven't been faced with before. The Lord may require that you reach out more and show more sacrificial love to others. The Lord may ask you to share the person you love. You may feel jealous at times. Some things may happen that hurt you, because no one is perfect and people make mistakes. You may make mistakes. But don't be dismayed, even if you find yourself in the midst of new lessons and battles, even if your heart aches or you feel you're not doing so well with this new freedom. The Lord promised:

         22. "Have I not said that with great responsibility comes great anointing? For though they may fall, they shall not be utterly cast down, for I will uphold them with My hand. And they will learn lessons from it, for out of seeming defeat come some of your greatest and most precious lessons and growth and maturity. ...
         23. "Many shall be profited. Those that are hurt shall be mended, and the broken hearts shall be restored and the tears shall be wiped away. The misunderstandings shall be made known, the sorrows shall be turned into gladness, the envies into thankfulness, the jealousies into love. And I shall bring forth sunshine and blue skies for the rain and the sorrows that they may be subject to. ...
         24. "The lessons shall last for all eternity. They shall grow and they shall prosper and they shall be thankful for those times of learning."

Good Fruit! More Dependence on the Lord and His Word!
         25. When you're going through times of change and learning new lessons or experiencing something new in your life, what happens? Don't you find that you have a renewed hunger for the Word? You realize you can't just rock along business as usual, because you really need to hear from the Lord and find the strength and love you need. So aren't you then more desperate to find answers or direction or comfort in the Word? And doesn't your communion with the Lord and your daily prayer time come to life? If your love for the Lord and your yieldedness to His will is being tested, doesn't that compel you to seek Him desperately, which results in your being more flexible, more willing, and more open to His slightest bidding? If you feel the hand of the Potter upon your life, breaking you and remaking you, and if as a result you feel weak and insufficient in yourself, doesn't that bring about greater dependency upon the Lord?--And don't you find that you're more loving to others and more understanding of their needs and weaknesses and trials?
         26. Those are just a few of the many benefits of change and new challenges and tests and trials. And the Lord indicated that He will use this new freedom and your experiences with these "affairs of the heart" to work in your life. He's promised that this will bring about beautiful fruits: a new and greater hunger for the Word, more closeness to the bosom of David, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord. He said:

         27. "These trials and testings and experimentations will make My Word come alive to them in ways that it has never been known to them before. ... The more responsibility you place upon them, the more they will draw close to the bosom of David and to the Words that I so desire to pour into them. ... What greater way can there be for them to be desperate with Me than through these affairs of the heart which shall cause them to be desperate and look to Me for My Word and My answers, My comfort, My wisdom? ... I shall be their Shepherd. My Word shall shepherd them, and their stumblings and fallings will draw them close to Me. ... These liberties and these responsibilities will help your young ones to remember Me and to seek Me in a greater and a deeper way during these days of their youth."

The Need for Shepherds!
         28. How you personally are affected by this new freedom will depend largely on how you handle it--your maturity, your prayerfulness and your willingness to look to the Word and counsel with your shepherds. The Lord said that you must take this new freedom seriously, for you have much to learn. This need to learn should compel you to seek the answers you need in the Word. A lot of your instruction will come straight from the Word, and the Lord promised that He would shepherd you Himself. But you will also need to seek the counsel of your earthly shepherds--your parents and other adults--most of whom have already had a lot of experience with many of the situations and emotions that some of you will be encountering for the first time.
         29. Also, when speaking to the adults about the need to shepherd you young people, the Lord reminded us of the old saying that a wise man learns from his mistakes, but a wiser man learns from the mistakes of others. As Mama explained in her Letter "Serve One Another in Love," part of which is reprinted for you at the beginning of this GN, we are hoping that you young people will be open to the shepherding you're given and prayerfully consider it. You have a lot to gain by learning from the lessons the adults can offer, as most adults have had much more experience with these affairs of the heart, and as a result the Lord has given them a fair bit of wisdom and understanding. In one Summit prophecy, the Lord said:
         30. "But there is so much for you children to learn. Listen and hearken. Would you receive this great gift that you so desire? Would you receive openly this greater freedom? Then you must take it seriously, for you have much to learn. Much has been placed in your hearts and much has been placed into your care, into your thoughts. Search diligently, then, the Scriptures, and draw nigh unto David and draw nigh unto the warmth of his bosom and unto your mother, Maria.
         31. (To the adults:) "Be diligent to know the state of your flocks and look well to your herds. Lovingly shepherd these precious ones, for a wise man learns from his mistakes, and yet a wiser man--your children--can learn from the mistakes of others. ... It is for you to lead and guide--to be there, to shepherd, to hold the hands up, to comfort those who are partakers of the plan that I have ordained for them.
         32. "It is My desire that this be a good and a beautiful experience, that it not be a breaking, that it not be a tumultuous emotional upheaval, but that it be a good and beautiful, warm experience. ... Therefore, I say, make this a good and a beautiful experience, that they may grow into the Law of Love, that their faith may grow in the Law of Love, that they may experience the Words of David, as they are beautiful and as they are loving."

The Question of Pregnancy!
         33. We're trusting that if you young people make the choice to have full sex that it will be because you personally want to, you are acting in faith, you are fully persuaded in your own mind that that is what the Lord wants you to do, and you are prepared to trust the Lord concerning the possibility of pregnancy. If you choose to have full sex, pregnancy will very likely come with it, sooner or later.
         34. There will be more published on the subject of pregnancy soon, D.V., but in the prayer and prophecy session when the Lord confirmed His desire to allow you senior teens to have full sex, if you choose to, He also gave wonderful words of encouragement concerning the pregnancies that may occur. He said:

         35. "Do not fear that thing which may come forth from their time together and their union one with another. For your Heavenly Father hath ordained these things. I have ordained it for their good, that they may learn, that they may grow, that they may prosper and that they may understand. ...
         36. "I can shepherd My young ones better these days when they have little ones in their care. For there are many that go unshepherded and many that go uncared for, and many that seek so many other things besides the will of God. Through this one gift that I could give to them they could be united, they could have someone to care for them and someone to help them learn the lessons together--learning and growing, learning and growing. It takes so much time. And if I bestow this gift upon them, with it comes a great responsibility.
         37. "I see in My picture, in the crystal ball that is placed before Me, many young ones getting together and caring for many little babies and going into the future more mature. They yearn to grow and they yearn to take on so much more responsibility, but they do need much care and shepherding; and I can lead them and I can guide them if they are bound as one, as couples together with little ones in their care. First there was one, then there was two. 'First there was you, then there was me, then there was baby, then there was three!'--And a three-fold cord is not easily broken. For by this I shall win them, and I shall bring them into greater service in My Kingdom."

         38. At the Summit, when discussing the subject of 16-year-olds getting married and having babies, one of the CRO shepherds commented: "One of the first questions that comes to mind when we hear about 16- and 17-year-olds having sex is, how are they going to handle the results? Are they really ready to be having babies and getting married? In our area, there is a YA couple who got married when they were both quite young. She was 16 and he was 17, and almost right from the start she got pregnant and they started to have children. Due to some complications, their two little ones needed extra medical care and attention, which of course added some battles with pressure, tension, fear, condemnation, etc., to their budding relationship, not to speak of the extra workload that taking care of their children necessitated.
         39. "Overall, they've gone through some pretty big battles in their first few years of marriage. We of course got tempted to question their decision to get together at such an early age, as it was difficult to see them go through this trying time. But the Lord reminded us often during those difficult times that, when they had gone on their Make It Work program, we had gotten very specific prophecies which confirmed that the Lord wanted them to be together. He said He would make them into a tool like a pair of scissors--two pieces fitly joined together--a special instrument in His hand that would greatly encourage a lot of other young people. He even said that He would shepherd them and lead them and teach them and that He would precisely use their relationship to grow them up to be a beacon to many other young people as well, and that He would cause them to be a comfort to many others. Little did we know then what the Lord had in mind or how He would fulfill those words.
         40. "Although it's been very difficult to see this dear young couple go through so many big battles, the Lord had shown us through the prophecies received for them at the beginning of their Make It Work program that He designed this for them.--He designed this union and these breakings and their babies with these physical weaknesses; and that through these tests and trials and heartaches, He's fashioning a special tool.
         41. "The Lord is shepherding these young people Himself, as He did us adults when we were newly married. He's working very definitely in their lives. We never would have designed these tests for them ourselves. These battles seem so difficult that we would not have chosen this for them. But through these breakings, the Lord has been able to work in their hearts in a way that only He could. He has touched places in their hearts that we couldn't reach. Of course, seeing the wonderful fruits in their lives, we can now look back and see that we certainly wouldn't want to take those lessons away from them.
         42. "We do have to get involved and shepherd our young people if they're going to be having sex at age 16. And when they decide to marry so young, we've also really got to help them hear from the Lord as to whether their unions are of Him. If the Lord does confirm their union, then they can go bravely into the future knowing that their relationships are God's will. They'll be fully persuaded in their own minds; and then no matter what He brings into their lives to shape them and mature them and make them into the tools they need to be, they'll be able to make it. Praise the Lord!" (End of comments from one of the CRO shepherds.)

Prophecies for a Young Couple!
         43. (Editor's note: Recently, some of Mama's staff had prayer for the couple that the CRO was talking about above, as they are now battling with their third difficult pregnancy. Below are a few excerpts of the prophecies the Lord gave, which although given for one particular couple, contain precious lessons for all our young couples:)
         44. "Be not weary with the battles, with the trials and the tests that come your way. Be not weary in well doing, for these battles and testings and trials come from My hand. They are not a condemnation, they are not a chastisement, they are not a demonstration of My displeasure, but they are an honor. I am honoring you with these battles and testings and trials, as I put you through the fire to make you finer, stronger, purer vessels for Me. Therefore, be not weary.
         45. "Do not compare yourselves with those around you, for each life is unique to Me--each marriage and each family--and the children that they bear are unique in My hands. They are my creation, therefore compare not. For comparing only makes you say, 'Oh Lord, why have You made me thus? Oh Lord, why have You cursed us with these constant battles and ongoing problems from which there is no relief?' This comparing does not bear good fruit; it only bears bitterness and resentment. Therefore, I say, compare not and be not weary, but look up, for your redemption, your deliverance, is nigh.
         46. "Once upon a time there were two beautiful, smooth, clear, clean rivers that flowed parallel to one another. But with My hand I caused these rivers to intersect, to come together and meet, and to become one. And as they flowed together and grew, behold, they came to the edge of a mountain, and these rivers that once were so smooth and beautiful went tumbling over the edge. It tumbled ever so violently down the mountain, thrashing and beating against the rocks and the boulders. But it was through this very tumbling and thrashing that the water was purified, aerated and cleansed.
         47. "And it became a beautiful waterfall that many could look upon. The pain inflicted upon this river was the very thing that made it beautiful; and its willingness to be thrashed about and beat against the boulders was the very thing that made it magnificent and drew people's attention to it. This caused them to marvel at the beauty before their eyes. If it were not for the pain and if it were not for the yieldedness to go through this suffering, then this river would just be ordinary, and no one would care to look upon it. But because of this sacrifice and this death to self, it becomes a beautiful masterpiece in My hand, My creation.
         48. "After this time of suffering and purging and thrashing and purifying, behold, what is at the bottom of this beautiful waterfall but a deep and gloriously clear pool of cool refreshing water. These two rivers that have united, and have been purged and broken, have become a beautiful pool of water; and many people come to sit beside the pool, and they dip their hands in the cool water and they are refreshed and they are strengthened and their battles are alleviated. They find strength and encouragement and comfort in this pool that is so deep and cool and clear and precious in My sight. The river has become a vessel, a channel to quench the thirst of many people.
         49. "Lift up your eyes and look to the end of the road, for there is a purpose and a plan, and it is this pool that I am forming. This is My goal, to form of these rivers and of this thrashing waterfall a beautiful pool of refreshing water that many will come to and drink from, and there find succor and comfort and encouragement.
         50. "Therefore, I say, be not weary in well doing. Be not weary with the battles and with the beating upon you and the discomfort. For there is an end in sight, there is a time of rest and reprieve from the battles. Then You will marvel at My hand, and you will appreciate this time of being thrashed about, this time when your yieldedness is being tested. Therefore be not weary. Hold on. Continue to yield and allow thyself to be broken and to be purged and to be cleansed, that you might become that which I have designed.
         51. "For though the rivers are beautiful, and though the waterfall is magnificent and many people look at it and marvel, the end of the road, this beautiful pool, will be the most beautiful. For this is when ye shall come to the end of yourselves, and My plan and My purpose shall then be accomplished, which is to feed and refresh and strengthen and succor and comfort many, yea, I say multitudes.
         52. "I have placed in your hands great riches and great treasures, which are these little tiny lives that I have blessed you with. I have trusted that you would be faithful and diligent in spite of battles, in spite of inconveniences, and in spite of your fears and concerns about the opinions of men and what people think of you with these two tiny weak lives that I have placed in your hands. You fear that others look upon you and wonder what is wrong with you, and why I have dealt you such a difficult hand.
         53. "But be not afraid, cast not away your confidence. For I say again and again and again that this is not a judgment, this is not a chastisement, but it is a blessing and an honor. I will not give you more than you are able to bear. For I have not placed in your hands a puny reward, this fruit of thy womb, but I have placed in your hands tremendous treasures that are without value. They are so precious in My eyes, they are the most precious things I have ever given you, these precious lives that I have entrusted into your care. Therefore look upon them as such, as treasures more valuable than all of the gold in the world, more valuable than all the power in the world, more valuable than the gifts or positions or ministries that you would seek. These precious little lives that I have placed in your hands are the greatest gift that I could give you. And though they are weak and though they are somewhat uncomely, and though they seem to be imperfect in your eyes, in My eyes they are perfect and beautiful.
         54. "Therefore cast not away your confidence, cast not away your joy, for it is only the Devil that would seek to steal your crown of joy. Therefore lift up your hands in praise unto Me, and I shall give you the desires of your hearts, more than you can ever imagine."
* * *
         55. (David:) "Oh My dear precious ones, I love you so much. It hurts Me when you feel that I don't love you, or when you look on others and compare. To compare yourselves amongst yourselves is not wise, because I do not deal with you all the same way. For you are special to Me, you are a special part of My plan. You are a special part of My Kingdom. You have a special place in My plan. Others have different places, thus I deal with them differently. I give them different trials and tests, I have different lessons for them. It is not all the same, thus you cannot compare yourselves. For I do not send you these trials and tests because I do not love you, or because of some big sins you have, or because I'm dealing with you. I only send them because I know that it is what is best for you. You have to look at them with the eyes of the spirit and not with the eyes of the flesh. For you have asked good things.
         56. "Have I not said in My Word that if you ask for a fish, I will not give you a stone? For I have not given you a stone, I have given you good things. But to you it looks like a stone, it looks like something awful and terrible. It looks like chastisements, but it is not. You must have faith to believe that it is not a chastisement, but that these things which happen in your life are what's best for you. They are to help you to grow into the man and woman of God that I want you to be.
         57. "For if you are not willing to go through these things, then you would never be ready to fill the places that I have for you. The special test and jobs and training that I have given you, that I have entrusted to you, these are for a purpose. These things will not come to naught, but I will use them in the future. For you will be able to comfort others with the same comfort that ye have been comforted of Me. You will have this experience to draw on. You will have this training that you have been given through this affliction (Isa.48:10). I will reward you so wonderfully for your willingness, and your love for Me, and your love for these sweet, precious, beautiful children that I have entrusted to your care. It will not be hard for you then, for you will look back on this time and you will be so thankful. You will see that I indeed do all things well. You will be so thankful that you were the ones to whom I entrusted the care of these little ones."
         58. (Vision:) I saw a picture of the Lord handing this couple these gifts and presents of affliction. They were reaching out their hands to receive them from the Lord, but to them they looked like horrible things. But when they looked at them with eyes of faith and in the eyes of the Spirit, they were beautiful presents of all these gorgeous diamonds and jewels, very valuable things. I think it meant that there's a big difference in how you look at things, your attitude towards them. (End of excerpts of prophecies for the young couple.)

Sex Is Only a Small Part of Life!
         59. The Lord has many wonderful things in store for you young people, and we believe this new freedom to love one another and share sexually will result in great victories, progress, personal growth, maturity and happiness. Indeed, this freedom of love and sex is wonderful. However, I'd like to remind you that it's only a small part of life and it represents only one of the many changes and challenges that the Lord is offering you senior teens through the Love Charter!
         60. The ultimate goal of this wonderful freedom of the Law of Love is not just to experiment and have fun with sex.--That's just a wee part of the big picture and vision the Lord is placing before you. As indicated in the prophecy excerpt below, it's intended to be a "stepping stone" to greater freedom in the Spirit, a "door" that will lead to greater dedication and a closer walk with the Lord, as you take hold of the riches of the Spirit in greater measure. He said:

         61. "This freedom in the flesh is only a minute part of the freedom that I want to give you. It is beautiful and it is wonderful; it is needful and I do want you to have it. But it is only a tiny part. It is a stepping stone and a door through which you pass that you might experience the true freedom of the Spirit, that you might experience the love of the Wild Wind and the spirit of David and the spirit of Maria! That is the freedom that I want you to have!"

         62. As a result of the Love Charter, not only will you be loving each other more, but you'll also be witnessing more, carrying more responsibility in your smaller Homes, participating more in fundraising and "consider the poor" ministries, training new disciples, learning new ministries, possibly marrying and raising children, possibly traveling to new fields, opening new Homes and learning new languages, etc. There is still so much to do and see and learn and experience as you pursue your ministries and callings for Him.
         63. Through the many rights and responsibilities embodied in the Love Charter, the Lord is challenging all of us to be better vessels to show His love to all we meet, both in and out of the Family; to become more effective and dedicated missionaries who are moved with compassion and compelled to action when we see the needs of those around us; to yield more fully to the Spirit so we can be better channels to carry His message to the waiting world; to mature into loving leaders and bellwethers who will look to the Lord and the Word in all our decisions; to become more vigilant Endtime fighters who will uphold the standard of all that Dad has taught us. So with all this to do, please pray that you can keep this sexual freedom in its proper perspective and that through it you will grow in greater power, anointing and freedom of the Spirit. On this subject, the Lord said:

         64. "You should covet more earnestly in your hearts these other gifts that I have given you--the gifts of being princes and princesses, the gifts of being knights and ministers of My Kingdom--for this is the greater gift and the greater calling. These other freedoms that I may entrust unto you, bear them with maturity so that you are not a reproach to one another, nor a stumbling block to one another, nor a stumbling block unto the Kingdom of God.
         65. "For what truly is the freedom that I want to give? Is it freedom in the flesh? Is it freedom only for sex? Is it freedom only for touching this or that part of the body? Nay, I say. Truly, the freedom I want to give is freedom in the Spirit, freedom to serve Me, freedom to love Me and to exercise your gifts, freedom to be honest, freedom to witness, freedom to have conviction and to stand up for the truth, freedom to speak in tongues and freedom to prophesy, freedom to help one another and freedom to counsel one another and lift each other up, freedom to speak the truth, and freedom to love Me and not be affected by negative peer pressure or the opinions of others or the cares of this life.
         66. "This is truly the greatest freedom--freedom to love Me, freedom to serve Me, freedom to grow into your ministry and to be that which I have called you to be! ... Freedom in the Spirit, that is what you must seek! That is the true freedom!"

         67. We love each one of you very much and have faith that you'll not fail Mama or Dad or the Lord, but that you'll keep fighting, progressing and growing, so you can become the soldiers the Lord needs you to be to win this great Endtime war! God bless and keep you through these times of change and challenge and growth! Don't worry about the future! Just keep trusting and loving Jesus and He'll keep and strengthen you! We have so much to do for Him! So let's keep our eyes on the goal and do our best! We love you!

         Note: Laws vary considerably from country to country. Conduct that is considered socially acceptable in one country is often clearly illegal in another. We therefore recommend that you be familiar with and take into prayerful consideration the laws of the land pertaining to the rights and responsibilities allowed in the Love Charter. [Please see the preface of the Love Charter, page x.]
         The Love Charter and this GN put forth the
ideal concerning the rights of senior teens and YAs to have sexual freedom within certain boundaries. If you find that any of the counsel in the Love Charter and this GN is not considered legal in the country where you live, we suggest you pray individually and together as a Home and hear from the Lord through prayer and prophecy, and the other basic ways to determine God's will, as to how to approach the matter in question. How you apply the rights that are discussed in this GN is your choice and you are responsible before the Lord and man for your actions.


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family