Change the man change the World

As I look around at the World called Earth, many thoughts occupy my mind. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Who should I follow? Why so much trouble? Why so much pain? There are many more questions.

Then I looked around to gage the measurement of success. Success from a humanistic standpoint is measured by money resulting in power. Wow! Now my question is what is in the heart of him or her with this abundance? When an abundance of money is obtained, and then comes power. When power is obtained, and then comes influence.

In the World we reside influence is also obtain via appointed political positions. This also is a great problem. What is in the heart of the persons in those positions? We all lead based on what has been deposited in our hearts. How can we lead without direction? Who has the final say?

Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)
There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

Proverbs 18:12 (NKJV)
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

Proverbs 19:3 (NKJV)
The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.

Proverbs 20:5 (NKJV)
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 20:27 (NKJV)
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

Proverbs 21:2 (NKJV)
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

I find that we as humans outside of God’s directions are incapable of planning any successful thing. God is concerned about the greater good, He is concerned about people, He created us in His likeness…

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

He isn’t concerned about the human phase “I did it.” Each one of us has been groomed to make sure we receive praise for what we accomplish; but wasn’t really instructed to give the praise to the Creator. None the less, we love our praise. There is nothing wrong with receiving commendation for our achievements, but we need to learn how to give proper due to our Creator.

What’s in your heart? This is where all the issues of life dwell. If our heart isn’t right, our World isn’t right. All it takes is one misguided heart to complicate many lives. Just because a person has money, position, which equate to power doesn’t mean that his or her heart is right. We need to follow the fruit from their heart… my belief is… what’s in a person abundantly will come out eventually.

If our heart doesn’t align with God’s heart for the plans we’re presented it will be a lost cause. We as humans received knowledge from those of the past, but fail to realize that all was given by God to be a blessing to all. We are so self-centered until we take all the credit as if we taught ourselves, we did it on our own… if the truth be told… our knowledge outside of God is detrimental not only to our lives, but to those who will follow. “We reproduce after our own kind.”

My prayer is for all of us to just give up, throw in the towel… let go, and let God… before we all arrive in the wrong place at the wrong time. God gave humans something that no one else has, not even the angels, the ability to choose…

Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15 (New Living Translation)
But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Change the man change the World. God will do what He promised if only we would surrender all to Him. He’s got the “Whole Wide World” in His hands. He made everything, He own everything; He just want to show us how to “play together.”

Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 (New Living Translation)

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do you have the stuff or does the stuff have you?

Blessings to all!

CJ

I can’t do it anymore

The “I can’t do it anymore” phase present that one is or has given up. I went through so much in my life growing up, and yes I used the phase “I can’t” often. I can remember when someone close to me spoke those words in my hearing; they were on the verge of giving up, not just things, but life. What was I to do…? It was as if our Heavenly Father stepped into my body and spoke life into a dead situation. This person’s life changed that very hour; they got up with a renewed spirit, and haven’t looked back since. God will do what He said, but we must believe…

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

James 2:14 (NKJV)
[Faith without Works Is Dead] What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

James 2:18 (NKJV)
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:20 (NKJV)
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

A fellow brother in the Gospel asked me one day… how do you know you have FAITH? Each time you go to the bank teller there is money, you insert your card, and the money appears. That stuck with me for a long time until I was tested. I left Germany enroot to relocate in a specific state; arriving to a relative home, no job, just FAITH. I was totally at peace! I went for my first interview, the person called me back the next day asking if I could start the next Monday, this was on a Friday, I said no, but I can start Tuesday… he laughed and said ok, we will talk then.

Now let me tell you what happened in Germany… I prayed for a specific job in Germany, the job just happened to be in a state that the family was comfortable with, so God granted my request.

You see, FAITH without works is dead! If we want something from the Lord within reason… we must first believe, then we must go and get what we requested. Sometimes God doesn’t give our requests because He knows best, but does meet our needs.

FAITH is the key to pleasing God.
Blessings to all!

CJ

I was the other woman

By Maggie Kim

I grew up watching those sleazy, made-for-TV movies whose storylines usually involved a home-wrecking hussy (usually bottle-blond)… who unleashed havoc on a happy marriage with her cheap charms and gold-digging ways. As a Catholic-school-bred teenager, I couldn’t imagine what would drive someone to steal another woman’s man. So imagine my surprise when a scant decade later, I became one of those hot-to-trot hussies, involved in a scandalous love drama with no happy end in sight.

The Other Woman holds a unique, nearly invisible place in society and when it comes to affairs, the blame, shame and scarlet letter are squarely placed on her shoulders. I don’t have much defense for my actions other than the naïveté — some would say, stupidity — of being a young woman who believed herself madly in love with the man of her dreams, who just happened to be married.

In those TV movies, the wanton woman usually gets what’s coming to her, whether it’s a jail sentence or an overwrought gunfight in which she’s the loser. In real life, I can tell you that the end is possibly even more painful than most breakups. Unlike a rift with an actual boyfriend, you won’t get much sympathy for your shattered heart because if anyone knew of the relationship, he or she most likely disapproved, and there’s not even the solace of knowing that your ex is as miserable and alone as you are. Because you know he’s gone back to his home and his wife. Here are some other hard lessons you’ll learn if you date a man who’s spoken for.

Lesson #1: It’s about sex, not love

As romantic as a head-over-heels love affair can first seem, it ultimately devolves into tawdry and quick assignations during his lunch hour or as his post-work workout. He already has a relationship and simply doesn’t have the time to cultivate another one. “When you’re so rushed for time because he has to get home for dinner, there’s not much you can do together but have sex,” explains Sue C., 31, from New Jersey. “So he comes over you have sex, talk for a bit and then he showers and goes back to his wife. Cuddling? As if” And isn’t luxuriating in the post-sex afterglow one of the best parts about intimacy? Granted, affair sex is almost inherently hot because of its forbidden element, but once that wears off, you’re feeling alone and empty.

Lesson #2: Don’t call him, he’ll call you

“What I hated most about having an affair was that I couldn’t reach my lover when I wanted to,” gripes Katya G., 29, from New York City. “I couldn’t call his office because he didn’t want anyone there to know about me or have any suspicions and, of course, I didn’t even have his home number. And if he didn’t want to talk to me, all he had to do was turn off his cell phone. It drove me crazy that I’d have to wait for him to call me back when it was convenient for him.” I can sympathize with her problem since I went through the same thing. Even though I could reach my married man via cell, I didn’t call too frequently in case his wife was around. He’d usually ring me up for a brief chat when he stepped outside his apartment for a smoke. And those brief chats just don’t satisfy your need for emotional reassurance after yet another sex (and nothing but sex) encounter.

Lesson #3: Saturday night? Try Wednesday afternoon

Get used to staying in. It’s not a cliché that you’re “sneaking around” when you’re having an affair. There’s no such thing as a romantic dinner out or strolling hand-in-hand in the park together. You may be in love, but you certainly won’t be shouting it from the rooftops or even from any neighborhood bar. “We could never go out, especially on the weekends,” says Sue. “Obviously, Saturday night was date night for him and his wife, so there was no way that was happening. Mainly, he’d come over to my place sometime during the week and we’d maybe get a few hours to hang out together. Those were our dates.” For me, too, the only time we’d get to go out in public would be when his wife was out of town—and it was usually at a dive bar or hole-in-the-wall restaurant where there was no chance of us running into anyone we knew. The food was never that great, either.

Lesson #4: You’ll get plenty of alone time

Affairs are bad and everyone knows it, so when you start one, you become pretty selective when it comes to telling anyone about “your new boyfriend.” I remember telling a few close friends, and as hard as they tried to be supportive, I knew that they didn’t understand, were disappointed, or completely disapproved. So I went into secret mode and didn’t tell anyone where I’d be or what I was doing, in case I was with “him” or in case he was calling me to let me know he could come see me for a bit. It was very isolating to not be able to share something so huge, and emotionally painful that was going on in my life with my friends. At the same time, I was so obsessed with when I’d be able to see him again that I freed up my schedule entirely, forgoing time with friends, so I could be available when he was. And that’s just sad.

Lesson #5: Get ready for gut-wrenching guilt

If you have any sort of conscience, the guilt of what you’re doing will gnaw away at you. As much as I tried to justify my affair as the price of true love, the presence of his wife soon became very concrete and unbearable. He’d have to call her sometimes from my place to explain away his lateness, and I’d go into the other room and feel seedy. I also spent an inordinate amount of time on Google, looking for pictures, history, anything about this woman who was my rival as well as the blameless victim in this whole mess. I think that’s what eventually led me to breaking off the affair. I couldn’t deal with the guilt of it and the harm I was causing another woman, whether she knew about it or not. I also knew he’d never leave her. And in hindsight, I don’t think I wanted him to—and that’s really the only positive thing I can say about the whole mess.

Maggie Kim is a reformed Other Woman. She’s also a rock musician (maggiekim.com) who got a lot of song material from her sordid past.

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First off, this is bold of Maggie to realize her wrong, and distance herself from this time bomb. What about the man in this affair… his eyes are possibly still closed. Just because she realized her wrong doesn’t mean he did too. Every affair we engage in will cost us dearly. Some people lose their lives, some their families, and others their mind. But something is always lost! Just because you think you got out before being caught, you didn't... you’re still caught. And let me say this… you are going to pay; the wages of sin is death.

We always say to ourselves when others are found out, I can’t see why he or she did that, and I would never have an affair. Get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, life just may prove differently. When this flesh sees something it likes, you know how we are; we just got to try it. Blindness set in, and we tend to go for it. Even though we know how many people could possibly be hurt as a result of our misbehavior? Let’s look at the Word…

Romans 7:18 - 25 (New Living Translation)

18. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

19. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

20. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

21. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

22. I love God’s law with all my heart.

23. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

24. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

25. Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Paul realized that the flesh is very weak outside of God; even with God we must train our flesh to obey. Just because we are born again Christians doesn’t mean we want get caught up in these affairs. The Spirit is willing to keep us, but the flesh sometime does what it knows to do. Good and evil is present here.

My prayer for all readers; when wrong thoughts enter our minds, notice I said when, they are coming if they haven already…quickly deal with them… if they stay to long negative seeds are being planted, and it’s just a matter of time before it grows into something we will regret. He or she will always look good! Your husband or wife will always be presented as bad during these times of confusion. The grass always look greener on the other side until you stay there for a moment, then reality set in and it may be too late. This is a trap from the evil one.

Let’s use our real heart and not our play one (lust)…

Ephesians 4:19 (New Living Translation)

They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

Blessings to all!

CJ

Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest

Blue Letter Bible Presents

Day By Day By Grace
by Bob Hoekstra
April 5th

Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest


Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16


Jesus as our High Priest is one of the magnificent truths that matures us in the faith and draws us more intimately to Him. When we see the greatness of Jesus in this office, our steadfastness is strengthened. "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession." Jesus was completely successful in His mission of redemption. He came and died as the sacrifice for our sins. He rose victorious over sin and death. He ascended to the heaven of heavens, seated in authority at the right hand of the Father. Knowing this, we have great cause to remain steadfast in our confession of hope in Him.

Furthermore, our great High Priest is not aloof from our needs or impervious to our frailties. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." The enemy of our souls threw all of his tempting devices at Jesus. He faced what we face, so He understands our battles in a very personal manner. Another matter of even greater significance is that He never yielded to the tempters attacks: "yet without sin." Thus, He not only understands our plight, but He can also provide victory.

We are hereby given reason to approach God, through our great High Priest, without hesitation or apprehension to find the help we need. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Our God rules this universe from a throne characterized by grace. This grace can only be properly known by those who live under His new covenant of grace. This grace is sufficient to justify and to sanctify all who humbly trust in the Lord. The grace offered here is not for initial salvation. Rather, it is for rescuing the redeemed when they are aware of their inadequacy. We are invited to draw near, approach our God in an intimate fashion, and partake of His fullness in light of our emptiness.

Dear Jesus, my great High Priest, I extol You for Your greatness. You are great in understanding, compassion, victory, and grace. Lord, I have so many great needs in my life. So I draw near to You, anticipating that Your grace is fully sufficient to meet my lack, Amen.

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Blessings to all,

CJ

Before I Was Born: God's Design for Sex

Before I Was Born: Designed for Parents to Read to Their Child at Ages 5 Through 8 (Gods Design for Sex) (Paperback) by Carolyn Nystrom (Author), Sandra Speidel (Illustrator)

Reviewer: A reader

This book was a real lifesaver. I knew my 8 year old daughter and I needed to "talk," but where to start? Happily, this series of books was recommended to me. It explains sex with a Christian bias--hallelujah! But even those who are not deeply religious would appreciate this book. The pictures accompanying the text are very beautiful drawings. The book starts off talking about how God made the world, how He made boys and girls, what boys and girls look like when they are born and as they grow older. The context is all very positive...God made our bodies and we should be proud of them! The pictures are very tasteful and not graphic. Halfway through the book (which is designed for a parent to read to their child) the book talks about God's plan for marriage.

It goes on to talk about a wedding, and the promises a married couple make to each other. "Friends bring gifts to a wedding," the book reads, "God has a special gift for new husbands and wives, too. It is called sex. And sex is a gift that they can enjoy the rest of their lives. God's rules say that only people that are married to each other should have sex. It is God's way of making families strong." What a beautiful explanation!

The book goes on to explain exactly what sex is, and that this is the way babies are made. (No graphic pictures of sex, the picture on this page is of a married man and woman snuggling in bed, with the covers up to their arms, but without clothing on their arms and chests. Only the male chest really shows). The next several pages of the book explain about pregnancy and the growing baby inside of a mother and conclude with the mother giving birth. I must admit that my husband was a little squeamish about the picture of the baby coming out between the mother's legs.

My daughter loved this book and thanked me for explaining things to her. She confessed that she had thought, before I read this book to her that "sex" was a BAD word! Now she knows so much better, and it has opened up an amazing dialogue between us. I feel secure, for now, that she feels very comfortable coming to ME with any questions she has about her body, growing up, and sex----and in this day and age, that is a real comfort! At the same time, I feel like this book is geared more towards 7-8 year olds than the advertised 5-8 year olds. I know a lot of 5 and 6 year olds who are just not curious enough about their bodies and sex to warrant as full and complete description as this book gives. It was perfect for my very bright, curious, 8 year old daughter at age 8.

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Just a few comments on this book for those who may want to discuss sex with their children.

Blessings to all,

CJ

What if I don't have strong loving feelings toward my stepchildren?

Many stepparents confess that they don't have deep feelings for their stepchildren. Some assume that the love they feel for their new spouse will automatically create loving feelings for their spouse's children. As many stepparents find out, however, feelings of love for stepchildren are usually not so easy or natural. As a result, some stepparents feel guilty for not "loving" their stepchildren as much as they think they should. They try harder, but often it's met with more disappointment and guilt.

It's comforting -- even freeing -- to know that stepparents aren't obligated to feel strong attachment to their stepchildren. While affectionate feelings are ideal in relationships, they are not necessary to cultivating healthy relationships with stepchildren.

Our actions of love and service on behalf of another family member are more important than our feelings. Stepparents can make choices to love their stepchildren in tangible ways, even if they are not experiencing the warm feelings they wish they had. What matters most in a family are the acts of love demonstrated through serving one another, not the feelings of love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)

4. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud

5. or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

6. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

7. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 John 3:16-18 (New Living Translation)

16. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

17. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

18. Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

It's also important to treat stepchildren with grace. That includes those who are distant, angry, and difficult to live with. Extending grace doesn't mean that we overlook problems. Instead, we treat our stepchildren the way we want to be treated, with respect and kindness.

Matthew 7:12 (New Living Translation)

The Golden Rule

12. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Philippians 2:3-4 (New Living Translation)

3. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

We give them the discipline and guidance they need, remembering that we, too, were once their age. Even during the difficult times, stepparents should do what is right and fair for their stepchildren.

Proverbs 1:3 (New Living Translation)

3. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

Proverbs 21:3 (New Living Translation)

3. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 (New Living Translation)

13. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

An attitude of truth with grace fosters a healthy relationship between you and your stepchildren.

Relationships are complex and for a range of reasons, some stepparents and stepchildren don't grow close. Even so, you can be the kind of stepparent who loves his or her stepchildren through acts of service with an attitude of grace. Your loving actions, with or without the loving feelings, honor your stepchildren, encourage warmhearted rapport and model the tender heart of Jesus Christ.

Written by: Allison Stevens

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What a powerful word by Brother Allison Stevens. I pray that all of us will apply these principles to our daily lives.

Blessings to all,

CJ