Tag: relationships

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“JUST FOLLOW YOUR HEART”

It was Jenn’s mom’s birthday last Saturday.  Coming home from the Couples Getaway of Victory Fort,  she had a dinner for the whole family all set up – steak, liempo, puchero, and lots of other dishes.  It was a major feast.

Have you ever told yourself, “Ok, there’s lots of food.  I’m hungry.  But I won’t eat a lot tonight.”

Fast forward a couple of hours, you’re burping every minute because of the tons of food you ate.

That was me.

You’ve heard it’s been said to “follow your heart.”  (For this instance, it was follow my stomach.)

You like this guy, just follow your heart.
You want to transfer to another department, then just follow your heart.
You desire to leave your wife because she’s so annoying, then just follow your heart.
You want to spend more time with him even if you’re married because he gives you the attention you don’t get from your husband; then just follow your heart.
You know it’s wrong.  Going all the way won’t be the wisest thing to do.  But then again, just follow your heart.

Not sure if you’ve noticed by now, we are actually masters at self-deception.  At least I know I am.  I’ve lived long enough to realize that.

“I can eat this liempo.  I really haven’t had any in a long time… like 24 hours…”
“Just one won’t hurt.”
“No one notices anyway.”

We’re good at convincing ourselves to do something we know that’s not wise.

Then we end up messing up.  Then we blame our circumstances, others, our childhood, our parents, even God.  We blame everyone else except ourselves.

Let me tell you why we can’t follow our heart.

Jeremiah told us clearly that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

It’s deceitful.  It’s desperately wicked.

What would be a good standard to follow?  God’s given us His word.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8, NLT)

It is our compass.  When we stick to what He says, then the promise is that there is going to be success in all we do.

His Word.  Our standard.

 

 

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TEST DRIVE A RELATIONSHIP?

I spoke to a single guy one time and once again the topic of relationships came up.  (Boy, that topic has been coming up very often. You wouldn’t believe it.) Click here to read about my other conversation.

As we were talking, the subject of sex came up.  He recently was feeling convicted ever since he started getting serious about his walk with Christ.

We talked about how he is now pursuing purity and holiness not only because it’s the right thing to do but it’s also courageous thing to do.  Anyone can be like a dog, be in ‘heat’ and find female dogs (I can’t say the slang term for it).  But it takes courage to stand for Christ, deny self and believe God for the future.

I’ve heard it been said that to REALLY know if you’re compatible, then why not live in first to see if it works.  Ladies, to tell it bluntly, when a man says that, he is saying, “I’m looking for a convenient way to have sex without commitment.”

If a man can’t back up his commitment with a ring, then his words are  like smoke in an air vent.

Guys, God has someone for you.  Pursue. Court. Date. (I’m talking to those who have finished school and have a job).  If you get rejected, it’s ok.  Move on.  Patay kung patay.  That’s part of being a man.  He has built us to be strong.  There’s too many emasculated men out there.  And I know you’re not one of them.

Ladies, if a guy says he wants to test drive the relationship by living in, think twice.  One, you’re not a car.  Two, even if you think you are, you lose 20% of your value after you’ve been driven out of the dealership. That’s why so many feel damaged, used and worthless.

The wonderful thing though is that if you’ve made that mistake before (talking to both guys and girls), the grace of God is more than sufficient to cover.

2 Cor. 12:9. “My grace is sufficient for you.”

What we can do is to humble ourselves, acknowledge what we did wrong and come to Him.

1 Peter 5:5-7. “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

God is bigger than our mistakes.  He really is.

And He is crazy in love with you; more than you’ll ever comprehend.

He is a God who gives 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Nth chances.

That’s His nature.  That’s who He is.

He’s your Father.