I personally like to listen to Mike Wells also @ www.abidinglife.com

Are your friends real?
Do you know about the truths?

If you want to grow up(NOT growing old!) stay away from these people:

Some people are focused on themselves in the here and now. As a result, they are extremely nearsighted.

They see only what is happening right before them or what is affecting their lives with the greatest intensity at any given moment.

Concerned only with what is happening this hour of the day, these people live in the moment, sliding from minute to minute without any thought.

They react to life rather than respond to it. Reactions are immediate, instinctual, impulsive, and generally arise from emotion. Responses, by comparison, are measured, evaluative, and "thought out" to some degree-and therefore, they tend to be slightly delayed in time. Both reactions and responses have a spiritual root but their expression is different.

The lord calls to express godly responses-behaviors based upon our spiritual value system, our belief is God's Word, and our intimate relationship with him. Others view life by looking only in the mirror.

They see only how people, circumstances, or situations affect them-not how they might impact the lives of others. Although these personality types do not consider others, they usually expect others to think continually about them and are upset if it is not the case!

 If you believe that your purpose in life is solely in here and now, or that your purpose is wrapped up entirely in what will benefit you, it is likely that you will become extremely self-indulgent.

You will ask only, “what brings me immediate pleasure and satisfaction?" And then you will seek out and pursue only those things.

The real question to ask is, "What does God have in mind for me and for my life?" Our ultimate purpose on this earth is not to gratify and satisfy ourselves, but to bring pleasure and joy to the heart of the Father. 

From words of one of my favorite pastors: Dr. Charles Stanley HOW TO THINK IS A CHOICE YOU MAKE

retyped for all my visitors
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Truths about life

Several truths about relationships (from “How to Reach Your Full Potential for GOD” written by Dr. Charles F. Stanley) Read his books, they will show you the facts about you, too. 

www.intouch.org 

1. God puts in relationship for purpose of effective ministry and for mutual support as human beings.
2. The Lord wants us to be in relationship with people who are consistent and loyal-people who can count upon, regardless of situations and circumstances.
3. God expects us to forgive people who hurt us, but he does not require us to continue to trust people who abandon us. 

The Lord does not require us to continue working with people who are disloyal to us or behave in ways that are detrimental to our ministry efforts. 

1. God wants us to be sensitive to the fact that everybody makes mistakes and has an opportunity to learn and grow from them. Each of us is under development, to some degree, all the days of our lives. If a person makes a mistake, we should consider giving him or her a second chance to do the right thing. Very often, those who continue in their error are people we should avoid.

Relationships are God’s plan! 

(From the cover of the book)So often the world says, “You’re average. You are merely one in six billion. You need to be content and settle for whatever comes your way.” But almighty God, the heavenly Father who crafted you as a uniquely gifted individual, knows better. He gave you a purpose here on earth and has equipped you specifically to fulfill it. If you will seek him, He will awaken your passion for that purpose in ways you never imagined.

“Are you willing to yield your life to the guidance, counsel, and direction of the Holy Spirit?” asks author, teacher, and Pastor Dr. Charles F. Stanley. In How to Reach your full Potential for God, he challenges readers to pursue the Lord in ways that will stir passion and purpose that is both spiritual and practical. Dr. Stanley says such devotion leads to a life of fulfillment that many seek but don’t find.

“God has not only created you with the gifts and talents to do His work on this earth, but He also has created you with the desires, dreams, and disposition to become a person with whom He enjoys fellowship and spiritual intimacy. … NO one can fully understand the depths of His love, the help that He desires to give, or the blessings and rewards that He has prepared.” (Retyped for my visitors!)

Step out in faith. Trust the biblical promises and principles found in these pages. Embrace the passion and purpose that spring from a relationship with the God who made and loves you. 

Dr. Charles F. Stanley is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the founder and president of In Touch Ministries. Dr. Stanley has twice been elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention and is known internationally from his radio and television program In Touch. His many best-selling books include When the Enemy Strikes, Finding Peace, Landmines in the Path of the Believer, Enter His Gates, The Source of My Strength, and How to Listen to God.

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Also, I suggest you to read “when the Darkness Will Not lift” written by John Piper 

www.crossway.org 

“It is utterly crucial that in our darkness we affirm the wise, strong hand of God to hold us, even when we have no strength to hold him.” – John Piper

(Portion of his book) Richard Baxter gave the same counsel three hundred years earlier than MacDonald and traced it back to the Bible.

Be sure that you live not idly, but in some constant business of a lawful calling, so far as you have bodily strength. Idleness is a constant sin, and labor is a duty. Idleness is but the devil’s home for temptation, and for unprofitable, distracting musing. Labor profited others and us; both soul and body need it. Six days must thou labor, and must not eat “The bread of idleness.”(prov. Xxxi. 13-27.) god hath made it our duty, and will bless us in his appointed way. I have known grievous, despairing melancholy cured and turned into a life of godly cheerfulness, principally by setting upon constancy and diligence in the business of families and callings.

For Koreans: listen to www.nasungchurch.org  they all speak the truths!!

 Listen to www.nasungchurch.org  the pastor Chung speaks the truths!!