THE ONLY PERSON YOU CAN TRULY CHANGE IS YOURSELF...

Be confident. God created a good work in you and He will continue to work on your behalf - Phil. 1:6.

INTRINSIC MOTIVATION EQUALS GOD ORDAINED CHANGE

By Synthia Esther

November 29, 2016. Updated: May 8, 2024.

While we all sin and come short of the glory of God, we alone are accountable before God for the choices we make in life (Romans 3:23). If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 8-10).

Your desire to change your wayward ways is not real unless "YOU DESIRE TO CHANGE THAT WHICH SEEKS TO CONTROL YOU!" - (John 10:10). Being doers of God's word, not inactive hearers brings forth abundant life blessings from God. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like the person who looks intently at their natural face in a mirror. Seeing their self, they then go away and at once forget what they are like. Always bearing fleeting sentiments of faith that do not last. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, they will be blessed in their doing (James 1:22-25).

Intrinsic motivation equals real change in an individual's wants and desires because it is based on internal rewards rather than external, self centered consequences (Colossians 3:10). A promise to stop an ill regarded, addictive sin behavior to a mate based on their decision to "stay with you or leave you", will not equal an intrinsic personal desire to change. Money, rewards, sex, drugs, and any and all self-gratification motivations, will not satisfy lost soul longings. Only the love of God can heal a broken heart (John 4:14; 7:38).

Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy - 1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the a mystery of godliness, God manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.We, as born again children of the Most High God, Jesus Christ our Lord, have all the power we need to will and do according to our Holy Father's word, will, and ways, for the Holy Spirit of God lives within us.

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", is very true! God goes with us, before us, lives within us, and by and through the Holy Spirit's power, we can and do change to become more like Him (Galatians 2:20). God never forces His will upon us. It really is as simple as saying yes to God, and no to self. Choose this day to love and serve God, as His salvation plan taken by faith is the first step towards developing the intrinsic motivation He alone can provide (John 3:16; Joshua 24:15). For only when we truly desire to please God, can real abundant Zoe life changes begin to manifest in accordance with His Holy will.

00"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" - 1st Corinthians 4:20-21.

KINKY SEX WON'T KEEP A MAN

By Synthia Esther
June 10, 2015-Update: July 28, 2021

News Sources: Wikipedia, New York Times, Youtube documentary "Tabloid" movie clip, retrieved 6/8/2015.

Joyce McKinney, was an attractive, 36-24-38, American blond (former 1973 Miss Wyoming), who practiced S&M for extra income providing "Your Fantasy Is My Specialty" sex for clients. She met and clicked with a young man named Kirk Anderson, and felt their "chemistry" attraction was a force to be reckoned with. All of a sudden her love interest vanished. Yet her dreamy obsession with Kirk Anderson, who was a Mormon missionary, did not subside. She found out he was in England, and went to find her man.

There Anderson was, on the steps of a Mormon Church, when she kidnapped and took him hostage for three days at a cottage where it is said she blind folded, tied, and then shackled him to a bed, and raped him.

A legal rape case ensued, which is often referred to in various media as the, "Sex in Chains Case". Tabloid news worthy spew made national headlines, and Errol Morris even made a documentary he titled "Tabloid" about the whole affair (youtube shows a clip). McKinney claims Anderson left with her on his own accord. Therefore citing mutual consent.

One might logically conclude, if Anderson was in such rape duress how could he have had sex with McKinney? However, the real question to this rather strange S&M, Dominatrix, Master and slave, case has more to do with McKinney's flawed mental and psychological constructs.

McKinney thought great kinky sex would convert, and/or convince, a very religious man, to leave the faith and fall in love with her. Often working in the sex industry, you develop what the Bible calls, "a blind mind" stupor (John 9:39; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 11:8).

The moral to this story in my opinion being, "Kinky Sex Won't Keep A Man". Although many in the sex industry make a buck in striving to convince most of society to think otherwise, there is way more going on in the bonds of love and sex than meets the eye!

What's love got to do with sexual lust? Absolutely nothing! When sex becomes your secret method of attraction, you will lose every time. Sexual cravings are not the same as having a sexual appetite. Cravings control you, forever desiring to be feed, they escalate leaving you never satisfied (James 1:14-15).

BIBLICAL SCRIPTURES - SEX AND BONDING:

Walk by the spirit, and you will not desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). Whoever sow to the flesh reaps destruction, those who sow to the spirit have eternal life (Gal. 6:8). It is God's will that we live a life of sanctification, and learn to control our flesh (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). We are to put to death our earthly desires, sexual immorality, lusts, impurity and evil desires (Col. 3:5). Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life come not from our Holy Father, but from our own selfish, self-centered, wayward desires (1 John 2:16).

When we flee the desires of our youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, we come before God with a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22). We are assured that God hears the prayers of the righteous (James 5:16). Remembering, the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the spirit brings life and peace (Romans 8:6).

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

2nd Peter 2:4-10, "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; (5) if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; (6) if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; (7) and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (8) for that rightesous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard - (9) if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. (10) This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.

2nd Peter 2:19, "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are "slaves" of depravity - for a man is a "slave" to what ever has mastered him."

James 1:13-15, "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death.

Ephesians 5:11-12, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (12) For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.".

2nd Peter 2:4-10, "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; (5) if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; (6) if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; (7) and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (8) for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard - (9) if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. (10) This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.

2nd Peter 2:19, "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are "slaves" of depravity - for a man is a "slave" to what ever has mastered him."

Ephesians 5:11-12, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (12) For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

Be at peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world - John 16:33.

YOU WILL FLOURISH LIKE GRASS

Scripture Reference:

ISAIAH 66:13-14

By Synthia Esther

Despair had overcome General Robbie Risner's life while living in his tiny cell as a prisoner of war. He was in a dismal place. Dark thoughts ever consumed him. Risner lived in his small cell shell of existence for 7 long years. He explained, "If you could have squeezed the feeling out of the word despair, it would have come out lead-colored, dingy and dirty."

How would he survive? How would he cope? The walls around him seem to close in daily. With his head bowed in sorrow he noticed a floor drain, pried the cover off and lowered his head into the opening.There it was, a solitary blade of grass, the only life he could see, the only bright color in his lonely existence. This blade of grass he proclaimed, was like a blood transfusion of hope for the soul.

Risner, with a "renewed mindset," began each day in prayer, lying on the floor with his head down the vent, focused on that single blade of grass. He saw the beauty of God's workmanship, the value of God's life force and plan. This God sent gift of life provided a ray of hope, during a time of great turmoil.

Risner's focus had changed his mind. Sound advice for those who struggle with sexual temptation, as you have less than thirty seconds to change your focus, defeating the thought that could otherwise hold your mind captive. When such thoughts besiege you think of the visual of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Focus on his shed blood that purchased your salvation's plan, redemption from sin.

* Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the "renewing" of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:2

* Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things ... - Colossians 3:5-8 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Colossians 4:2

* No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12:11

* Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - 1st John 2:15-17.

STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH SO THAT NO WEAPON FORGED AGAINST YOU WILL PREVAIL. - ISAIAH 54:17

You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. - Isaiah 62:3 Remember, "You can do everything through Him who gives you strength. - Philippians 4:13

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes. - Isaiah 66:13-14

Be still and know that I am God... - Psalm 46:10

DON'T LET THE DECEPTION OF SIN BLIND YOU FROM SEEING AND KNOWING THE TRUTH. JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD, SAVIOR, FRIEND, UPON WHOM WE CAN DEPEND! SEEK HIM, TRUST IN HIM, CLAIM VICTORY IN HIM TO HELP YOU FIGHT ANY AND ALL BATTLES SATAN MAY SEND YOUR WAY.

OUR HOPE IS IN JESUS. WONDER IN HIS FAVOR, LOVE, MERCY, AND GRACE.

God is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into his glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy - Jude 1:24. For this great God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide until we die - Psalm 119:73.