"¹⁵ When Joseph´s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" ¹⁶ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: ¹⁷ ´This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.´ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, "Don´t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. ²¹ So then, don´t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

Introduction: A human being has two selves: one changeable and the other unchangeable. I was born on February 14, 1936 at Kyungsangnam-do, Uljoo-gun, Samnam-myun, Kyudong-ri #31, as the first child of Cho Du Chen, my father, and Kim Bok Sun, my mother. It was a destiny given to me that could not be changed. However, the destiny becomes changeable when I strive to become a better person as I grow older.


1. Accept things that cannot be changed.
    1) One´s birth and given circumstances.
    2) One´s physical condition - man, woman, beautiful, ugly, tall, short, etc.
    3) One´s social status.
    4) One´s nationality, etc.

2. Acknowledge and accept the circumstances given.
    1) Human beings are the clay; God is the potter    (Isa 64:8).
        - Remember that many great people were born in miserable circumstances.
    2) Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness in the place where you are.
        - We cannot resist our destiny by our strength. Only rely on God
            (Ps 37:5-6; Rev 22:13).
        ○ Joseph´s life, destiny, and faith    (Ge 50:20).

3. Forgive and cleanse the past under the Cross.
    1) The bygone past never returns, like fish that have been released
        (Isa 43:18; Php 3:13).
    2) Gain wisdom from lessons learned in the past    (Pr 8:33; Ps 119:71).
    3) Cleanse the negative memories of the past    (1Jn 1:7, 9; Col 3:9-10).

4. Have a dream and faith for a better tomorrow.
    1) The more you resist your destiny, the more it will take hold of you.
        Rely on God who is willing to change your destiny    (Pr 3:5-6; 16:9).
    2) Give your time to God and wait    (Ps 123:2).
        ① Abraham waited for 15 years.
        ② Jacob lived in his wife´s home for 20 years.
        ③ Moses lived in the desert for 40 years.
    3) Do not be discouraged or lose heart, but remember the love of the Cross
        (Ro 8:32, 37).
    4) Change the things that are changeable.
        ① Change your thinking into a positive mind set    (Ro 8:28).
        ② Conceive a dream    (Ps 81:10).
        ③ Have faith    (Ro 4:17).
        ④ Take control of the confession of your mouth    (Mt 18:18).


Conclusion: A flower and a crop will grow well in a decayed manure heap. When we are broken, get rid of selfishness and stubbornness, and solely rely on God with all our heart, then God will make us bloom into a beautiful flower. Death is absolutely hopeless, but from death, the flower of Jesus´ resurrection will bloom.