Let’s take just one moment to recap from the previous post, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY.
God’s way to joy =>> Other-centered – them, them, them (How can I be a blessing to others? What might I have to “give up”, sacrifice, to restore a relationship, to start a relationship, to set healthy boundaries in a relationship, etc.)
The world’s way to happiness =>> Self-centered – me, me, me (What’s in it for me? What will make me happy?)
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The life God calls us to live may seem, at first glance, counter-intuitive and challenging. It seems to fight against every fiber of our being. I often feel the way Paul describes himself in Romans 7:19 – 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.
Referencing the slide from my previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY, The Way to…, we can see that there is a battle being fought for our hearts.
Satan, the god of this world, John 12:31, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2, seeks to influence our ideas, opinions, goals, hopes, education, finances, and worldview (philosophies) towards his ways. Forget about others. You’re the only one who matters. Look out for #1.
God, on-the-other-hand, wants to give us wisdom, James 1:5, He’s allowed us to experience love, because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19. God, who so deeply desires a relationship with us, that He willingly gave His Son, Jesus, to be a sacrifice in our place, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16, and live forever with God. He desires for us to look outside of ourselves, towards others. Not for His benefit, but for ours.
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Have you ever heard of making a New Year’s Resolution? A promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, or to stop doing something bad on the first day of the year.
Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness? Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
Have you ever heard this verse from the Bible? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 55:8
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WHAT DO THESE SEEMINGLY, RANDOM, QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH GOD’S WAY TO JOY?
< “I Just Wanna Be Happy!! – (Part 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH >
SEE ALSO: (PART 1) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, (PART 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY
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In biblical terms, happiness is an irony. Jesus said, “Whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it.” The Beatitudes describe the happy (blessed) person as one who is poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, mournful, hungry for righteousness, persecuted for Christ’s sake, maligned, peaceable and pure-hearted.
Happiness cannot be found through self indulgence. The more you chase it, the more elusive it becomes. You find it when you are not seeking it. It comes when you empty yourself in the service of Jesus Christ. First, you must be humble enough to seek help (poor in spirit). Then you must have genuine remorse for your sins (be mournful). You must be meek (not given to self promotion, but seeking the honor of Another). You must pursue righteousness, show mercy, have pure motives, and be willing to suffer all kinds of mistreatment for following Jesus Christ. Only by doing these things can you be assured of genuine happiness.
This kind of ‘happiness’ is not dependent on circumstances. It is produced by the attitude of the heart. So it cannot be taken away. No one has the ability to ruin your day by behaving badly. No misfortune, no matter how big, can rob you of your happiness. It is intrinsic to your very nature – the new nature you received when you chose to follow Christ.
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