How Can I Have an Extraordinary Day??? – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2d) [7]

Before Paul tells the Philippians how they can experience the fullness of joy in their daily service, he encourages them with these words…

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. –  Phil 2:12

These words resonant with me as a mom, and teacher.  It is my deep desire, as I’m sure it is for those who share their knowledge, experiences, skills, wisdom, etc. with others, that what has been taught/”caught” will be implemented when we’re not around to correct, redirect, or point out alternative responses.

Paul sets us straight in the second half of this verse, clearly stating who we should follow, and obey.  He doesn’t say follow me, Paul, or your mom, your dad, your Grandma or Grandpa, your teachers, coaches, etc.  No, Paul is very clear.  He says, obey God!!

So it doesn’t matter if your mom, or other mentor, isn’t around at every moment of your day, because God is.  He is there to guide, support, encourage, comfort, and direct our steps.

                       BhwLf0qIUAAAFqP

 

HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO?

We could simply let our conscience be our guide.

                      conscience

However, our consciences are subject to change, depending on where we get our information.  Therefore, it is important to have an unchanging/timeless/accurate source of truth.

WHERE DO WE FIND AN UNCHANGING/TIMELESS/ACCURATE SOURCE OF TRUTH?

Absolute truth is found in the Bible.

                            bible77

It is particularly important to read God’s Word for yourself verses just listening, or reading what God has taught others, or being an inactive observer.   Although listening and reading what others teach can provide great insight, independent reading of the Bible allows God to personally speak to you and to your situation.

                Reading-Bible-pd

 

WHERE DO I GET THE DESIRE TO READ AND LEARN GOD’S WORD?

GOD!!!

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  –  Phil 2:13, and it’s not simply reading the Word of God, but you must do what it says –  James 1:22.

As promised from the last post, Follow the Leader??  –  Joy in Serving  –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 2c)  [6], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ot, here are some practical ways Paul gives us to serve God and others in our everyday lives.

 

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SERVE IN OUR DAILY LIVES…  PHILIPPIANS 2:14-16

  1.  In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing – v.14
  2.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God – v.15  Paul realizes this won’t be easy as the second part of this verse says, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. – v.15       [Keep in mind that Paul is writing this letter to the Christians in Philippi, and believers everywhere.  It is these people who Paul is referencing when he says, children of God.  Children of God are those who have been born again, all people are not children of God. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God.  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.  –  John 1:12-13] 

<See upcoming post for more on – Are All People Children of God?>

3. Let your lives shine brightly, as lights, in the world – v.15

4. Hold firmly to the Word of Life, the Bible – v.16

 

HOW TO APPROACH OUR DAILY INTERACTIONS…

  1. Don’t expect to be served
  2. Look for opportunities to serve others, your faithful service is an offering to God  –  Phil 2:17

Choose to serve, and watch your ordinary day turn into an extraordinary day 🙂

                         the-difference-between-ordinary-and-extraordinary

 

 

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Follow the Leader?? – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2c) [6]

At the end of my post, My Attitude!! My Rights!!  –  Joy in Serving  –  PHILIPPIANS  (Chapter 2b)  [5]   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-o2, I mentioned that when we humble ourselves, and choose to follow God, as Jesus humbly choose to come to earth in human form, we still retain ourselves.  Jesus, although in human form was still God, and people who profess they are Christians are still sinners. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard  –  Romans 3:23

You may hear people call themselves Christians, “the tree”, yet when you observe their  actions/interactions, “their fruit”, the two don’t seem to match up.  For example, when I see an apple tree, I expect to see apples growing on it.

                              Apples_2

I don’t expect to see socks growing on an apple tree!

        tree socks

 

Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.  –  Romans 6:16

It’s because of our tendency to sin, regardless if we’ve asked God into our hearts, see The Cornerstone… in menu tab for more info, that we so desperately need a leader.  We need to follow someone who has faced all of the same testings we do, yet did not sin – Hebrews 4:15.  Someone who knows the way to JOY, and wants to help us experience it in our lives.

WHO SHOULD WE FOLLOW?

JESUS!!!

HOW DO WE FOLLOW JESUS?

To follow someone or something means that we conform to, imitate, copy, and give our allegiance.

Whether it is in the childhood game of follow the leader,

dressing like our favorite celebrity personality,

or giving our support, financially and/or emotionally, to a particular cause

If we say we follow ______, we’re saying that we want to live like that particular person or imitate their particular life-style.

If you read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the New Testament of the Bible, you will get a first-hand account of the life of Jesus.  You’ll see how He interacted with all sorts of people.

                  Jesus Loves Me

                                           Jesus_heals_many_people

And you’ll also see how He depended on God for strength to endure the trials He faced as a human.  Jesus often withdrew Himself to quiet places and prayed – Luke 5:16.    

                                               jesus-praying-in-the-garden

When we put our trust and lives into God’s hands, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear – Hebrews 13:6  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.Phil. 2:13

God wants everyone to experience the Joy that comes in serving 🙂

In the next post, we’ll look at Philippians 2:14-16, where Paul gives us some practical ways to serve God and others in our everyday lives.

 

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My Attitude!! My Rights!! – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2b) [5]

We had talked about God’s counter-intuitive ways for people to experience joy in the posts, “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK.  In Phil. 2:5, we see Paul is revealing to the Philippians another tip to experiencing joy in serving.  He says, You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 

WHAT WAS JESUS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD SERVING?

He humbled Himself, not clinging to His rights as God, and taking the form of a servant. – v.6-7  Mark, in Mark 10:44-45, puts it this way – whoever wants to be first among you must be the servant of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.

                       Helping-Others

 

IS GOD’S ATTITUDE DIFFERENT FROM THE “WORLD’S” ATTITUDE?

I think the answer would be a definite YES!!

As I think about the way schools, businesses, and various organizations measure success and HAPPINESS, it seems that the world connects success and HAPPINESS with personal achievement.

                 report-card2

       

                EmployeePerformanceJPG

 

Whereas, when we look at the counter-intuitive teaching of Jesus, He encourages people to look for ways to be a blessing to others, connecting service with success and JOY.

           feed starving children vol

          Feeding_Programs

 

YEAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS?  WHAT I DESERVE?

Remember from v.6, Jesus did not cling to His rights as God. 

Here are a couple of examples of our “rights” —

  • “I can have an abortion.  It’s my body, and I have a “right” to decide what I want to do.”
  • “I worked hard to earn my money.  I have the “right” to keep it all for myself.”
  • “I work hard for my grades in school.  I have the “right” to be recognized and rewarded for my efforts.”

WHAT DO OUR RIGHTS HAVE TO DO WITH SERVICE?

Because of our sinful natures, our natural tendency is to choose what we want, our will, verses God’s will. Our first reaction is self-preservation – me, me, me.

In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul is bringing to our attention that the world’s road to glory, fulfillment, success, happiness, etc., is nothing more than an illusion.  Nothing more than a carrot dangling ahead of us, tempting us, and leading us to believe that if we catch it, then we’ll finally be HAPPY.

               chasing a carrot-iStockphoto-retrorocket(edited)

Paul describes Jesus’ preparation for service in Phil. 2:7, He made himself nothing, He emptied Himself, He took the humble position of a bond servant, and appeared in human form.

Jesus was now subject to “human” experiences.  To pain, to temptation, to rules, to His parents, and most importantly, He was dependent on God.

I take a moment to note that Jesus, in choosing to humble Himself, to voluntarily take on the form of a human, in no way changed the fact that He continued to be God.

The fact that Jesus continued to be God, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin, Hebrews 4:15, is encouraging to me.  It demonstrates I am not being forced to serve, or forced to depend on God.  I choose to empty myself.  I choose to serve.  I choose to depend on God.  Also, in making those choices I will not lose who I am, my personality, the characteristics that make me, me.  No, instead I am accepting an opportunity to experience JOY.

Keep in mind that Jesus did not lose who He was, God.  In the same way, as I mentioned above, we don’t lose who we are either.  And who are we?  Sinners!!  –  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard  –  Romans 3:23

It’s because we’re sinners that we so desperately need a leader.  We need to follow someone who has faced all of the same testings we do, yet did not sin – Hebrews 4:15.  Someone who knows the way to JOY, and wants to help us experience JOY in our lives.

WHO SHOULD WE FOLLOW?

 

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Blessing and Being Blessed :) – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2a) [4]

Paul defines serving in Philippians 2:3-4.  He says,

  • DON’T be selfish

    sharing

  • DON’T live to try and make a good impression on others
  • DON’T think only about your own interests, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing

                      blindside

  • DON’T think that you are better than other people, be humble

   prison ministry

I think Paul’s definition is interesting.  Instead of telling people to do, do, do, having a what’s in it for me attitude, we’re told instead, don’t, don’t, don’t.  Reinforcing others before ourselves.  Reinforcing that we will experience joy through serving.  Through sacrifice and humbling ourselves.  As we bless others, we are being blessed in ways we would never have thought possible.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE MY FRIEND, SARAH (NOT HER REAL NAME), SHARED WITH ME —

Sarah began bringing over meals to Pam (not her real name), who was diagnosed with cancer.  Pam shared with Sarah how much her efforts meant to her and her family.  She’s receiving healthy food, aiding in her recovery, as well as quality time with Sarah.

As a result of Sarah’s willingness to give her time to Pam, she has also been blessed. She’s learned to prepare delicious looking, and tasting, vegan food.  She’s also found a confidant who has prayed with, and for her, as she’s going through her own emotionally difficult trials.

Although Sarah and Pam’s pain/suffering, are different, both woman have been blessed by each other in ways they could never have imagined.  They may never have connected in this way if it weren’t for the pain/suffering each woman is experiencing.

Sarah put her own issues aside to care for her friend.  And in her opinion, has been blessed far more than she’s been a blessing.  And I bet if I talked to Pam she’d have the opposite response – Sarah has been far more of a blessing to her, than she’s blessed Sarah.

        two friends

Isn’t following God’s ways interesting?  🙂

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In the last two posts, we learned that we can experience joy in suffering, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no.

As we begin to look at experiencing joy in serving, we see that suffering and joy are sometimes connected.  Pain/suffering is something God promises to go through with us, Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. – Psalm 23:4

We have an opportunity to serve and bless others, and in turn be blessed.  Allow God to use your pain/suffering to make a difference in someone’s life.

2 Corinthians 1:4 —-

            hands4

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Really?? There Can Be Joy in Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1b) – [3]

Continuing on from Philippians (Chapter 1a), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF&#8230;

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

chained hands

Remember:   The way you respond when you find yourself in conflicts at work, in your friendships, in your marriage, with your finances, with your teachers, your family members, etc. has to power to restrain you, or set you free.  Your response reflects what you believe, and of who you believe in.

breakthechain

 

WHAT KEPT PAUL GOING IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS?

Paul, “I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die.  And while I live that means fruitful service for Christ. – Phil. 1:20,22

WHAT FUELED PAUL TO PUSH THROUGH HIS SUFFERING?

I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. –  Phil. 1:25

 AN EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING

Between 1942 and 1945, a Jewish man named Viktor Frankl, spent time in four different Nazi concentration camps. His family died, he suffered horribly, and he spent years watching everyone around him suffering and dying. Out of this horrific experience came the book, Man’s Search for Meaning.

         mans-search-for-meaning

Here is a few quotes to ponder from Frankl’s book.

“Suffering is of itself meaningless.  We give our suffering meaning by the way we respond to it.”

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances  — the freedom to choose how you will respond to situation.”

“You can’t control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you feel and do about what happens to you.”

TRANSFORMATION/STRENGTHENING

Allow your suffering to transform you.  Allow your suffering to strengthen your faith in God.  golf_weight_training_press_squat

 

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Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1a) – [2]

The Book of Philippians is a letter, written by the Apostle Paul.  It is a rather short book, consisting of 4 chapters.  Each chapter describing how joy can be experienced within different contexts.

  • Chapter 1 – Joy in Suffering
  • Chapter 2 – Joy in Serving
  • Chapter 3 – Joy in Believing
  • Chapter 4 – Joy in Giving

When I read Paul’s letters, I like to imagine that he wrote them to me.

  reading letter

By making the letters personal, as was Paul’s intention, I read them as “pep talks”.

  Professional football coach motivating player on sidelines crowded stadium in background

They encourage me, while reminding me, that regardless of my circumstances there is hope when I put my trust in the Lord.

 

WHAT WAS PAUL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPIANS?

Looking at Phil 1:5 we see that Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians, You have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Because of the close relationship Paul shares with the Philippians, he knows that they are troubled by his suffering.  Therefore, he takes the time to reassure them that his suffering is not without purpose.  Paul says, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” Phil 1:1215

WHO’S IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES?

He reminds the Philippians that God is sovereign, and in control of his (and their) life and circumstances.  Paul lets them know that he is fulfilling God’s intended purpose for him.

SUFFERING => UNFAIRNESS OR OPPORTUNITY?

Paul saw his imprisonment, not as an act of unfairness, or God forsaking him, but rather as an opportunity.  An opportunity to spread the Good News that Christ came to save people, including prisoners and prison guards.

He saw his situation through God’s eyes verses limited human eyes.

 divine-perspective2

Paul encouraged people by the way he responded when he was put into less-than-desirable situations.  He demonstrated his faith, and encouraged others to experience God’s provision and comfort found in suffering.

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED A POST FROM PHILIPPIANS, SEE LINKS BELOW 🙂

Want to Know a Secret – (Introduction)  Philippians [1] ,   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mp

– Really??  There Can Be Joy In Suffering??  –  PHILIPPIANS (Ch.1b)  [3] ,   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no

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Want to Know a Secret?? – PHILIPPIANS (Introduction) – [1]

My last post series was called “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”,http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK.

In that 4 part series, I touched on the difference between joy and happiness.  I suggested that it is better to experience joy, which perseveres and is ongoing, verses happiness, which is temporary and fleeting.

Today I’d like to introduce the Book of Philippians.  I have chosen this book to follow the series “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” because it reveals the secret to experiencing joy.

    Magician__s_Hat_by_rbryant

 

The Book of Philippians was a letter written by the Apostle Paul, in approximately A.D. 61, to a church, in the Macedonian city, of Philippi.  Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians. This letter expresses how much he cared for them, as well as, to thank them for the gift they sent him.

Keep in mind as we read this letter, that Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Philippi.

    PhilippiPrison

 

Paul started the church at Philippi on his second missionary trip to the area.  Philippi was located in Greece, and was the first church established in Europe.  Below are ruins from Philippi.

    ruin philippi

 

After Paul’s conversion, dated approximately A.D. 33-36 on the road to Damascus, he dedicated his life to serving the Lord. To read more about Paul’s conversion, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-22&version=NLT.

On his journey he experienced terrible poverty, great wealth, and everything in-between.  No matter what his circumstance, Paul learned to be content. He says in Philippians 4:12, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need…

 

Keep an eye out for my next post, and discover the secret to Paul’s joy.

telling-secrets-big-e1379620235254

 

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 4 of 4)

In my last post “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”  –  (Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn, I ended with these 3 questions:

  1. 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.
  2. Have you ever heard of the concept – exercising mindfulness?  Meaning to pay attention “on purpose” – Jon Kabat-Zinn
  3. 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?

1.  A New Year’s Resolution.

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. –  Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (The whole passage can be read at, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+30:11-20)

It seems to me that our first step is to make a choice – God’s Way or the World’s Way.

But DON’T wait until January 1st, make a choice today!!  Follow God as the Lord, the leader, of your life.

2.  Mindfulness.

Many people go through life by way of their habits.  Some good and some not so good.  When I think of mindfulness, I think of becoming consciously aware of the choices/decisions I’m making.

Do I go to church on Sunday because I’ve always gone to church on Sunday?

              family-going-to-church

Do I have dessert after every meal, just because?

       Captain-Ds-new-month-of-desserts

Do I watch movies because the critics say it’s “good”, and put it up for an Academy Award?

               wolf

When I actively engage my mind vs. operating on habits, I’m consciously and actively retraining myself and my mind.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think...  –  Romans 12:2

Instead of simply reacting, I am now choosing to respond.

  • In response to circumstances or situations, is my knee-jerk reaction – How will this benefit me?  If that is your answer, that’s GREAT!!  Why?  Because you have just made a mindful evaluation.
  • You stopped for moment, even if it was just for a split second, to recognize what was driving your thoughts/actions – me or them, them or me…

Every time we bring awareness to our reactions, we increase our chances of forming habits that we desire, verses unconsciously adopting our parents, friends, co-workers, fellow students, TV personalities, etc. ways of reacting.

Maybe what they do is good, or not-so-good.  Either way, you now have a way to evaluate your responses, instead of leaving them up to chance or habit.

3.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.Isaiah 55:8

This verse puts “my way of thinking” into perspective.

I, “the pot”, don’t completely understand every Biblical concept, idea, or God’s mode of operation. Nor, do I have the ability to know how my choices will affect myself and others. Only God, “the potter”,  does.

          potters-wheel

I’m reminded that if I did have all the answers, I would have no need for God.  All my relationships would be perfect, or at least my version of perfect, and in theory I’d live happily-ever-after.

Unfortunately, I have all to often acted or spoken too soon, wishing I could have a do-over.

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IN CONCLUSION:

We will experience joy when we invite God, and His Word to soften, and reshape our hearts.

Everything that God guides us to “do” in His Word, is for the purpose of growing our relationship with Him, and with others.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself.”  –  Luke 10:27

Additionally, God’s desire is to give us a rich and satisfying life.  – John 10:10

GOD’S WAY TO JOY ==>>  BE OTHER-CENTERED

REMEMBER:    We can trust God.  He always has our best interest in mind.

If God is for us, who can be against us?  –  Romans 8:31

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SEE ALSO:  “I Just Wanna Be Happy!!”                                                                                            

(Part 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, 

(Part 2), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kY,                                       

(Part 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn

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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!” – (Part 3 of 4)

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.   

              Jekyll-Hyde-logo-black2

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.

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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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“I Just Wanna Be Happy!!!” – (Part 2 of 4)

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

Or how about this verse? –

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8

 
As I mentioned in the last post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, our goal should not be the pursuit of happiness, but instead should be the pursuit of JOY.  Happiness is fleeting, joy in everlasting.

And the verses above, well, they put me and God into perspective.  They remind me that – I am not my creator, I do not have all the answers, I don’t always know what’s best for me, my friends, my friends, my career, my schooling, etc.?

What I do know, however, is that in a blink of an eye,    

                       blinking eye                                                           

my whole world can be turned upside down.

                       world

And then what?  What do I have left?

Thankfully we have an all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful God who loves us so much, that He’s willing to freely share the Way to Joy with all people.

 

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?)

 

Slide1

 

SEE ALSO:      “I JUST WANNA BE HAPPY!!”

(PART 1), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kK, 

(PART 3), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-kn,

(PART 4), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-lH

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            Slide1

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  • If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar.  Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
  • It you are viewing with the mobile version, scroll down to the bottom of this page for additional info and pics 🙂
  • Take a look at the other tabs in the menu for encouragement and inspiration as you continue to BUILD A FOUNDATION!!