In our world of where sin, suicide, depression, divorce, bitterness, hatred, war and other negativity runs rampant, the question is asked, “Is there such a thing as true happiness?” The answer is “Yes!” and it can be ours. God wants His people to be happy. The Bible tells us this in many passages (Romans 14:17; Phil. 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16; 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 7:4; 12:10). As we read and study the Bible, we see that God has given us some rules for happy living. If we would but apply these to our lives, we will have that abundant life that Jesus proclaimed that He came to give.

Count your blessings, not your problems. Because of the negativity of our world, a pessimistic mindset often prevails and people see the bad over the good. They concentrate more on their problems than their blessings. Everyone needs but to look in their lives and see all the good that has taken place and all of the blessings that God has so richly bestowed upon them (Matthew 6:33; Malachi 3:10). When they do this they will, as the old song says, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” It will bring true happiness and gratitude to God.

Live one day at a time. Take care of today and do not be anxious for tomorrow. That is what Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 and what James said in James 4:13-15. Be not afraid of what may happen tomorrow for the anticipation of something is often worse than it actually is. We have no promise of tomorrow so take life as it comes...one day at a time.

Learn to give rather than take. Many are not happy because they always expect to receive rather than give. They fail to realize that true happiness and blessings come to those who give (Luke 6:38). The word “blessed” as used many times in the Bible means “happy.” This is the meaning as used in Acts 20:35 when Paul said that we must remember the words of Jesus when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Giving brings true happiness.

Pray without ceasing. The Christian has no greater opportunity than prayer. It is the avenue by which we, as the Children of God, can come before His throne of grace and let the needs and desires of our hearts be made known. We can ask for forgiveness, strength, guidance, and mercy for ourselves and others. This is an opportunity that we must never take for granted and in which we find ourselves lacking (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2). In prayer we find comfort and joy.

Fill your life with good. As Christians, our hearts and minds must always dwell on the positive good things of God. We must constantly be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2). In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us on what to meditate that our minds might be renewed.

Let go of problems and lay them at the feet of God. We must give God full control of our lives for He will lead us, guide us, and take care of us as no one else can. This is what David spoke of in Psalm 23. Allowing God to take full control of our lives, trusting Him in all things, and giving Him the preeminence in our lives will bring true peace and happiness.

We can be happy, and true happiness comes through living for and serving God. — Copied

I Choose Love…No occasion justifies hatred; not injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today, I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy…I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to serve God.

I Choose Peace…I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I Choose Patience…I will overlook the inconvenience of the world. Rather than complaining that the wait is too long. I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness…I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone; kind to the rich, for they are afraid, and kind to the unkind. For this is how God has treated me.

I Choose Faithfulness…Today, I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. My children will never fear that their father will fail to come home.

I Choose Gentleness…Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, I may be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I Choose Self-Control…I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. To these, I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks, If I fail, I will seek God’s forgiveness. And,. then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Author Unknown
Copied from The Visitor,
Adamsville, AL

First, can a person be misled religiously? Listen to Jesus: “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15). “And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 14:4).

Second, one might ask, “Why are people often misled?” Two basic and fundamental reasons would be: (1) they take someone else’s word for what they believe and practice and (2) they never study to prove and verify what they believe and why they believe it.

Third, what does the Lord want us to do to avoid being misled? (1) We should search the scriptures (John 5:39; Acts 17:11). (2) We should, using the Bible as our standard, put to the test every religious teacher, preacher, doctrine, and leader (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 4:11). (3) We should always remember that it will be the Lord’s word that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48; Revelation 20:10-11).

Copied from The Sandusky Sower