BE HAPPY
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. -Anne Frank
The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19
No one likes an old grump. You know the one that snaps at you when you call their name. Those that scream at you when you ask a question drive you nuts. The complainer that is never happy with anything management does always gets on your last nerve!
Child of God, if you are happy in the Lord, if you have been serving Him, if you have been doing things for Him and not for notoriety, if you have been serving Him in the night seasons, if you have been faithful to serve Him with a smile when one really isn’t due, He will take care of you in your time of need!
Why do you do what you do? Is it because you love the Lord? Do you smile when things get rough? Do you smile when you are serving Him in the trenches? Then look out because I have seen it too many times—you can’t out give Him! He will bless your service!
HOPE FOR THE HURTING
A man ought to hope within the bounds of reason and the promises of the good old Book. Hope leans on an anchor, but an anchor must have something to hold by and to hold to. –Spurgeon
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Psalm 146:5
When we say there is no hope in this world what we mean is, No hope for real happiness, no hope for real joy, no hope for genuine peace. What the world offers is a temporary fix for a lifelong need. That need can and will only be filled when the heart is filled with God’s grace. When that happens hurting is halted!
So how about it, will you continue to live in hopelessness or will you have Jesus as your Anchor?
WHAT’S TO COMPLAIN ABOUT?
The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. –Babcock
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7
There are so many that find fault in everything in life. Their long ride to work, the length of time in the drive thru, the car they drive, their own spouse, their spoiled children, even the church they worship at. Yet, they do nothing to improve any area they whine and complain about. They just complain and make it miserable for everyone.
Get up this Sunday morning understanding, if you’re saved, your sins have been washed away, you’ve been redeemed by the precious blood of the lamb, and you’re on your way to Heaven. Understand that many, if not all, of your problems are your own fault and can be avoided! A little work will get you the money for a new car. A little love, compassion, and sacrifice can change your spouse’s heart. A little responsibility will not kill your child. A little sacrificial investment in your church will improve the whole church.
GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Your own joy depends on it!
WORK, WORK, WHY DO WE HAVE TO WORK?
Blessed is the man who has some congenial work, some occupation in which he can put his heart, and which affords a complete outlet to all the forces there are in him. -Burroughs
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalm 90:17
Many people complain about the work they get to do. They find themselves bemoaning the thought of going back to their job as if they are going to get a root canal. What a miserable way to live!
We have an awesome opportunity to bring honor and glory to Him in the place where He has given us to work. The way we look and view this place in which we work will be expressed to everyone. While we may not like every aspect of our work place, we can still exalt our Saviour when we discuss it with others. What a privilege to work while we can, where we can, and when we can so we can proclaim the Gospel! Take advantage of the opportunities God gives us and stop complaining about them!
REJOICE, IT’S MONDAY!
Those that make God their Joy may rejoice in hope for he is faithful that has promised. -Henry
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Yes, it’s Monday again and we ought to rejoice on this day just as much as we did yesterday. We have the same opportunities today to worship Him, praise Him, and share Him as we did yesterday. Why not start this week off right by giving a testimony of what He did yesterday and continue each day this week by doing the same?
Yes, you can share it right here:
LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
Life without Jesus is like a Doughnut, you have a hole in your heart. Accept Jesus and fill the hole with Love.—The Doughnut Man
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17
Johnny Lee had a popular song in 1980, “Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places.” The first three verses go like this, “I spent a lifetime lookin' for you. Single bars and good time lovers were never true. Playing a fools game, hopin' to win.” The song hit the Billboard tops and has been a hit ever since. I think this is because people of all walks of life are doing this very thing—looking for love in all the wrong places.
They’re looking for love at the beach and the mountains. They’re looking for it as they climb the corporate ladder. They’re looking for it at the bar. They are looking for it in their bank account. There are so many places one can look but until you look to Jesus— you will always come up empty.
CHEER UP!
Why should we go reeling and staggering under the burdens and cares of life when we have such prospects before us? If there is nothing but glory beyond, our faces ought to shine brightly all the time. - D.L. Moody
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14
We sing the song, “I’ve Got so much to Thank Him For” at our church. The first verse says, “When I Look Around And See, The Good Things He Does For Me, I Know I’m Unworthy Of Them All, But His Blessings He Freely Gives, I Owe My Life To Him, I’ve Got So Much To Thank Him For.” Friend, we have truly been blessed beyond measure. No matter what you’re going through or have gone through when you consider Him, what He has done, and what He’s about to do, we have nothing to complain about!
I DON’T WANT TO BE BITTER ANYMORE!
A bitter spirit leads to a frowning face!
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15
Many in this life are walking around with wrinkles on their face because they have not dealt with strife in their life. They have swept issues under the rug so long that the issues are so large they are tripping over them and they have begun to stink up their life. Instead of following Biblical instructions they have ignored, dismissed, and even denied the issues exist becoming bitter old men and women.
Friend, if you have problems with your employer, talk with them. If you have issues with a fellow church member, talk with him/her. If you have ought with a sibling or parent, talk with them. Don’t put it off! If you do, you will eventually have a permanent frown on your face.
FINE YOU?
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. -Anne Frank
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6
Someone once said, “A Christian is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” There is no greater joy than to share with others what Jesus did for us and whoever you share it with gets saved to!
I try to put a smile on friends’ faces by saying, “Fine you?” It’s a simple, but effective way of breaking the ice so that I can share what’s really on my mind—The Gospel! When is the last time you shared your testimony with someone that is lost, hurting, and headed to hell? If it’s been a while…why not find opportunities today!
TO SERVE OR NOT TO SERVE, THIS IS AN EASY ANSWER…
The same people who can deny others everything are famous for refusing themselves nothing. -Hunt
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:5-8
Many have forgotten the acronym for JOY they learned when they first got saved. It goes; J- SERVE JESUS, O- SERVE OTHERS, Y- SERVE SELF…that’s the way you spell JOY.
Of course we should serve! We serve the Lord with gladness! We serve others better than we serve ourselves! And last but not least we serve ourselves. When we serve ourselves we are investing in another day to serve the Lord and others! So friend…in your latest Facebook post…who did you serve?
LORD, MAKE ME BEAUTIFUL WITHIN!
I pray thee, O God that I may be beautiful within. – Socrates
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4
Last night, I heard a great message by Pastor Ricky Easter from 2 Corinthians 4 entitled “not losing heart”. During the message we were challenged to think about the attention we put on the outward man. We take it to the doctor, we take the medicine he prescribes us, we go to the buffet and we buffet our bodies, we entertain our minds with empty television hour by hour, and the list can go on and on.
Child of God, what about the inward man? If you were to give half as much time you devote to the inward man as you do to the outward man, how much more would your life be like Christ? How many of your problems would go away? If you spent time in His Word, with His people, doing His work, most, if not all of your problems would disappear and you would be beautiful within just like a butterfly bursting forth from a cocoon!
You got the Poochie Lip Disease?
The Christian life that is joyless is a discredit to God and a disgrace to itself. –Babcock
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1 Peter 1:8
Do you remember the excitement you had on your birthday or Christmas morning? You had been asking for a new bike, new pair of shoes, or that candy bar that you got once a year and all of a sudden—IT WAS THE DAY YOU GOT IT! Can I tell you, every day God gives us here on Earth is like one of those days except better! A pair of shoes will wear out, a bicycle’s tire will go flat, and well that candy bar…. three bites and its gone! But oh Christian friend….The Joy of the Lord is forever! It never wears out! It never goes flat! And it gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by! Get rid of that poochie lip by tasting and seeing that the Lord is good!
Virtues are a must!
A truly virtuous person is like good metal-the more he is fired, the more he is refined; the more he is opposed, the more he is approved. Wrongs may well try him and touch him, but they cannot imprint on him any false stamp. –Richelieu
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Titus 2:7-8
And where do we find out what a truly virtuous person is? -- At church. Where do we find out how to become a virtuous person? -- At church. Where do we find out when we can become virtuous? -- At church. For it is at church that we find out that we are a corrupt and sinful people in need of the Saviour. And without the incorruptible, sinless Son of God there is no hope for us! So what are we to do? GET UP, GET READY, AND GO TO CHURCH TODAY!
"Entertainment is the devil's substitute for joy"- Leonard Ravenhill
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
If you and I are going to finish our course with joy we are going to have to get out the “little things” in our life’s that continues to drag us down. In Galatians 5:9, Paul tells us,”A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Satan has his “little things” of false joys he throws at us each day; sports, drugs, career success, pornography, etc. Many of the things he throws at us in of themselves are not bad; (There is nothing wrong with going to a ball game or being financially successful. However, if you live your life for your career or from ball game to ball game—then there is a problem.) There is happiness in each one of these for a short time but true, lasting joy only comes in know the Lord Jesus as Saviour.
Happiness Spreads!
Whoever is happy will make others happy too. -Anne Frank
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22
Have you ever been around one of those people who moan and groan about everything? You know the one that isn’t pleased no matter what you do? You get them a chocolate pie because when you got them the pecan pie last time it wasn’t chocolate. But now they ain’t pleased with the chocolate because it didn’t have meringue on top! You know what, that person drains my happy well dry!
You want to spread a little joy? Quit complaining and rejoice in the Lord!