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Are you happy in life? Do you have joy in your heart? Do you wake up each
morning eager to see what the new day has waiting for you? The answer
should be yes to each of these questions because we are a blessed people.
No matter how tough a situation in our life may presently seem, we still
have much to be thankful for. No matter the storms that rage around us at
any particular time, we can still choose to see the good that is in our
life and give praises to God for them. It is all in our perspective on
how we see our life. We can rejoice over the good or we can complain
about the bad. The decision is ours to make. It is completely within our
control on how our countenance will be. It can either be cheerful or it
can be sorrowful. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
In my walk with the Lord these past 16 years I have always chosen to bless
the Lord with my words and never come to Him with my complaints. God is
too faithful for me to forget the many times that He has intervened in
times past and delivered me from my troubles. He has never failed me
before so why should I come before the Lord with my complaints now? Rather
I choose to give the Lord thanks that every answer to my hearts desires is
on its way. In moments of trial or discouragement, I say to the darkness
that light is coming soon after. I say to the raging storms that calmness
is soon coming. I say to the bad report that you are not here to stay
because God has crowned me with His loving favor. I choose to see the good
in every situation, in every circumstance, in every trial, every
tribulation, every setback, every failure and I give thanks for the good
that I can still see. (Psalm 37:23-26) (Psalm 34:1-8)
Be encouraged to take on this type of mentality when your joy is trying to
be stolen from you. Hold on to it with all your might. See your blessings
and not your trials. Focus on the good that is in your life and do not
give in to murmuring or complaining when you are tempted to do so. Give
God thanks for your abundance and let Him know that you are trusting His
plans for your life. Stay in faith, stay encouraged, stay joyful, have an
attitude of gratitude and you will find every trial, every challenge and
every discouraging situation flee from you as quickly as it had appeared.
Always remember that when faith stands up, fear will dissipate.
(Psalm 69:30-34) (Hebrews 11:6)
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to choose joy and
happiness today and live your life to its fullest potential.
HAPPINESS IS THE WAY
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have
a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old
enough and we'll be more content when they are.
After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will
certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his
or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice
vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not
now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this
to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, “For a long
time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But
there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through
first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be
paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles
were my life.”
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.
Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure
it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to
spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one.
So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school,
until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids,
until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire,
until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until
Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is
paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you
are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on,
until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until
you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now
to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.
God has given each of us a “gift” that we are to use to glorify His name!
Do you know yours?
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
2 Corinthians 4:15-17 “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant
grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith
the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will
hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search
for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD...”
Joshua 1:8-9 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but
thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way
prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded
thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou
dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WHAT IS FAITH?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem118.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS IS THE FAITHFUL PROVIDER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony96.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
