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There are many people in this world who believe that money will bring them
happiness. Their sole objective in life is to gain as much wealth as they
can so that their “happiness” can be fulfilled. What they will soon
realize is that money just like material possessions does nothing to fill
the soul with joy or happiness. It may be a temporary feeling of glee,
but all too soon it will fade and the same emptiness will return. Only by
having a heart filled with gratefulness for what we already possess can we
find the joy and happiness that eludes so many. Our fulfillment of joy
does not require us to attain something in order to receive it, but rather
being thankful for our family and friends, our health, our spouse, our
children, our home, etc. will we be able to find the joy and happiness
that so many seek after. (James 5:1-2) (1 Timothy 6:6-8) (1 Peter 3:10-13)
If you are finding yourself joy less, be encouraged to think about the many
blessings that are in your life. If you can't think of anything, start
with yourself. Be thankful for your eyesight because many are blind. Be
thankful for your hearing because many are deaf. Be thankful that you can
walk because there are many who can't. It doesn't have to be extraordinary
in order to be thankful for it because the ordinary in our lives are our
greatest blessings. Give thanks to the Lord for sustaining you and see
that you are highly favored and highly blessed. Your joy and your
happiness should be filled to overflowing. (Nehemiah 8:10) (John 16:23-24)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to see that material
possessions do nothing to fill your soul, but having a heart filled with
gratitude and thankfulness can do so much to change your outlook on life.
JOY IS FREE
I was driving down the road the other day listening to sweet music coming
out of my car radio. My heart felt peaceful, my mind was clear, and my
soul was full of love. Even with all its problems, life seemed good. Then
the music stopped and the news came on. There was talk of another
millionaire celebrity in drug rehab after an incident with the police.
There was news on the murder of a poor man whose life was supposed to be
changed after winning the lottery. There was even a discussion on how much
greed and excess had damaged our world.
Every story seemed to point once again to the old adage that money can’t
buy happiness. Hearing them made me think of a documentary I saw many
years ago on Mother Teresa’s home for the dying in Calcutta. What struck
me the most when I watched it wasn’t the grinding poverty there. It wasn’t
the sickness and suffering that the people there were going through. It
was rather the peaceful smiles of love, kindness, and happiness that they
shared with the Sisters and with each other. These people had nothing.
Many were on the verge of death. Yet, they knew the simple truth that so
many of us here are still learning: Joy is Free.
The truth is God loves you and wants you to be happy right now. He wants
His light to brighten you, His peace to calm you, and His happiness to
uplift you. He wants you to fill your life with His love and then share it
with the world. He wants you to have joy and to spread joy everyday of
your life here. Don’t worship dollar signs and think that money will bring
you happiness. Joy can’t be purchased. It can’t be owned. It can only be
chosen and then given freely to others. In the eyes of eternity money is
only worthless paper. The only thing that matters is the love within you
and the love that you give to the world. Make that your legacy and your
life will forever be rich in joy.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore
choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Psalm 16:8-11 “I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my
right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of Joy; at
Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: I KNOW
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem148.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: A NEW HEART FROM GOD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony193.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
