Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Why God Doesn't Care if You're Happy

Why God Doesn't Care if You're Happy




man in prayer
The greatest gauge for a believer's success in life is obedience to the revealed will of God. (Matt Gruber/creationswap.com)
It is evident there are many in the body of Christ who attempt to integrate their Christian faith with the pursuit of happiness. Some have even gone so far as to have a theology of happiness, in which they obey or disobey Scripture based on what gives them the most happiness. Several years ago a prominent pastor in New York City divorced his wife and married someone else in his church because, he said, "God wants me happy!"
Ultimately, If God's highest purpose for us is our  personal happiness then He wouldn't have put us on the earth since Jesus said we would have tribulation in this world (John 16:33).
As believers, our value system should not be based on a temporal paradigm (view) of materialism and earthly significance but on an eternal paradigm based on faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many in the church succumb to the temporal view because it takes a walk of faith to continually surrender our desires to a God we can't see, feel, or touch physically.
In examining this subject I believe one reason believers focus so much on happiness is because of a confusion of the concepts of joy and happiness.
Joy is an inward sense of peace, contentment and even ecstasy due to our righteous standing in Christ and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Joy should be present in all believers in spite of the circumstances or challenges one might be facing. Joy is a supernatural experience that cannot be explained outside of a supernatural act of God. As the song writer said, "The world didn't give us joy so the world can't take it away!"
Jesus told His disciples that He spoke His words to them so that His joy would be in them and their joy would be full (John 15:11). It was for this reason that Paul told us to "rejoice always" (1 Thess. 5:16); even in his sorrow he was able to rejoice (2 Cor. 6:10). Also, Nehemiah 8:10 teaches us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength."
On the other hand, happiness is based on what "happens" to us. Thus, happiness is merely an emotionally good feeling when things go according to our desires. The fact that many Christians live their lives based on the pursuit of happiness–instead of cultivating the joy of the Lord in obedience to God and through faith in the blood of Christ—is an indictment of the shallow theology in our midst. This shallow theology has succumbed to the worldly ideal that equates success with material prosperity, comfort, and the ability to live a life of ease.
As a minister for over 30 years I can't count how many so-called disciples of Christ have uprooted their families from our church and moved to another state merely for economic leverage or to escape the winter season—all without hearing from God or first researching where their families could find a good church. Obviously, they were more led by a belief system based on the pursuit of happiness rather than pursuing the mind of Christ for their God-given purpose. (Of course, it goes without saying that most of these people either fell away or never maximized their purpose in Christ.)
As a follower of Christ for over 30 years, I would say more than half of the things I am called to do are very difficult—things that don't make me happy. Things like paying close attention to details, endless meetings, conflict resolution between leaders, dealing with tragedies in families, financial challenges, persevering in the ministry in spite of discouragement, and, hardest of all, the continuing challenge of dying to self and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ instead of choosing immediate pleasure and taking the easy roads presented in life.
I often tell believers, if you want to always be happy, don't get married, don't have children, don't get involved in the ministry , don't work and don't have important responsibilities –because, you will continually deal with adverse relational situations that will intrude upon your happy thoughts!
When Jesus told His disciples that He must suffer many things and spoke of His pending death and resurrection, Peter began to rebuke Him. (Perhaps Peter equated God's will with happiness at this stage of his development in Christ.) Jesus' response was so sharply opposed to Peter's perspective that He called him Satan (Mark 8:31-33)! Jesus then used this interface with Peter to teach His disciples that following God involves taking up their crosses. Following God sometimes involves suffering, not just happiness—and sometimes happiness, not just suffering.
Those who use happiness as the greatest gauge to tell if they are in the will of God have totally missed it! The greatest gauge for a believer's success in life is obedience to the revealed will of God, not fleeting emotional sensations that accompany happiness.
Finally, Paul the apostle said he was delivered from the "mouth of the lion" (Satan) when he stood defending the faith before Caesar. He then said he knew the Lord would deliver him from every evil attack, in spite of noting in this same passage his imminent martyrdom for the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-18). How could Paul, in the same sentence, say that both God would deliver him from every evil attack (verse 18) and yet also that his life would soon be taken (verse 6)? Because he knew that all of the evil satanic attacks against him were meant to stop him from obeying the Lord; it had nothing to do with happiness or living a long, comfort-filled life without conflict or pain.
May God deliver us from the false notion pervading the church that happiness is equal to godliness!
Joseph Mattera is overseeing bishop of Resurrection Church, Christ Covenant Coalition, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Visit him at josephmattera.org.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Gifts - You Have One To Share - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Gifts - You Have One To Share
Now Think On This
by Steve Martin


“But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust; if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.” Rom. 12:6-8 CJB


A package arrived via UPS the other day. I didn’t know what was in it. I wasn’t expecting anything, so when I saw it I thought, “Yes, a gift!” What a simple joyful moment it was.

We all like gifts – for our birthday, during the eight days of Hanukkah, at Christmas time (12 days is nice!), and especially the unexpected ones between St. Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Getting a gift shows someone has thought of us, cares for us, and wants to put a big smile on our face. Yes, I like that.

Our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) delights in giving gifts. He has a purpose in doing it too. When He gives a gift, it usually comes at an ordained time in our life. He wants to impart in us His love for us, and to then further express through us His love for those we will be touching, because He Himself wants to touch them. With His hope, faith, encouragement and joy, He will through us.

What kind of gifts does the Lord give? The verses from Romans above lists a few – prophetic words spoken, serving, teaching, comforting and exhorting, giving, leading, having mercy for another. They are all action words. We are given gifts so we can share them with others. Always with the purpose to demonstrate His love for His people He has created.

The world talks about being happy. It would seem, according to all the images and words that hit us, that our goal in life is “to be happy”. Sure, being sad isn’t fun. But is “being happy” the real purpose of our existence? To live for our own fulfillment, pleasure, entertainment? Often it would appear that way.

But Jesus says that as we lay down our lives for others, using the gifts He has given us in serving them, that the true desires of our heart will come about, and JOY will result. Joy comes as we bless others, and seeing them experience the real life the Lord intends for each. Giving out gives back.

You have a spiritual gift. You probably have several. They may have been imparted to you at an early age, awaiting for the time when you would begin using them for the sake of others. As you get training in their functions and how they can best effectively operate through you, the joy you bring to others will have an eternal effect on them, and also in you.

If you don’t know what your gifts are, I can recommend several good books to you. And heh, maybe you will get one in the mail or UPS, as a surprise package. When it comes, open it up, give thanks, and let His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) begin to use you to be a blessing to those He wants you to touch.

And speaking of touch, you’ll be surprised whom He will send you to, in order to share your gift. His heart will grow in yours as you do.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People. Inc.

P.S. By the way, that UPS gift was a book from a friend. I like books. This one was extra special, coming from them.


Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these letters minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless known families in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: Love For His People If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)

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Now Think On This #130  “Gifts” by Steve Martin 
Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (03.16.14) Sunday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC).


All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This