What Makes You Happy?

Internet “match-making” sites differ in purpose.  Some are “dating” sites, allowing singles to meet and get together.  Other sites are marriage-oriented, requiring interested parties to fill out extensive questionnaires on themselves and the kind of person they’re looking for.  All these sites are based on a single premise:  Few people are happy being single.

God himself said to Adam, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18).  God said that, ideally, men and women should meet, marry, and populate the earth.  What He didn’t say was that it’s okay to be unhappy until that meeting and marrying takes place.  The apostle Paul pointed out that singleness has rare blessings – the chance to be wholly committed to serving Christ.  His point is this:  Whether one is single or married, use it as an opportunity to serve the Lord with all your heart.  Are you happy where you are, taking advantage of the opportunity you have today?

Happiness is not a state of companionship.  Rather, it’s a byproduct of being in the center of the will of God.

“There is never a place in the Bible where it says that marriage makes you happy.  It says over and over again that God makes you happy.”  Dick Purnell

Commentary from the Pathways devotional, by David Jeremiah, May 30.

God’s Artistry

I hope you take some time to enjoy God’s artistry today 🙂

Who is he?

How happy is the man

who does not follow the advice

of the wicked,

or take the path of sinners,

or join a group of mockers!

Instead, his delight

is in the Lord’s instruction,

and he meditates on it

day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

First Love

What does remembering God look like?

When we are in daily communion with our Lord, we can more easily accept that He is in absolute control of everything facing us.  Whether we are pummeled by adversity or overwhelmed with joy, God has our circumstances well in hand.  Spending regular time with the Father allows us to bring Him all of our concerns and feelings.  Then He can rejoice with us or cradle us according to our need.

Praying through Scripture and asking God to speak to our heart about what we read is our privilege as Christians.  When we’re quiet before the Lord, we have the opportunity to receive His guidance and power for navigating our circumstances.  Consequently, God restores our weary soul and renews us for another day.  Quoted from Charles Stanley/In Touch Devotional, September 3.

A reminder:

How does a nation choose God?  

One individual at a time.  We are important, each one of us, if that’s true.  Not in a sense of what some see as ‘indoctrination’.  But in regard to a daily walk discussed in the quote above.    Regardless of what type of government is leading, or what type of leaders make up that government, individuals make up the nation.  It’s a good idea to pray for Christian leaders though.

So what’s the big deal?  Why does any of this matter?  “Therefore, this is what the Lord God says:  ‘Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, you must bear  the consequences of your indecency and promiscuity’.” Ezekiel 23:35

Happy

If you want to know what the secret is for a whole nation to be happy (hint-it’s not a secret)…..