Billy Graham: Isaiah did not leave them with an unanswered question. He went on to tell them that there is a satisfying way of life, if they would seek it. (See #2 Searching for Happiness in the Wrong Places)
He exhorted them to abandon their vain searching for pots of gold at the ends of mythical rainbows and to start searching for happiness where it is really found, in a right relationship with God. (Google image, Clip art of pot of gold)
Our materialistic world rushes on with its eternal quest for the fountain of happiness! The more knowledge we acquire, the less wisdom we seem to have.
The more economic security we gain, the more bored and insecure we become. The more worldly pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are with life.
We are like a restless sea, finding a little peace here and a little pleasure there, but nothing permanent and satisfying. So the search continues!
Men will kill, lie, cheat, steal, and go to war to satisfy their quest for power, pleasure, and wealth, thinking thereby to gain for themselves and their particular group peace, security, contentment, and happiness, and yet in vain.
Yet inside us a little voice keeps saying, "We were not meant to be this way—we were meant for better things." We have a mysterious feeling that there is a fountain somewhere that contains the happiness which makes life worthwhile.
We keep saying to ourselves that somewhere, sometime we will stumble onto the secret. Sometimes we feel that we have obtained
it—only to find it illusive, leaving us disillusioned, bewildered, unhappy, and still searching.
There are, we need to realize, two-kinds of happiness. One kind of happiness comes to us when our circumstances are pleasant and we are relatively free from troubles.
The problem, however, is that this kind of happiness is fleeting and superficial. When circumstances change—as they inevitably
do—then this kind of happiness evaporates like the early morning fog in the heat of the sun.
In addition, even when our outward circumstances are seemingly ideal, we still may be troubled inside by a nagging hunger or longing for something we cannot identify.
We say we are"happy"—but down inside we know it is only temporary and shallow at best. Yes, from time to time we may think we have found a degree of happiness, but sooner or later it will vanish. Our search for happiness remains unfulfilled.
But there is another kind of happiness—the kind for which we all long. This second kind of happiness is a lasting, inner joy and peace which survives in any circumstances. It is a happiness which endures no matter what comes our way—and even may grow stronger in adversity.
This is the kind of happiness to which Jesus summons us in the Beatitudes. It is happiness which can only come from God. He alone has the answer to our search for lasting happiness.
The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances. It is the happiness and contentment that fill the soul even in the midst of the most distressing of circumstances and the most adverse environment.
It is the kind of happiness that survives when things go wrong and smiles through the tears. The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which dwells deep within us and gives inward relaxation, peace, and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be. That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus.
Near my home is a spring that never varies its flow at any season of the year. Floods may rage nearby, but it will not increase its flow. A long summer's drought may come, but it will not decrease. It is perennially and always the same. Such is the type of happiness for which we yearn.
(Chapter one, pp. 5, 6)
By Billy Graham
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Copy right 2011 by Billy Graham
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Let's pray-
Father, like the Israelites were told, we're to abandon our vain searching for pots of gold at the ends of mythical rainbows and to begin our search for happiness in a right relationship with You.
Our materialistic quest for the fountain of happiness and more knowledge we get, the less wisdom we seem to have. The more economic security we gain, the more bored and insecure we become.
It seems that the more worldly pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are!
We have a mysterious feeling that we were not meant to be this way, but are meant for better living, and to find the fountain somewhere that contains the happiness which makes our lives worthwhile.
This kind of happiness is lasting, inner joy and peace which survives in any circumstances. We'll find that it is a happiness which endures no matter what comes our way, even may grow stronger in adversity.
We pray for this peace, Father, in Christ Jesus' name. Amen
Our materialistic quest for the fountain of happiness and more knowledge we get, the less wisdom we seem to have. The more economic security we gain, the more bored and insecure we become.
It seems that the more worldly pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are!
We have a mysterious feeling that we were not meant to be this way, but are meant for better living, and to find the fountain somewhere that contains the happiness which makes our lives worthwhile.
This kind of happiness is lasting, inner joy and peace which survives in any circumstances. We'll find that it is a happiness which endures no matter what comes our way, even may grow stronger in adversity.
We pray for this peace, Father, in Christ Jesus' name. Amen
Today's Bible verses-
Isaiah 30:18 NIV "Yet the Lord longs to be
gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to
show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV) When I said, ‘My foot is
slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me, your
consolation brought joy to my soul.”
Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the
darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
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Words from Dr. James Dobson:
James Dobson-"Fathers have an incalculable impact on their daughters. Most psychologists believe, and I am one of them, that all future romantic relationships are influenced positively or negatively by the way a girl interacts with her dad in the childhood years."
Today's guest post- Thank you, Father
By Debbie McEwen
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| Debbie's backyard |
A pending surgery doesn’t sound like an opportunity
to say thank you
but it is.
You are giving me the opportunity to surrender
to You and Your love,
Your grace and Your peace.
You are giving me the opportunity for spiritual growth
and for You to work on my soul."
10 of 80 things our God is:
Love 1 John 4:16
Spirit John 4:24
The Holy One Ps. 16:10
The I Am John 8:58
Yahweh Ex. 6:3
The Alpha & Omega, the Beginning & End Rev. 1:8
God Almighty Ex. 6:3
A Miracle working God Gal. 3:5
The Creator of the World John 1:3
Calling Things that Be Not as Though They Were Rom. 4:17
Upcoming posts-
#4 The 3 Things We Search For
12th- Thursday's post by Billy GrahamSupernatural Power
14th- Saturday's post by J. Judson Tayler
#5 The Beatitudes: God's Key to Man's Search
17th- Tuesday's post by Billy Graham
#6 Who Was This Jesus?
19th- Thursday's post by Billy Graham
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| Autumn scene |
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Amen and amen
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