Thoughts for Life: What is Happiness?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Pro.29: 18).

~ James H. Cagle- What is happiness? This question has no definitive answer. The world has set the ultimate standard for happiness, and it is measured in success, power, wealth, fame, fortune, and pleasure. The immediate standard for happiness is different with everyone, for each person has their own standard of happiness. (Google image, 10 Ways to become a happier Christian)

Happiness can be defined as that emotion or state of mind we come into when we enjoy and are pleased with what is happening to us. Most people are happy if everything’s going their way. But we can’t have things going our way all the time.

The pursuit of happiness we’re told is an inalienable right. That means everyone has the fundamental right, which no one can take from them or that they can give away, to decide what will make them happy and then pursue it.

If by happiness we mean completeness, wholeness, and fulfillment then by the world’s standard, we will never be happy, because the things of the world cannot make us complete, whole, and fulfilled.

The world says we’ll be happy when we hold some treasure in our hand, but real happiness comes when the hole in our heart is filled, when the God-shaped void is filled by Jesus Christ. You can’t have full hands with an empty heart and be truly happy. The most unhappy men are those seeking to fill their empty hands and ignoring their empty hearts.

Happy is synonymous with being blessed by God when referring to the Christian. This is because the things that happen to the Christian according to the will of God, are seen as blessings even though some of the things that happen are unpleasant. All that happens is seen as coming from a Sovereign God Who is good and only does good. The undefiled man and the man separated from the world are the happy or blessed man (Ps. 1; Ps. 119: 1).

The Beatitudes give us God’s standard for happiness or for being fulfilled and living a meaningful life and describe the happy or blessed state of the Christian.

“Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit, . . . they that mourn: . . .the meek: . . .they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: . . . the merciful: . . . the pure in heart: . . . the peacemakers: . . . they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: . . . when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Mt. 5: 3-11). (See. 1 Pet. 3: 14, 4: 14).

The Christian is happy, blessed and joyful even when it seems things aren’t going the way they think they should go because they know things are going God’s way.

“Happiness is not a sign that we are right with God; happiness is a sign of satisfaction, that is all, and the majority of us can be satisfied on too low a level. Jesus Christ disturbs every kind of satisfaction that is less than delights in God.” - Oswald Chambers

So, are you happy? I mean, truly happy?

What is Happiness? by James H. Cagle [Taken from pp. 12, 13 of his book, WHAT IS TRUE TRUTH? which can be secured from him- jameshcagle@yahoo.com]

Let's pray-

Father, in these days of much unrest, may we seek to know what true happiness is, as we're in need of that in our lives today. We've discovered that it's not necessarily found in having ample money, or even success, with the power, wealth, fame, fortune and pleasure that accompanies it.

One's immediate standard for happiness is different for each of us. It turns out to be defined as the emotional or state of mine that we come into when we enjoy and are pleased with what is happening to or around us. People are usually happy when things are going their way.

As our right to be happy is a fundamental right, we can decide what will make us happy when we pursue it. When referring to a Christian, being happy is in our relationship with God and His way of doing things according to the Bible.

What we see comes from a Sovereign God Who is good and only does good. Even when things seem unpleasant, we can see them as blessings from You. The people who are separated from the world's control are the happy and blessed ones.

A Christian can be happy, blessed and joyful even when things seem to not be going as expected, because they know the You're in control. Happiness is a sign of satisfaction, that is all. When we have peace with You, we don't have to let any kind of disturbance upset us.

May Your Presence keep us in perfect peace, as we keep our minds fixed on You. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Our Ambassador to Israel, Michael David Evens' comments:

~ Michael David Evans- "Sometimes our troubles come as a result of poor choices we have made. But even in those moments, God will not abandon us if we turn to Him in prayer."

2 Chronicles 33:12&13 "Now when he [Manasseh] was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God."

516-520 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

516- Ps. 18:28 "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."

517- Ecc. 4:9 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour."

518- Ps.145:19 "He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them."

519- 1 Cor. 15:57 "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

520- Pro. 3:27" "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

~ Attention ~

Sunday Evening Ogdensburg services have begun!
Where? 21 David street, Ogdensburg, NY
Time? 5 O'clock
Evangelistic Preaching of the Word and praying for miracles,
and however else God’s Spirit leads

~ Invitation ~

Pastor Ben Levendusky invites the congregation of the Madrid Church
to meet for pre-service prayer at the altar Sundays at 9:45.

Quote for today-

~ Dr. Myles Munroe- "Demand things of yourself that are beyond what you have already done. Expect more from yourself than the accomplishments easily with your reach. What you have is not all you are. The limit of your potential is God. I encourage you to attempt something—even though there is a possibility it won't work—than to never try and not know you could have succeeded." [p. 239 in his book, [DISCOVER THE HIDDEN YOU] "A GREAT book. I [Jean] highly recommend it!"

Words of wisdom-

There will be times we're surprised by what takes place, as we watch in wonder at how God's creation comes to life. Take the birthing of birds, how they develop and then fly away. May they teach us to appreciate how God plans for us and them, to grow and become what He intended.

Today's Popular post-

When All Seems Lost

Leslie Koh- "In just six months, Gerald's life fell apart. An economic crisis destroyed his business and wealth, while a tragic accident took his son's life.

Overcome by shock, his mother had a heart attack and died, his wife went into depression, and his two young daughters remained inconsolable . . . The only thing that kept Gerald going was the hope that God . . . "

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