Are You as Happy as You Think You Are?

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

More and more it seems that society equivocates on religion or rejects it altogether. Of course there are many reasons for this but among them is the perception that a relationship with God is too restrictive and too burdensome. There are so many bright, shiny, comfortable and sensually pleasurable things out there that seem to be prohibited by the Christian faith.  As a result, many people choose to fulfill their momentary desires rather than secure their eternity.

A closer look reveals that the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of the structure and discipline of righteous living comes with their own cages and are often difficult and costly to maintain. When  our interpersonal relationships are our number one priority, there is no one who does not know the effort this can take and the heartbreak that it can involve. It is only Jesus who has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5. When we make working our priority for the sole purpose of gaining more and more and then conspicuously consuming it, we find that it is never enough and become trapped in a cycle of trying to protect what we've accumulated while attempting to gain even more. Jesus asked the question, "For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeits himself [his soul]," Luke 9:25. Lastly, what of the things that look, feel and taste good to us? Does not the pursuit and enjoyment of some of these things cost us dearly in health, relationships, finances, time and inner peace? It is written, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" James 4:1.

Beloved, a relationship with the Lord and membership in his body is not the trap that some would make it out to be. It is submitted to you that living outside of a relationship with God is the true trap. We should know that from the Garden of Eden.  All of the things outside of Him that are dangled in front of us are merely bait designed by the adversary to trap us and keep us imprisoned. Jesus offers freedom: freedom from worry, stress, strife, the eternal consequences of our sin and everlasting destruction. Are there observances that we must maintain, obey and respect? Absolutely, just as there are with everything from traffic laws, to work policies and procedures to family rules. None, however, are more beneficial than Jesus' offer of rest from the burdens and weariness generated by the detrimental choices we make.  Available to us is an easier yoke with a lighter burden. Let all who have ears hear and let all that hear understand.

In pursuit of a transformed life,

Lee

Are You As Happy As You Think You Are? 8/31/201/

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

More and more it seems that society equivocates on religion or rejects it altogether. Of course there are many reasons for this but among them have to be the perception that a relationship with God is too restrictive and too burdensome. There are so many bright, shiny, comfortable and sensually pleasurable things out there which seem to be prohibited by the Christian faith that many people are more interested in fulfilling their desires than securing their eternity.

A closer look reveals that the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of godly structure and discipline come with their own cages which are often difficult and costly to maintain. For example, considering making our interpersonal relationships our number one priority, there is no one who does not know the effort this can take and the heartbreak that it can involve. It is only Jesus who has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," Hebrews 13:5. When we make working our priority for the sole purpose of gaining more and more and then conspicuously consuming it, we find that it is never enough and become trapped in a cycle of trying to protect what we've accumulated while attempting to gain even more. Jesus asked the question, "For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose or forfeits himself [his soul]," Luke 9:25. Lastly, what of the things that look, feel and taste good to us? Does not the pursuit and enjoyment of some of these things cost us dearly in health, relationships, finances, time and even inner peace? It is written, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" James 4:1.

Beloved, a relationship with the Lord and membership in his body is not the trap that some would make it out to be. It is submitted to you that living outside of him is the true trap. All of the things outside of him that are dangled in front of us are merely bait designed to trap us and keep us imprisoned. Jesus offers freedom: freedom from worry, stress, strife, consequences of our sin and everlasting destruction. Are there observances that we must maintain, obey and respect? Absolutely, just as there are with everything from traffic laws, to work policies and procedures to family rules. None, however, are more beneficial than Jesus' offer of rest from the burdens and weariness generated by the choices we make and an easier yoke with a lighter burden. Let all who have ears hear and let all that hear understand.

Building God's family,

Lee

Choosing Your Attitude 7/16/2013

"Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified.'”  Psa 70:4

Sometimes it seems that the whole world and every circumstance and situation conspire to get us down, beat us down and keep us down.  Be it health, finances, relationships, politics, the judicial system or any number of other things, it can all have a very depressing effect and lead to both helplessness and hopelessness.  But did you know that your state of mind is that which you choose?

Beloved, we are children of the Most High!  Our Father is the Creator of the universe!  There is nothing that is beyond Him and He has seen to it that we not only have all we need, but more than we deserve.  He has equipped us to deal with all the negatives in life.  Consider just a few things He has told us about navigating the course of our earthly existence:

• Nothing can separate us from His love, Romans 8:39
• We are more than conquerors through Him, Romans 8:37
• We can do all things through Christ, Philippians 4:13
• He will never leave nor forsake us, Hebrews 13:5
• He is with us always, Matthew 28:20
• There is a place prepared for us to be with Him throughout eternity, John 14:2
• We can and should have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5
• We are to let our light shine so that others can see, Matthew 5:16

It is sure that there are nights in which tears will fall, but just as assuredly, joy comes in the morning.  Let the people of God focus on all the good that He has made available to us.  Let us consider the things that have been done, are being done and are promised to be done by Him in our lives.  This most assuredly will guide us into not just being "glass half full" people, but being thankful for having the glass and whatever is in it.  God is good all the time.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Committed,

Lee

Pursuing Happiness 11/12/12

"He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."  Prov 16:20

Sadness and sorrow are big and weighty subjects with many reasons and causes.  The same can be said for joy and happiness.  There is not a person alive who would not rather be happy than sad so let us consider ways to secure happiness.

The author of the proverb first suggest attending to the word of God.  Matthew states that it is not bread alone that sustains us but "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matt 4:4.  God being our manufacturer has supplied us with a manual for life.  In it contains all we need to know about Him, His expectations and provisions and directions regarding how to lead a happy and successful life.  If we would simply follow the instructions, we would learn to experience joy and happiness even in the most challenging times.  This is possible because the word also gives us instructions on how to endure difficulties and also supplies information about the promise or everlasting peace and presence with God for all who are His.

Having attended to His word, trust in God is a logical outcome.  An even casual survey of humanity's history reveals the presence and the activity of the Lord.  This leads to an examination of our own lives where the presence of God can also be readily seen.  He has done and continues to do all that He promised.  It is up to us to constantly seek nearness with Him.  In so doing, we will be blessed or as it is otherwise translated, happy.

Beloved, we were created to be a happy, joyous, content and praising people.  Our great God has put everything in place in order to make this possible.  Each of us must decide whether that is our desire.  If so, let us attend to His word and trust Him.  He takes care of everything else.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee