What Makes You Happy?

Do an assessment of what makes you happy...you'll find it interesting.

What do you rejoice in?

Philippians 4:4 tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord." This means that our happiness and joy is to be in Him.

I find this interesting because there are many things that make me happy/joyful, but I wouldn't readily or immediately admit that it's being with the Lord.

Yes, I could tell you all kinds of things- the summer, getting off work, sleeping, requited love interests, good food, but where would the Lord be on this list?

It is the Lord that is supposed to make us joyful and we will find that being in His presence more regularly will create this in our lives.

So before you're quick to let yourself get happy about something trivial, ask where your true happiness is supposed to come from.

I Just Can't Get It Right

Why am I like this?

Lately I've been allowing myself to be distracted by so many useless things. It seems these days that I live for my emotions.

You know that emotional high that you feel when you gain that attention from the guy/girl you're interested in? Sometimes I feel like I live for that high. Either I am reveling in it, or craving it.

I realize that I desire to be glorified. Honestly, I think that's what it really comes down to. I am either idolizing others or idolizing myself.

A sermon today spoke some truth:

We become bored of God because we are worshiping the idols of our hearts instead of Him.

Can I get back onto the right page?

who's deserving

Whenever I feel let down by people (thankfully not often), I wonder what I've done wrong and wonder why all my trying to be the best person I can be to them isn't reciprocated.

But then I think of God. 

And I realise how much more I have let Him down through my recurring sins. And it really is so much worse than I have ever done to any human. So what's a little nonsense from people eh?

I totally deserve it.

It can be the same

When we take a minute to reflect, the message of Almighty God is the same at one angle.

In Islam, the salat (prayer) that is made obligatory for 5 times a day is the few minutes one has to connect with Allah (swt). It's the moment we remind ourselves of God's doings and to consider the blessings we have. It's the personal connection between you and Him. In all religions I believe, the ultimate goal and idea is to personally connect with the Almighty. It's you and Him, from day one to the very last..

The song sung by Sami Yusuf (below) reflects that, and speaks of the benefits one receives from paying attention to that connection with God.

why

Why's it so hard to want God and God alone? It's sad to say this, but sometimes it's like I don't feel like He's enough. I wish for the presence of fellow humans, moreso than I desire to spend a few extra minutes alone with him, although I know that'd do wonders.

And then there's all the worry and malice that creeps into the brightest moments of one's days, snuffing out the sunshine. why? there shouldn't be. Then there's always the striving for improvement of one's life, one's values, one's faults, and struggling to understand why there's so much pain in the lives of your loved ones.

Back to square one, God is the source, the answer to all of life.

And I've to realise, I'm not going anywhere without Him.

Understanding God's Power

I doubt most of us know or understand what God's power is supposed to mean/do for our lives.

I know, in particular, that I don't understand...just because of the way I live.

For instance, I am a very fearful person. I allow my fear of just about everything to control me, to make me think too much.

Fear +++ Doubt are a packaged deal. When we are fearful as Christians, in perhaps an unconscious way, we are doubting God.

For me I feel, however, that it is not me who is doubting God...but rather my emotions. As Christians, I know that we are supposed to control our emotions...that they should be in submission to THE SPIRIT.

Romans 8:5-6 "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."

Romans 8:15 We have not received a spirit that makes us fearful slaves, but rather God's spirit.


It's easy to be afraid, but we must remember that we have God's power on our side.

Ephesians 1:19-20 "I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe in him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else--not only in this world but also in the world to come."

Remember that God's power which we have if we believe is THE SAME power that raised Christ from the dead, made the Earth, controls all creation.

I believe that faith is something you have to practice; it doesn't come easy. If I don't understand God's power, then I better be learning about it! I pray all of you will understand God's power for your lives and encourage others in it! Amen.

A Crime to be Weak?

The April 14th devotion from Oswald Chamber's book "My Utmost For His Highest" states

"It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God's strength."

' "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) Where do the saints get their joy? If we did not know some Christians well, we might think from just observing them that they have no burdens to bear. But we must lift the veil from our eyes. The fact that the peace, light, and joy of God is in them is proof that a burden is there as well. The burden that God places on us squeezes the grapes in our lives and produces wine, but most of us see only the wine and not the burden.

No power of earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God living within the human spirit; it creates an inner invincibility.

If your life is producing only whine, instead of the wine, then ruthlessly kick it out. It is definitely a crime for a Christian to be weak in God's strength.'

Oswald Chambers
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I think it's really hard to be constantly aware of God's strength in our lives. It's like something that we have to tap into and be conscious of. Something we have to remind ourselves of. We must condition our minds to be aware of it.