Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 27, 2016
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:1-3
Love, worship and serve the Giver of happiness—Jesus Christ—and you will find happiness. Some people mistakenly think a bigger and better home brings happiness. A new and improved spouse brings happiness. Just the right job brings happiness. Graduation from the most elite school brings happiness because of the prestige and the possibilities of making more money. Fulfilled sensual desires and the pursuit of pleasure bring happiness. There may be an oh so brief joy the wicked can experience, but it leaves them empty. True gladness only comes from God.
When we gaze on God with worshipful songs and shout to Him in gratitude for our salvation in Jesus—our souls are captured by happiness. Our heart finds happiness in giving Jesus the glory for our blessings and accomplishments. Our emotions experience happiness when our love for the Lord is the basis of all other loves in our life. Our spirit rests happy and content when it totally trusts the Spirit to lead our decision-making. Our mind is happy to know our heavenly Father cares for and comforts us in our sorrow. Happiness found in heaven brings joy on earth!
“Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12, AMP).
Is your happiness based on how you feel—or on the Lord’s very real and lasting love for you? Christians are happy to know they are His people. Recognition of and submission to the Lord’s ownership grows our faith. Like godly parents who prayerfully decided to bless each child uniquely—God can be trusted to do what’s best for His individual children. The Shepherd knows we sometimes stray. The strays need a different approach than the submissive. We can be happy knowing our loving Lord will pursue us when we wander. Divine ownership displays joy!
Mostly, see happiness as an outcome of your intimacy with Jesus, not the pursuit of your life. Happiness is a poor owner, because it does not have the ability to subdue pride, manage success, combat sin and carry you through trials. In contrast, your heavenly Father loves you through the process of pain and godly pursuits. The Spirit instills happiness in a humble heart, brings joy to a submitted soul and the grace of gladness to a faithful life. Happiness happens when the end goal is what makes heaven happy. Receive the gift of happiness from God—you’ll be glad you did!
“Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me happiness through the love of Your grace.Application
How can I focus on happiness as an outcome and not as my ultimate goal?Related Reading
Psalm 16:11, 126:5; Isaiah 35:10; 2 Corinthians 7:13; James 5:13Post/Tweet today
Is your happiness based on how you feel—or on the Lord’s very real and lasting love for you? #happiness #WisdomHuntersWorship Resource
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