AMEN DREAMWEAVER!!
Brother, these facts and promises are the core of our happiness. I am ashamed when I ever let a single one of these facts lose focus in my heart and mind. In the worst or the best of times, these facts should still be center focus in our lives.
I read several studies and devotions this week that spoke of giving thanks and praise in the worst of conditions in this short life. There are beautiful truths in these studies. As an example, we would still be rich beyond measure if we didn't have anything to eat for dinner tonight or we didn't own any clothes without holes in them. I'm thinking back over my life and remembering many sweet Christians who I will never forget. We had very little when I was growing up, but we knew some people who had much less than we did. I remember my mother and dad trying to help many with what little we had, and it always caused a considerable number of questions from my brothers and myself. We were given the beautiful answers right out of the Holy Bible.
Some of the happiest Christians I've ever met in my life were very poor by the world's standards. YES, there were times when they were hungry and didn't have the things that we consider to be the bare necessities of life.
BUT, they had JESUS and knew they were rich. These thoughts lead to the most precious truths of the Holy Bible. If JESUS is all we have, we are RICH! They also lead to our commands to Love others as we love ourselves.Finally, these thoughts lead to some pretty important questions for all Christians. Do we give thanks, give praise, and worship GOD only when everything is going well for us and we don't have any problems? This is the real secret of happiness, and it answers the questions about why some of the happiest Christians I've ever met had BIG needs and BIG problems. None of those needs and problems were as important as having JESUS. Maybe I didn't explain this very well, but I tried. I really think that something like this that is the core of your heart is difficult to put into words. Please - I'm not trying to describe my own quality of faith, rather a quality and strength of faith that I would like to have.
I would simply say that nothing in this world can result in as much happiness as faith in JESUS CHRIST as Lord and Saviour. When this faith spreads to our family and friends, the happiness is magnified. As this faith grows stronger, our happiness grows stronger. My conclusion is simple: JESUS CHRIST is the foundation for real JOY and HAPPINESS!Brothers, I didn't mean to ramble. I just had something on my heart that I had to let out and share.
Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!
Love In Christ,
Tom
Joel 2:26-27 NASB "You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. "Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame.
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