The Secret to True Happiness

“BLESSED is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”        Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV

Years ago it would be called a diary, but now most people call it a “journal”. Whatever name it goes by, what it really does is serve as a written account of a persons deepest feelings or emotions as they struggle through life and all that the world may throw at them. Most people, however, have something in common when it comes to their written feelings, and that is they are considered extremely private and not to be shared with anyone. How interesting is it then, to discover that in the case of David, his journal was written for all of mankind to read? This is what we find the Psalms to be when we decide to read, study, and meditate on them. They are without question a window into the heart of a man that in Gods' own words is considered to be a man after His own heart. It stands to reason then that if we look closely at the heart of a man that God describes in this way, we are looking into the heart of God as well. With this thought in mind, I thought we could spend a little time looking at the first verses of Psalms and see if we can discover some truths about Gods' feelings about us.

A journal or diary usually always reveals an individuals mental or emotional state rather than a physical one. So how interesting is it to see that the very first verse in Psalms does exactly that. The Hebrew word for blessed is 'esher, which is also translated as happiness. So the subject of the first chapter of Psalms, and what God through David wants to share with us, is finding happiness in our lives as we struggle to survive in this world and the situations we often find ourselves in. After the past few years, it would appear that most of us would agree that a little more happiness might just be in order. God chooses to instruct us in this passage by comparing or contrasting two types of individuals; godly and ungodly and the different paths they choose in the pursuit of happiness.

The difference between the godly man and the ungodly is fairly simple to understand. The godly man sees God as the center of his life, and the ungodly man has no time for God, and rarely if ever even thinks about Him. While both look for, and desire, happiness in life, they choose to listen to two different sources for the answer they seek.  As you might expect, the advice from God, and the advice from the world (Satan) is much different so let’s look at what God tells us about the three differences between these two types of people, and how believers can find true happiness.

BLESSED is the man Who:

walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...the Hebrew word for counsel here means simply that the Godly man doesn't consider the advice of the ungodly world, but rather looks to God for the answers to life's problems.  Unfortunately we live in a world where people choose to pay a ‘therapist” who more than likely will tell them that the problems they face are not of their own making and that they should embrace whatever path they feel will give them the happiness they desire. The world pretends to have all the answers to our problems, but the one mistake they make is to ignore God's advice and rather come up with their own answers, which usually always revolve around “self”.  The happy believer is one who goes to God's Word to find the answers they need, and the solutions to the struggles and problems we encounter in life.

Nor stands in the path of sinners...the word “to stand” means simply to be identified with, or associated with the path or things that sinners usually do. What God is telling us in here is that as believers we are expected to be different in that we choose to live differently than the world does. I don't know how many times through the years of my ministry with youth that I would get the same questions over and over again. They always went like this; “is it okay for a Christian to do (-------)?” Now I was always happy to get this question because obviously it meant that kids were not only thinking, but they also wanted to make the choice to do the right thing. Yet it also shows how important the first advice we get in this passage is, because if we look to God for the answers, we will obviously choose to walk a different path than the unbelievers in this world.

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful...the word for ”scornful” describes not only an action, but an attitude as well. The scornful person has an attitude of arrogance which stems from the belief that everybody else is wrong and he is right, and is usually more than happy to tell everyone how right he is and how wrong you are. The believer is expected to have the opposite attitude, which from looking at the life of our Lord is easily seen to be that of humility. I don't know about you, but my experience has always been that the louder someone talks, the less I want to listen. By telling us to be humble and avoid the attitude described here, God is telling believers that happiness comes from being humble, avoiding arguments, and most of all acknowledging we are not perfect and prone to making mistakes.

So how do we do this? God says it's a matter of focus; “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night”. Something I have always tried to get across to the youth I taught was the importance of not only spending time every day in the Word, but then taking what you read with you all day and think about it and try to figure out how you can apply it in your actions. Obviously since this is what God wants from us, it follows that Satan is going to try and throw every distraction he can in your path to try and change your focus. God says that the happy believer meditates on His word all day and all night. If we choose to follow God's advice, He goes on to describe the result.

“He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper”.  Now I think most everyone can understand the illustration we are given here. Have you ever seen the difference between a tree growing in the middle of nowhere, and one that is by water? Obviously the one with an unlimited supply of water is much larger, stronger, and most of all, much more fruitful. I was fortunate to grow up in southern California at a time where there were more fruit trees than people. My uncle was an orchardist and I would often go with him  as he moved the sprinklers they used as they watered the orchards by hand. It was very obvious even to a little boy like me that you could tell the difference between a tree that got a lot of water, and one that didn't get as much.

If you are not as happy as you would like to be, I think it obvious what God is telling us here is that you should check your roots! Are your feet planted in His Word? Are you meditating on it everyday? Are you looking to God for answers and standing apart from the world? There is a saying in real estate that I'm sure most of us are familiar with; location, location, location. If we as believers are not enjoying a happy, fruitful life, maybe we should look closer at our “location”, and see just where we have planted ourselves. The unbelievers of this world are described as “chaff” which has no roots and will suffer the fate of being blown every which way depending on the advice they are given.  Believers will stand firmly, rooted in God’s Word and living according to His commands, and receive our reward for choosing to serve Him.

David knew the secret to happiness. His life, like all of ours, had its share of trouble. But I believe he is sharing with us here, in the very first verses of his very first Psalm, that he has figured out the secret to happiness and it's by planting ourselves as close to God as we can. The "counsel of the ungodly" will never give you the true happiness you are looking for and only leads to destruction.  If you have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Looking for Normalcy

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  Matthew 24:44. NKJV

“People only look for a Savior when times are bad”.  Have you ever heard this saying?  If you think about it for a moment it certainly begins to make sense.  When things are going smoothly and the future looks bright, people tend to focus more on what they have rather than the things of above.  If we consider the passage from Matthew and focus on the phrase “at an hour you do not expect”, what exactly are we being told by our Savior?  

If asked to describe the current mood of many in this country I believe it would be accurate to use the words “cautious optimism”.  From what I have seen, read, and heard the past few weeks it would seem the majority in this country are excited and pleased to witness the change in direction of our government and the results so far in fulfilling the promises made.  The “doom and gloom” many felt in the past is being replaced and there is a very real expectation of life returning to some sense of normalcy. 

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,“and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”  Matthew 24:37-39. NKJV

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  Matthew 24:42. NKJV

I can’t help but wonder, however, if this is exactly the situation Jesus is warning us about in the passages above as well as most of the entire chapter of Matthew 24.  While the attention of most people is being focused on the changes we are seeing, it follows that we may not be “watching” as well as we are directed to do for the return of Christ for His Church.  One could also easily make the argument that there are similarities between the current mood of many and the description given of the mood during the days of Noah which appears to be "things as normal".  While admonishing us to watch for His return and to avoid focusing on our present circumstances. Jesus goes on to make the point that there is also another expectation for us as believers.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.”  Matthew 24:45-46. NKJV

It would appear that what Jesus has in mind for us in this particular time is to resist focusing on how our life here on earth may improve in the coming months and rather focus on fulfilling the task He has given to all that believe in Him and that is to be wise servants sharing and encouraging others with the gospel of Christ.  Encouraging fellow believers and sharing the good news with those who have yet to make a choice is what our Savior expects from us.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”   Romans 1:16 NKJV

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the word ashamed is that the focus is on what other people think. In other words, I am not worried about what I think, or what my convictions may or may not be, but rather I am worried about what others might think. Yet the Bible makes it clear that as believers our first and only thoughts should be about what God would want us to do, and pleasing Him.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;”    1 Thessalonians 4:1 NKJV

Not only has God commanded us to share Him with an unbelieving world, it pleases Him to see us do it! Are you concerned with pleasing God, or is your focus on what someone else might think of you? I believe Paul is reminding us that we need not be ashamed to share what we believe if we remember we are following the instructions of our heavenly Father. The disciples were in this position right after Jesus commissioned them and returned to Heaven, and their response to the high priest was this;

“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.”   Acts 5:29 NKJV

I think this makes it perfectly clear where they placed their priorities; they were much more concerned with what God would think than what the people might think. I somehow think as well that they were remembering something Jesus said during His ministry when He was sending them out to share the gospel for the first time.

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”    Matthew 10:32 NKJV

So it would appear that what Paul wants us to know is that there is no reason to be ashamed when we are doing the will of our Father in heaven. Yet Paul goes one step further in this verse which not only sends a message to the people of Rome, but to those who choose to listen today. Notice if you will the reason Paul says he is not ashamed; it is because of the power of God! Paul was writing to the Romans, who at that time in history were the most powerful people and nation on earth. Yet what does Paul say to them but that as powerful as they were, there was a greater power that they did not possess and that was the power to give eternal life!

“What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,”   Romans 9:22 NKJV

We find here that Paul suggests God has a plan to show the world His power. I believe that God's plan is to first demonstrate that power through those who believe, and as we approach the time of tribulation begin to show His power through the shaking of His creation. Anyone who has even a basic knowledge of what occurs during the tribulation understands that God is going to exhibit His power through natural catastrophes that devastate the earth. Are we seeing the beginnings of that process even now, and is the rapture of the church imminent? Many of those who choose to watch faithfully as Jesus commanded would answer that question with an emphatic “yes”! 

Who would have thought that looking for a return to normalcy would in fact be a sign of our coming deliverance?  Yet I had a conversation recently where it was suggested that when we get to heaven we will be astonished at the number of signs we missed simply because we never considered that virtually anything could have be a sign from God if we had simply changed our earthly perspective to a heavenly one.  God’s desire is for us to be a witness of His power to an unbelieving world before He goes a step further and does it by shaking the very foundations of the earth during the tribulation.  I would suggest that rather than focusing on a return to normalcy we focus on sharing the gospel.

Have you made the choice to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, I hope you will consider doing it today. You can do this by simply praying a prayer like this one:

Jesus I know I am a sinner and have broken your commandments and sinned against you. I believe you died and rose again for me as a sacrifice for my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart so that I can begin to live for you. Amen.

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Bread of Life

 

‘Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”   Matthew 13:33. NKJV

As I write these words, most if not all in this country are feeling the effects of a very cold and snowy winter.  Although not unexpected in the part of the country I live in, much of the south has been introduced lately to the type of weather I unfortunately have had to grow accustomed to.  Cold and snow definitely interfere with my normal activities as I spend most of my time outside either working in my yard, or in my shop woodworking.  Since my shop is unheated and uninsulated, I find myself mostly housebound during the winter months longing for spring and the opportunity to get back outside.

A little over a month ago, bored out of my mind, I decided to try once again to master the art of baking bread.  I say again because I have tried before and failed miserably, the running joke in the family being Dad is great at making focaccia because my bread always collapsed and ended up being an inch thick or so.  This time using a wonderful book along with the magic of YouTube, what now emerges from my oven, as you can see from the picture above, is actual bread.  Yet what I find to be the most amazing thing about this loaf is that it only contains less than I/2 teaspoon of yeast.

As you might expect from me, while learning the in’s and out’s of bread making and watching the process of the yeast begin to work, I found myself contemplating the subject of leaven in the Bible and all of the instructions to avoid it.  In fact, the use of unleavened bread is commanded by God in the three pilgrimage feasts of Israel that all Jews who were able to travel were required to attend at the temple in Jerusalem.

“Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year:“You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty);“and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.  Exodus 23:14-16. NKJV

Scholars agree that the use of the word leaven in the Bible always refers to a type of sin, and such is the reason God commanded the Israelites to avoid it at all costs.  Yet although this is the case, it certainly seems surprising to see Jesus’ use of it as an illustration in His parable that we find in Matthew 13 which I shared at the beginning of this article.  Jesus telling His audience that the Kingdom of God would be filled with sinners would certainly raise a few eyebrows at that time but Jesus already knew full well it was His mission on earth to die for our sin in order to make a way for us to enter the Kingdom.  Imagine what it must have sounded like to His audience of Jews, yet in the back of their minds I have to wonder if they thought about the one Feast of Israel which also used leaven.

‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. ‘Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. ‘You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the LORD.  Leviticus 23:15-17. NKJV

This feast, which we call Pentecost after its Greek name, was the day in which many believe the Church was born as a result of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the disciples.  To the Jews, it is celebrated as the day that Moses came down from Mt. Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments.  The question remains, however, why two loaves of unleavened bread?  I believe as many others do, that the use of two loaves symbolizes two different groups of people, the Jews and Gentiles.  It was, in fact, prophetic in that it was God’s way of saying Jews would commemorate the giving of the Law and at a future time the Gentile Church would celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit.

Two loaves, two peoples, both groups made up of sinners, but acceptable to God by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on a cross as payment for our sin.  If you have never chosen to accept the gift of eternal life provided for us by God the Father, I would urge you to do it today.  Time to make that choice is indeed rapidly running out and Jesus returning to take His own back with Him to heaven could happen at any time.  All you need to do is simply ask Him for forgiveness for your sin, invite Him to come into your life, and believe He died to pay the price for your redemption.  A simple prayer like this is all that He wants to hear from you.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

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Are You Prepared for the Wedding?

 “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.”                                               2 Corinthians 11:2 NKJV

As any reader of this blog understands, a subject I often talk about is the rapture of the Church, and just how close to occurring many seem to believe that it is. With that in mind, as many believers understand, if we consider what the Bible has to say about the rapture the picture we are given in the New Testament of Christ returning for His Church is one of a bridegroom coming to receive his bride. In this passage from his letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells us the Church is “betrothed” to Christ just as a bride to her future husband, and in other places in scripture this analogy of the Church as a bride waiting for her husband is repeated.  This past week as I thought of the Church as Jesus’ bride, and also thinking of the state of the Church as it is today, I recalled some thoughts I have shared in the past concerning our future wedding with Christ.

Now I may have mentioned a time or two that I was blessed with three daughters. So as you might imagine, I know a thing or two about a wedding, and all that goes into preparing for one. Especially noteworthy, however, is just what is involved in the bride preparing herself to meet her future husband on the day of the wedding. Although I thought I had some idea of what went on, it was enlightening to see just how many hours are expended in the process, beginning early in the morning, and finally (hours later) arriving at the point where the bride is ready to meet her groom.

As I thought about the subject of Christ returning for His bride, I couldn’t help but think back to my daughters’ weddings and wonder if maybe we as members of the body of Christ, Jesus’ bride, should be a little more concerned with the state of our spiritual appearance than we possibly are? Could we honestly say we are as prepared to meet the bridegroom as we should be, or is there room for improvement? If Jesus were to return for His Church today, could we honestly say we personally were as spiritually attractive as we could be?  As I thought about these things, I remembered that Paul uses an interesting word in this passage from his letter toTitus and it is the word translated “adorn”.

“[Exhort] bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all [things], not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”   Titus 2:9-10 NKJV

In the Greek, the word for adorn is “kosmeo” which means to put in order, arrange, make ready, prepare, to ornament, adore, to embellish with honor, gain honor. If the word sounds familiar, it is because this is where we get our English word cosmetic. So knowing this, when we look more closely at this passage, it would appear Paul is telling Titus, as well as all other believers, that we have a responsibility to examine ourselves closely to see if we are reflecting the doctrine of God in our personal lives so that others might see and find attractive the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.

Now I can honestly say that I have looked in the mirror often enough to realize that I have, appearance wise, good days and bad days. I also can’t help but recall occasional articles that regularly appear in the media showing famous people with and without their makeup on, and noticing just how obvious the difference is. To me, this gives this passage of scripture, and this particular verse, a whole new meaning. Yet there is another part of this admonition we need to notice, and that is what we are told that we need to adorn ourselves with is the “doctrine of God”.

In the Greek, the word for doctrine is didaskalia, which is translated as teaching, instruction, that which is taught, doctrine, teachings, precepts. Now how do we as believers “adorn” ourselves with the “doctrine” of God? Well I believe the obvious first step is to study and learn what God has revealed to us in His Word.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”    2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Just as a bride is “diligent” to apply her makeup correctly and attractively, so we too should be diligent to study the Word.  When believers begin to study the Word of God and commit to memory the “teachings and precepts” that we find there, we begin the process of putting on our spiritual makeup. Why a process? Because it appears that what Paul is telling us here is that when we take the first step of learning what God has revealed to us through His Word, it has an effect on our outward appearance. How so? The obvious answer from this passage is that our actions, what others see us do and say, begins to change.

One thing I have noticed after raising three daughters is that no one ever puts on their makeup without looking in the mirror to see if it is being applied correctly, and in such a way as to be attractive. If we look back at the first chapter of Titus, we see that Paul has written this letter to him because there are obvious problems in the Church. How obvious? Read how Paul chooses to describe them to Titus.

“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. They profess to know God, but in works they deny [Him], being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”        Titus 1:10-11,16 NKJV

Sadly it would appear that many were not examining themselves to be sure they were putting on their makeup the right way. How do you know if your makeup is on right? Your actions, what others see you do and say, will reveal your understanding and application of His teachings. I also believe that Paul makes it pretty clear, however, that we can put our makeup on wrong. Just as you can look at someone and tell if they are wearing makeup or not, you can also look at someone’s actions and tell if they are “adorning” the doctrine of God. Paul’s advice to Titus concerning those who were having a little trouble with their “kosmeo” was this;

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”       Titus 3:1-6 NKJV

The bridegroom is coming. How does your spiritual makeup look? Could your appearance use a little touch-up?  How often do you look in the mirror of the Word to see if you are adorned with the doctrine of God correctly and attractively?  When others look at your actions and listen to your words, do they see a reflection of the Father?  Our bridegroom, Jesus Christ, could return for His Church today!  I would encourage you to look closely in the mirror and examine yourself to see if you are truly ready for the wedding.

If you are reading this today, I hope you are one of those who can truthfully say that you are part of the Church, and are looking forward to the wedding.  If you have never made that choice to accept the gift of eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I urge you to do it now by praying a simple prayer like this;

Jesus I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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