We all know that money can’t buy happiness … but many times we act as if we’d be happier with a bit more money. We are
conditioned to want to be rich (when we know the rich aren’t happy either); we are trained to want the latest gadget or style that television tells us to want; we want to earn more money because then we’ll have the good life. But none of that will bring us happiness. No matter how much we earn, no matter how much we have in the bank, no matter how nice our clothing or cars or toys, none of it will make us happier. And the sad thing is that it could take us decades of pursuing wealth and luxury items before we realize this. So what will bring us happiness? Luckily, it’s three things that don’t cost a thing. These three things have been proven by research — surveys of hundreds of thousands of people about what they have, what their lives are like, and how happy they are. Here they are, the Three Secrets to Happiness: Good relationships. We have a human need to be close, to be intimate, with other human beings. Having good, supportive friendships, a strong marriage or close and loving relationships with our family members will make us much more likely to be happy. Action steps: Take time, today, to spend time with your loved ones, to tell them what they mean to you, to listen to them, and develop your relationship with them. Positive thinking. I’m obviously a big proponent of positive thinking as the best way to achieve your goals, but it turns out that it can lead to happiness too. Optimism and self-esteem are some of the best indicators of people who lead happy lives. Happy people feel empowered, in control of their lives, and have a positive outlook on life. Action steps: Make positive thinking a habit. In fact, this should be one of the first habits you develop. Get into the habit of squashing all negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Instead of “I can’t” think “I can”. It may sound corny, but it has worked for me, every time. Flow. This is a popular concept on the Internet these days — the state we enter when we are completely focused on the work or task before us. We are so immersed in our task that we lose track of time. Having work and leisure that gets you in this state of flow will almost undoubtedly lead to happiness. People find greatest enjoyment not when they’re passively mindless, but when they’re absorbed in a mindful challenge. Action steps: Find work that you’re passionate about. Seriously — this is an extremely important step. Find hobbies that you’re passionate about. Turn off the TV — this is the opposite of flow — and get outside and do something that truly engages you. You’ve been given the Three Secrets to Happiness. Don’t waste them! He poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers' feet, drying them
with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 To place our feet in the basin of Jesus is to place the filthiest parts of our lives into his hands. In the ancient East, people's feet were caked with mud and dirt. The servant of the feast saw to it that the feet were cleaned. Jesus is assuming the role of the servant. He will wash the grimiest part of your life. If you let him. The water of the Servant comes only when we confess that we are dirty. Only when we confess that we are caked with filth, that we have walked forbidden trails and followed the wrong paths… We will never be cleansed until we confess we are dirty. We will never be pure until we admit we are filthy. And we will never be able to wash the feet of those who have hurt us until we allow Jesus, the one we have hurt, to wash ours. A Gentle Thunder (Max Lucado) "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Why were you born? What is your life's purpose? Can you write it down? What do you want on your tombstone? What few words would describe your priorities or your passion? Clarity of purpose is a key to successful living: * It guides us in our decision-making. * It helps us to know when to say yes and when to say no. * It determines where we will go in life. It's the difference between just existing and making a difference. * Only through our Creator can we find our ultimate purpose; He created us for a purpose. No one is here by accident. God has a plan for every life--a destiny to fulfill. What's yours? The One who created you can answer that question for you. Get to know Him through His Son Jesus, and His ever-insightful Word in Scripture. You'll be taking the first and most important step in discovering your life's purpose. Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Many Christians are familiar with Jesus’ rhetorical question, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” But not many of us actually let it get into our hearts and allow the love of God to free us from our habit of worrying. The truth is, no amount of worrying can lengthen your life or add anything to your physical person. Instead, worrying robs you of sleep, health and many good years. In fact, it is only when you are worry-free that God’s anointing flows freely in you, strengthening, healing, restoring and adding to you. A church member, after undergoing a mammogram, found that she had lumps in her breast. Upon receiving the doctor’s report, she wrote this down on the report: “Jesus is my healer. I receive my healing. I am healed. I rest in God completely.” She was due back at the clinic later the same day for a biopsy to see if the lumps were malignant. Her sister-in-law, who was having lunch with her that day, witnessed her cheerful and worry-free attitude while she ate her lunch. Back at the clinic, this precious sister sat among other ladies who were also there for their biopsies. They looked very worried, so she started sharing Jesus with them and prayed for some of them. When her turn came and she had an ultrasound scan done, the doctor was puzzled—her scan showed no evidence of any lumps! The doctor went back to consult her colleague who had first discovered the lumps. Stunned, both doctors conducted their own investigations. They returned to her only to say, “It’s a miracle!” My friend, when you worry, you are actually believing that the devil has the power to make inroads into your life that God cannot protect you from. But when you refuse to worry, you are putting your faith in God. You have more confidence in His love and power working for you than in the devil’s ability to harm you! When you refuse to worry, but choose to rest in the finished work of Christ, you will see the manifestation of your blessing. You will see your miracle! When I was ten, my mother enrolled me in piano lessons. Spending thirty minutes every afternoon tethered to a piano bench was a torture just one level away from swallowing broken glass.
I hammered the staccatos. I belaboured the crescendos. But there was one instruction in the music I could never obey to my teacher’s satisfaction. The rest. The zigzagged command to do nothing. Nothing! What sense does that make? “Because,” my teacher patiently explained, “music is always sweeter after a rest.” “Be still,” the scripture says, “and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Perhaps it is time for you to let the music slow to a stop…and be still and rest. "Albert Einstein hit the mark when he said, "Only a life lived for others is worth living." An unselfish life of service never ceases to be filled with the pleasant company of friends and loved ones. If you desire true success, then put a high value on people, make the effort to form relationships, and invest in those relationships regularly." John Maxwell
In the New Year... May His presence be the source of your joy (Psalm 16:11); May His promise be the confidence of your faith (1 John 5:14); May His power be the boldness of your witness (Acts 1:8); May His purity be the motivation of your heart (Psalm 86:11); May His praise be the focus of your love (Psalm 86:12). He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23 AMP -Devotional by Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow. In Psalm 19:14 the psalmist prays Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord , my (firm impenetrable) Rock and my Redeemer. Notice that he mentions both the mind and the mouth. this is because the two work together. W e need to make sure that our meditations(our thoughts) are pleasing to God so that our words will be acceptable to Him as well.
GOD'S WORD: "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" - Psalm 118:24
Right now as you read this, there is a party going on that you are cordially invited to attend. God is hosting this party in honor of His Son Jesus. It is a time of celebration for the victory against sin, death, and the enemy of darkness. And the best part about this party is that you can make the choice to attend right now! It's going on throughout the entire Kingdom (def: wherever God is held sovereign) and several people are attending right now! See that lady over there with the smile on her face from the radiant joy in her heart? She's at the party! See the church singing praises and raising their voices in worship? They're having a party! See the parent facing head-on what seem to be insurmountable odds to provide a nurturing home for their children with grace and the assurance that God is in control? They at the party, too! So instead of crawling out into the world today focused on all the negative news reports, why not focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God; that we are redeemed and given sufficient grace and blessings for each day! It's about seeing each day as an invitation to a party. It's up to us whether we attend a party or a prison of pity. You may even know others who could use a good party! Glenn Miller [email protected] The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them. Luke 19:10 Our God is the God who follows. Have you sensed him following you? He is the one who came to seek and save the lost. Have you sensed him seeking you? Have you felt his presence through the kindness of a stranger? Through the majesty of a sunset or the mystery of romance? Through the question of a child or the commitment of a spouse? Through a word well-spoken or a touch well timed, have you sensed him? … God gives us himself. Even when we choose our hovel over his house and our trash over his grace, still he follows. Never forcing us. Never leaving us. Patiently persistent. Faithfully present. He uses all his power to convince us that he is who he is and he can be trusted to lead us home. The Gift for All People (Max Lucado) |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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