Archive for the ‘Happiness’ Category

12 Sep

Chasing the Wind

Posted by sandhillspastor in Christian Living, Contentment, Culture, Happiness, Peace, Possessions, Trust, Wisdom.

Dear friends,

We are experiencing some cooler weather for a change. As I write this, we have received a welcome rain shower. I show a mere twenty hundredths, but hey, it’s rain! We will continue to pray the Lord will send beneficial moisture. With the summer season winding down, life here at the lake is taking a more leisurely turn. It has been good to see folks enjoying a taste of lake living, especially the families with children.

Now for some devotional thoughts. This is from a few years back, when we were still watching television, but the message hasn’t changed. One of the newer advertisements on the tube was from an automobile company that will remain unnamed. Their slogan was “Dedicated to life, liberty and the pursuit!”

One of the hallmarks of the culture of today is that many are dedicated to the “pursuit”, and have no vision of what they are pursuing. After all, I wonder, should there not be something to pursue? Most of us have some goal in mind as we go along our life’s journey. It may be only to provide food and shelter for our families, but there is something we are pursuing. The Bible has quite a bit to say about things that are important to pursue and those which are not worth chasing after.

Solomon wrote that many of the things people seek after are just chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Again he writes, “What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his work is pain and grief, even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless (2:22-23).

At the end of the book, Solomon sums it up; “Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).

Jesus said, “But seek first His (God’s) kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Our slogan could then be “Dedicated to a life of serving God, liberty from the bondage of sin and the pursuit of godliness.”

In summary, God will provide all we need for this life and the next, if we will only put all our faith and trust in Him.

Reflecting on His Word,

Pastor Jerry

5 Sep

Faith and Trust

Posted by sandhillspastor in Assurance, Faith, Happiness, Peace, Possessions, Trust, Witness, Worship.

Dear friends,

The Labor Day weekend is winding down. A good number of people enjoyed life at the lake over the past few days, and from all indications they had an enjoyable time. It will seem rather quiet here in the neighborhood come Tuesday morning.

I would like to share some thoughts on trusting God in every aspect of our lives. As believers in the Lord Jesus our desire should be to live life by faith. We should be content with what he provides, not envying the possessions or lifestyles of others.

Do we look at a person who does not know the Lord, yet has material wealth in abundance and wish we had what he has? Instead, we should have sympathy for that person, knowing that all his possessions are of no value in light of eternity. When we covet these things, we are in essence saying that we don’t trust God to take care of us. Trust involves letting Him take complete control of our lives—this includes our thoughts, actions and possessions, including bank accounts and our souls—everything.

We are to trust God without reservation. This sounds like a lofty goal, but in His word, He tells us it can be done. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important that food, and the body more important that clothes” (Matthew 6:25)?

Trusting the Lord involves following His commands and letting Him have control. How is your trust level? Can you take time for Him in your busy times? How about letting Him take care of those cows while you attend Sunday worship or take off work early for mid-week Bible study and prayer meeting?

God says he will supply all our needs; does this not mean our time as well as our physical and spiritual needs? Are you trusting Him with the care of a prodigal child or the loved one with an incurable disease? Most importantly, have you trusted Him for your salvation, or are you trying to get to heaven on the merit of your own good works?

Remember, salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). He is the way, the only way.

In Him,

Pastor Jerry

10 Aug

On Being Happy

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Christian Living, Contentment, God's Word, Happiness.

Dear friends,
Warmer temps returned late in the week, but there could be a couple of cooler days before it returns to the nineties again mid-week. Ah, summer! We are so thankful that the Lord led us to this place by the lake, where we can live in relative peace and quiet, yet be part of a larger community. This is contentment.

Speaking of contentment, and being happy with your life, I don’t think I have ever seen an unhappy dog here at the lake. Head out the window, tail wagging, and a big old doggy smile on its face. Most of the human residents and visitors seem to have the same attitude.

True contentment and happiness is not about ‘don’t worry, be happy’, because this attitude denies reality. Not everything is a big party, but it is possible to be happy and content. Not every experience in life lends itself to happiness, but contentment is possible through faith in God. The Bible speaks of happiness, blessedness, and contentment as being connected. In various translations, the words happy and blessed are interchangeable, both being an evidence of contentment.

“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live” (Eccl 3:12).
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:13).
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy (blessed) is the person who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).
The apostle Paul said, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Last word: Keep yourselves free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

We can have true peace and joy, even happiness, if we are willing to put our lives in God’s hands, trusting that he has prepared a place in heaven for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the words of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-28).

Happy in Him,
Pastor Jerry