Many people have the wrong idea about happiness and joy. They think that something from outside them has to occur that will provide them reason to be happy; a promotion, a new car, a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone complimenting them, etc. All these things are nice, but happiness really comes from inside us; how we look at our circumstances.

Solomon writes in Proverbs 12:20, “joy fills hearts that are planning for good!” We start the process and plan to do good, and happiness and joy are the result.

Dear Lord, help us remember that our joy comes from within us. Help us plan to do good and share our joy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Some say, if there was one characteristic that would make us a better people, and make our lives better, it would be gratitude.

It is hard to feel sorry for ourselves and complain when we have gratitude.  It is easier to be happy, kind, generous, friendly, and loving to others when we feel thankful for what God has given us.  

The feeling of gratitude doesn’t always come on its own.  Our thoughts start our feelings.  We all have things in our lives for which to be grateful, if we think about it.  Most of all we can be grateful for our salvation through Jesus Christ.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul writes, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Give thanks for what you have while you pray for what you want. 

Dear Lord, help us live lives of gratitude which will lead us to experiencing more joy in our lives.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Sometimes reading different bible translations helps with our understanding of the message, or gives us a different way of looking at it.

The New Living Translation NLT of Psalm 37:3 gives us a great and concise formula for how we should live and a promise of the outcome. It says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.”

This is a pretty simple and straight forward message by which to live.

Dear Lord, help us truly put our trust in you and be good, by sharing your love with others. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever wonder why some Christians experience challenges in one part their lives, and others experience different types of challenges. Is it just random or is God involved in how these things are happening?

Isaiah, the old testament prophet was telling the people God’s view of their situation in Isaiah 28:26-29, saying, “He [a farmer] knows just what to do, for God has made him see and understand. He doesn’t thresh all grains the same. A sledge is never used on dill, but it is beaten with a stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cummin, but it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom.”

In this passage, Isaiah is explaining to the people that God is like the farmer, and people are like the seed. God knows what experience he needs to put someone through to most effectively develop them. So when we are going through experiences we should ask ourselves what is God doing and how is he using this experience to make me a better Christian.

Dear Lord thank you for caring for each one of us, enough to work on us and help us improve. May we graciously accept the challenges you put before us as exercises to make us stronger and better Christians. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

How often we get trapped in feeling sorry for ourselves, sour mood and attitude, mad a God or other people because we don’t have what we want. The antidote for this is written in 1 John 2:8, “and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in.”

By turning our attention away from ourselves and toward others, we are living the way Jesus did. Verse 6 says, ” Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.”

Dear Lord, Help us overcome our focus only on ourselves, and focus on sharing your love with others. We will then realize the peace and joy this provides. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.