One of Satan’s most deceptive and powerful ways of defeating us is to get us to believe a lie. And the biggest lie is that there are no consequences to our own doing. Satan will give you whatever you ask for if it will lead you where he ultimately wants you. Charles Stanley

Looking For Happiness in the Wrong Places

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.
Psalm 1:1-3

All of us want to be blessed and prosper, to have a life full of happiness and joy. However, there is a marked difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is linked to our soul and depends on our emotions and circumstances. Joy, however, is linked to our spirit and its source is from God. The joy that we receive from Him is eternal and unchanging, not dependent on temporal, material wealth or ever changing life situations. This joy comes from knowing that our salvation is in Christ alone and if we continue to draw from this wellspring, we can be assured of knowing His constant joy in our lives.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Roman 15:1

 

When we invite Jesus into our lives, we die to self and commit our lives to Him. By grace, He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, help us and comfort us, so that we can experience and be strengthened by the joy of the Lord.

The path to blessing and prosperity is found by those who do not follow the ways of the world. The happiness that the world offers is attractive and appealing to the eyes and flesh, but it is deceptive and temporary and will, one day, fade away. Those who follow the ways of the Lord, however, will find an everlasting joy that comes from knowing Jesus as their Saviour; it is a joy that carries us through to eternity.

 

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. Please give me Your wisdom to make the right choices, help me to be led by Your Spirit and to know that I have fullness of joy in You alone. Amen.

God bless you,
Theo and Manju