Choose to be happy

"Rejoice always"   1 Thessalonians 5:16   NKJV

James told us to, 'Count it all joy, when you fall into various trials' James 1:2. Why? Because it leads us to being patient. Too many of us (me included) have this sense of urgency and therefore tend to lack patience. If we have no patience, we have no joy because we are always dissatisfied with everything that happens to us. So, Paul underpins James statement by teaching us to rejoice always and be happy. 

It is a choice to be happy but it can be hard work at times. When you make the choice that from now on you're going to be happy, you can be sure that things are going to come your way to test this choice. God may test you in this and you can be sure that the devil will tempt you. There's a big difference here. To test us, God will put things in our way to help us reach this goal; to see if we are sure we want this. To tempt us, the devil will do everything to lead us away from such  things. He does not want you to be happy.

A root of being happy is to be grateful for all God has done for you. We should never just take things for granted. We need to thank Him each and everyday for the blessings He brings our way. Being aware of this root of gratitude, helps us to live our lives in enjoyment, no matter what the circumstances. Each and everyday - every moment, we need to exercise the joy that only comes from God. So when you wake up, make the declaration 'I choose to be happy today.' Be careful when you pray this because you are opening the way for demonic darts to come your way. So therefore, ensure you are dressed in God's armour Ephesians 6:10-18. Whenever you make a stand for God, be sure that you have backup.

One way to stir up this desire to be happy is to rejoice in God. Praise opens the way for great things. The devil hates the sound of praise so, do it all the more. This is where the victory lies. When you praise, strongholds collapse; when you praise, God leads you on in victory and when you praise, you are filled with overwhelming joy and this leads to the strength that is needed to fulfil what you set out to do.

So rejoice always.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Things may change , suddenly

"So then, we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary , but what is unseen is eternal"    2 Corinthians 4:18   CSB

Life is just fine and, suddenly, things can change. Now this may be for the better but, it can also be much worse. Sadly, this is life and, to a degree we have to live with it. However, we can change the way we look at things. Rather like yesterday's reading where it said, 'Always look on the bright side of life.' we can look at things through the eyes of faith, which incidentally, we should be doing all the time.

A sudden illness, followed by a bad diagnosis, can bring one into panic, the sudden change has caused our brain to be  totally confused, unable to process what is happening. However, we don't have to take what the doctor says as the final word - this is a bad report. We can decide to believe for a good report, believing Jesus heals today and, by His stripes, I am healed. 

It is similar to other bad reports such as, you have been made redundant and there are no jobs to be found in the area. You can believe Jesus for a good report, I have done this personally and was blessed. You see, the apostle Paul told us to, 'Walk by faith, not by sight' 2 Cor 5:7. We either live by God's word or we don't. We're not called to 'I'll stand on my faith, but it may not work'. That kind of philosophy will get you nowhere, you are negating what you have said straight away.

Tony Evans comments on this verse:

'So if your tribulations seem long and heavy, you're looking at the wrong thing. To put it another way, if all you see is what you see, then you do not see all there is to be seen! Paul is not saying we must close our eyes to the reality of our suffering; he's saying we need to open our eyes by faith to unseen realities that will last forever. An eternal perspective gives the believer the ability to handle the struggles of this life.'

                                            The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom

Remember, the  Mustard Seed? Jesus said, 'If you have faith the size of a Mustard Seed, you will tell this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matt 17:21-22. So, get ready to handle the changes that are coming you way. Handle them in faith.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Always look on the bright side of life

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."  

                                            Proverbs 17:22   NKJV

Eric Idle, part of the Monty Python team, wrote this song in 1976. Although, the film it was written for was controversial, the song has survived the track of time. It has the ability to make you feel happy as you sing it. (You're probably humming it now).

Many things in life, rob us of the joy that God has placed in our hearts but, if we can look at them differently, things look just that little bit better, hence the title of the song. Just a few examples can be:

(1)  You wake up late for work. First thought PANIC! Alternate thought, 'Well, I needed the sleep'

(2)  You run out of petrol. First thought Again PANIC! Alternate thought, at least there's a petrol station just up the road.

(3)  You get drenched walking to the garage. Alternate thought, at least I am alive and wet through.

(4)  You're snowed in and can't get to the shops. Alternate thought, thank goodness, I have food in the freezer.

There are many examples you could add to this list I am sure, The thing is, looking at things from the other side - the alternate view, you can turn something from a negative to a positive and this is important for survival of your nervous system. Viewing things in this way, also bring a kind of joy, it's almost like you are saying, 'Oh well, I'm sure we'll manage, it may not be ideal but at least it is helpful.'

God wants us looking on the bright side of life (Phil 4:8) and we can see Jesus in this verse.. Now look at Nehemiah 8:10 and you'll see why, 'Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' For our survival in the Christian world, we need strength and the joy of the Lord, gives us this. Also walking in the armour of God (Ephesians 6) is essential. 

Therefore, we need to be dressed properly, we need to be strong and joyful, using this to look at alternate ways to survive, so that we can shout out, 'Always look on the bright side of life.' So why not put it into action, today!

If you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2