Examine and visualize your happiness

The world now is uncertain and ignorant in many aspects of life. Technology has grown but love and respect to fellow human beings are diminishing without reasons. Pride, love for money and hatred towards others is growing day by day. No one knows to forgive, no one likes to say 'sorry', This type of lifestyle leads such people to spiritual blindness disabling them to visualize true happiness. They cannot realize or understand that even if they be happy with worldly gains and pleasures, they are going to eternal damnation. We need to be knowledgeable about the eternal will of God for each one of us. It is to live a life (on earth) filled with love towards God and fellow human beings and to spend eternity with Him in heaven. We must have the power to distinguish between good and bad, to examine our happiness whether it is from God or evil.

But how are we going to do it? Happiness is not only a state of mind. Outward happenings must not have any authority over what we feel inside. People who trust in God are happy even during life's calamities. They do not know to complain, are ever unwilling to criticize the existence of The Truth, and they just know how to pour out their sorrows unto God and gain His happiness. Friend, is the happiness that you are experiencing based on God's love rather than in what is going on in your life? If your answer is no, it is time to understand that God still loves you and He wants you to be happy truly.

We feel excited when we get a loving surprise from a dear friend and become very glad. We are happy when others praise us because of our success and good deeds towards others. But how happy will we be when there is no one to notice us? How happy will we be when our friends misunderstand our good actions? A man who knows how to depend on God in not concerned over what is going around, but knows that the true source of true happiness is not anything else in heaven or in the universe, but the source is God Himself.

Friend, do you now know the formula to examine your happiness and to distinguish between the duplicate and original happiness? You just need to observe whether the means of your happiness are scripture-based or situation-based. If you are happy to forgive your enemies, happy in the Lord during troubles, happy to be patient with angry people, then you are on the good point of happiness. If you are happy when you love all alike irrespective of relation or position, when you respect your elders in times they punish or scold you, when you give respect to God's Word during perils and are happy to go through the test of faith and holiness to come out as pure gold not compromising with the comforts of the world then you are truly happy. The knowledge we gained thus far from this article is able to make us examine our happiness.

Second thing is to visualize our happiness. We must know the greatness of happiness placed in our hearts by God. We must understand its full nature to know its greatness over worldly happiness. But how are we going to do it? Any good thing is enjoyed only when it is utilized for the purpose behind its existence. The purpose behind the existence of happiness is to get spread towards others through people who are enjoying it already. We cannot maintain the experience of divine happiness if we are stubborn in matters of sharing our happiness with others by actions of love and help. Thus, preserving our happiness enables us to visualize its importance. The next method is to focus on God's promises i.e. His Word. When we visualize our happiness on the basis of God's Word, we get more clear understanding about the greatness of finding happiness and solace under the power of God's authority and can also visualize our happiness found in Him..  

The meaning of true and original happiness

Every thing contained in life, whether big or small, important or unimportant, popular or unknown, good or evil, famous or secret, they all have a basic source. The source of a particular thing has control and authority over it. It is what drives that particular thing. So whenever we deal with anything in life, we must first know its origin. If the origin is 'Purpose of God through us' then only should we carry on with it. This is the secret to true happiness. The fact may be not understandable to human intellectual limits. Doubts and confusions, curiosity and reasoning, anxiety and worries may find place in our heart but we must not depend on our earthly wisdom, instead we must carry on in full faith that the source is placed in the will of God. This attitude towards life's truth will make our lives find meaning in Christ and thus find divine happiness. Other things can only provide temporary happiness. 

So, what is the source of true happiness? It is based on God's will to make us walk according to His will. Had not God provided true happiness for us via His divine purpose, we could only live in vain. But our God is Love. The place we have in His love is powerful enough to reduce our worldly understanding and replace it with FAITH IN GOD, to rely on Him and not in the seemingly possible, to fix our minds in Christ and not on human reasoning. We can thus know the meaning of true and original happiness. No one can explain it, no one preach about it in full, it is indescribable. But it can be experienced by walking in the ways of God. 

The credit for our happiness belongs to our God alone because He not only wants us to experience happiness, but has provided all means for the same. The factors leading to this happiness are The Bible, Christian Fellowship, True Christian living and most important of all: The Power and Purpose of God. Once we deviate from this source, we lose our true life and get busy in pleasing ourselves for the sake of temporary happiness. This type of lifestyle brings ruins and destruction both in the outward as well as in the heart. The meaning of true and original happiness can not ever be explained, but can only be felt by walking in His ways. As it is clear till now, the driving force behind our happiness must be God's intentions for us. This will change the way we live, it will help God to use us. May God Almighty be allowed to make us happy via our decisions to follow Him. If we are unwilling and unbelieving, God can do nothing for us because He gives importance to freewill. He wants that everyone enjoys happiness from a deep desire to get it through the original source, and that source is 'Purpose of God through and for us.' Will you give your hearts to Him? May He enable you all to know the true meaning of happiness by experiencing it through its true and original source.

Importance of making others HAPPY

Every individual living in this world has his own way of living. The methods of talking, writing, understanding things, tastes and hobbies all differ in different persons. Everyone is unique. One of the major uniqueness is the evaluating and estimating power of humans. It also differs in different individuals. The major evaluation one must do is about his goals and way of living. We must constantly examine our life whether or not it is according to the will of God. Many people do not even have an aim in life. Many have selfish ambitions which are of no use to anyone. Our purpose should do be to do the will of our Father Who is in heaven, to experience His love and presence daily and to have goals that can be fruitful in the spiritual realm and arena.

So, what according to you can be one such goal? The primary responsibility of God in keeping us in this world is to share our happiness to others through our potentials and talents. Yes, God wants us to ignite happiness in others. But how do we do this? Can we do this by gifting them 10,000 Rupees or a LCD TV? Can we do it by praising them to make them boast about themselves? You know the answer. It can only be done by helping them in their times of need, by correcting them in their mistakes, by praying for them, by being ever ready to warn them in times when dangers are suspected, by encouraging them to come out of wrongs whenever they realize it, by being a motivation and inspiration to them. The most important thing is to hand over all their life's issues to the One Who is able to keep them in perfect holiness, has a caring purpose for them and can handle their weaknesses and problems in the greatest way. To do this, we need to be filled with the love of God. Where there is agape (love of God), there is life. This love fills us with compassion towards those who are in sorrow and fills an enthusiasm in us to make them be happy.

Our goals must be for the happiness of others. If through our goals, others get no benefit, we show our true selfish nature. I mean, whatever things we are good in, we must utilize them for the welfare and benefit of others. The importance of making others happy is quite simple and clear to understand. It makes us live a life of lasting impact, others enjoy our company and we become respectable in their eyes. Most importantly, we gain the honour from God who sees our hearts' purposes. Happiness may not delete all problems, but it will strengthen the hopes of our dear ones in times of trouble. In midst of crisis they will know that they are not alone and helpless but that God's love has reached them through us. This is the importance of the topic we are reading now, this is the importance of life. The world must see a change, a fine drastic change in those who call themselves children of God. A change of heart to understand others and consider them better than ourselves, a changed life which forgives others repeatedly, continuously and without end, a life which realizes the needs of other people. Let us pray to God to speak in the hearts of those who call themselves Christians but are unwilling to spread happiness. On the day when God answers our prayers, mankind will change from inside, many will know what divine happiness is and enjoy the leading of God even in midst of impossibilities. They will know that true meaning of life is in the heart and not in what luxuries we have or not have. When a famine comes in their area and other locality provides them with not-so tasty food, they will not complain, but will thank God for keeping them alive and also thank the people who gave them food. If a friend cannot give (as he has nothing) material things, yet he can give love. Love does not always need to give, love itself is the gift. 

Are you enjoying a blessed life today by being a channel of happiness to others? Do others see the mind of God in your words and deeds? God's agape love is revealed through His children. Let God change our hearts, let us make others HAPPY.

Happiness found in having a kind and helpful nature

The character of kindness has the ability to produce and maintain happiness in its surroundings. The act shown out of unconditional true love has the capacity to prevent many major problems as well. Two examples will help us understand this better. Suppose a  man is unwilling in helping a person who has just lost his temper. For avoiding the problems that might cause because of anger the man must peacefully make him understand about the consequences of anger after knowing what made him angry. If, according to worldly understanding the angry person and the man both hesitate to talk to each other or even start arguing then the result will be too dangerous. This teaches us that we can never leave an angry person to his own control. Helping him regain his clean mind will prevent a major problem and produce happiness all around.

Now suppose a person asks someone a question that has been baffling his mind over the past few days. It can be a question from a college student to his classmate or it may be that a friend has asked such a question. Let us assume that the person who is to answer him does not do so even after complete expert knowledge of that topic. He is one who is unwilling to share the knowledge he has received and wants to keep it to himself. Likewise those who do not desire to share their resources with the needy are problem creators. How? As in our example the one who does not get the answer to his question will remain ignorant about the answer, if it is an academic doubt he may not be able to write the answer in the exam. Preventing someone increase his knowledge by avoiding to tell to him the answer to his question even after knowing what to tell, we are becoming people who spread prevention of knowledge in society. Thus avoiding ourselves from sharing what we have: our resources, talents, time and knowledge to others in need we become those who prevent welfare and happiness in society.

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." (James 4:17 NIV) "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matt. 5: 7-9 NIV) The Bible teaches us to show kindness to others and even to love our enemies wholeheartedly and unconditionally. The way of love shown in the Bible has been a major medium in many major elevations in society as many who found this way were and are used by God for the cause of bringing welfare to the poor and neglected . Mother Teresa is a loving example of this. Due to the teachings of kindness found in the Bible, many dedicate themselves to the welfare of the poor and join the global team of kind people. It is this thing that helps us pray for those in need, to donate for a noble cause and most importantly for missionaries. Indeed we cannot help many but surely we can give 100 Rupees to a charity. We can give food to someone who comes to our house asking for it or we can give an old blanket to a person who needs it. Most importantly, God inspires us to pray for those in need and for those who are doing the Lord's ministry. We cannot say that we do not have the resources to help others. Helping even two to three persons in a month or two is able to please our Heavenly Father. If we ourselves are poor but pray for others or encourage others or use our abilities for the good of others, though being unable to help materially, we become more pleasing to our Father in Heaven. It is not how much you give but the state of your heart that determines who you are. Let us thus be creators of happiness and be of use for God's glory.

Happiness that comes from true success

Everyone desires to be successful, no one of us wants to be a loser. But very few people are diligent, sincere and honest in the way they try to be successful. Two reasons for these negative points are ignorance of the fact that God is watching over them and insincerity in following the way of honesty and truth. When one becomes a winner in these two aspects, he can successfully climb the ladder of success. Whatever we do, we must do it knowing that God is observing us closely. Helping the poor to get noticed in newspapers, getting a good position just for self-benefit is not suitable for Christians. We must be very cautious in all the things we do, carefully proceeding to true success.

True success desires only the glory of God and not the praise of self or even of others who helped the victor to gain victory. Many people say, "All credit for my success belongs to such and such a person. He was a real inspiration and motivation for me." No, all credit for a true Christian success belongs to God and God alone. God designed our talents, potentials and abilities in such a way that He can use them for His glory. When we reach the milestones of success, only God is glorified.

The next thing about true success is that it goes according to God's will. God has an individual plan for each one of us and when we deny our self-ambitions earnestly working in accordance with that specific plan, focusing our aim not on the things on earth but in heaven, then we can be victors in the very eyes of God. "For I know the plans I have for you' - [this is] the Lord's declaration - 'plans for your welfare and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jer. 29:11, HCSB) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are are not My ways.' [This is] the Lord's declaration. 'For as the heaven is higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Is. 55:8, 9 HCSB).

Indeed when we gain success in this way, we can gain true heavenly happiness. 

Rejoice in the Lord, ALWAYS

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4 HCSB)

This is a very encouraging scripture verse indeed. So many children of God gain strength through this small sentence. It has a deeper message in its content. To rejoice means to feel or show great joy. There has to be a sure reason for happiness. The reason is none other than Jesus Himself. He gave Himself for us so that we can rejoice in Him! We are joyful because Jesus bore all insult, pain and death for us. Our problems cannot separate us from His immeasurable joy.

The term 'always' shows us that life's situations and circumstances have no place in giving us happiness. It is not how and what we are but rather our trust in God that opens the way to true happiness. Once this trust is deviated from its source, we begin looking to others and other things for happiness. We may be correct in human opinion when we feel upset during times, questioning the very nature of God and His leadership and depending on temporary solutions.
But this is sin in the true sense. God is greater than the greatest sorrow in anyone's life. It is because He suffered for us that He is capable of leading us victoriously in midst of sorrows and sufferings. We must never search for joy in circumstances around us but in Him Who is present in our problems within our hearts, and is present always. We do not need to try to rejoice but we do it naturally because He is in us.

Those who are happy with money, fame and status and all such worldly blessings do not recognize the trap of the devil. God needs those who humble themselves at His feet denying themselves for the sake of true everlasting happiness. He is eager to see us rejoice in Him. Is not this true love? When all means of hope perish there is one eternal hope for a child of God. It is found in Phil 4:4.

Happiness found due to reading God's Word

There are reasons why reading and meditating the scriptures give us true happiness. First of all, the Bible has the power to speak to us directly in our hearts when we are confronted with sorrow, provided that we are eager and willing to know God's will and hear from Him even in midst of that sorrow. From where does one get this type of sincerity for God's word? Can daily worries, dissatisfaction, human reasoning etc. can distract our love for God's word? Yes, they can. Only the one who is aware of the power of God's voice through the Bible can give first priority to the authority of God's word. Only God's grace gives us this awareness. When in this knowledge we read the word, we can conquer all unnecessary thoughts and gain true happiness.

Secondly, the presence of God felt due to Bible reading gives us immense happiness. Feeling the presence of God is natural for true Christians. It is not a story, but a divine miraculous experience. God is present to those who diligently seek Him. "As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for you, the living God; when can I go and worship in Your presence?" (Ps. 42: 1, 2 TEV). "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near." (Is. 55:6 HCSB) "-----seek and you will find." (Matt. 7:7 NIV) "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God." (Ps. 14:2 KJV, similar verse Ps. 53:2) "O God, You are my God, and I long for You. My whole being desires You; like a dry, worn-out and waterless land my soul is thirsty for You." (Ps. 63:1 TEV) "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is , and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6 KJV) It should be our primary desire to feel the presence of God more lovingly when we read His Word so that He can speak to us. This presence defeats all the sorrows in our hearts and gives us immense happiness.

Thirdly the Bible deals with all areas of life making it able to handle our sorrows as well. The root cause of sorrow is ignorance of true way of life. Those who lead a true life by placing their desires and decisions upon the purpose of God, by giving first importance to the divine authority of His word and by putting into practice  the way of life found in the Bible are those who freely allow the Bible to take care of their circumstances. So these three reasons show how God's word gives us happiness.

Experience happiness

We all are living in an era when lots of people are searching for happiness in good deeds, praises from others for their abilities etc. Some try to find happiness in the pleasures of the world. This is the state of anyone who does not know the source of true life. Once we come to know the Lord Jesus intimately by reading His word, we can know that happiness is not just a state of mind, it is what rules over our sorrows, failures and all that stuff that try to make us unhappy. Yes, true happiness from Christ deletes all fear and frustration. We may not know how big this happiness is but we do know how necessary it is.
Are you in tears right now, my dear friend? Come to Jesus now to experience happiness in its fullest. Jesus has conquered the world by obeying the will of His Father. When we please God in all our doings and sayings, we can grow in the happiness experience. It is the will of the Father to reveal His true happiness upon those who willingly forsake all temporary worldly pleasures for eternal happiness.
The origin of happiness is God's love and care for us. Had he not designed a purpose for us, we would only be of no use. His purpose for keeping us in this world is to experience His true happiness no matter what our situation, position, ability, education or status. It is His grace that determines our happiness.
The world today may offer us many good teachings about happiness. But we must understand that happiness does not come by man's opinions. It comes from God. This is not an imagination but real.
Experience happiness!

Happiness is for all

True happiness from Christ is for all. There are no exceptions. Every human should experience Christ. When we think of global happiness, we know it is impossible. But Christ can give us the strength to live as a happy community in an unhappy world. When God sent His Son, He did not notice anything else other than the abundant life we would receive through Christ. He knew very well that how happy we would be with His loving presence.

Happiness comes from Christ alone

It is our primary responsibility to enjoy the true peace and happiness given by Jesus. We are not worthy of it but God in His immense grace poured out His choicest blessings upon us to live an abundant life, a life that loves others just as Christ loved us. The root cause of happiness is faith in Christ in midst of all problems.
Situations do not determine our happiness. This should be our point of view. Only then can we be real Christians.
Happiness is our identity in Christ. We must not search for it in any item in the world. Look upon Jesus. He knows your heart. He knows you more than you know about yourself. There may be many good and interesting things in the world. But they all are temporary. Only Christ can give us true and everlasting happiness.
The world today is facing so many individual and social problems. Many think that there is no peace, no way out. But Christ can give us true happiness.
Whenever we think of Christ, we must not focus on problems but on the POWER and LOVE OF GOD. This is true living. Hope you liked this message. May God be glorified for ever and ever.