Which of God's Promises Are More Important to You?

“So many unfortunate things happened to me last year, and it’s hard to believe the rapid sequence in which they occurred!” These words came from a positive, energetic believer who is a person of faith. The parade of troubles pushed to the breaking point the person's ability to cope.

When troubles permeate your life, it’s important to believe that God is not necessarily singling you out for punishment. God is not responsible for bringing every bad and painful experience into your life. It may be the result of impulsive choices that would now be judged as inadvisable.

Philippians 2:13 is God’s promise to you: “It is God who works in you, helping you to want to obey him and then helping you to do what is required.” Keep in mind that “all things work together for good to them that love God, who are called according to his purposes.” With this attitude, better choices are possible, so praise God for being active in your life.  

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When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obeyed my Father and live in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.

~John 15:10-11 The Living Bible

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Is Happiness Sustainable?

Would it be safe to say that everyone, with few exceptions, wants to be happy? Yet happy people tend to find it difficult to maintain a constant, happy disposition. Some think happiness exists only where anxiety and worry are nonexistent. Others, however, equate happiness with perfect peace, even in the presence of conflict and turmoil.

With maturity we see that happiness can co-exist with responsibility and obligations. Happiness doesn’t have to be extinguished by the existence of disappointment and conflict. Happiness is sustainable by knowing those I love are safe and productive and that the boundaries I’ve set for my life are reliable and secure.

Centering your life in a loving relationship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ gives you a greater capacity for tolerating life’s uncertainties. Listen to Isaiah 26:3: "You, Lord, will give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you." This confidence is available to you as you seek God's way to happiness.  

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Jesus: “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

~John 15:10-11 New Living Translation

You love him [Christ], even though you have never seen him; though not seeing him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself. And your further reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

~1 Peter 1:8-9 The Living Bible