That’s a strange topic for recapping a church sermon, huh?
I think it’s very relevant.
Proverbs 3:13 reads
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Today Pastor Coward taught on happiness. Are we really happy? What do we mask happiness with? We say we are happy but are we REALLY happy?
Some people believe they can find happiness in money. They believe all their problems could be solved if they just had enough money. But have you ever saw a mis erable rich person? I have and it’s so sad. It just goes to show you that you can’t buy happiness. It is a decision that starts with YOU.
If I am going to be happy I must first decide to be happy.
Pastor Coward shared 5 different types of happiness.
1.Sin Happiness(truth be told when you sinned it brought you a short term happiness. A feeling. An emotion )
2. Synthetic Happiness – Drugs / Alcohol that cover (mask) something to convince you that you are happy. This is always short term and will always lead to destruction and devastation if not dealt with.
3.Stuff Happiness – Material Things to cover up how we really feel. Cars, motorcycles, houses, clothes, shoes….this leads to a road of debt and will eventually blow up in your face. You will never be happy because you have created such a vicious cycle. This is very similar to the synthetic happiness.
4.Self Happiness – Me,Me,Me…I, I, I… I make myself be happy. I have to be the center of attention. It’s all about me. This will also lead to destruction as it should be about God and not yourself. I made it happen as opposed to God did it for me. Puffed up and prideful. The word says pride comes before the fall.
5.Spiritual Happiness – Next week we will elaborate on spiritual happiness
Review these types of happiness and ask yourself if your happiness falls into any of these categories.
Personally I have had my share of each type listed above. I am not exempt and if we were honest I am sure you have experienced each type listed as well.
But if the Joy of the Lord is truly our strength then why are we so easily moved? I know I have to keep reminding myself that Gods time is not my time. As Pastor Coward said, “The word MUST be the FINAL authority.”
No matter what it looks like.
Take Away Nugget: God wants you to be Happy In Him !
Selah!
Jerry & Nicole Cleveland
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Hey Agape Family!
I enjoyed the submission on the sermon from Sunday, and I would like to share my notes as well.
Pastor’s message on “How to Experience Happiness in Life” was off the chains. It definitely was not intended to be a “shoutin” message, but if you understand the heart of God enough to know that He chastens those He loves- then you couldn’t do anything but smile and say “Amen Pastor”!
We began with scriptures from Isaiah 26:3, (Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee), and Romans 8:28, (And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose). These are both very familiar texts, but as pastor shared with us- You have to meet your part of the condition in order for God to meet His part of the Promise! So many times we focus more on the situation than on our Savior, so how do we expect not to be overcome with worry. The Devil is a liar and he is the father of lies (John 8:44) - so if we listen to him over our father, we will lose our peace. If it’s true, our thoughts become things, then “who’s your baby’s daddy”? Who are you listening to and what are you saying that will bring life or death into your future?
The first thing we were suggested to do to acquire happiness is to define what it means to us. Each of us has a different view of what happiness means to us. After we find out what it is- then we must do all we can to guard it! Proverbs 4:23 reads, (Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life). Once we have figured out what happiness is, and how to guard it- then we can do more to retain it. But happiness is of no value if we do not share it with others.
You will find happiness is also having confidence that God will do what He said he would do.
Happiness is not what happens to you, but it is what is in you when whatever happens to you. Natural happiness is controlled externally, but spiritual happiness (joy) is controlled internally.
Pastor also shared that “your concern should not be that things change for the better, but that you do not change for the worse. Your present focus determines your present feelings. Your enemy wants to keep you fighting small fires in order to prevent you from obtaining great victories”.
Things that could affect (but not control) your happiness: Inheritance (your family, upbringing), and also your environment (which could affect your perception of the truth). Be careful not to adopt the popular world view. The Word of God must always be the Final Authority, no matter what you see in the natural.
The world’s description of happiness is:
An emotional state in life that is filled with a sense of fulfillment, brought about be accomplishments, experiences, or finding security and satisfaction in pleasurable expectations.
As pastor shared about the chemical released in the brain when we are exposed to something pleasurable, I wanted to just let the tears go. When I was battling my addiction to pornography, I remember studying about epinephrine, which (just as he described) is a chemical released in the brain when you view something stimulating. And is becomes just as addictive as an actual drug.
Other scriptures we covered were:
Proverbs 3:13 (NLT)
Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding.
Luke 1:45 (NLT)
You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."
Psalm 4 and 34
*The one note I would like to share that really touched me was that- “You are not really ready to change, until you are ready to uncover yourself”. I thought about that point in the natural and spiritual. You would never put another set of clothes on over the ones you have would you? Of course not. You have to strip them off to uncover yourself and become naked again, be washed, and then you can begin to put on another set of garments. How would we expect to change the things that are displeasing to God and make Him unhappy about us, unless we are willing to first become naked, and be cleansed - before we begin to put on the things that He intends for us to have. Then, and only then, will we find true happiness.
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