I realize that happiness depends on our circumstances.  It is a feeling or emotion.  We can be extremely happy and then the phone rings and we get a call that can dash all the happiness away and fill us with the utmost sadness.  Perhaps it was a call from a loved one to let us know that one of our dear relatives had passed away, or been in an accident, or developed a terminal illness.  Then all our happy feelings are washed right down the drain.  Happiness is fleeting.

Also being happy is something that all people can enjoy.  It isn’t dependent on being a Christian.  I know lots of people who are unbelievers who are very happy.  Their circumstances are good at the present time and all is right with the world.  So, happiness isn’t something that is for a Christian only.  Happiness is natural (fleshly) and can be felt by the natural man.

Joy on the other hand is not natural to us.  It is in fact supernatural (spiritual), and it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is something only Christians can experience.

I listened to a sermon by Dr. Alan Cairns that he preached way back in 2000, and he explained joy something like this: (not an exact quote.) “Joy is the response of a believer to the understanding of God’s love for him in Christ.”  And, he said that we only know that God loves us by the Holy Spirit.

Isn’t that awesome?  When we realize the depth of the love God has for us in Christ then we can respond with utter joy.  I like that!  Now, I’m beginning to see what joy is.  It is my response back to God for ALL He has done for me.  He saved me from my sinful self; He adopted me into His family, and He gives me the hope of heaven.  There is so much more.

I learned that our creator God is even joyful over us.  Can you imagine that?  God who created everything has joy over little ole us?  That boggles my mind, but the Word says it’s true.

(Zephaniah 3:17 NASB) ”The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Wow! That is truly amazing!

(Isaiah 62:5b NASB) …And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.

The reason we can be joyful is because God created us in His image and He is joyful.  It is our birthright to be full of joy.  When we are in Christ we are like Him.

Now here is something I found that’s really a treasure.  Listen to this:

(Nehemiah 8:10b NASB) …Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

When we see LORD written in all caps like that it means, “the self-existent one.”We need to meditate on that promise:  “…for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  Where does our strength come from?  It comes from our joy in the self-existant one!  Isn’t that amazing?  Do you need strength?  Dwell on the LORD!

We need to realize that only Christians can have this kind of joy.  That’s because it is given to us by the Holy Spirit.  It is the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 NASB But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  (23)  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The joy that the Lord gives us enables us to cope with life’s trials.  It gives us hope, and enables us to become overcomers instead of victims.  It is true! This joy of the Lord is very powerful indeed.  It is our strength!

How to we apply this joy in our lives? 

First lets take a look back in Galatians.  We will see a contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21 NASB Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,  (20)  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,  (21)  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Anyone who fits in the list above is not a true believer and will not experience this wonderful joy of the Lord.  If you find yourself here, then please consider it a warning to repent and get right with God.  See: http://hatchcreek.com/the-true-gospel-message-2/ The True Gospel Message.

The Bible tells us that believers have the fruit of joy given by the Holy Spirit and with that they have strength.  But, we can’t just let it lie there dormant, we must cultivate it and make it grow and become second nature to us.  We do this by engaging our mind.  God tells us to rejoice in the Lord always.  It doesn’t say sometimes when things are going good, but always.  Yes, even when things are bad.  Remember, our strength is in the joy of the Lord.

Philippians 4:4 NASB Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Look at what James says:

James 1:2 NASB Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

Personally, I never liked this verse.  What does he mean by consider it all joy when I come into various trials?  Why would that be joyful?  That just didn’t make sense to me until now.  Because now I see that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  And, with that strength I can overcome trials.  Praise the Lord!  I like that!

We can cultivate the fruit of joy in our lives by taking control of our thoughts.  This is so very important.  We find the mind to be a very powerful thing and it can be used to lift us up or to tear us down, and the enemy would certainly like it to be used for his purposes.  But, Christians don’t have to go there.  We don’t have to worry.  We don’t have to fret.  We don’t have to be weighed down by all our troubles.  Yes, we will have trials and tribulations, but they don’t have to destroy us.  We don’t have to have extreme anxiety, stress, fear, or helplessness.  Those things don’t come from God.  We can live above our circumstances!

As you walk close to God and enjoy Him, He will help you train your mind to think on things that build you up instead of tearing you down.  Here is a great scripture that you ought to write on a card and put it where you can meditate on it and memorize it.

Philippians 4:8 NASB Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Whenever, you notice that you are worrying, ask the Lord to change your thoughts into ones that honor Him.  Then turn to the list above and think on those things.  You can analyze your thoughts and see if they line up with them.  Is what I’m thinking about true?  Is it honorable?  Is it right for me to think about this?  Is it pure?  Is it lovely?  Is it of a good report?  Is it excellent or praise worthy?  If so, these are the things I should dwell on and not worry about my problems. God will take care of them.

We need to think about Christ, who I believe is pictured above, and all of what He has done for us.  We ought to think about how and why we got saved, and how Jesus suffered and died for our sins.  We should look to heaven and set our minds on things above.  We can dwell on Christ  coming again.  All those things and more are what we need to think about.  Our joy comes from all that Christ has done for us.  Our joy comes because we know what lies ahead in heaven. Our joy comes as we dwell on the things of the Lord.  Just look at His creation and the beautiul nature around us.  Look at all He has made.  Look in the face of a little baby and rejoice.

I think I’ve discovered what joy is and now that I have, I am going to cultivate it in my life.  How about you?

Is there a difference between joy and happiness?  Here is what Andran Rogers has to say:

The Difference Between Happiness and Joy August 14, 2008

Sin promises joy, but it never delivers it. Why? Because true joy is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be a lost person and be happy for a while. But what I’m talking about here is not happiness because happiness depends upon what happens. Joy depends upon the Lord.
Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” If you live for happiness, you are a prisoner of circumstances because if the circumstances change, then you are not happy anymore.

Jesus never changes. Happiness is a cosmetic; it is on the outside. Joy is character; it is on the inside. Happiness only meets your surface needs, but joy meets your deepest needs. Therefore, happiness is like a thermometer, it just registers conditions. Joy is the thermostat that controls the conditions. Happiness evaporates in a crisis. Joy many times intensifies in a crisis. Happiness is wonder but let me tell you something, friend. Happiness is at its fullest when it is mingled with joy, when you know the joy of the Lord. Adrian Rogers from Love Worth Finding : 8/14/08

Related articles

• Happy vs. Joyful (andreaknight.wordpress.com)
• Why are Some Christians Unhappy? (hatchcreek.com)

I’ve been a Christian for about 37 years.  Have I been happy all that time? No!  I’ve had my ups and downs like everyone else.  We are all human and live in this cursed world.  Sin is all around us and it effects each of us.

What makes a person happy?  I believe it is different for each of us.  What makes me happy might not make you happy.  One thing that makes me happy is fishing. I just love to sit on the dock, or out in a boat, and wait for that big one to strike my bait.  What anticipation and what happiness when it happens and I actually land it.  There are many other things that make me happy.  Some as simple as a smile on a child’s face.  Or, when the birds are at my feeder.  To hear the bird songs in the spring time puts a smile on my face, and, oh yes, to listen to the peepers.  I know that spring is near, and that makes me happy!

I remember before I was a Christian my happiness came from going out and partying, or getting a raise at work, or being able to purchase a new car.  Things like that made me happy for a time.  But, it would wear off and I’d be on the search for another thing to make me happy.

When a person says they are a Christian and they are unhappy I wonder what it is that they are searching for.  Maybe they expect more than God has promised.  He has told us that in this world we will have tribulation.

(John 16:33 YLT)  these things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but take courage–I have overcome the world.’

What can make a person unhappy? There are all kinds of things here are a few:

• CHURCH

Yes, I said church!  I remember going to church and every time coming away with a feeling of disappointment and unhappiness over the time I spent there.  If our church is not giving out the Word of God in a sytematic way, then we are deprived of the food we need to feed our soul.  We need feeding and we crave it as Christians.  Also, we crave fellowship and friendship with other like-minded individuals.  My church wasn’t feeding us the food we needed.  We had tons of music and a very short canned sermon sprinkled with more stories and jokes than Bible.  I would go home and feel empty.  I had to get out of that modern church and find a good Bible teaching church.   I did that and it was like the difference between night and day.

• YOUR MARRIAGE

You may be in a marriage that isn’t going so well.  You may be a Christian, but your spouse isn’t.  That can make for all kinds of unhappy times.  In that case you are not equally yoked and think from two different views.  This causes many conflicts.  I didn’t have that problem, but I do know people who do.  One of my friends had that problem. They had conflicts about going to church.  Many times the unbelieving husband would not go.  It made it hard as the wife wanted her children in Sunday school and she wanted to worship the Lord at church.  Another problem they had was over giving money to the church. They had many arguments over this.  God tells us to do that but the husband would not hear of it.

(2 Corinthians 6:14 ASV) Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?

• NOT MARRIED BUT LIVING TOGETHER

I also know of people who are not married but are living together.  They can’t find true happiness because they are living in sin.  God instituted marriage between a man and a woman and that is the only one he will bless.  If a couple are just living together and are not married they can expect God to disclipine them.

(1 Corinthians 7:2 KJV) Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

(Matthew 5:27 ASV) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

• UNFORGIVENESS/ VICTIM OF ABUSE

Maybe you are a Christian, but have unforgiveness in your heart.  If so, you really need to study what the Bible says about forgiveness and apply it to your life.  It will make a world of difference. Unforgiveness holds us hostage.  It actually hurts us much more than the other person.  As Christians we must forgive as God has forgiven us.

Mark 11:25-26 KJV And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  (26)  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

There were people in my life that I had to forgive once I became a Christian and realized this.    Sometimes the person we need to forgive has already passed away.  When that happens we can pray to the Lord and tell Him the whole thing.  We can pour our heart out to Him and He will listen.  Then we can tell the Lord that we forgive that person for what they did to us.  It is a very freeing thing to do.

I know people who hold grudges.  That is sure to bring them unhappiness.  They are always bringing up past hurts and rehearsing them again and again.  When they do that it is like reliving the past.  They must forgive even if it is for their own peace of mind.  We can forgive others and let the Lord take care of the rest.

Romans 12:19 KJV Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Do you see yourself as a victim?  Has life been hard and you’ve been abused in the past in some way?  If so, again you need to study about forgiveness.  You will have to learn to put the past behind you.

Philippians 3:13-14 ASV (13)  Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,  (14)  I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

• SELFISHNESS

I believe that selfishness is the number one cause of martial and relationship problems today.Is there selfishness in your life? We can become very unhappy when we don’t get our own way.  What does the Bible say about this? We are to think of others as more important than ourselves.

Philippians 2:3 KJV Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

One time shortly after I was saved I could not understand why people behaved the way they did.  I prayed and asked God why and it was as though He placed this one word in my mind: SELFISH.
As time went on and I put this word to the test I found it to be true.  People are selfish, and that is the root of many, if not most problems.

Matthew 16:24 ASV  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

• MATERIAL POSSESSIONS

What about possessions?  Do you think that having just one more thing will make you happy?  Do you have to have the latest fashion, electronics, furnishings?  Do you think a new car, or home would make you happy? If you won the lottery would that make you happy? What thing that you don’t have now, if you could get it, would make you happy?

Matthew 6:19-21 ASV Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  (21)  for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

Today I’m content most of the time.  I don’t need a lot when I realize how much God has given me.
He has adopted me into His family, given me a citizenship in Heaven, made me a saint, and has for me an inheritance that far outweighs anything here in this life.  Oh, I have so much to look forward to and that brings me great joy!

• DISAPPOINTMENT WITH GOD

Perhaps you feel disappointed with God.  When you became a Christian you might have had the idea that everything would be great from there on out.  That view is sometimes given to a new convert, but it is not the truth.  God tells us that we will have troubles in this world.

Sometimes people don’t realize that God is sovereign.  This is very important!  He is sovereign over everything that happens to us.  Nothing can happen without his permission.  He is totally in control.  Just knowing that takes the pressure off us.  We can rest in the knowledge that He loves us and wants the very best for us.

Romans 8:28 ASV And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

The Bible also teaches us to be content in whatever state we are in.  Paul is a wonderful example of that.  He went through all kinds of trial and tribulations.

Philippians 4:11 ASV  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.

Also, a fruit of the Spirit is joy.  For a Christian even when times are very hard we can still have the joy that God has given us inside.  This is a gift from God, and it helps us through tough times.

Maybe I’ve touched on why you are an unhappy Christian, and maybe not. Write into the comments section and share what makes you unhappy and we can search the scriptures to find the answer for you.  I would love to hear from you.  You can also email me privately if you wish.

]]> http://hatchcreek.com/2012/01/16/why-are-some-christians-unhappy/feed/ 3 bonlou http://hatchcreek.com/2012/01/12/beware-of-contemplative-prayer/ http://hatchcreek.com/2012/01/12/beware-of-contemplative-prayer/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:12:17 +0000 bonlou http://hatchcreek.com/?p=1117 ]]> Has contemplative prayer arrived in your church yet? What about Lectio Divina, and prayer walks?  Have you ever heard of centering prayer?

When people participate in centering prayer they are actually taken into another state of consiousness. This is very dangerous and is the realm where demons can influence our minds.  God has never told us to empty our minds while seeking Him.  We are to meditate on the Word of God with our minds fully engaged.

These practices are mysticism and they are not what Christians should be involved in.  I have listed below several sites that will give you more information to help you discern what is right and what might be wrong in your church.  I pray that you will study the Word and not listen to people who try to make the church weak and unproductive.  They are not working for the Lord that is for sure.

There is much going on in churches today that isn’t really Biblical and we have to be Bereans and search the scriptures to see if what we are being fed is correct.  We must have discernment, and the only way we get that is by good Bible study.

Here is a very good article explaining why Lectio Divina and other mystical practices are dangerous.

http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2012/01/john-piper-encouraging-lectio-divina.html

Related articles

• Desiring God – Still Endorsing Lectio Divina (5ptsalt.com)
• Beth Moore and John Piper Lead Lectio Divina-lite at Passion 2012 (defendingcontending.com)
• Latest From Apprising Ministries: SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION USING MORE COUNTER REFORMATION CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY (hearshisvoice.wordpress.com)
• A Note Of Repentance To All Whom I Have Taught Or Endorsed Henry Blackaby or Beth Moore (hearshisvoice.wordpress.com)

Have you ever felt like the writer of this Psalm?  Does your heart cry out, “Where are you God?” “Can’t you see I need you?” “Why don’t you answer my plea God?”  I’ve felt like that before now and wondered where God was.  But, the truth is that God sees everything.  He knows our sorrows and troubles.  He is all knowing.  God is there and He will prevail in the matter.  We must have faith that God will answer.  He will in His own timing.  God’s Word tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  We can count on that.  Yes, God is the helper of those who are in need.  Even though it seems like He is far away in reality He is as near as your heart beat.  He hears us and will take care of us.  We need not live in fear any more!  Isn’t that comforting?

Growing up Christmas was all about the local fire department’s annual Christmas party.  It was a swell time, and all of us kids looked forward to it.  They put on a super banquet with tons of home cooked food, and we all ate our fill.  Then the country music band would begin to play and many people would get up and dance.  I watched as my folks skimmed over the dance floor to the music, and hoped some day I could dance like them.  Some of us kids would get out there and try.

Sometimes they had a talent show with local talent from the community.  I was always in awe of this one girl who could do a wicked tap dance.  Oh, if I could only do that.  After we were full of food and tired of dancing, we would sing some Christmas carols. They  gave us a little song book to take home and I remember my little sister and I would have singing contests with them.

Then, we would hear sleigh bells jingling, and old man Inar Anderson would come in the side door dressed in his Santa suit and shouting, “Ho, ho, ho!”  Oh, that was exciting!  Us kids would all gather around by the Christmas tree, and wait as Santa gave  each of us a little box of hard candy that had a little srting cord to hang onto. I loved getting that box of candy!  There was always one big chocolate drop in that box and I couldn’t wait to open it and see if it was there.  Yum! My favorite!

Christmas at our house growing up was okay.  We didn’t have much money but we always got something.  We would get a stocking which had nuts, an orange, a tangerine, and an apple.  Sometimes there would be a little gift tucked in there too.  So, to me Christmas was about the Christmas party at the fire hall and our Christmas morning at home with gifts.  I didn’t think too much about Jesus or the Christmas story.

After I grew up and got out into the world Christmas meant something else to me. It was party time!  It was a time to get together with friends and have a drink or two to celebrate.  Yes, we did a lot of celebrating.  We celebrated at work too, as we had office parties.  When we’d go and visit anyone they would offer us drinks. So, at that time of my life Christmas meant partying.  And I certainly did my share!

Things Changed

In those days Christmas also meant getting gifts for everyone I could, and buying a tree and decorations.  As I look back I realize that my focus on Christmas was all wrong.  I have to confess that I think I worshipped my tree.  I had to get it all set up and decorated just right. I’d put on some Christmas music, actually worldly music, and with a drink in hand I’d sit and look at my tree for a long, long time and just marvel at how beautiful it was.  I loved people stopping by to celebrate with me and I loved going to their homes and celebrating with them.  Yes, Christmas was a time of drinking and having a grand ole time.

But, then, after I found Jesus Christ as my Savior and went to church I discovered my first real Christmas.  Oh, what a difference!  It was wonderful!  I remember so well that first real Christmas.  It just happened that year that Christmas fell on Sunday.  We  had a short morning service that day. Then we had an evening service at church, and the pastor read the Christmas story from the Bible.  It meant so much to me as I really listened to it for the first time, and let the words sink into my heart.  It was beautiful!

After  that we sang some Christian Christmas carols which were really beautiful, and the words meant something special to me.  Then, members of the congregation shared some of the things they were thankful for.  It was a blessing and I sat there with tears in my eyes. That Christmas I was sober and my heart was blessed with the beauty of Christmas.  I loved hearing how others felt about Jesus and what He did for us.  I wanted everyone I knew to feel like I did.  Yes, there was more to Christmas than what I’d thought all those years.

Since that first real Christmas the holidays have meant so much more to me.  It doesn’t mean partying and drinking any more.  Those things were empty.  But Christ is real and His Word is alive and can change our hearts.

The Bible describes me before I found Jesus Christ as my Savior and discovered the real meaning of Christmas.   I believed in God, but did not realize that I was His enemy.

Rom 8:5-8 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (7) because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, (8) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

When I was saved I obtained PEACE with God.  How wonderful is that?

Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This is the real Christmas story.  Christ came to earth a harmless little baby, but He was born to die.  What love is that?  He died for me a hopeless, helpless sinner. I thought about that on that first real Christmas, and my heart was full of joy that God saved me from myself.  Isn’t that amazing?  He loved me that much!

Thanksgiving has rolled around once again.  I was just sitting here thinking of something to write and wondered what YOU are thankful for.

Click on the comment button and let me know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recently, I heard a conversation between two people who really got my attention.  The first person said, “I know people who have to live together because they can’t afford to marry.  They would lose their benefits.  This is especially true of seniors.”  The other person said, “Yes, I know!  Carl and I couldn’t afford to be together if we got married.  And, there are going to be a LOT more people living together because of the economy.”

I sat and listened and am sorry to say didn’t speak up.  I should have said, “But, they are living in sin!  Is it better to live in sin than to please God?”

Gen 2:24 NASB

  For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

God cannot bless these kinds of relationships.  People wonder why they have so many problems and a lot of it is because they are thumbing their noses at God.

Many couples today are living together.  They have children and when they tire of each other they think they can move on.  This is not how God planned our relationships.

Several years ago my friend and I fell in love with each other and wanted to marry.  We had to count the cost.  For me it meant that I would lose my disability payments along with medical coverage.  That was a big deal!  For him it meant he would have to take on more responsibilities and provide for the two of us.  He was retired at the time and would have to go back to work.

We talked to others about our situation, and I was shocked to learn that even Christians told us that we should move in together.  “Other Christians are doing the same thing,” they said.  ”God understands.”  Does He?   He ordained marriage and it is to be the norm.  When we live together we live in sin and are out of God’s will.

Mat 19:4-6 NASB  And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,  (5)  and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?  (6)  “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

Jesus himself said these words, and the parts in all caps are taken right from Genesis 2:24.  Way back in the beginning God ordained marriage.

We prayed about our situation and came to the conclusion that God wanted us to marry.  That was His will.  We weren’t going to entertain anything else. We thought about my husband’s children and grandchildren.  What kind of testimony would it be if we lived together?  Could we expect more from them down the road?

Then, we counted the cost financially.  We came up short.  We would not have enough money to manage our marriage.  Finally, we decided we would follow God’s will and get married anyway.  We didn’t care if some of our friends thought we were crazy getting married at our age.  We would trust God with the rest. We wanted to do things right!

God came through for us. He didn’t let us down.  He blessed us with enough money to meet our needs and more.  He blessed our marriage in so many ways and gave us peace knowing we did the right thing.

How could God have blessed us if we had decided just to live together?  He couldn’t, because it would have gone against His will.  There are consequences to sin.

I don’t know your situation, but if you are at this blog site it’s most likely because you have anxiety and/or panic attacks.  If so, and you are in a relationship where you are living with someone of the opposite sex, then you need to repent and either get out of that relationship, or get married.  If you are a Christian, God cannot bless you if you are living in sin.  He wants you to get right with Him.  If you are experiencing panic attacks or extreme anxiety or depression perhaps God has allowed this to get your attention.  God loves us and wants the very best for us.  Would you want your child doing things that were against your will for them?  God wants us to obey His word, and when we don’t He disciplines us just as a loving father disciplines his children.

Do you realize that a sexual relationship outside of marriage is sinful?  In the Bible it is called immorality.

1Th 4:3 NASB

  For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

1Co_6:18

  Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

I don’t know you, if you are young or older, but if you are considering living together instead of getting married please reconsider and look into the Word for direction.  Living together may seem to be an acceptable lifestyle in our society, but it isn’t with God. You will be blessed if you follow God.

If we look to politicians for the truth we are in for a big disappointment.  They tell us one thing and do another.  They don’t keep their promises and they let us down every time.  It doesn’t matter which party, they are all alike.  Sometimes when they are on television, I will say, “Hey! His nose  is getting longer!”

Do we look for truth in the world?  How many commercials have you seen and then went out and bought the product and found it wasn’t at all like they advertised? It’s happened to me a lot.  No, we can’t trust the world for the truth. 

How about special “sales,” in stores.  Many times I’ve gone to get a certain product that was advertised as “on sale” and when I got there they were “all out.”  Can you say, “bait and switch”?  We can’t trust commercial enterprises.

What kind of truth are you looking for?  Is it truth about a health issue?  Maybe the psychologist will help.  Not so fast! They don’t tell us the truth either.  They don’t tell us that we have a spiritual problem that needs to be fixed between God and ourselves.  Instead, they probe into our past and try to dig up things that might cause our distress.  But, is that where we find the truth?  No!  That usually only causes more confusion.  They may prescribe psych pills that can be actually dangerous to our health.  We can become dependent on them and our psychologist.  That is not good either.

The news media is another place where we can’t find the truth.  If you surf the channels you will find many different views of the same news story.  So, who does tell us the truth?  Hard to say.  Maybe none of them.  Who do we believe?

So, let’s surf to the so-called Christian stations.  What have we here?  There is much false teaching on these stations.  We have to be careful.  How many people can actually tell what is true and what is false teaching?  You can’t if you haven’t been a student of the Word of God.  Much of it has some truth, but then they throw in all the false teachings to go along with it.

(1Co 5:6)  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Well, I do have the answer to the question of where is the truth.  The absolute truth is found in the Word of God, the Bible.  Do you realize that the Bible is the only book that is alive?  It is the living Word of God.  Do you know that the Bible has the answers to all of our problems?  It does, and we can trust what it says.

(2Pe 1:3)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

(2Ti 3:16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(2Ti 3:17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God tells us in the Bible that His words are truth!

(Bold print in the verses below are mine.)

(Psa 119:160) “All your words are true, all your righteous laws are eternal.”

(Psa 31:5)  Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

(Isa 65:16)  “Because he who is blessed in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight!

(Exo 34:6)  Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

(Psa 108:4)  For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.

(Psa 57:10)  For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds.

(Joh 17:17)  “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

(2Sa 7:28)  “Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.

God cannot lie!

(Tit 1:2)  in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,

(Num 23:19)  “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

(1Sa 15:29)  “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”

(Heb 6:18)  so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

J.I. Packer in “Knowing God,”  speaking of God’s words says: “They are an index of reality:  they show us things as they really are, and as they will be for us in the future according to whether we heed God’s words to us or not.”

No matter if we believe God’s Word is true or not it doesn’t matter because it IS true, and it doesn’t change.  It will be true forever.  We can bank on it.

The Truth is in the Bible!

Mystery solved!  We can go to the Bible to find the truth.  God is truth and His word is truth.  You can depend on it!  You can be secure in it!  It is trustworthy!  Today, as we face our challanges, we can turn to the Bible and know that we will find the answers and they will be true.

It still boggles my mind to think that the God of all creation loves me so much that He gave me an instruction book on how to live my life.  He cares about me!  He tells me how I should conduct myself on a daily basis. He helps me understand why people act the way they do.  He tells me He loves me and wants an intimate relationship with me.  He helps me know what is right and what is wrong.  He gives me wisdom and understanding.  I know when I read something in the Bible it is TRUTH!  It doesn’t matter to me what other people say about it.  I know in my heart that it is the truth and that I need to stand on it.

If you would like to read a chapter in the Bible that tells us about the Word of God there is no better one than Psalm 119.  Some of my favorite scriptures are in this chapter.  Here are a few of my favorites that encourage me to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden thy word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:15 “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.”

Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

Oh, there are so many more!  Go, read, and be blessed!

“i pursue freedom from fear, and i may desire the freedom from fear more than Jesus, so that is the reason i cannot be free from fear, but if i desire and seek Christ, the freedom will come. It is strange but “freedom”can be our idol.”

Have you battled fear for a long time and wondered why you are still fearful? You pray and think you are doing all the right things, but fear still hangs on like a vice grip.

Here is a question that you need to take time to really think about and be honest with yourself. Do you desire freedom from fear more than you desire Jesus?

That’s a heavy question isn’t it? Think about it. What is your desire? Do you realize that your desire for freedom from fear (or any other thing) can become an idol? Why? Because that is the thing you are seeking after. You are seeking freedom instead of Jesus.

Perhaps you have read all the books on anxiety and fear. You’ve ordered all the tapes and listened and watched videos about overcoming panic attacks. You’ve tried all the worldly advise in your pursuit of freedom. You’ve gone to counselors, psychologists, and even Christian counselors, but still you are plagued with fear that annoys and distracts you, and it keeps you from living a full life. How many times I’ve heard people say, “I just want my life back!”

What could be holding you back?

(Jas 4:2b) …You do not have because you do not ask.

I think most of us have asked. We have prayed and prayed to be healed. I know I prayed many times that God would take away the fears that I dealt with on a daily basis and give me the peace that passed understanding. Sometimes, I felt peace for a little while, but then the fear would strike again. What was wrong?

Why didn’t I get healed the first time I asked God to heal me? There are a couple of reason that I can think of.

We must realize that the roots of anxiety and worry is sin. I know that’s a hard pill to swallow. But, let’s look at the Bible.

(Php 4:6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

(Mat 6:34) “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Read Matthew 6:25-34 and you will see Jesus’ own Words as He talks about worry. He commands over and over that we are not to worry.

(Jas 4:3a) You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,…

Could that be the answer? Did I have wrong motives? Maybe so. Yes, I wanted to be healed and immediately. But, those thoughts were from my point of view. My motives were to be healed so that I didn’t have to feel so rotten. I wanted to get back out there in the world and pursue my career. I wanted friends again, and a car, and money. I wanted to “get my life back.” It was all about ME! That way MY will.

At some point I realized that it wasn’t about ME anymore. I wanted what God wanted for me. Are you willing to continue to suffer with panic attacks and fear if that is God’s will for you? Are you willing to say to God, “Okay, if this is the way you want me, then I will submit to your will?”

When we get to the point where we no longer fight panic in our own strength and turn to God and surrender fully to Him, then He will fight our battle for us.

When we suffer, whatever it is, God is in it if we are Christians. He is right there beside us to hold our hand if we let Him. He will get us through it, but in the meantime He wants to teach us true dependence on Him. Did you get that? We need to learn to lean on Him and not trust in ourselves anymore, or any other person in our life.

Oh, if we could only desire Jesus Christ as much as we desire to be healed. Will you take that step? Instead of reading books on how to overcomer panic attacks, how about if you read and really study the Bible? Yes, you will find the answers there.

Is your desire to be free from panic attacks, or is your desire to seek and know God?

(Psa 42:1b) …As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.

What a beautiful picture of how we should want Jesus.

When we die to self and seek after Jesus, God will bless us in ways we never thought possible.

Many years ago people even thought the earth was flat and if you went far enough you would fall off.  Did they not read the Bible where it clearly states the earth is a sphere?

Is 20:42 [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

You can read this little booklet online.  It gives us 101 scientific facts and foreknowledge found in the Bible.

“This booklet presents 101 scientific facts found in the Scriptures. Many of these facts were penned centuries before they were discovered. Scientific foreknowledge found only in the Bible offers one more piece to the collective proof that the Bible is truly the inspired Word of the Creator.”

Eternal Productions – 101 Scientific Facts and Foreknowledge