The Key to Happiness

We have all seen the book titles: the ten keys to happiness, finding a career that gives you joy, that if you love what you do you will never have to work a day in your life. We have seen countless TV shows, movies, read the latest bestselling books, been inspired by talk shows and interviews, yet it seems like we will never be fully happy, that our jobs still feel like work, that something is still missing.

That was me not so long ago; searching for the happiness I believed could be possible. I knew something more was out there, that there was more joy, happiness, peace to be found. The problem was I couldn’t find it. It didn’t appear in a career path, it didn’t appear in education, it didn’t appear in the things of this world. What I was looking for, what I was earnestly searching for was a relationship with Jesus.  When my love and passion for the Lord ignited I realize the relationship with Him was what I was missing.

The key to an unlimited supply of happiness, the way to receive joy that surpasses all understanding, the true way to get pure peace in your life is found through one relationship, through one name, Jesus.

When you have a true, genuine relationship with the one that created you, you are positioned in the best way to receive the greatest benefits: special favor, abundant blessings and unconditional love.  When you grow each and every day in this intimate relationship you begin to not only see how awesome your God is, but you begin to understand why you were created, what purpose you serve and you begin to see God in every single thing. When the details of your day matter, when you are doing the things you were designed to do, when the Lord holds you each and every day you cannot help but be happy, you cannot help but be successful.

If you are feeling that your life is going fine, but something seems missing, if you feel incomplete, if you feel like there is more out there, I cannot encourage you enough to look at your relationship with Jesus.

I personally searched tirelessly to find the happiness I have today, the happiness that can only come through a personal relationship with the Lord.  Jesus is the way to true and complete happiness, and the good news is He is available at anytime!

You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Making God a Priority When Busy Keeps Getting Busier

The excuses of I’m tired,  I don’t feel like it, or not today I will do better tomorrow all come across our lips from time to time. The burden of life chores, duties and immediate obligations takes over.  The jobs never seem to end or work always follows us home. We get burned out or put under so much pressure we can’t clear our minds apart from the distractions. Perhaps something has changed, we received more responsibility, more recognition, we got promoted, we started school, found a new goal or hobby. Distractions come in various styles, sizes and ways, and perhaps one could argue that they are the devils favorite and best way to keep us from the word, prayer and fellowship.

                When we are exhausted from the day, when the distractions have depleted us, we tend to have no energy and no desire to do anything else that seems like work.

                Perhaps the thought of reading the Bible seems boring or that you have so many other things to do you don’t have time to pray….

                We all, at some crazy chaotic point in our lives, have felt this way. We have 24hrs in a day and yet we still need more time to do all we want, to accomplish all we need to.  The enemy loves it when we think this way, when we are stressed about time, when our earthy duties take away from the time we spend in the word reading, worshiping and praying.

                The devil loves to steal the time we would normally give God.

                It is up to us to be aware of how our distractions and outside obligations impact our time with God, we have to keep God as the priority and we have to be willing and able to shake off some of the distractions.  Set time aside to read the word, if you are having trouble fitting in time to read the Bible focus on reading a verse a day, schedule time for it. Make it a priority. It is up to us to make time for prayer, you can pray anytime, anywhere and the benefit is God is always there to hear you. Driving in the car, in-between meetings or classes, wake up a few minutes’ earlier, turn the TV off a few minutes sooner. Pray when you are tired- God can give you energy, more strength to keep going. When things seem hard, or you need help, pray. God can give you grace, favor, wisdom that you wouldn’t otherwise have.  And ultimately sometimes we just have to do things when we don’t feel like it; because it’s the right thing to do, because our emotions can’t run our lives and because God is the priority. Sign up for the bible study, get involved with people at your church, read your daily devotional, get involved.

                  God is a priority.

                Where you spend your time shows what you deem as important.  We are all busy and that will be unlikely to change, as we age we grow,  as we grow we get busier, so grasp this now- that God doesn’t come after the rest of your day, but God comes first and should be involved throughout your day.  Remember the devil and his distractions want you, Keep God first and the devil will continue to be defeated.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Coincidences or Miracles…are you looking to God to see what He will do or past God to explain what happened?

Each day we are given an opportunity to either serve God or to look past Him. Sure we hear a lot of bad in the world, but what about the good: a new job, a marriage being restored or a healing that occurred?  Think for a minute if you give God the glory for the good or do you consider it ironic, a coincidence or a matter of circumstance?

John 5:44

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another

but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

As a Christian when your focus is on God your perspective dramatically changes.  Things that might have at one time seemed coincidental now take a miracle platform. You see, God works in each and everything we do, every person we interact with, and is there in each situation we encounter.  If you are a follower of God, a child of the Father, you are given favor, blessings and protection.  Just like a father watches his child, God watches over you.

Psalm 5:12

Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Good things are bound to happen to you, it is God’s doing, He is there. The next time something good comes your way give Him the Glory, for His goodness is what granted you that gift.


You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa