Making Happy – January 3 2020

Point #1: Happiness isn’t a mood. It’s a way of life. – Noel Smogard

 “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances.”   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Regardless of difficult circumstance, Christians always have grounds for rejoicing. For being happy. You see because our joy isn’t circumstantial, but it’s based on a growing awareness of God and the certain future of eternal life. 

Martha Washington writes: “The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our disposition and not upon our circumstances.”

In your work place, in your school, even in your marriages… you can be happy by choosing to do so. Focus on the positives, even if it’s just one, and build from there.

“Happiness doesn’t depend on what we have, but it does depend on how we feel towards what we have. We can be happy with little and miserable with much.” – William Hoard.

If you’re struggling with finding happiness, I want to encourage you of this; if Christ Jesus is your Lord, there is always a reason to be happy!

“For God so loved…. You and me… that he sent his son to die on our behalf so that if we believe in Him we can have eternal life.” John 3:16

Point #2: Try new things.

Did you know that the scripture talks about vain repetition?

Matthew 6:7 “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as others do…thinking they will be heard for their many words…”

Well what does that mean? The context here is about the motive of prayer… Why one prays determines how one prays. Here Jesus is referring to the empty repetitions of words. 

In essence, don’t just pray for the sake of praying. This can apply to your life with Christ… don’t allow it go get boring. If you’re prayer life is feeling bland, why not go for a hike and pray and seek God out in nature. Maybe you need to safely take a step out of your house and go for a walk, and pray out to Him. 

If you’re feeling like it’s bland with your walk with God, why don’t you step out and volunteer in a ministry here at the church, or join a life group, maybe it’s signing up for our New Believer’s Class?

What about your marriage? if you’re feeling like your marriage in bland, why not add some hot sauce, when the kids go to bed make a fort in your living room and have a movie night.

With your kids if it’s bland, good advice is likely to A) put away your phone and B) and be present with them… Not give them presents, but be present.

Here’s my challenge to you as we start this year… another year into the unknown… 

I challenge you to be happy. Finding something and expand on that. Again, if you can’t find something to be happy about… think of what Jesus did for you… in fact that really where we should all start… Happiness isn’t a mood. It’s a way of life.

And my follow up challenge is to add some hot sauce to your life… why don’t you try something different in your relationships with others… with God… and even with the church. 

Volunteers, play some board games as a family, spend a little extra on a date night, you fill in the blanks… 2020 may be known for covid, 2021 can be known for something different if you make that choice. 

And if you’re listening this morning and you don’t know what it is to have a daily walk with God. To journey with him. We want to help to be that connecting point, what don’t you email us at info@parkviewchurch.ca and we want to help get you connected and starting 2021 with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

All you have to do is call out to Him, you can even repeat these words. Jesus, I want to make you the Lord and Saviour of my life. I ask for forgiveness of my sins and I want to start this new life with you. It’s as simple as that. And again, we want to get you connect and growing in the new life with Jesus. Email or call the church office.