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There are many people in this world who seek to be fulfilled through
material possessions. They believe that by having a certain possession,
they will find the happiness that they are lacking. What they fail to
realize is that happiness can never be attained in a material thing.
Happiness is a state of being. Happiness is how you feel on the inside
regardless of what you have or don't have on the outside. If you were to
visit a third world country and meet people who are not bombarded with
advertisements of things they “need”, you will find some of the happiest
people in the world. They have found the secret that happiness is found in
loving one another, appreciating what they already have, and doing their
best to help others in their time of need. (Psalm 37:16-17) (1 John 4:12)
Life is all about loving and learning. When our life is said and done, we
will not miss the material possessions, but rather we will relish the
moments we had with those who meant the most to us. We will remember the
loves, the laughs, the beauty that our eyes were lucky enough to see and
the moments of life that made our life worth living. Be encouraged to
focus on the things that money can't buy. Spend time with those who mean
the most to you, focus on your relationships, be thankful for what you
already possess and you will find life much more fulfilling than any
material possession that seemed so ideal before. (1 John 4:7)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to focus on the
blessings you already possess. By doing so, you will find that your
happiness is already within your reach.
LASTING AND PERMANENT
I turned the television on after breakfast today. A loud commercial blared
out at me urging me to buy something and make my life happier. This was
followed by another commercial and another each one saying the same thing:
buy this or that and your life will be great. After a while I couldn’t
take it anymore. The commercials weren’t making me feel better. They were
just trying to make me want things I didn’t need. Finally I shut off the
set and looked out the window at the sun coming up over the mountains. The
clouds were painted purple, pink, and yellow by God’s own hand. Watching
them I finally smiled and felt at peace.
In my life over the years I have listened to a lot of commercials and
bought a lot of things. I have bought cars, televisions, computers, cell
phones, stereos, and more appliances than I could use. The happiness they
brought me was temporary and fleeting at best. They may have at times made
my life more convenient, but they never once made my life more joyful.
The things that did make my life happier, the things that brought lasting
and permanent joy into my heart and soul couldn’t be bought in a store.
They instead were found in the wide open arms of love. They were found in
prayer, in thanking God everyday for my life, and in inviting His love
into my soul. They were found in simple acts of kindness, freely shared,
expecting nothing in return. They were found in gentle words of
encouragement, big hugs of affection, and inspiring thoughts of goodness.
They were found in all the little choices I made everyday to grow in
oneness with God and to do my best to be His Child. They were found in
living a life of caring for others and giving back what I could to this
wonderful world.
What do you want: the momentary pleasure the commercials offer and the
empty wallet that goes with it or the eternal joy of living a life of
love? It is up to you. Choose well.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and
be glad in it.”
Psalm 23:1-4 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His
name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they
comfort me.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen
in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD SAVED MY DAD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony144.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
