REAL HAPPINESS

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

John 13:17 KJV

Pastor Ira F. Stanphill wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “Happiness Is The Lord”.  I love these words.  “Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior--Happiness is the Lord.”  Are we living a life within His favor?  Have we had a change in our behavior?

One of my pastors used an illustration about happiness in one of his sermons. He said “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start serving Jesus”.  I have had the privilege of serving Jesus full time since January 24, 2005 and many times I have felt like I was flying higher than a kite.

Does this mean I am happy all the time?  No, because satan does his best to discourage me so much I will stop serving Jesus.  When we are serving Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he will do all he can do to discourage us but we must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us.

Heavenly Father, please help us to stay on the battlefield for Jesus no matter how many times satan lies to us or hurls darts at us.  Jesus, thank You for not only dying on the cross for my sins, but also for staying on the cross when You could have come down.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 2, 2018