HAPPINESS - Habits of Happiness (Part 4)

Today we completed Habits of Happiness and started the next section in our Happiness series, Showers of Blessing.

A life of blessing should be the normal life of a Christian. A blessing is the working of God where there is nothing to account for His working. Regardless of what you are doing, how diligent you do it, how much you pray about it, or the faith you have regarding what you are doing, without God's blessing, all of your efforts will be in vain. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

When God blesses, the results are widespread, long-lasting, and very powerful. "...I will...pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10) An example of the power of God's blessing was seen when Jesus took five loaves and two fishes and fed 5,000 people--with twelve baskets of food left over. Now that is a blessing!

How do you ensure that you are in a position to receive a blessing? How can you know if God will bless what you are doing? 

Next week I will show you the most graphic, substantive, potent, positive, powerful description of how you can experience the reality of God and how that reality is activated in your everyday life in the form of blessings.

HAPPINESS - Habits of Happiness (Part 3)

Today we made it to the first of four steps in "How To Be Happy No Matter What". As we looked at the state of Paul's life leading up to the point when he wrote the book of Philippians, we see a man who has every reason NOT to be happy. Regardless of his troubles, he writes, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Goodness of Christ." (Phil. 1:23) "WHATEVER"? That is a BIG word. But, yes, whatever is exactly what Paul meant. It's all about our truly embracing God's sovereignty in ALL circumstances. Living any other way is practicing practical atheism--or living as if there is no God.

We all have problems, pains, and trials--although nothing in comparison to Paul--they are real to each of us and rob us of our happiness. In the focal passage (Phil. 1:12-30) we learn from Paul that in order to be happy, no matter what, the first thing we must do is...

1. Look at every problem from God's viewpoint: "I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that EVERYTHING that has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News." (Phil. 1:12)

Paul's dream was to preach in the Colosseum in Rome--the center of the modern world. God had a different plan for Paul. However, as we now know, it was a much better and more effective plan. Paul might not have stood before thousands in the Colosseum, he did, however, preach and witness to over 4,000 Praetorian Guards (prestigious guards of the emperor--Nero) assigned to guard him--one-on-one. He also had opportunities to preach to many of the Royal family members--something he more than likely could never have done outside of God's plan. It is only one of many examples of how what often appears to be a problem to us is quite different when viewed from God's perspective.

Instead of having when and what thinking, we need to learn how to be "happy in the now"--savoring life in the moment--the now! Don't let the pressures of life squeeze your thinking in such a way that your field of vision is limited to the narrow view of your worries, pains, regrets, fears, and troubles of yesterday and tomorrow (things in tomorrow that have not even happened and--most likely--never will). Choose to live in the NOW! "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Next week we will continue with the remaining 3 steps in "How To Be Happy No Matter What".

HAPPINESS - Habits of Happiness (Part 2)

We learned today that statistically, the ranking of Alabamians on the "happy meter" is next to last out of all the states in America. The survey conducted by Wallet Hub looked at emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community, environment & recreational activities. Actually, the states with the lowest ranking for happiness were clustered in the South while the most happy states were in the Midwest and North. If you want to dig into the details of the survey you can find it here: Happy Survey.

For those who are in Christ and seeking to walk in God's purpose and will, the most important variables that determine our happiness are: 1) our belief that God is sovereign in all circumstances --both good and bad-- and 2) to maintain an eternal perspective. These two attitudes are the foundation to our happiness. Every situation must be accepted as God's sovereignty. The moment we credit circumstance to chance, we are in affect saying God is not who He claims to be in His word. In our troubles, pains, and suffering God always has a divine purpose--to glorify Himself through our lives.

He wants us to come to Him in our suffering, but He also wants us to trust Him. As we do, the need for an eternal perspective is so very important. When we focus on our eternal home in Heaven and try to see the circumstances of our brief lives from God's perspective, we are rocketed to another level.

The results of our two poll questions from today's class are below:

1. When it comes to God being sovereign over EVERYTHING--Good and Bad--my level of belief is approximately...

A. 100% - I believe God controls every circumstance, without exception - 96%
B. Somewhere between 50% and 90%. Some things JUST HAPPEN. - 4%
C. Less than 50%. I think God only gets involved in important events. - 0%

2. In regard to happiness, how important is perspective?
A. It is everything! - 64%
B. It helps. - 36%
C. Happiness is based mostly on what we do, not how we think. - 0%

The results from our three poll questions from last week's class are below:

1. Do you know of habits in your life that, from time-to-time, hinder your happiness?
A. Yes. I know of one or more habits I would like to reverse. - 100%
B. No. None of my habits hinder my happiness.
C. I don't think habits, good or bad, affect a person's happiness.

2. If you know a habit (behavior) of yours might cause a fellow believer to stumble, what would you do?
A. Try to break the habit and change my behavior. - 78%
B. Try to hide the habit/behavior from those it might cause to stumble. - 22%
C. Do nothing. As long as I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm not responsible for other believers. - 0%

3. Is a Christian leader held to a higher standard than other Christians?
A. Yes. - 100%
B. No.
C. Yes, but only when serving in the leadership position.

HAPPINESS - Habits of Happiness (Part 1)

The two most important points of this lesson are:

1. God is sovereign - "Our God is in the heavens; He does all that he pleases." (Psalm 115:3)

The implication of this verse is that God has the right and power to do whatever makes Him happy. He makes all things work together for His glory. That is what it means to say that God is sovereign. If God were not sovereign, if the world He made were out of control, frustrating His design again and again, God would not be happy. Since God is sovereign and can do anything He pleases, none of His purposes can be frustrated. Thankfully so, for we--as His children--cannot enjoy fellowship with our Father if He is unhappy. Therefore we can safely say that the foundation of the happiness of God is the sovereignty of God (John Piper). Bottom line: There is no such thing as mere coincidence. If you believe that God is sovereign, then you are well on your way to living a life of happiness.

2. Keep an eternal perspective - "Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth." (Colossians 3:2); "Whose end is destruction...who set their mind on earthly things." (Philippians 3:19)

Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17:

¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Jesus was very clear in His prayer. Those who are in Christ are to be in the world but not of the world. The "world" is not a location but a system. Satan is the ruler of this earth (cosmos) but can only do what God allows. The people who live a life of the world function apart from God.

The deepest and most enduring happiness is found only in God. We must set our minds on the things that are above (in the heavens) and not on earth. When we do, we will then begin to understand how the sovereignty of God is the key to our enduring happiness.

HAPPINESS - Science and Mathematics

Today we began our series on HAPPINESS by looking at the Science of Happiness and the Mathematics of Happiness. I also introduced a new in-class polling system that we will be using to gauge the class on certain lesson-related concepts. If you want to participate in upcoming polls (which I hope you will) be sure to bring your cell phone to class. The polls are free and anonymous. Here are the results of the questions I asked today:

What is your interest in this new series on "HAPPINESS"?
A. Extremely excited - 48%
B. Very interested - 36%
C. Somewhat interested, but not yet "over the moon" about it - 16%

Are you basically a happier person now than you were one year ago?
A. Yes - 84%
B. No - 12%
C. Depends - 4%

Being honest (no one will know): At this present time in your life, what makes you feel the happiest?
A. When I do something that I enjoy doing or look forward to doing? - 64%
B. When I see that something I have done has made a positive difference in someone's life - 36%

Since my wedding day, I am (which is most correct):
A. Considerably happier married than I was single - 95%
B. No happier now than I was before I married - 5%
C. Less happy now than I was when I was single - 0%

The Science of Happiness tells us that happy people have higher levels of intelligence, creativity, and an increased ability to solve problems. When we get happier our bodies get healthier, our relationships improve, our marriages become more fulfilling, we make more money, we live longer, and our overall sense of well-being improves.

The Mathematics of Happiness tells us that our external (uncontrollable) circumstances determine 10% of our happiness, 50% of our happiness is determined by our genetic makeup, and the remaining 40% of our happiness is determined by our actions and thoughts. Sadly, most humans focus most of their energy on trying to control the 10% - the uncontrollable instead of the 40% they can control. Also, studies have proven that there are simple things you can do to rewire your brain and change negative genetics. We will talk more about that next week when we look at the Habits of Happiness.

God is happy. He has created, wired, and designed us to be happy. And He has given us the guidelines, principles, truths, and the instructions to attain satisfying happiness. Matter-of-fact, He wants us to seek to intensify our longing for happiness and nourish it with whatever will provide the deepest and most enduring satisfaction possible. And wouldn't you know it; that deep, enduring happiness is found only in Him.

As David wrote in Psalm 16:11: "In your presence there is fullness of joy (happiness); at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." In Psalm 37:4 he wrote, "Delight (make happy) yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." God is glorified by our joy (happiness) in Him.

Next week we will be looking at the Habits of Happiness.

BIBLE STUDY METHODS - Ephesians 6:18-24 (Part 2)

In Sunday's lesson we completed the Book of Ephesians and introduced our new series - HAPPINESS.

The war we fight is not of this world. It is a war against the "principalities, ...powers, ...rulers of the darkness of this world, ...spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places." (v. 12)

As the angel Gabriel told Daniel, "God has heard your prayers... I have come in answer to your prayers. The [evil] angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief angels, came to help me..." (Daniel 10:12-13)

As Daniel fasted and prayed for forgiveness for himself and Israel, Gabriel was at war with, what was most likely, an evil spiritual entity that wielded authority over the ancient kingdom of Persia. The resistance was so great that Gabriel had to call on the powerful archangel Michael for help. This is the same archangel Michael that, in the New Testament, leads God's armies against Satan's forces in the Book of Revelation, where during the war in heaven he defeats Satan.

There is an invisible, on-going war between good and evil. Countless numbers of angels fight for God's honor and glory. When we petition God with our prayers, He orders His angels into battle, just as we read in the Book of Daniel, Gabriel said: "God has heard your prayers... I [Gabriel] have come in answer to your prayers." The fight is "not against flesh and blood [but] against wickedness in high places." 

To be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, we must "Put on..." and "take up... the whole armor of God." (v. 11, 13). We must put on truth [knowing the content of God's truth], righteousness [take sin seriously], and peace [be at peace with God and confident of His love for us] and take up faith [faith in God as One who never fails us], salvation [in the coming glorification], and the Holy Spirit (Word of God) [the rhema - uttered, spoken, and used Word of God].

During His three temptations in the desert, Jesus resisted Satan with the rhema--spoken Word of God. Three times He rebuked Satan by saying, "It is written..." We must do the same when temptation comes.

"All men naturally hunger and thirst after happiness." (J.C. Ryle)

During this series, we will explore many practical and Biblical applications that will pull back the curtain on happiness. It is a hot topic that has been aggressively researched and written about during the last 10 years. Interestingly, the science of happiness was well documented in the Bible long before secular psychologists began to "discover" the wonderful results of positive psychology.

In our introduction to Happiness, we looked at the 5 Laws of Happiness and the 4 Relational Habits of Happiness. I pointed out that happiness is found by being, not by doing, and happiness starts with relationships.

This series promises to be very satisfying and encouraging! Next week I will show you how, in only 2 minutes per day for 21 days, you can "rewire" your brain (and your children) for happiness.

BIBLE STUDY METHODS - Ephesians 6:10-20 (Part I)

There are lines all around us. In sporting events lines are there to keep the game in play (side lines and scrimmage lines in football; court boundary lines, half court line, and foul line in basketball; lane lines in swimming; baselines and batters box lines in softball and baseball). Although some lines we want to cross (goal line, finish line, outfield fence line, etc.), most are there to keep us safe (edge lines and center lines on a street, double yellow or solid lines on a highway; pedestrian crosswalk lines, etc.).

In the aviation world, pilots hold the highest respect for the many lines separating taxiways from runways. At a busy airport such as Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), dozens, if not hundreds, of airplanes might be taxiing for takeoff at one of the airport's seven runways, while at the same time, airplanes are landing on multiple runways every minute. Crossing the wrong line at the wrong time could be disastrous.

ORD Airport Diagram

For the Christian, God has put in place spiritual lines designed to keep us safe from emotional, mental, and physical attacks from the enemy (Satan). When we cross the lines that lead us into the wilderness of sin, we become separated from God's purpose for our lives; we lose our way; we damage our soul; our spirit grows cold toward spiritual things. If we remain on the wrong side of God's protective line, we risk the chance of being swept away into regret so deeply that we might never find our way back. Although God is always ready to lead us back into His purpose, prolonged time spent on the wrong side of God's line becomes Satan's greatest opportunity to inflict his greatest blows: discouragement and doubt.

In today's lesson we looked at the six pieces of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:14-17) that will keep us safe when we nudge up against God's lines of protection. I also gave you some practical applications of how God's powerful pieces of armament are used in our lives to avoid Satan's flaming arrows of immorality, idolatry, hatred, anger, covetousness, pride, doubt, fear, despair, distrust, and other temptations.

Paul reminded his readers that the Christian's struggle is against not only Satan himself, but also the host of his demon subordinates--a vast army of adversaries, who, like the devil, are not made of flesh and blood. Our greatest enemy is not the world we see, corrupt and wicked as it is, but the world we cannot see.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

One of Satan's most effective strategies--and one of a believer's greatest dangers--is the delusion that there is no seriously threatening conflict raging between good and evil in the invisible and supernatural realm. This thinking is not only naive but will lead the Christian to lethargy, indifference, and spiritual stagnation.

The battle we fight is one that only God can win, and victory is ours when we "take up" and "put on" the full armor of God. However, His strength is appropriated only through obedience.

In the great spiritual warfare in which we do battle, we are called only to resist and stand firm. James said, "Resit the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Peter counseled us to "be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Take seriously God's spiritual lines of protection just as you would the double yellow line on the highway approaching a curve or hill. The consequences of being on the wrong side of the line should provide you all the motivation you need.