You Cannot Hide Your Sins from God

Reading for the day: Proverbs 28:13

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Have you done something that you know is wrong in God’s eyes?  Have you confessed your sin with a contrite heart, or are you avoiding the issue, hoping the problem will go away?

Toddlers often do this.  They may take a cookie they weren’t allowed to have, or push down a playmate.  When we ask them if they did it, they look innocent and say, “No!  Not me!” even when we saw them do it.  As parents, we know that we can’t let them get away with lying about what happened, because even if they deny it, they did something wrong and they must admit it and learn from their mistake.  We may even say, “It’s okay that you pushed your sister, but lying about it is wrong.  I’d rather you tell me the truth even if you did something bad than lie to me.”

Then why do we so often try to ignore our own sins?  Perhaps we’ve fudged a bit on our tax return, or gossiped behind someone’s back.  Maybe we have cheated on our spouse or been unfair to our children.  But whatever the sin, we cannot hide them from God.  Like a watchful parent, He sees our sins even if we don’t acknowledge them ourselves.  But we need to confess them openly and honestly; only then will we learn from our mistakes and gain God’s mercy and forgiveness.  God asks us to confess so that we can move on – the burden of a ‘hidden’ sin is one we don’t have to carry.

Prayer Suggestion:  If you have been avoiding confession of your sins, don’t wait another day.  Lay all of them before God and ask for His mercy and forgiveness.

Robert Moment is a personal growth “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, speaker and author of bestselling book, God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about teaching individuals how to experience God’s love, peace,  joy , power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2010 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish.

Five Great Needs Only God Can Fulfill

Everyone has human needs that go beyond the physical.  If we have food, water, and shelter, we can survive.  But to truly thrive, there are spiritual and emotional needs that we all have.  We all strive to find ways to satisfy our need for Love, Acceptance, Security, Identity and Purpose. Some of us seek these in ourselves, in others and from society, but none of these needs can be truly fulfilled except by God.

Love

God’s love is always present and unconditional. If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one that you felt you could trust completely, you’ve had a faint taste of what its like to be able to rely on someone without worry or fear. But even the strongest relationships can end , loved ones can die, circumstances can destroy our faith in others.  Not so with God and His unconditional love because He is never-ending and never changing. Nothing in this world that you can do or say will alter His love for you.  He will never leave you or forsake you. You can always, always find comfort and security through your relationship with God because it is, like Him, eternal.

No matter what you do, no matter how you look, now matter how many mistakes you’ve made, you can never let God down because He loves you without conditions, without measure and with no reservations or any hidden agenda. God is guiding you through every experience of your life – not because you have earned it, but because God loves you no matter what.  When the dark clouds settle and all others abandon you, the light of God will shine bright and show you the way. His guiding light is unconditional love.

“I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever “
— Psalm 52:8

-

“ For great is your steadfast love toward me”
— Psalm 86:13

-

“I am with you always to the end of the age”
— Matthew 28:20

Acceptance

From the time we are born, we search for acceptance.  The sense of belonging to another person or to a group of people is a powerful affirmation.  We try to please our parents as toddlers so that they will accept and love us.  When we are in school, we hope to be accepted into the “popular crowd.”  At work, we want to be on the best project team or be accepted by our boss and coworkers.  We enter into relationships because the other person accepts us.

But relationships fail, groups change over time and even our parents may be disappointed in our actions.  The only true, unconditional acceptance is that offered by God.  He loves us no matter what.  He doesn’t care what we look like or about the mistakes we’ve made.  As His creation, He loves and accepts us unconditionally.

To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein
He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.
-       Ephesians 1:6

Security

There is such a sense of security that overwhelms us when we are safe in the arms of God.  Although our circumstances can change from day to day, God is eternal.  Many of us accumulate money and power, hoping these will keep us secure, but we can lose our money and our power so easily!  The person who is on top today may be in the gutters tomorrow.  No power we gain for ourselves can protect us from the many possible problems of this world.

God, however, is our eternal protection.  He is our security and shelter in any storm because He will not leave us in times of trouble.  No matter what happens, He will guard our souls and direct our footsteps if we ask Him to.  Let yourself be secure in God’s abiding presence and you will always feel safe.

“You will be protected and take your rest in safety.”
-       Job 11:18

-

“Never will I leave, never will I forsake you.”
-       Hebrews 13:5

Identity

Do you put on a mask for others so that they will see you in a particular way?  Do you have different identities for different people?  We are always trying to define ourselves in relation to other people.  Are you a father?  Employee?  The best friend?  The fun one?  Our identities are often tied to what we can provide to others, and it can be difficult to be all things to all people.

God knows our true identity – the one that is whole and complete, the hidden most part of our heart and soul.  We are uniquely, fearfully and marvelously made children of God!  When we discover the power and presence of God within ourselves, we have found our true identity, one that doesn’t depend on what others see.  We are, and always will be, unique creations of the Master Creator.

“I am a member of God’s household”
- Ephesians 2:19

-

“I am God’s child.”
John 1:12

Purpose

We all wonder why we are here occasionally.  Do we have a purpose to fulfill?  Is being a parent our ultimate role?  Are we supposed to be achieving great things at work?  Do we have a destiny to fulfill?  We can spend our lives worrying about what our purpose is, but it will be an exercise in futility unless we turn to God for guidance.  No one on earth knows what you should be doing.

God decides our life’s plan and purpose here on earth.  He created you to fulfill a divine purpose, no matter how large or small, that is part of His eternal plan.  Isn’t it reassuring to know that what you do and say matters in the grand scheme of things?  Our purpose is essential!

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.”
-       Psalm 138:8

Tonight as you say your prayers, thank the Lord for providing everything you need and all that your heart desires, including unconditional love, acceptance, unfailing security, a unique identity and a true purpose !

Robert Moment is a personal growth “throw the box away” inspirational life coach , speaker and author of best-selling Christian Book, God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about teaching individuals how to experience God’s love, peace , joy , power and prosperity. Visit www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE life-changing 7 day online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/Christiansfaith .

Copyright ©  2010 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish.

God Can Give You Wholeness

Many of us are struggling every day just to get by. Our lives are unbalanced, out of control.  Sometimes this lack of balance is caused by situations outside of our control, such as the economy, our jobs, responsibilities and obligations. However, in many cases, our unbalanced lives are caused by our own habits and lifestyles.

In many cases, our struggles can be categorized into seven symptoms or excesses that involve:

• Erecting walls
• People pleasing
• Overspending
• Chemical dependency
• Thinking too much
• Always rescuing people
• Working too much

Does this mean that you shouldn’t try to please others, or help people in need? Does this mean you shouldn’t work overtime for the extra pay? Not at all. We should try to please others, help those in need, and work to support our loved ones.

However, God can help us find a balance and a sense of wholeness in our desire to both help others and to protect ourselves against stress and anxiety. Chemical dependencies can often be blamed on stress or pressure to excel. When we feel weak, frightened, or worried, we often retreat behind walls we erect to keep the hurt and the disappointment away. Feelings of shame, embarrassment, and failure isolate us from our loved ones and create distances between married couples, parents and children, and friends. Many of us feel incapable or unable to live the lives that others expect of us. In such cases, God is our salvation.

Place your troubles in God’s hands. Rely on Him to guide your life. By doing so, you may find you’re not only able to help others, work hard, but also to resist temptation and strive harder to live a healthy and balanced life while at the same time enjoying the benefits of God’s grace.

God’s love, wisdom, compassion and understanding offers each of us a place of retreat and refuge  when life’s pressures become too heavy. You don’t have to put up walls with God. He knows you. You don’t have to go one shopping sprees, eating binges, or rely on alcohol or chemicals when you’re feeling depressed, unworthy, or afraid. Instead, lean on God. His strength can carry us through life’s most difficult situations. God accepts us, faults and all.

Many people think they have to belong to a church in order to benefit from God’s grace, but the truth is, you can seek or commune with God anywhere, even from your solitary refuge at the back of your closet. While you can certainly pray for support and wholeness from a church sanctuary, you can also talk to God in your backyard, while driving, or going for a walk.  Communication is the key to seeking a relationship with God, and it’s up to you to let Him know how you’re feeling. The truth is, God probably already knows how you feel, but He likes to hear you say it.  He wants us to ask for help when we need it.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble”
– Psalm 46:1

Asking for help from God isn’t a sign of weakness, but of faith. Pride and stubbornness don’t help us find peace and stability in our lives. On the contrary, the inability to ask for help, to be open to new options, or believing that we can only rely on ourselves are a few of the obstacles that prevent many individuals from experiencing a peaceful, balanced life.

“Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
–Matthew 21:22

God can provide balance to those of us struggling to make ends meet, resolve issues, or overcome tragedy and grief. God can give us wholeness with open hands and a loving heart. All you have to do is ask.

Robert Moment is a personal growth “throw the box away” inspirational life coach , speaker and author of best-selling Christian Book, God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about teaching individuals how to experience God’s love, peace , joy , power and prosperity. Visit www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE life-changing 7 day online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/Christiansfaith .

Copyright ©  2010 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish.

How Faith Works

You don’t need any special equipment or knowledge to have faith. Faith is believing in something you can’t see, or something you haven’t experienced, yet you know it’s there. Faith is the assurance of the answer to all we take to God in prayer. The three basic tenets regarding faith include:

• Asking
• Believing
• Receiving

Does this mean that you’ll get everything you ask for from God? Not necessarily. God, in His own infinite wisdom knows what we need. However, by asking for help, support, love, or understanding, and sometimes, even material things, we should humble ourselves and ask with a sincere heart. How do you ask for faith from God? Open your heart. Dig deep into your soul and know that you’re asking for salvation. Asking anything from anyone requires believing that the person is there. The same goes for God.  When you ask for faith, you must believe that God exists, and that He can hear and respond to you.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
— Hebrews 11:1

Believing as another powerful aspect of faith. We’ve heard the story of Doubting Thomas and his need to see the wounds of Christ before he would believe He had risen from the dead. As the Bible says, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.” Belief is a powerful concept, one that carries great depths of emotion and strength.

“We walk by faith, not by sight”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7

Believing that God is the only one that can help or save us means placing our entire trust and loyalty in Him and His power. Does that mean that you shouldn’t try at all? Not at all. While we should place our burdens and concerns in God’s hands, we also need to take courage to make changes in our own lives. Trust and faith in God that you have the ability to do so, no matter your circumstances, is as important as asking for help and believing you will receive such help.

Believe in yourself. Believe that God is there for you.  Believe that no stress or worry is too little for God to deal with. God cares for everyone.

Receiving a gift is easy, most of the time. You extend your hand, receive the gift, and offer thanks. However, receiving the gift of faith goes a little deeper than that. It means relinquishing human pride and opening your heart to the workings of a mysterious power that we cannot see.  Faith requires believing without seeing. It requires trust.

“Ask , and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock , and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-9

Sometimes, the gift of faith is received through constant seeking, or it may be immediate. The key is to search your heart, to ask in sincerity, to believe deeply and truly, and to be open and receptive to the receipt of faith.

God tells us that we should believe without doubt, because God is pleased by such depth of faith and rewards the faithful.  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you,” says Jesus.

Asking, believing, and receiving faith goes way beyond asking for temporary favors, but requires an effort by the individual doing the asking to truly attempt to understand and know God, to live a life that will please God, and to continually place your life under God’s guidance and control.

“Listen to me ! You can pray for anything and if you believe you will have it.”
–Mark 11:24

Faith works in mysterious ways, and not everyone will ask for help the same way, believe in God the same way, or even receive gifts from God in the same manner. While you may not receive a physical or material package, the act of asking, believing and receiving faith requires open arms, open heart, and open mind. Faith has the power to change your life. Open your arms, ask, believe, and receive. Be assured that with God there is always a way, with God there is always right answers.

Robert Moment is a personal growth “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, speaker and author of best-selling Christian Book titled, God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about teaching individuals how to experience God’s love, joy, peace and prosperity in their lives. Visit www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE life-changing online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/Christiansfaith .

God Use Me Any Way You Want To

Reading for the Day: Psalm 27:4

“The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.”

King David had the right idea. He loved God but he made mistakes. Sounds like us, huh? Through repentance, he was restored in God’s sight so that God could continue to use Him to accomplish His goals among His people. He wants to use you too.

Maybe you feel far away from God right now. Repent and thank Him for His restorative power. Remember what it was like before – feeling His presence each and every minute? Listening to music that reminded you how special He is in your life. Meditating on the times God saved you from countless bad situations.

If God wasn’t in your life, where would you be? His love shelters us; His compassion strengthens us; His presence uplifts us. With a heavenly Father like that what more could you ask for?

There is one thing. Let the Lord use you how He sees fit. He has proved His trustworthiness time and again. To make Him happy, we would do anything. And, what makes Him happy is our faith in His purpose for our lives. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

That faith can move mountains but only with our cooperation. Who knows what God can accomplish with you as the vessel, His humble servant? Living His way for one day is better than a thousand days without Him.

Prayer Suggestions: Any way you bless me Lord I’ll be satisfied. Allow me to serve You as long as you need me.

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish

God’s Love Never Quits

Reading for the Day: 1 Corinthians 13:7

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

The word “love” has been used and abused throughout the ages. It’s no wonder many don’t know what it truly means. In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, Paul talks about how to demonstrate love. If you’ve ever read it, then you know it’s a tall order.

But, there is one who shows this love time and time again to perfection. That would be God. He sent His son Jesus to die a painful and shameful death at the hands of His enemies for the sake of all human beings. He constantly endures when those same people use His name in vain and do despicable things in His name. If we were God, the human race would have been doomed long ago.

It’s such a good thing that we are not God. His love never quits. Despite the state of the world when Jesus died and the way it is now, God still desires that all men (and women too) be saved from eternal damnation. He patiently waits for us to say, “I love you Lord; save me.” Every day He holds back punishment we deserve, replacing it with love instead, because of who He is.

When we lose faith, God is faithful. When we feel hopeless, God brings about situations in our lives to restore our faith in others and most of all, in Him. It would be a woefully difficult life to live without knowing that He loves us more than life.

Prayer Suggestions: Every good and perfect gift comes from God. the most perfect is love. Jesus died to bring it to us and now He lives to sustain it in the world through us.

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish

Overcoming Unbelief

Reading for the Day: Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Believe it or not, God knows what you are thinking. If you don’t believe in Him or have your doubts, He is aware, but He is not mad. Many make the mistake of thinking that unbelief demonstrates a lack of faith. Actually, it shows a lack of knowledge – knowledge about God.

How do you tackle other situations where your lack of knowledge has led to doubt? You ask questions and listen to the answers. If you are having trouble with believing in God or believing that God will do something for you, then take the initiative to find out about Him.

God is not a vengeful spirit that goes around picking people off or trying to make their lives difficult. He is also not so far away that He doesn’t care about your problems. Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that God could leave us be. He was creating a new connection with us to bridge the gap that sin had brought about.

But don’t take our word for it. Talk to someone. Ask God to lead you to the person who can answer your burning questions about Him. Calling on the Lord in distress is ingrained in our hearts by the One who created us in our mothers’ wombs. He will send you what you need when you ask and move forward to find the truth.

Prayer Suggestions: God, it’s hard to believe that you are real with so much pain in the world and in my life. I want to believe but I don’t know you. Help me to find the answers and peace in my soul.

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish.

Code KUSKYV5UE7GF

Where God Guides He Provides

Reading for the Day: Philippians 4:19

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Abraham was told to pack up his family and move to a faraway land he had never been to. Noah was told to build an ark when there was no water in sight. Esther was told to go and see the king when she was not summoned which meant almost certain death.

Each of these situations was unsettling at best to the person who was told to do them. The one leading them was God.

When others direct us to do things, we follow for many reasons, not the least of which is trust. But, they are made of flesh and bone just like us and can’t guarantee the outcome of any situation with 100% accuracy. On the other hand, when God asks us to do something, we ask for a thousand signs from Him.

If you haven’t read the stories of these three people above take a minute to do so. They each have a common thread – God provide what they needed to do what He asked. It can feel like we are alone when no one else goes with us, but God is always there. And, He won’t leave you without the help you need to achieve the task.

It works out that way every time. Now, remember, we didn’t say that it works out the way that “we” think it should but God will work things out for your good when He leads you forward into uncertainty.

Prayer Suggestions: God, I am scared to walk this path alone. But, if you say I must go, I will, knowing that you will be there to meet me.

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish

Choose to Be Free from Your Past

I don’t know many people who live entirely without regrets.  Unless we’ve been blessed with a significant bump on the head, most of us carry around memories we’d rather forget.  But it is up to us to decide whether we strain our muscles dragging this baggage around or whether we unpack our issues and deal with them.  (We can always repack, right?)

In Chapter 8 of the Book of John, Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, and some teachers brought in a woman who had been caught cheating on her husband.  They made her stand in front of everyone and they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?”

Have you ever felt like this woman?  I know I have.  Not that anyone has ever attempted to stone me, thank God, but I’ve had metaphorical rocks hurled at me plenty of times.  Do you know what Jesus said to her accusers?  He said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  The teachers wandered off and the woman stood where she was, until Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said.  “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.  “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

There are many lessons to be taken from this simple story.  First of all, Jesus calls the teachers out:  Hey, we all have a past.  We all have issues.  Every one of you has something you’d rather not share.  Then he tells the unnamed woman, “I do not condemn you.”  This might not have meant as much to her then as it does to us now.  We don’t know whether or not she was aware that she was receiving a pardon from God Himself.  But we can look at this scene and know that Christ was saying to this woman, “I am not judging you, go on now, get on with your life, and stop cheating on your husband.”

Can this apply to any mistakes we’ve made in our pasts?  Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross so that we could be forgiven our sins.  If we wallow in unnecessary, harmful guilt, then we are not fully accepting His sacrifice, His selfless gift.  If He wanted us to feel guilty, to spend time, and muscle power, dragging that baggage around, He wouldn’t have made the ultimate sacrifice.  He gave His life to buy our freedom.  Our freedom from sin, our freedom from death, and our freedom from our own pasts.  Later on in this same chapter, Christ says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Jesus Christ is this Truth.

So, you’re asking, what about those of us who have suffered due to no fault of our own?  Yes, painful things certainly happen to innocent people.  Victims of disease, oppression, rape, child abuse, adultery, the list goes on.  Life is not fair.

Faith is easier said than done.  It is difficult for those who have truly suffered to believe that their suffering can lead to a greater purpose.  In the Book of Ephesians, Chapter 1, Verse 11, the Apostle Paul writes, “In him we are also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”  Believers are chosen by God.  Sometimes, when we are suffering, or when we have suffered, we wish we hadn’t been chosen, but the truth is, it feels good to be chosen, especially when we are able and willing to believe that our suffering, our pain, is going to work out for the purpose of His will.  God is love.  God’s will leads to love, even if there are some unlovely bumps in the road.

Writer George Bernard Shaw wrote, “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you might as well teach it to dance.”  This is an apt metaphor for creativity, and that’s how this quote is usually interpreted, but it also reminds me of God’s Will.  Oftentimes, we are able to use our past, our mistakes, or our time spent as innocent victims, to love others, to glorify God.  Recovering alcoholics can minister to those struggling with alcoholism.  Ex-convicts can go minister in the jails.  Rape victims can counsel other rape victims.

Suffering is difficult, but we need to know that God is not judging us.  Psalm 103 reads, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”  That’s a long way!  That’s infinity!  God has forgiven us.  In light of His sacrifice, it is the least we can do to forgive ourselves.   He has also asked us to use everything in our power for His glory.  Is it possible to use your past to bless others?  Is this the way to truly be free of it?

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish

How to Be Happy in Life Today

Happiness is a choice.  Everyone is in the pursuit of happiness.  Entire sections of bookstores are devoted to finding it.  Women’s magazines feature quizzes with titles like, “How Do You Rate on the Happiness Scale?”  People climb mountains, take Pilates, and run marathons.  People drink, take drugs, and take unsafe risks.  All in the quest for happiness.

Obviously, happiness is not easily obtained.  Some people believe it is a myth.  Yet some people claim that they are truly happy.  People have been claiming this for centuries.  The truth is, happiness can be found in a life with Jesus Christ.

Bad things still happen.  Happy people still get sad, still get angry, but they have somewhere to take these feelings.  They have a personal relationship with a personal God, a God who knows all their wants, all their needs, before they even ask.  When they feel unhappy, they are able to go to God.  This brings peace.  This brings joy.  This makes them happy.

In the Book of John, Chapter 15, Christ tells us that He is the vine, and that God is the gardener.  We, the believers, are the vine’s branches, and we bear fruit.  This is an apt metaphor, because it shows us that God wants us to be fruitful.  Verse 8 says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  By living well, by bearing fruit, we glorify God.  God wants us to be happy.  Our happiness glorifies Him.  Our happiness makes God happy.  In this same chapter, Jesus tells us that we cannot bear fruit unless we remain in the vine.  Is it possible that true happiness is actually impossible, unless we try it via the vine, via Jesus Christ?  In Verse 7, Christ says, “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.”  This sounds too simple, doesn’t it?  If we remain in Christ, if we meditate on His Word, keep His Word in our hearts, we can ask for anything our hearts desire.  And according to this verse, it is God’s true desire to grant us our desires.  In Verse 11, Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Sometimes it is not easy to believe in these promises.  No, faith is not supposed to be easy.  If it were, then everybody would be faithful.  Faith requires a willful submission to  beliefs that sometimes won’t make sense to us.  Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  It’s not supposed to be easy.  But we are called to do it anyway.  In Matthew 17, Christ says, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  If faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, if with faith in God, nothing is impossible, doesn’t that make our individual happiness seem like a fairly simple task?  Not only does God want us to be happy, but it is a simple undertaking for Him.  He’s the God of the universe, of all that has been and will be.  Surely He can make me happy.  But I have to have faith.

Even when things go wrong, we need to have faith.  The Bible says, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  Belief in God does not create a protective bubble around us.  We see crime.  We see cancer.  We see war.  We see these things, and we ask ourselves, why?  We ask God, why?  We wonder, how we can ever be happy in a world so torn? But Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”  All these things happening in the world, all these things that hurt us and confuse us, all these things are somehow going to work for good.  How do we know?  We have to have faith.  We’re back to the mustard seed.  When something bad happens, we have to believe that it is for a greater good, that it is all part of God’s plan.

Sometimes, we even feel guilty for our happiness.  This is the world talking, not the Holy Spirit.  We should never feel guilty for our joy.  Our joy is a gift from God, and by letting the world see our joy, even in the midst of so much pain, we let the world see our faith.  By showing the world our faith, we show them our God.  Our happiness glorifies Him.  Our happiness is a gift from Him.  All we have to do is reach out and accept it.

Sometimes, we even feel guilty for our happiness.  This is the world talking, not the Holy Spirit.  We should never feel guilty for our joy.  Our joy is a gift from God, and by letting the world see our joy, even in the midst of so much pain, we let the world see our faith.  By showing the world our faith, we show them our God.  Our happiness glorifies Him.  Our happiness is a gift from Him.  All we have to do is reach out and accept it.

Robert Moment is an innovative forward-thinking “throw the box away” inspirational life coach, marketing expert, speaker and author of God Will Always Be There For You. Robert is passionate about empowering individuals on how to experience God’s love, peace, power and prosperity in their lives. Visit http://www.ChristianInspirational.org and sign-up for the FREE online bible study titled, Christian Living. Follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristiansFaith.

Copyright ©  2009 by Robert Moment. All rights reserved. You may forward this article in its entirety to anyone you wish

Next Page »