CURRENT THEME: LIVING HAPPY... TODAY
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DAY 22: LIVING HAPPY... TODAY (THE END)
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
[CONCLUSION: Thank you for every e-mail I have received over the past month. It remains a great privilege to see where the Holy Spirit is at work changing lives and drawing people closer to God. I end off this series today with a brief review on some of the themes we discussed. I hope this helps you to live happy every day! Greetings until we meet again, Benescke]
There are three types of people: a yesterday person who is locked up in the past, a tomorrow person who is primarily focused on the future and today people who are aware of their disappointments and mistakes in the past, but who do not allow it to hold them captive.
How do we become today people? In Philippians 3:13-15, Paul gives the answer: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Here are some principles for living a happy life today:
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE WITHOUT BLOCKAGES:
- In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus said: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with them; then come and offer your gift.”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE WITHOUT FEAR AND CONCERNS:
- In Psalm 37:5 we read: “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE, OBEDIENT TO GOD:
· In Psalm 112:1-2 the Psalmist writes: “How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE EVEN THOUGH YOUR HEART MIGHT BE BROKEN:
- In Psalm 147:3 we read: “He (God) heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE IN THE MIDDLE OF HARD TIMES:
- In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes that he asked God three times to remove the thorn in his flesh. His answer was: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE, HELPING OTHERS:
- In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”
LIVING A HAPPY LIFE BEING A PEACEMAKER:
- In Matthew 5:9 Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Let us learn from the past and plan for the future, but choose to live happily today while we keep our eyes open to not miss the opportunities on our path to make another person’s life better by being there to meet their needs. God bless.
Father God, thank you for another day to enjoy. Help me to use every opportunity to demonstrate your love to those around me. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense, Wysheid-oordenkings uit Spreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms.