Happiness Keys (1)

Desert DandelionImage by Dawn Endico via Flickr

If you know these things...
John 13:17

If you want God's best, don't just think about how to invest your money, think about how to invest your life. Jesus said, 'If you know these things...happy...are you if you... [do them].' Living this way means:

1) Making time for friends and loved ones. 'Let no one seek his own, but each...the other's well-being' (1Corinthians 10:24 NKJV). George Eliot wrote: 'Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.'

2) Giving thanks. If you can't be grateful for what God has given you, look around you and be grateful for what He's protected you from. The enemy doesn't have to steal anything from you, just make you take it for granted. 'From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another' (John 1:16 NIV). The excitement of a new car or a salary increase soon passes, but anytime you stop to count your blessings you start feeling better.

3) Practicing contentment. A gardener who'd tried everything to get rid of dandelions wrote to the Department of Agriculture for help. 'What can I try next?' he asked. 'Try getting used to them!' came the reply. In life, you get what you focus on! That's why Paul writes, '...Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things' (Philippians 4:8 NAS).


Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.


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Comments

Wanda said…
Love your practical devotion today ~~
Making time for friends and loved ones. Since my diagnosis of cancer, it's amazing how much time my kids and friends are making for me.... I need to remember to do this when there is not a crisis too.

Giving thanks.... I've been playing praise and worship tapes when I rest in the afternoons and it is so refreshing to be grateful and thankful.

Practicing Contentment... Oh this is so good. We have two lessons left in our Women's Bible Study called Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow....Wonderful book, and really practical application.

Have a great weekend Mike, and thanks for all your insights and inspiration.

LOL:Wanda
Pietro Brosio said…
It's true, we must think how to invest our (spiritual) life.
The excitement of a new car or a salary increase soon passes, but anytime you stop to count your blessings you start feeling better. Great words indeed.
"If you want God's best, don't just think about how to invest your money, think about how to invest your life." This is something we must always be evaluating, for as we live we know that things change and so must we. Therefore, our investment in life, too, must change. Not an easy task as we all like the status quo. Change is much too difficult. Reevaluating here...Cathy
Steve said…
Thanks again for the thoughts....
TMM said…
Amen, this is so practical.I like the last point especially.

Its the context of a verse we so often quote: 'I can do all things through Him who strenghtens me"

Studying it from context helps:

"... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Sid

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