Tag: happy

Happy is the Man Whom God Corrects

Happy is the Man Whom God Corrects

It’s unusual for us human beings to appreciate being corrected or when someone points out where we need to improve ourselves.  But God says that His correction is a sign of His love for us.  What a beautiful idea that is!

Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.  (Deut 8:5 NIV)

How happy is the man whom God corrects!  Therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty . . .  (Job 5:17 MEV)

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His rebuke, 12 for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.  (Pro 3:11-12 NASB)

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.  (Pro 13:24 ESV)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  (Rev 3:19 NKJV)

As these Scripture passages attest, correction from the Lord—as from a loving parent—is an affirmation of His love and care for us. 

In the natural realm, parents train and discipline their children in order to raise up polite, likeable, and confident human beings who will be loved and appreciated wherever they go.  We do this with our children because we love them, and want to see them grow into happy, well-adjusted adults who are an asset to their communities, churches, and families. 

The Lord disciplines us for our own good.  He is performing His work in us to transform us into the image of His own Son.  (2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:22-24)  Praise God!

Pursue a Peaceful Life

Pursue a Peaceful Life

There are great spiritual benefits to pursuing a peaceful and peace-filled life.

Not only should we each pursue this way of life, according to the Bible, but we should endeavor to generate a peaceful atmosphere wherever we go.  Now, let’s look at what the Bible says to us on this subject.

Seek peace and pursue it. (Ps 34:14 ASV)

Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.  (Pro 12:20 ASV)

Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.  (Pro 12:12 NIV)

“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.”  (Mt 5:9 CEB)

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  (Heb 12:14 ESV)

Those who advise a peaceful resolution to problems or issues receive the reward of joy.  That is a beautiful blessing to desire and to receive.

The basis of peace in negotiations generates a good harvest in all of its endeavors.  Peacemakers are happy because they are known as children of God.   

We’re instructed in God’s Word to work toward peace with everyone, as well to make every effort to live a holy life.  The result of obeying the Bible is that we are enabled to live a life that is rewarding, fulfilling, and blessed by God.  Praise the Lord!

Wisdom, Wealth & Honor Come from God

Wisdom, Wealth & Honor Come from God

God blesses His people with wisdom, honor and wealth.  The Bible says:

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  (1 Chr 29:12 NIV)

. . . wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”  (2 Chr 1:12 ESV)

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today.  (Deu 8:18 NRSV)

Wisdom is defined this way:

The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness.  (Source:  https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/wisdom.html)

Wealth is:

The most basic English definitions of wealth are “the condition of being happy and prosperous” and “spiritual well-being” (OED). But the most common usage probably involves the narrower sense of “abundance of possessions, or of valuable products.” A large percentage of Scripture focuses on right and wrong uses of this latter kind of wealth, while always subordinating it to the former.  (Source:  https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/wealth/)

About Honor:

The source of all honor is God on the basis of his position as sovereign Creator and of his character as a loving Father. God the Father has bestowed honor on his Son, Jesus Christ (John 5:23). He bestowed honor on humanity by creating man a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5-6). He has also created spheres of authority within human government, the church, and the home. The positions of authority in those spheres are to receive honor implicitly.  (Source:  https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/honor.html)

Let us remember that in whatever measure we enjoy these three blessings of God, we should be thankful for them and rejoice in God’s great goodness to us.  Praise the Lord!

A Wise Life Lesson

A Wise Life Lesson

An angry king is like a roaring lion.  Making him angry may cost you your life.  (Pro 20:2 NCV)

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.  (Eccl 10:4 NIV)

As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, but a wise man will appease it.  In the light of the king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.  (Pro 16:14-15 NKJV)

A “king” or “ruler” as used in these verses, refers to someone with power and authority over other people.  In modern times, that could represent a Prime Minister, Senator, President (whether of a nation or of a private company), employer, supervisor, manager or foreman.  A person’s boss has a measure of power and authority over them.  Anyone, even a parent, who has power or great influence over the events of our lives would fit into this description.

The life lesson here is to recognize the importance of these types of people in our lives.  It’s wise to learn what makes such influencers happy, what displeases them, and what soothes them.  Further lessons to be learned from these Scriptures are:

  • Don’t underestimate the significance of such people in our lives;
  • If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Rom 12:18 NIV)  We should strive to keep our relationships with “kings and rulers” peaceful.
  • Don’t leave an uncomfortable situation; remain calm; and work to placate (pacify, soothe) the influencer.
  • Pray for God’s supernatural favor with everyone, especially these types of people. 
  • Endeavor to earn favor by working hard, showing respect and following instructions.

Lastly, remember to ask God to give you the grace that you need in order to maintain peace in these relationships.  May God continue to bless you every single day. 

Make a Joyful Noise!

Make a Joyful Noise!

Have you ever been in a restaurant where a group of people were clearly having a party, and they were very excited, happy, and noisy?  At first, you might smile at such a group but perhaps after forty or more minutes of the noise, it got annoying.  This is a moment for us to use our self-control and to keep ours emotions in check. 

This is the very same kind of joyful noise that God loves to hear!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Ps 95:1-2)

God appreciates our joyous thanks and our boisterous, full-bodied praise according to Psalm 95.  When we engage our bodies as well as our voices in praise by dancing or clapping our hands, the reverberation of us expressing our joy in the Lord is heard and echoed in heaven.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!  (Ps 98:4)

When we erupt into joyful singing and praising God, I believe it makes the Lord smile.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!  (Ps 98:6)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!  (Ps 100:1)

The Word of God instructs us to add musical instruments (trumpets, horns) to our praise and that this sound should occur all over the earth.  Wow!  What an image.

. . . addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart . . .  (Eph 5:19)

Let us occupy ourselves in obedience to this instruction from the Word of God.  When we greet one another with songs and hymns, we are producing a treasured melody from our hearts to the Lord.