All tagged Happiness

Increasing in Faith by Anticipating the Coming Christ

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , New , Aging In Faith

Are we growing more Intense, and diligent, in our faith with each passing day, or do we approach it like children who become tired with the same toys over time? When we allow ourselves to simply go through the motions of faith, and to lose sight of the immediacy of it, then we can’t possibly experience the fullness of God’s joy, or feel the love that radiates from Calvary. Do we rise each morning in wonder, that is, do we lift our faces towards the heavens thinking that we are a day closer to the coming of Jesus?

Joy, and Happiness, in Worship, and in the face of Tribulation

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Joy, Happiness

Did you wake up happy today? Did you enter into your prayer closet with joy, or do you feel like you should be eternally solemn before God? On Sundays do we enter into the sanctuary with a stern disposition, and worship God with a pompous air? Do the circumstances in our lives seek to crush our spirit? God gives us many things but of them He most certainly wants us to receive His joy, and yes, happiness!

Joy, and our Faith in God’s Presence

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Joy, Faith

Do we claim the joy of our faith? Do we claim it even when things aren’t going well? The church is filled on Sunday with joy, and singing, but so often we see those same saints on Monday morning with sad faces, somber, and with the look of a mourner. Reentering our day to day life is no reason to abandon the joy we know in Jesus, or the hope we have in our faith. Have we become on again/off again Christians, and what message does that deliver to those around us... and to God?

Spiritual Senses: Seeing God on our Faces, and Faith in our Hearts

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, The Character of God

Do you love those around you? Do you exude a spirit of love that others can feel, and see when they approach you? If you are a hard person and bitter towards others it is time to let Jesus transform you, and become more like God the Father because love is the essence of God. Do you know the nature of God, and is it obvious on your face, and in your spiritual eyes?

Praise: The Harmony of Our Relationship with God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Praise

How do you praise God, and how often? Do you sing to Him, or play music for Him on an instrument? Do you recite poetry aloud that lifts Him up? Do you write joyous verse for Him? Do you shout out loud the greatness of His blessings and glory? However we go about doing so, our heart that loves Him can’t survive without praising Him. Our voices, and our very being must lift Him up! Though we may be unhappy, our joy must erupt from us.

Happiness; Make it the salt on the Fruit of your Joy

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Joy, Happiness

We are filled in our faith with the joy of God, which is a different Greek word (Chara), with a different meaning than happiness (Makarios). Joy is an internal feeling, while happiness is derived from external events acting on our lives. Joy is deep seated, while happiness is superficial. Seeking the joy of God means seeking our transformation in Christ, and receiving God’s joy as a result.

Worshiping as Children in Joy, Happiness, and the Laughter

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Children of God

When you worship are you joyous, and lifted up, or do you approach the throne off God in tears, and sadness? When you sing hymns are they morose, or do they reflect the immense pleasure, and majesty you find in God? Being humble before God does not imply a lack of joy, it actually frees us to rejoice in Him, because we realize who He is, and that we are His children... His minions.

Loneliness, Telephones, God, and the Friendship of Jesus

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotion, Friendship, God, Loneliness, Christian, Jesus

Are there times when you feel alone? Loneliness doesn’t mean that you are necessarily by yourself... we can feel it in a crowded room. We can be in a sports arena surrounded by thousands of people, and yet suffer the pangs of loneliness as if we were abandoned on an uninhabited island. This feeling isn’t a physical one, but a mental, and spiritual one; yet in Jesus, and before our God we are never alone. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason... so that we would not be alone in our faith.

Earthly Suffering, Unwavering Faith, and God’s Eternal Grace

Richard Forbes
Suffering, Christian, Redemption, Trial, Grace, Daily Devotion, Tribulation

We must face tribulation on our journey towards the kingdom of God. Some who begin their walk Of faith seem to believe that by following Jesus they will not face hardship or suffering yet that is not the case. What is true is that Jesus will be right there with us in the midst of our tribulation, and that the promise of heaven remains our solid promise, and that the joy of God shines before us in the form of Jesus as a continuous reminder.

Finding Contentment in all we have and do

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotion, Happiness, Christian, Jesus, God, Contentment

Are you content and happy whatever your circumstances are, and wherever in life you find yourself? Do you find yourself equally at ease in a shack or a mansion? Jesus could dine in fine houses, speak to high priests and magistrates, or He could sit with the common people of the world; even the thieves, and prostitutes. What He felt about Himself wasn’t predicated upon how the world viewed Him, but how His Father saw Him. Paul was the same, and we should be as well.

Of Tears, Suffering, and the Eternal Covenant

Richard Forbes
Eternal Covenant, Joy, Suffering, Daily Devotion, Christian, Tears

Are you sorrowful, feeling the many pains of life, or otherwise suffering today? Well be of good cheer because a time is coming soon when the tears of your eyes will be dried forever by God Himself, and you will be led by Jesus Christ to founts of living water. For we as Christians the agony of the world is only temporary, but our joy in being with God is eternal.

God’s Love and Family; the Root of Our Happiness and Desire

Richard Forbes
Desires, Family, Happiness, Daily Devotion, Relationship, Christian

Are you happy? By this I mean are you confident with your life to the point of being blissful and happy without nary a care, or unfulfilled desire... like a child whose parent loves and cares for them perfectly? Do you think this is even possible? Well, in God and Jesus Christ it is more than possible, but you must give all your cares over to God, and place all your desire in Jesus... knowing you are Theirs like family, and that They will watch over you.