Christian Happiness

Two Nature Teaching Has No Power For Adultery Temptation (Part 1)

My pastor friend, Roger, called me frantic one day. He had just gotten off the phone with another pastor named Alex whose marriage was on the rocks. Sherri, Alex’s wife,

The “I’ve Always Felt This Way” Deception

Growing up, I wrestled with feeling inadequate. Even though I achieved a lot as a teenager and young man, I was convinced that I was “Mark, the Inadequate.” For

How Christ Esteem Can Replace Your Low Self-Esteem

How Christ Esteem Can Replace Your Low Self-Esteem How to Replace Low Self-Esteem With High Self-Esteem Researchers tell us that over 80% of people around the world suffer from

10 Gifts God Gives for Personal Happiness

The mere mention of the song “Happiness is the Truth” by Pharrell Williams should immediately cause you to break out singing this wildly popular hit song. It’s been featured in the movie Despicable Me 2, commercials, singing competitions, news shows, and more. I also think one of the reasons it was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list for 10 consecutive weeks was that it touched a desire God placed in every human soul: the desire to be happy.

Yet, you have probably been taught as a Christ-follower that happiness and joy aren’t the same. If you mean happiness based on the “happenings” of life, then that is true. However, when considered in Biblical context, I’m not sure they are different. You may have also been taught you are not supposed to focus on being happy but on being holy. Yet, the more I understand the New Covenant, the more I’m convinced these aren’t mutually exclusive. Why? In one sense, holiness is simply living life the way God intended. It would seem then that the more you do that, the happier you will be. Of course, many have their own ideas of what makes them happy that are far from God’s ideas. Let’s see if we can discover together in the story of creation what God originally provided for your happiness.

Himself: When God breathed into Adam, He breathed Himself into him. His intent in creating each of us has always been to be intimate with us by living inside of us so He could love us and show us how wonderful He is. He also intended to live through us to reveal Himself to others. Genesis 2:7 describes this and is similar to Jesus breathing on the disciples in John 20:22.
Identity: When God created Adam, Genesis 1:27 says, He created him in his own image. This means you were created with a God-centered identity. Though Adam’s identity was stolen in Genesis 3, Jesus came to give it back to all who believe in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Forgiveness: After Adam and Even sinned, God came looking for them. Afterwards, He banished them from the Garden but before He did, He killed animals and covered them with their skins for clothing. This was the first sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, which would provide past, present and future forgiveness to all who believe. Genesis 3:21, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 10:17-18
Companionship: When God said, “It is not good for man to be alone”, He formed a wife for Adam from his rib. However, this speaks of a truth larger than just marriage. You were made to be in satisfying relationship with a group of people starting with your spouse(unless God has called you to be single). Married or single, you were made to enjoy human connection on a deep level. Genesis 2:18-25
Children: God intended for most of us to have children so He could have others to live in and through. In a fallen world, some have experienced anything but happiness in raising their children. Yet, God originally intended for them to be a blessing. Also, even those who don’t have children may often enjoy their family or friend’s children. Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3
Animals: God gave us animals to take care of and to enjoy. If you’ve ever owned a dog or cat, you know how special they can be to you. You also know how much sorrow you feel when they die. Maybe that is why there will be animals in the new heaven and earth that we are going to inhabit. Genesis 2:19-20. Isaiah 11:6-9
Creation: God gave Adam a beautiful earth and breathtaking stars to gaze upon. Why do you enjoy fall leaves, geological formations, mountains, the ocean, a river, a sunset and the stars? It’s because God gave those to us to enjoy and to see Him reflected in it. That may be why many people feel close to God when they are in nature. Genesis 1:1-19
Work: God gave Adam a specific job to do – to cultivate and keep the garden. Genesis 2:15. According to Ephesians 2:10, you were uniquely designed by God to do specific jobs which include good works in your time on this earth. Do you know what you are designed to do? If not, find out for a very small fee at www.placeministries.org. It will help you understand why you keep being drawn to certain activities.
Food: God created a smorgasbord of tasty nutritious food. Adam and Eve were given carte blanche permission from God to eat any of the hundreds of fruit and vegetables in the garden any time they wanted (except for one). When the majority of the food we eat is a variety of God-made food rather than man-made food, we will typically feel a lot better physically and emotionally. Genesis 1:29; 2:16-17.
Land/Home: In Genesis 2:8, we are told, “The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” The desire to have your own home whether a house, condo, cabin, apartment or tent, is not rooted in the American dream. It comes from God. So much so, that the Scriptures speak of God having a home for you in God’s house after you die. John 14:2-3

As you just read about all God gave to provide for your happiness, are you enjoying them?

Here are a few other comments as I conclude. Did you notice that this is a God-centered happiness instead of a man-centered happiness? Unless you are enjoying 1 – 3 in light of the New Covenant, the remainder will provide only fleeting happiness. On the other hand, if 1 – 3 are in place, you can enjoy the others more than you could ever imagine. You can enjoy God-centered happiness without having all of 4-10 such as children or animals. The world, your flesh and the devil have the goal of twisting all 10 of these to make you miserable.

Believe it! It’s the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

10 Gifts God Gives for Personal Happiness

Himself: When God breathed into Adam, He breathed Himself into him. His intent in creating each of us has always been to be intimate with us by living inside of us so He could love us and show us how wonderful He is. He also intended to live through us to reveal Himself to others. Genesis 2:7 describes this and is similar to Jesus breathing on the disciples in John 20:22.
Identity: When God created Adam, Genesis 1:27 says, He created him in his own image. This means you were created with a God-centered identity. Though Adam’s identity was stolen in Genesis 3, Jesus came to give it back to all who believe in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Forgiveness: After Adam and Even sinned, God came looking for them. Afterwards, He banished them from the Garden but before He did, He killed animals and covered them with their skins for clothing. This was the first sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, which would provide past, present and future forgiveness to all who believe. Genesis 3:21, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 10:17-18
Companionship: When God said, “It is not good for man to be alone”, He formed a wife for Adam from his rib. However, this speaks of a truth larger than just marriage. You were made to be in satisfying relationship with a group of people starting with your spouse(unless God has called you to be single). Married or single, you were made to enjoy human connection on a deep level. Genesis 2:18-25
Children: God intended for most of us to have children so He could have others to live in and through. In a fallen world, some have experienced anything but happiness in raising their children. Yet, God originally intended for them to be a blessing. Also, even those who don’t have children may often enjoy their family or friend’s children. Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3
Animals: God gave us animals to take care of and to enjoy. If you’ve ever owned a dog or cat, you know how special they can be to you. You also know how much sorrow you feel when they die. Maybe that is why there will be animals in the new heaven and earth that we are going to inhabit. Genesis 2:19-20. Isaiah 11:6-9
Creation: God gave Adam a beautiful earth and breathtaking stars to gaze upon. Why do you enjoy fall leaves, geological formations, mountains, the ocean, a river, a sunset and the stars? It’s because God gave those to us to enjoy and to see Him reflected in it. That may be why many people feel close to God when they are in nature. Genesis 1:1-19
Work: God gave Adam a specific job to do – to cultivate and keep the garden. Genesis 2:15. According to Ephesians 2:10, you were uniquely designed by God to do specific jobs which include good works in your time on this earth. Do you know what you are designed to do? If not, find out for a very small fee at www.placeministries.org. It will help you understand why you keep being drawn to certain activities.
Food: God created a smorgasbord of tasty nutritious food. Adam and Eve were given carte blanche permission from God to eat any of the hundreds of fruit and vegetables in the garden any time they wanted (except for one). When the majority of the food we eat is a variety of God-made food rather than man-made food, we will typically feel a lot better physically and emotionally. Genesis 1:29; 2:16-17.
Land/Home: In Genesis 2:8, we are told, “The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” The desire to have your own home whether a house, condo, cabin, apartment or tent, is not rooted in the American dream. It comes from God. So much so, that the Scriptures speak of God having a home for you in God’s house after you die. John 14:2-3

As you just read about all God gave to provide for your happiness, are you enjoying them?

Believe it! It’s the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

Charlotte