WHAT IS HAPPINESS?
CAN I BE HAPPY EVERYTIME?
WHAT CAN I DO TO BE HAPPY ALWAYS
What is Happiness? A pleasurable or satisfying experience
Whats it to be Happy ? A Feeling of pleasure and enjoyment because of your life,situation,or particular event.
Happiness then is temporary. Its situation based.
Lopking into the bible,Leah the wife of Jacob was happy because she bore Jacob another son(Genesis 30:13).A Man who has his quiver full of children is termed a happy man(Psalm 127:5).Enjoying his harvest makes a happy man.(Psalm 128:2),when there is protection and preservation from harm,you are happy (Psalm 144:14-15),when we conquer we are happy(Psalm 137:9)
If an individual's life is situation or event controlled,then he can't be always happy,situations may be good or bad,encouraging or discouraging,up or down;What will that connote,a yo-yo individual,happy now,sad the next and every time looking for material things,events and external conditions that will bring him pleasure.Money can buy the things that bring momentary happiness, but wealth cannot buy happiness.
Happiness is an inner state of mind that brings the soul into a pleasurable condition but it's short lived.
I Want to share with you,How you can keep your inner state of mind in a pleasurable and enjoyable state everytime and everyday.
How? Happiness and Joy
Happiness is a reaction,an emotion.Joy is an attitude,Happiness is outside in,Joy is inside out.How is lasting,its internal.Happiness is temporary and external.
Happiness is based on happening.Joy can make you happy,but happiness cannot bring you joy.Happiness is a goal achieved.Joy will take you through trying times,happiness can not.Joy is the big picture, happiness is a fragment or chip of the main thing.
Joy can create the happy situation you want and it will be enduring. You need joy to live a life of unending happiness.Joy is the ever flowing stream from which you can drink happiness and keep drinking.
An adage in my place says " Where the snail goes, its shell is bound to follow"Wherever Joy goes, Happiness is bound to be.Without Joy, you cannot experience lasting happiness.
What is Joy. ( From the Word of God)
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. -Isaiah 12:3
It's the drawer through which the benefits of salvation are released to you. You agree with me that a deep well even when its full, you will need a pail or bucket to draw out the water the same way you need joy to draw,draw what?
Salvation (Sozo) in greek is more than getting saved from sin, its being saved from the corrupt decadence that is upon all mankind through Sin (Romans 3:23). Salvation is the welfare and the total wellbeing of the believer-Success,Progress,Prosperity,Peace,Eternal life e.t.c
If you are joyless and the scriptures say you need joy to get the salvation benefits to you. How then can these benefits manifest in your life? You need Joy!
What is Joy? Joy is your instrument of harvest.
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.-Joel 1:12 KJV
Because there was no joy, the harvest dried up and of course there was nothing to harvest. Many individuals have sown all manner of seeds (Financial,good-deeds,Investment,raising their children) yet did not get to reap or enjoy their hardwork and investment because they were not joyful, they became angry with the situation,got offended at the delayed and seemingly non-forthcoming harvest,some, seeing their cast as hopeless,gave up on God and some have committed suicide;Why?
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.-Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
The joy of theLord is your strength! You need strength to harvest ( to gather) and just as you do in the physical, you need spiritual strength to harvest all your spiritual investment. Just as a man who is physically exhausted fatigued or weak cannot harvest, so it is in the spiritual. You need strength on your inside to harvest.Many are waiting for the harvest of their investments to show before they become happy but it does not work that way in the kingdom of God.
Until you are Joyful, Your harvest cannot get into your hand ; You ask"But there is nothing to make me joyful,all my good seeds are yet to manifest" Yes! But remember Joy is not situation based , and who says to rejoice in material things?.The scripture (Nehemiah 8:10) says "The joy of the Lord"
So we are being admonished to rejoice in God!, In his unfailing nature,not in what he has done for you or not. But in who he is faithful,reliable,mighty,powerful,wonder working etc.
See what Joy can do?Each time you are expecting from God, after praying,get into rejoicing in God persistently, and your harvest will come( My family) did this lately and wow! It landed us a big bang of amazing turnaround.
When you 'rejoice in God' you become strong on your inside, instead of feeling grumpy,downtrodden and hopeless.Try it!
Prophet Habakkuk also confirms this
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. ..-
Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV
I may not have any obvious reasons to rejoice but i will rejoice in God who saves, and is still able to and then I become strong! Strong enough to take more territories.Hallelujah, Use to the joy of the Lord to your advantage.
What is Joy? The Word Joy (chara in greek).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23
Joy is part of the fruit of the spirit of God,or we can say. Joy is one of the manifestations of the presence of the Holy spirit. Joy is of God, as we have said earlier, its inside-out.One of the proofs of the indwelling or presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a child of God is joy.Joy unspeakable, I experienced this severely shortly after I gave my life to Christ and still do till now. It's an inner excitement that is not material, event or circumstances based.You are just unexplainably happy at what?at being saved even when passing through trials, you are happy going through it for Christ sake. Its not normal to the natural man they wonder "why is he smiling,what's the matter with her, why is she grinning from ear to ear?"
Its amazing!you are not trying to be happy, you are happy!No food, yet happy!No job,happy!Had to trek for miles yet happy!Its on the inside, When the Holy Ghost comes into the life of a believer and lives in him,Joy is the natural occurrence and the physical manifestation is HAPPINESS even during recession- This man is happy!
It's a manifestation (One of the signs that shows the presence of an individual). It is not worked or forced; that's why the joyful man is continuously intoxicated with happiness.
I desire to be Happy always and from this teaching! I realise that I need joy?
How to have Joy (For Lasting Happiness)
1. GET BORN-AGAIN: give your life to christ. This joy is of the Holy Spirit which as a seal upon our salvation. Belongs only to children of God in Christ Jesus
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.-2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV
2.COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS- don't focus on what God has not done, learn to appreciate God for the things you have now (your life, Preservation)
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. [2] Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; [4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; [5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.- Psalm 103:1-5
3. Studying, Meditating& Believing the Word of God-
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. [50] This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. -Psalm 119:49-50, 162.
God's Promises are real and soul lifting. Meditating on God's word releases the truth to us of his thoughts and plans and it's sure to fill our hearts with Joy. The World's news fills us with fear but God's word fills us with faith for a greater tomorrow.
We Christians in Nigeria, Sing a song that says:" When I remember his promises I shout Halleluyah. When I remember his promises I shout Halleluyah . I shout Halleluyah 2/ce.When I remeber his promises I shout Halleluyah " Yes his Promise is a joy- trigger. Believe God's Word.
4. LET GO OF THE PAST-FORGIVE.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14KJV
Let go of past hurts,failures and what has not worked,refuse to think of how terrible life has been, learn to forgive,forgive and forget. You are the one hurting, most likely your offender is busy having a fun- filled day while you are moping around in Self Pity. Move towards your destiny, there are higher grounds ahead, if you are finding it difficult to lwt go and move on because of the magnitude of the Hurt or pain it cost you,, ask the Holyspirit to help you.
5. MAINTAIN GOD'S PRESENCE- Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.Psalm 16:11
In God's presence is fullness of Joy,if you must always have joy,be in God's presence
( cultivate God's presence)
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. -Psalm 100:4,2
You cannot get into God's presence without thanksgiving and praise. Be praiseful and you will be Joyful. Sing praises unto God, get to praise,worship and extol God. Instead of murmuring and complaining, Don't wait until you are happy to sing. Sing to be happy.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.-Psalm 100:1,
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. -Psalm 71:23. KJV
Can't Sing? Try whistling in praise to God.
6. COUNT IT ALL JOY
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.James 1:3 KJV
Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
; -James 1:2-3 KJV
Try not to take life too seriously,the scripture says " when you fall into diverse temptations". ' When' means the believer will have seasons of trials but he promises, its working great virtues in us.
One Scripture that has been of tremendous blessing to me especially in challenging times is Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Do you know? Then rejoice because its culminating in your well-being. Glory to God!.
Rejoice in the Lord always- Philippians4:4.
Rejoice in who?-In the Lord when? Always !Rejoice!.
It's an instruction. There will always be circumstances unpalatable but rejoice! Why? God is always constant, the circumstances are ever changing.Halleluyah anyhow!What determines the outcome of your situation is the presence of God( He can solve all problems- Psalm 97:5) But you can't get into that presence without rejoicing. Cheer Up! Your best days are still ahead.
7. BE A BLESSING -Focus less on yourself.Look for someone to help or encourage.sow some love and hope into somebody's life, make someone else happy. Psalm 126:5 KJV
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.-Psalm 126:5.
Come on! Go ahead,do it! And you will reap a harvest of Joy.You can truly be happy and yes it will be lasting.
Joy is the Secret!
-Pastor Ibukun Williams
CAN I BE HAPPY EVERYTIME?
WHAT CAN I DO TO BE HAPPY ALWAYS
What is Happiness? A pleasurable or satisfying experience
Whats it to be Happy ? A Feeling of pleasure and enjoyment because of your life,situation,or particular event.
Happiness then is temporary. Its situation based.
Lopking into the bible,Leah the wife of Jacob was happy because she bore Jacob another son(Genesis 30:13).A Man who has his quiver full of children is termed a happy man(Psalm 127:5).Enjoying his harvest makes a happy man.(Psalm 128:2),when there is protection and preservation from harm,you are happy (Psalm 144:14-15),when we conquer we are happy(Psalm 137:9)
If an individual's life is situation or event controlled,then he can't be always happy,situations may be good or bad,encouraging or discouraging,up or down;What will that connote,a yo-yo individual,happy now,sad the next and every time looking for material things,events and external conditions that will bring him pleasure.Money can buy the things that bring momentary happiness, but wealth cannot buy happiness.
Happiness is an inner state of mind that brings the soul into a pleasurable condition but it's short lived.
I Want to share with you,How you can keep your inner state of mind in a pleasurable and enjoyable state everytime and everyday.
How? Happiness and Joy
Happiness is a reaction,an emotion.Joy is an attitude,Happiness is outside in,Joy is inside out.How is lasting,its internal.Happiness is temporary and external.
Happiness is based on happening.Joy can make you happy,but happiness cannot bring you joy.Happiness is a goal achieved.Joy will take you through trying times,happiness can not.Joy is the big picture, happiness is a fragment or chip of the main thing.
Joy can create the happy situation you want and it will be enduring. You need joy to live a life of unending happiness.Joy is the ever flowing stream from which you can drink happiness and keep drinking.
An adage in my place says " Where the snail goes, its shell is bound to follow"Wherever Joy goes, Happiness is bound to be.Without Joy, you cannot experience lasting happiness.
What is Joy. ( From the Word of God)
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. -Isaiah 12:3
It's the drawer through which the benefits of salvation are released to you. You agree with me that a deep well even when its full, you will need a pail or bucket to draw out the water the same way you need joy to draw,draw what?
Salvation (Sozo) in greek is more than getting saved from sin, its being saved from the corrupt decadence that is upon all mankind through Sin (Romans 3:23). Salvation is the welfare and the total wellbeing of the believer-Success,Progress,Prosperity,Peace,Eternal life e.t.c
If you are joyless and the scriptures say you need joy to get the salvation benefits to you. How then can these benefits manifest in your life? You need Joy!
What is Joy? Joy is your instrument of harvest.
The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.-Joel 1:12 KJV
Because there was no joy, the harvest dried up and of course there was nothing to harvest. Many individuals have sown all manner of seeds (Financial,good-deeds,Investment,raising their children) yet did not get to reap or enjoy their hardwork and investment because they were not joyful, they became angry with the situation,got offended at the delayed and seemingly non-forthcoming harvest,some, seeing their cast as hopeless,gave up on God and some have committed suicide;Why?
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.-Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
The joy of theLord is your strength! You need strength to harvest ( to gather) and just as you do in the physical, you need spiritual strength to harvest all your spiritual investment. Just as a man who is physically exhausted fatigued or weak cannot harvest, so it is in the spiritual. You need strength on your inside to harvest.Many are waiting for the harvest of their investments to show before they become happy but it does not work that way in the kingdom of God.
Until you are Joyful, Your harvest cannot get into your hand ; You ask"But there is nothing to make me joyful,all my good seeds are yet to manifest" Yes! But remember Joy is not situation based , and who says to rejoice in material things?.The scripture (Nehemiah 8:10) says "The joy of the Lord"
So we are being admonished to rejoice in God!, In his unfailing nature,not in what he has done for you or not. But in who he is faithful,reliable,mighty,powerful,wonder working etc.
See what Joy can do?Each time you are expecting from God, after praying,get into rejoicing in God persistently, and your harvest will come( My family) did this lately and wow! It landed us a big bang of amazing turnaround.
When you 'rejoice in God' you become strong on your inside, instead of feeling grumpy,downtrodden and hopeless.Try it!
Prophet Habakkuk also confirms this
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. ..-
Habakkuk 3:17-19 KJV
I may not have any obvious reasons to rejoice but i will rejoice in God who saves, and is still able to and then I become strong! Strong enough to take more territories.Hallelujah, Use to the joy of the Lord to your advantage.
What is Joy? The Word Joy (chara in greek).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23
Joy is part of the fruit of the spirit of God,or we can say. Joy is one of the manifestations of the presence of the Holy spirit. Joy is of God, as we have said earlier, its inside-out.One of the proofs of the indwelling or presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a child of God is joy.Joy unspeakable, I experienced this severely shortly after I gave my life to Christ and still do till now. It's an inner excitement that is not material, event or circumstances based.You are just unexplainably happy at what?at being saved even when passing through trials, you are happy going through it for Christ sake. Its not normal to the natural man they wonder "why is he smiling,what's the matter with her, why is she grinning from ear to ear?"
Its amazing!you are not trying to be happy, you are happy!No food, yet happy!No job,happy!Had to trek for miles yet happy!Its on the inside, When the Holy Ghost comes into the life of a believer and lives in him,Joy is the natural occurrence and the physical manifestation is HAPPINESS even during recession- This man is happy!
It's a manifestation (One of the signs that shows the presence of an individual). It is not worked or forced; that's why the joyful man is continuously intoxicated with happiness.
I desire to be Happy always and from this teaching! I realise that I need joy?
How to have Joy (For Lasting Happiness)
1. GET BORN-AGAIN: give your life to christ. This joy is of the Holy Spirit which as a seal upon our salvation. Belongs only to children of God in Christ Jesus
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.-2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV
2.COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS- don't focus on what God has not done, learn to appreciate God for the things you have now (your life, Preservation)
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. [2] Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: [3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; [4] Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; [5] Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.- Psalm 103:1-5
3. Studying, Meditating& Believing the Word of God-
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. [50] This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. -Psalm 119:49-50, 162.
God's Promises are real and soul lifting. Meditating on God's word releases the truth to us of his thoughts and plans and it's sure to fill our hearts with Joy. The World's news fills us with fear but God's word fills us with faith for a greater tomorrow.
We Christians in Nigeria, Sing a song that says:" When I remember his promises I shout Halleluyah. When I remember his promises I shout Halleluyah . I shout Halleluyah 2/ce.When I remeber his promises I shout Halleluyah " Yes his Promise is a joy- trigger. Believe God's Word.
4. LET GO OF THE PAST-FORGIVE.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14KJV
Let go of past hurts,failures and what has not worked,refuse to think of how terrible life has been, learn to forgive,forgive and forget. You are the one hurting, most likely your offender is busy having a fun- filled day while you are moping around in Self Pity. Move towards your destiny, there are higher grounds ahead, if you are finding it difficult to lwt go and move on because of the magnitude of the Hurt or pain it cost you,, ask the Holyspirit to help you.
5. MAINTAIN GOD'S PRESENCE- Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.Psalm 16:11
In God's presence is fullness of Joy,if you must always have joy,be in God's presence
( cultivate God's presence)
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. -Psalm 100:4,2
You cannot get into God's presence without thanksgiving and praise. Be praiseful and you will be Joyful. Sing praises unto God, get to praise,worship and extol God. Instead of murmuring and complaining, Don't wait until you are happy to sing. Sing to be happy.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.-Psalm 100:1,
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. -Psalm 71:23. KJV
Can't Sing? Try whistling in praise to God.
6. COUNT IT ALL JOY
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.James 1:3 KJV
Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
; -James 1:2-3 KJV
Try not to take life too seriously,the scripture says " when you fall into diverse temptations". ' When' means the believer will have seasons of trials but he promises, its working great virtues in us.
One Scripture that has been of tremendous blessing to me especially in challenging times is Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Do you know? Then rejoice because its culminating in your well-being. Glory to God!.
Rejoice in the Lord always- Philippians4:4.
Rejoice in who?-In the Lord when? Always !Rejoice!.
It's an instruction. There will always be circumstances unpalatable but rejoice! Why? God is always constant, the circumstances are ever changing.Halleluyah anyhow!What determines the outcome of your situation is the presence of God( He can solve all problems- Psalm 97:5) But you can't get into that presence without rejoicing. Cheer Up! Your best days are still ahead.
7. BE A BLESSING -Focus less on yourself.Look for someone to help or encourage.sow some love and hope into somebody's life, make someone else happy. Psalm 126:5 KJV
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.-Psalm 126:5.
Come on! Go ahead,do it! And you will reap a harvest of Joy.You can truly be happy and yes it will be lasting.
Joy is the Secret!
-Pastor Ibukun Williams
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