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Happy people
Topics: Happiness, faith, vacation
Posted by admin Mon Jul 16, 2007 15:25:21 PDT
Viewed 461 times
0 responses 0 comments Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
— Psalms 144:15

One of the joys of being on vacation in a place away from home is people watching. You can learn a lot about people simply by watching them.

The central coast attracts people from all walks of life, and you would think almost everyone would be happy — especially since vast majorities are on vacation from somewhere.

I have a book by Dr. Jay Adams in my library titled “Happiness is a Choice” — and it’s true. You don’t need to be on vacation to be happy. That’s easy for me to say since I am on vacation, ha.

I’m happy I am here at the beach enjoying the time alone with my wife yet my happiness isn’t because I am here. Like the passage above I have discovered that true happiness comes from God not the fact that I am enjoying 67 degree weather here along the Pacific Coast and my friends back home are sweating in temperatures pushing triple digits.

It’s true, loved ones, the light rain coming down this afternoon here didn’t make me happy nor did the fact that my wife had to wear a sweatshirt tonight because she got cold as we walked along the coast watching the sunset over Morro Bay.
No, what makes me happy is knowing Jesus is Lord.

Some people would think that sleeping with the window open at night and allowing the ocean breeze to blow through your room would make you happy but not me. Thankful yes, but happy no. Not even having a full rack of baby back ribs from one of my favorite restaurant or three scoops of my new found favorite gelato.

No, loved ones, happiness is a choice and choosing to open our hearts to Jesus is a choice too. If today you are looking for true happiness you need look no further. Look to Jesus and happiness is yours. Happiness is not having a hot tub right on your hotel room to jump in after a long bike ride on a brand new bike trail you found the day before. No, friend, those are just the benefits that come with staying at the Apple Farm — not the cause of true happiness.

Happiness comes with knowing what will matter 100 years from now. We all know the only thing that will matter then is, what did we do with Jesus? Open your heart to Jesus and true happiness is yours and all that comes with knowing Him, and being loved by the Lord your God. Have a wonderful day in Jesus and remember to smile, for you never know who is watching you!

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.
— Deuteronomy 33:29

— Pastor Mike is a Northwest resident and pastor of Calvary Chapel Westbrook. You can send your comments to mike@westbrook.org

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