August 28, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Getting Happiness

Don’t you want to be happy 24/7? Sure you do, everyone does. Happiness gives you strength. In being happy you live longer, have better health, and have lasting relationships. Happiness is critical in order to get things done. By showing happiness you have what it takes to be productive.

There are a lot of things, which give me pleasure or make me laugh. I love all those things God has given to me. I love running in the rain, water skiing, working on a new project, and taking a ride on my horse. But, I am talking about happiness—happiness in Christ.

The strongest man in the Bible was Samson. You could not recognize his strength by his stature. Samson was skinny and small. His strength did not come from being muscular but in keeping his oaths/his commitments to God. He had long hair and did not drink liquor.

Samson was a man who was neither politically correct nor humble. In fact, he would tease his enemies, the Philistines, and provoked them to anger and inhumane actions. Samson was looking for any reason to exercise God’s will and judgment against his foes (Judges chapters 13-16). By expressing his rare sense of humor he had incredible strength. His joy was keeping his promise to God and in return, God was always there, at a moment’s notice, to help him be strong.

The Bible says, “Jesus endured the cross and despised its shame for the joy set before Him.” Only through joy (happiness) was Jesus able to do what He did. How much joy/happiness do you have?

Where does your strength come from in the Lord? It can only come through happiness! I am happiest in the Lord when: I am praying in the Spirit all by myself or listening to the Bible being read or singing a song that mentions Christ. Those three attributes give me more joy than anything else in my walk with the Lord.

If you do not have strength then I am sure you are not very happy. You and I have to find those things that make us happy and apply our time and energy to do such things.

To Samson it was keeping his oaths. To Jesus it was seeing what was waiting for Him—His future. To you it might be giving to the homeless, or may be, taking the time each day to call and encourage a friend to keep walking with the Lord. Whatever it is, you need to do it. Be happy—be strong!

Let’s overcome our enemies. You can only do this through happiness. Let’s begin laughing in front of our enemies. Got enemies (sure you do) then get happiness.

WWJWMTD What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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