Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Grandmother's Thoughts

I found this written on a scrap piece of paper by my grandmother and thought it was too good not to share.

The old things are passed away, now, today, I enter into a new life...
Have you ever heard a person say "If only I could live my life over again?" But this is not what anyone really wants. What we really want is a different life, a new life, a new direction now. Let us have no regrets over the past. Let us not long to go back to relive it - Now is the time, Now is our beginning, Now - new life is ready for us. Think of yourself as at the point of beginning again. Do not let the mistakes, the failures, the unhappiness of the past - not even the happiness of the past bind you to yesterday. Let the past go. Live now. Live today in newness of thought, newness of life, newness of purpose. Every day you have a new life to live if you only realize it and this new way of living can be transforming and enriching.

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind." Isaiah 65:17


Monday, December 8, 2014

The Way to Happiness or Blessedness

The Way to Happiness or Blessedness
By Estelle Nazary

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:1-6

Introduction:

Blessed = Happy

It is a great idea to read some from Psalm and Proverbs every day.  Psalms will how you how to get along with God.  Proverbs will show you how to get along with your fellowman.

People are constantly seeking happiness.  Fun is temporary and dependent on circumstances.  Real happiness is peace within and not dependent on outward circumstances.

The way to blessedness or happiness has 2 requirements:

The first thing is to avoid a negative way of life.  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  There is a progression of sin and the position of the sinner.  We must not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in way of sinners (with sin), or sit in the seat of the scornful (bitter & sour).    

The second requirement is to know the right way of life and what to do.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. We must delight in the law of the Lord, His commandments.  It is also important to do the will of God which includes the vocational will of God and the daily will of God. 

The reasons why this life brings happiness: 

When we avoid a negative way of life and pursue the right way of life, it makes for a stable life.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;  And in whatever he does, he prospers.  The tree in this verse represents stability with its roots deep.  If we follow the right way, the storms of life may come, but we will stand, the tree will stand. When crisis come, we can remain stable.  The will of God remains eternal. 

The right way of life causes us to amount to something.  What am I amounting to?  If you know Jesus and this is God’s will for you, you will touch people for time and eternity. You are somebody!!

The right way of life produces security in this life. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
God is not ignorant of people’s way.  God’s covenant is with his people.  God protects us in every pitfall, every problem of life.  God will take care of you until He gets through with you.  Paul was snake bit, in a shipwreck, and in jail, but all that could not get him – only until God got through with him.

Sinners chaff, but the wind will drive away. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away
There may be an appearance of success or happiness, but wait until the wind comes.  The tree will stand.  The ungodly will be in judgment, but cannot stand.  Christians have been delivered – we are safe and secure. 

Conclusion:

Do you know this blessedness, this happiness?

Do you know Jesus?

As a Christian, do you lack a sense of fulfillment?


Are you doing what God wants you to do?  

Thursday, December 4, 2014

First Book

Good morning!  I wanted to share some exciting news.  After years of procrastinating, I finally wrote a book about W.H. Wood. It was launched yesterday on amazon.com.

The link for the paperback edition is:
http://www.amazon.com/Suffering-For-Victory-J-B-Jones/dp/1505327385/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1

For the Kindle version, the link is:
http://www.amazon.com/Suffering-Victory-J-B-Jones-ebook/dp/B00QKNVIFC/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417711887&sr=1-6&keywords=jb+jones