Happy, Happy, Happy!

by Tim Howard

Are you happy? We hear the word frequently. Happy New Year, Happy Holidays, Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary. But are you happy?

For many of us the answer to that question would vary because our happiness is deeply connected to external situations and circumstances. The weather can change your mood and we all know how frequently the weather changes. News about receiving a surprise financial gift can create elation and euphoria while a surprise bill requiring prompt payment can rob you of whatever joy you had.

Jesus talked about happiness but not in the same way as our culture does. When we use the term, ‘happy’ we think about being cheerful, merry, jovial, untroubled, delighted, smiling, in a good mood, lighthearted, ecstatic, euphoric… That’s how the dictionary defines it. Jesus however, talks about a happiness that’s connected to something more solid and less changeable.

In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus uses the term ‘Blessed’ nine times as he speaks to those who gathered on a mountainside. It means to be happy, fortunate or supreme bliss. He says: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…”

Happy is the one who’s broke, poor as all get out - They can’t afford anything!

Happy is the one who cry’s all the time and has nothing to laugh about.

Happy is the one who get picked on all the time and people lie about them.

Sounds crazy doesn’t it!

In May of 2011 while tying to help some struggling people in Ethiopia, I noticed thousands and thousands of people who had nothing except the clothes on their back and a hut to live in. Food was scarce, conditions were difficult and life was hard. Yet, there was great laughter, singing and happiness all around. Their mourning had been transformed into rejoicing because Jesus gave them a different way of viewing life.

Jesus talked about a type of happiness that doesn’t have to elude a person just because they may be poor. You may be going through a season of difficulty but the light still shines beyond the clouds of darkness. Even though things may look as though they are falling apart, Jesus is able to work all things together for your good as you put your trust in Him. He gives people eyes to see beyond the visible and experience the eternal. He calls it “Eternal Life.”

Someone said God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness. I disagree! I think happiness is the byproduct of committing yourself ‘wholly’ (holy) to God. The most miserable people seem to be those who are trying to be happy. They don’t realize happiness is connected to something. For those in Ethiopia, their happiness is connected to Jesus. It lasts in the good times and the bad. The happiness Jesus talks about doesn’t change like the weather. You can be happy, no matter what, if you are connected to Him. 

Bring Back the Joy

by Andrew Cromwell

I am constantly reminded of how unnatural Jesus’ words sound when I compare them to my life.  In the book of John, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you.”  When I read that statement and look at my life, the reality is that I often do not feel joyful.  Anxious, fearful, frustrated, impatient, fatigued — these are the feelings that seem most natural to me. 

So how do we experience His joy in our lives? 

I believe the key to living joyfully, is to stay connected to Jesus.  If He is the source of joy, then it would make sense that we need to stay plugged into the source!  Just as we don’t expect a lamp to give any light unless it is plugged into an outlet carrying electric current, we shouldn’t expect joy to bubble up in our lives unless we are connected to Him.

One of the reasons we don’t stay connected to Jesus is because we don’t trust Him.  Either we don’t believe that He could really forgive us for all we’ve done or we’re afraid that He is going to ask us to do something that we don’t want to do!  Either way, we keep ourselves from giving ourselves fully to Him and we unplug.  We must remind ourselves of is that Jesus is all about lavishing His love upon us!  He looks for ways to have a relationship with us and to express His love to us.  His plan for our life is more wonderful then anything we could ever even imagine. 

Another reason we don’t stay connected to Him is that we don’t know how.  We tend to overcomplicate things.  The best way to stay connected with Jesus is to read His Word, talk to Him and get around people that are doing the same thing.  If we do these things regularly and with a heart that desires to know Him, then it’s hard to miss.

Now, it is important to know that you can stay connected to Jesus, but still not experience joy.  This is because joy is not a feeling, it is a choice. We have all seen people choose to be angry.  You know how it goes.  Something happens that is negative and that person decides to focus on it.  They think about it, they talk about it, they brood on it.  Soon they are consumed with anger.  They decided to be angry. 

In the same way, you must decide to be joyful.  You do this by putting your mind in the right place.  You refuse to take up offenses.  You recall who God is and His wonderful plan for you.  You put a smile on your face.  Before you know it, you are filled with joy.

The pastors of Kings County would love to help you live joyfully.  Why don’t you visit one of the many wonderful churches available in our community this week?  It’ll help fill you with joy.     

Where's the Joy

by Andrew Cromwell

I am constantly reminded of how unnatural Jesus’ words sound when I compare them to my life. In the book of John, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you.” When I read that statement and look at my life, the reality is that I often do not feel joyful. Anxious, fearful, frustrated, impatient, fatigued — these are the feelings that seem most natural to me.

So how do we experience His joy in our lives?

The key to living joyfully, is to stay connected to Jesus. If He is the source of joy, then we need to stay plugged into the source! We don’t expect a lamp to give any light unless it is plugged into an outlet, so we shouldn’t expect joy to bubble up in our lives unless we are connected to Him.

One of the reasons we don’t stay connected to Jesus is because we don’t trust Him. Either we don’t believe that He could really forgive us for all we’ve done or we’re afraid that He is going to ask us to do something that we don’t want to do! Either way, we keep ourselves from giving ourselves fully to Him and we unplug. We must remind ourselves that Jesus is all about lavishing His love upon us! He looks for ways to have a relationship with us and to express His love to us. His plan for our life is more wonderful than anything we could ever even imagine.

Another reason we don’t stay connected to Him is that we don’t know how. We tend to overcomplicate things. The best way to stay connected with Jesus is to read His Word, talk to Him and get around people that are doing the same thing. If we do these things regularly and with a heart that desires to know Him, then it’s hard to miss.

Now, it is important to know that you can stay connected to Jesus, but still not experience joy. This is because joy does not start with a feeling, it starts with a choice. We have all seen people choose to be angry. You know how it goes. Something happens that is negative and that person decides to focus on it. They think about it, they talk about it, they brood on it. Soon they are consumed with anger. They decided to be angry. In the same way, you must decide to be joyful. You do this by putting your mind in the right place. You refuse to take up offenses. You recall who God is and His wonderful plan for you. You put a smile on your face. Before you know it, you are filled with joy.

The pastors of Kings County would love to help you live joyfully. Why don’t you visit one of the many wonderful churches available in our community this week? It’ll help fill you with joy.

Christmas Giving

by Blake Cromwell

Christmas roars upon us with its demands and joys. Kids will be out of school seeking adventure and the latest PlayStation game. There will be Christmas parties and family gatherings. There are gifts to buy and special Christmas programs to attend. Every year there is a tremendous pressure to keep alive the real meaning of Christmas.

Giving gifts is an expression of our desire to do as Father God did and give to others. It is always a delight to bless family and friends with an expression of love for them. But to increase the Christmas miracle we must give to others less fortunate than ourselves.

The simple and profound message of Christmas is that God gave what we all needed and couldn’t obtain for ourselves. His gift was His Son who provides salvation for whosoever will trust in His birth, death and resurrection.

Adopting a family in need, giving to a orphan or working at a soup kitchen are all ways to bring the spirit of Christmas to others who are not as fortunate.

Recently I told a true story of giving to our church and I’d like to share it with you in the hope it will inspire you to be like God and give to others that which they cannot get for themselves.

Joel Morgan planned to visit missionaries in Eastern Europe. So he asked some friends what to pack. They said snacks for yourself because there isn’t much to eat in the rural villages of Eastern Europe. As he walked through the grocery store, he prayed “Lord, what might make it through customs.” He picked up Reese’s peanut butter cups, some tapioca pudding, some hard candy and gum, and some malt, some small cans of fruit cocktail. When Joel arrived in Romania, he stayed with a missionary family who were living in very harsh conditions, often without heat and electricity, they enjoyed a very good evening of conversation and prayer together. And as Joel started to leave, he remembered the snacks he had brought for himself and he had an idea. He thought, you know it is only October, but why not use these snacks to celebrate an early Christmas? So he got out his backpack and began to play Santa Claus in their living room. He asked the missionaries’ two teenage daughters, if you could have one thing from the U.S., what would it be? In unison, they said “candy!” “What kind?” Joel asked. The mother chimed in, “the girls love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But they are not available here.” With a lump in his throat, Joel pulled out the king size package and the girls began jumping up and down laughing as they held their gift.

Wiping away a tear, Joel asked their mother, “Well, what item from back home would brighten your day?” Now, this was a big risk. I mean what if she asked for a side of beef? She said sheepishly, “I miss fruit, especially citrus.” Reaching into his bag, Joel pulled out a can of fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges. Now everybody was laughing, and everybody was wiping away tears.

After a time of celebration, Joel turned to the father and he thought about pulling out the few remaining items left in his bag and letting the dad make the decision, two out of three miracles ain’t bad. You know, why press your luck? But something deep down inside Joel shouted, “Go for it!” And before he could argue with God, he heard himself ask, “Gary, what is your favorite dessert?” The dad smiled and said, “you know, it’s something nobody else in the world likes…tapioca pudding.” Joel nearly injured himself pulling out the snack pack of tapioca pudding that God had prompted him to buy seven days earlier and 4,000 miles away.

In reality Christmas giving should be a way of life. Love is seeing a need in others and helping to meet that need. The Pastors in the Kings County want you to know that God loves and has a plan to bless your life.