"There are more than 2700 passages in the Bible containing words such as joy, happiness, gladness, merriment, pleasure, cheer, laughter, delight, jubilation, feasting, exultation, and celebration."
God makes it clear that seeking happiness through sin is wrong and fruitless. But seeking happiness in Him is good and right." Randy Alcorn
Charles Spurgeon once said of 1Timothy 1:11:
"The Gospel is also the Gospel of happiness. It is called 'the glorious Gospel of the blessed God.' A more correct translation would be, 'the happy God.' Well, then, adorn the Gospel by being happy!"
This means a lot coming from Charles Spurgeon. a man who struggled with depression his whole life. What we see here is a man who's happiness was in the Lord.
Randy Alcorn says here:
"If the Gospel doesn't make us happy, we're not believing the Good News, or grasping its extent. We need to remind ourselves of what the gospel really means. As Jerry Bridges says, 'Preach the gospel to yourself every day.'"
This is so important. We humans need to be constantly reminded of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. This brings true happiness and joy to the believer. It's to be celebrated!
It answered questions like:
Doesn't the Bible talk about joy rather than happiness?
What does blessed have to do with happiness?
Is there any difference between a believer's and an unbeliever's happiness?
Can lasting happiness be found apart from God?
If Jesus was happy, why was he called 'a man of sorrows'?
What does holiness have to do with happiness?
How can reading the bible increase our happiness?
Some say, 'seek the giver, not the gifts', does this mean God's gifts shouldn't make us happy?
You may be surprised at some of the answers to these questions! : )
I really enjoyed this booklet and highly recommend it.
"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
Buy it HERE on Amazon
This sounds like a great booklet. Thanks for linking up on Mondays @ Soul Survival! I'm your neighbor at Good Morning Mondays, too. I got a double blessing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna!
Deletehappiness in this day and time is so tied to external circumstances, but the kind of joy that God gives is enduring and as we embrace it, helps sustain us no matter what.
ReplyDeleteYes! This is exactly what Randy Alcorn shares in this booklet. Thanks for sharing. : )
DeleteSounds refreshing Cathy! I'm curious about his take now : ) Have you read Jennifer Dukes Lee's The Happiness Dare? Similar topic!
ReplyDeleteNo I haven't read her book yet. Will have to look into it. Thanks for stopping by Bethany!
DeleteLarry Crabb, Jennifer Dukes Lee, and now Randy Alcorn! Happiness is a subject on everyone's minds -- and we know that it's important to God. Thanks for this great review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Michele!
Deletea great reminder that happiness is also biblical - not only joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Sue!
DeleteAs someone that has struggled with depression, I do believe that God wants us to be happy but more than that He wants us to be obedient to His Word. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will consider joining the 2017 PenPal sign-ups on my blog:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/11/2017-penpal-sign-ups-ends-121916.html
Colletta
I will try to visit your blog soon. Thanks for stopping by!
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