buti na lang

buti na lang at di ako natuluyan, nabangga ako last sat
buti pasa lang, kasi naman no.. nahulog sa bulsa ko iyong
cellphone sa jeep e pagbaba ko nasa gitna na ako ng daan
tumawag yung ale na naiwan ko nga iyong cellphone ko : )
e umuulan pa naman at wala akong payong, di ko agad
nakita na may paparating na sasakyan cguro kasi hindi
ko akalaing nahulog iyong cellphone ko at busy pa ako
sa pag-iisip kaya iyon paghakbang ko... bug! buti na lang
at naistop nung mama, nasigawan pa nga ako sa carelessness
ko :(, pero pinaalis ko na rin agad siya kasi hindi naman ako
masyadong nasaktan at nahiya rin ako.. na nabangga ako..

bangs or without bangs?... with bangs.. : )

TO THE CALLED OUT ONES - All Things Work Together for Good

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) magazine, March 2007

HAVE YOU EVER felt terribly sad and desperate because of the tremendous problems and heavy burdens you carry in life? Do the situations surrounding you paint a bleak future, making you feel apathetic, unhappy, and uncertain? How much time and energy have you spent all day and night, wrestling with your troubles yet failing to find the needed solution?

Now think about this, where in this world can you ever find lasting peace and happiness? Most probably you would give up the search for pure happiness and settle down with a clever taunting remark that such a place still exists, in the mind at least.

So, how do you go about your life that is continually peppered with adversities? The Bible teaches us how children of God must view the problems they struggle with day by day. From the truth found in the Bible, all of us can learn how to deal correctly with frustrations and how to practice prudence in order to enjoy life somehow, with relative ease and contentment.

Universal truth, unchanging fact
All of us must understand basically that in the present life there are things that we human beings can not change. One that is relevant to the present inquiry is the fact that happiness and suffering do not exist in isolation to each other – by and large they do co-exist throughout life. Pain and suffering exist vis-à-vis with comfort and happiness, as good and evil are both present in this life. Neither of them can be deeply understood without knowledge about each of them. Each one of this distinct feelings is recognized and appreciated with due consideration of its opposite sensation.

There is no gainsaying the fact that both good things and bad things practically happen to all people – whether they are good or bad. And even among us who are members of the Church of Christ both experiences of happiness and sadness interchangeably fill our life. We are not immune to such variety of exposures. Therefore, what we need to learn is how we ought to deal with both experiences with prudence and profound understanding.

But, while other people would usually complain about their vicissitudes in life, we find ourselves able to cope with such uncertainties through the guiding words of the Holy Scriptures. This is because we have adopted quite a different way of looking at things and events that occur every step of the way. The Bible is our best and ultimate source of guidance and inspiration as to how to deal with and respond to the various experiences we have in life.

So, why are tribulations and problems seen by the people of God in a way very different from that by which others view it? What is their belief regarding the various kinds of suffering they experiences in life? Writing to the Christians in Rome, Apostle Paul declared this:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28, New King James Version)

All things work together for good. That is the key to understanding and accepting the present realities of life. “All things” refers to practically anything – people and evernts – that affects us, whether in a positive or in a negative way. These are the things that produce happy and sad feelings within us. These are those that fuel our reactions that are later on judged by others as either right or wrong, or maybe as either acceptable or unacceptable, as the case may be.

However, the Bible says that those who love God and are called by Him, that is, those who belong to the true Church (Col. 3:15, 1:18; I John 5:3) are undaunted or unmoved in the face of such adversities. For them, all things work together for good and in fulfillment of God’s sovereign purpose. The one best thing for us to do, therefore, is to consistently and unconditionally surrender to the will of God as explicitly stated in the Holy Scriptures (Ps. 100:2-3; I John 2:3).

But, some people view this biblical truth as apparently paradoxical and absurd. For indeed, how and why would the pain of tribulations ever work for the good of those who suffer them? In response to this, we quote the Bible as saying:

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5, NKJV)

Here, Apostle Paul explains to us that all things work together for the good of God’s children who love Him. The apostle does not assert this in favor of just any individual and regardless of the latter’s response to feelings of comfort or discomfort in life. He emphasizes that tribulations or troubles produce perseverance, which in turn produces character, and which finally produces hope. And those who have hope, the apostle concludes, are not disappointed, having received the Holy Spirit in their hearts. Therefore, only those not gifted with the Holy Spirit (or not counted among God’s children) are prone to the feeling of frustration and hopelessness.

Trials and tribulations are inevitable
Trials and tribulations are practically part of man’s life. Whether they are welcome or not, they just inevitably come and therefore, our pains and sufferings are not to be construed as necessary evil – but as merely natural occurrences – as it is clearly understood by the enlightened servants of God.

But, why won’t God rid the present life of pains and sufferings instead? He definitely will, but will only do it in His own time and according to His sovereign purpose and design. Apostle Paul declares that God will “… give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (II Thess. 1:7, Ibid.). So, the pains caused by troubles in life will surely end at God’s appointed time. We hope to find rest from our troubles when our Lord Jesus Christ is finally revealed from heaven. Not right now, as we would probably have wished it to be, but when the Lord comes, on the day of Judgment.

This is why, as members of the Church of Christ, we boast even in the face of tribulations. For, after having endured them, we will be given respite or relief for our tired and weary souls. This heavenly comfort that will be granted to those who suffered tribulations was vividly presented in the Book of Revelation, which says:

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know’. So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’.” (Rev. 7:13-17, Ibid.)

The Book of Revelation in which is recorded the last things that are bound to happen says that those who will be given rest from their labors are those who have “come out of the great tribulation.” These are the people of God who will have emerged victorious against the painful effects of their troubles in life. They shall eventually rest from their sufferings and will be rewarded with the kind of life that follows a new order, that is, a life completely devoid of hunger, thirst, and tears. There will be no more pain and no more death by then, where God and Jesus Christ will dwell with them in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This biblical truth should give us consolation while we are still agonizing here on earth, so that we may triumphantly overcome trials and tribulations.

The right response to correction
Feelings of agony and emotional pain also come into our lives as a punishment from the Lord, a way by which we are being persuaded to live righteously. Such pains come as a corrective punishment. If a servant of God suffers as a consequence of his misdeeds, this will still redound to his own benefit. How? In Hebrews, it is stated clearly:

“When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.” (Heb. 12:11, Today’s English Version)

True indeed to our own experiences, when we are being punished (for having done wrong), we feel most uncomfortable emotionally because of fear and guilt; deep inside we feel the pain that is inflicted on us because we have violated God’s commandments. We sadly receive the corresponding discipline for our errors. Naturally, such punishments never produce joyful feelings but bring both physical and emotional pain. But, after having paid the price for the sins we might have committed, “the peaceful reward of a righteous life” follows. Notice that this applies only to “those who have been disciplined” or to those who have learned their precious lessons from the unpleasant experiences.

So, when God’s people have deeply understood the meaning and purpose of God’s punishment, and have made the appropriate response, they reap the fruits of a righteous life. Why can’t one appreciate God’s corrective punishment then?

What we only need to do is to look far ahead of us to see what it is that the Lord is preparing for us, so that we will benefit when we are subjected to rebuke or correction. To further appreciate the purpose of God’s punishment to His erring servants, we need to learn another lesson. The Bible says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17, NKJV).

Corrective punishment is not by itself evil. It is good as it affords one who commits error the chance to acknowledge his fault and to plead guilty before God, and consequently produce change in his ways to receive forgiveness. Punishment is not a thing to be despised owing to the noble purpose for which it is divinely applied. It calls our attention to what God requires us to do. Punishments meted out to correct us should therefore be appreciated as they work together for the good of those who truly love the Lord and learned from them.

God Almighty said, “I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins” (Rev. 3:19, TEV). Such words must serve as the source of our comfort and hope. Clearly, God loves those whom He corrects. He made it very clear that He wants His children to be zealous and to be repentant. So, those who have learned their lessons from God’s corrective punishment do not rebel or resent it. On the contrary, far from being demoralized, they even gain strength and inspiration from it, knowing that the love and forgiveness of the Lord is at hand. The right response, therefore, is to surrender completely to God’s sovereign will, to seek His mercy and forgiveness, and to be more enthusiastic and zealous in serving Him (II Chr. 7:14; Isa. 1:18).

While it shouldn’t discourage us if we experience chastening because or our wrongdoings, it would turn worse for us when God would cease to rectify us; it would mean that He no longer loves us and, therefore, by allowing us to continue in our sins, we will be finally condemned when Jesus Christ comes. By then, forgiveness will be too late.

Trials as the test of faith
Some of us may view trials in life as very unpleasant and undesirable – unwelcome events indeed. But, this should not be the case. Something good comes after the people of God have endured trials. By going through trials, they are eventually led to perfection. Apostle Paul says that “… when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4, TEV)

Indeed, trials are essential in our life for us to be brought to perfection. But, this purpose is fulfilled only if we are faithful and obedient to God, not departing from His commandments (I John 5:3). When being tested, therefore, we get the chance to prove our faith in God by enduring the tests of faith all the way. Job says:

“But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.” (Job 23:10-12, NKJV)

In times of trials, it is important for us to find out not how we can avoid the pain, but rather, how we can put our faith and hope together to bear the tests of our faith. After this, we shall emerge as pure gold – this means our trials will have led us to perfection. Remember that God expects us to remain faithful to Him even when we are under pressure due to various circumstances. Note that Job remained faithful to God despite the severe hardships and fierce trials he went through, and so, he was blessed.

Drawing back leads to misfortune
While trials are for our own good and while we just need to understand their nature and purpose so that we can adopt the right outlook and react positively, we will suffer misfortunes if we transgress God’s commandments and do not hold on to a righteous life. That means, if we do not renew our life toward perfection and spiritual maturity, we would not be spared by the hand of the Lord. (Ezek. 33:12).

The Bible tells us that children of God will also suffer misfortune should they draw back because God is not pleased with them who fail to live according to the faith:

“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:37-39, NKJV)

While the Bible testifies that all things work together for the good of those called by God, drawing back from Him produces negative consequences. Worst among these, drawing back leads one to perdition. Since God does not want us to perish, He commands us to turn away from sinning and from drawing back from Him. God Almighty says:

“I will forgive the sins he has committed, and he will live because he had done what is right and good.” (Ezek. 33:16, TEV)

God loves those who have turned away from their sins and have completely renewed their lives. This is right and good, and those who do this shall be forgiven of their sins. God will no longer count their sins against them and, for this, they shall surely live.

The Almighty God truly loves us. He wants us to live or to be saved. While it is true that He allows us to suffer trials and tribulations, He does this for a purpose that will benefit us in the end. So, during times of trials, He even guides us so that all things will finally be working for our own good. He disciplines not because He rejects us but in order to correct us and lead us back to Him.

Never lose hope whatever our experiences in this life would be. Let us always keep in mind: “All things work together for the good of those called by God.”

baguio

Hurrah! We went to baguio this election, my first time, I found out that the temperature in baguio is cold and they said it is still warm compared to other months. We visited cousins, balikbayan from US. This is a needed reunion for us, its been a long time we have been together. The feel is different it is like I’m not in the Philippines but when you ride a jeep they speak tagalog. Baguio is beautiful but quiet. While typing this anecdote, it is quiet outside, what more in baguio and yes what more to other places! I almost seen it whole in a day, so what’s next… I really appreciated going there but what I mean is after seeing a beautiful place… it only entertains you for a while… but that’s it. Heading home i saw the city in the mountains fading… still nice to come home.

What we see in the night below the moon is actually venus, so bright!!!wow!!!
they say we will see it for several months pa… yipeee!

On Being Patient

Published in God's Message (Pasugo) magazine, March 2007

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
-James 5:7-8, New King James Version

The Scriptures prove that man must first belong to God’s chosen people so that his calls on Him will not be rejected.

“So it is best for us to wait in patience – to wait for him to save us - …When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience; We should bow in submission, for there may still be hope … The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever.”
-Lamentations 3:26, 28-29, 31, Today’s English Version

PATIENCE SEEMS TO BE a diminishing virtue, especially in today’s fast-paced life. Now that “instant” is a common word in many people’s vocabulary – instant coffee, instant messages, and instant wealth – and almost everything – food, plane tickets, hotel bookings, and access to many sorts of information – is just a click away, many tend to expect instantaneous solutions to problems and immediate answers to their concerns. Without such solution, they would lose their patience and feel as though all hope were lost.

The dizzying pace of life nowadays, however, is not the only contributory factor to man’s impatience and frustrations. So, too, are the situations in man’s life that veer out of his control and overwhelm him such as the intense difficulties of daily living, the threats of disasters and dangers, and many other hardships that contribute to his predicament. Yet amid all these, the servants of God should not lose hope, for they have Him to trust in:

“Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps. 34:12, 8, New King James Version)

Indeed, with God, we will overcome life’s anxieties and all the things that may cause frustrations. So, why do others become impatient in drawing near to God?

Impatient in approaching God
We almost automatically approach God in times of need. Yet, when some of our calls to Him seem not answered, some of us become impatient in approaching Him. The Bible describes such condition, thus:

“I call to you, O God, but you never answer; and when I pray, you pay no attention. … You let the wind blow me away; you toss me about in a raging storm. … I hoped for happiness and light, but trouble and darkness came instead. I am torn apart by worry and pain; I have had day after day of suffering.” (Job 30:20, 22, 26-27, Today’s English Version)

As illustrated in the preceding verses, there are those who, when their prayers to God are not answered, feel deep anguish and disappointment. This leads some to lose their trust and hope in God:

“I have forgotten what health and peace and happiness are. I do not have much longer to live; my hope in the LORD is gone. The thought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison.” (Lam. 3:17-19, Ibid.)

Indeed, there are people who tend to blame and begrudge others for their life’s unwanted plight. They become impatient and lose hope, especially when they find that their calls for immediate help fall on deaf ears. But is it right to hold a grudge or grievance against our Almighty God when prayers to Him are unanswered? In the first place, who has the privilege to approach and pray to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ?

The privilege of God’s people
We must understand that being heard by God is a privilege that He gave to His people! This privilege is not something we earn for ourselves because of the works we do. It is based on God’s calling or election:

“… They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The LORD is my God’.” (Zeck. 13:9, NKJV)

The Scriptures prove that it is not enough that man approaches God and prays. Man must first belong to God’s chosen people so that his calls on Him will not be rejected. In the Christian Era, the people proven by Christ as the chosen ones have been given the right and privilege to worship and pray to Him And our Lord God. The Lord Jesus Christ confirms:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16, Ibid.)

How did our Lord Jesus Christ introduce His chosen ones? He likened them to branches joined to the vine:

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.” (John 15:5, Contemporary English Version)

The vine Christ was referring to is Himself. Parallel to the relationship of the vine to the branches is the relationship of the head to the body – the head being referred to is our Lord Jesus Christ and the body is His Church:

“And He is the head of the body, the church …” (Col. 1:18, NKJV)

The Church being referred to here whose members Christ has redeemed with His blood is the Church of Christ:


“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Therefore, Apostle Paul testifies that the branches that are joined to the vine who is Christ are the members of the Church of Christ. They have received a very great blessing. Through their calling and election, they have been given the privilege to approach and pray to God. They just need to be patient when praying for their needs. Nonetheless, there are those who belong to God’s nation who also are holding a grievance against Him and have become impatient for not getting concrete answers to their prayers.

Abiding trust in Him
Those who belong to God’s nation yet are complaining or holding a grievance against Him instead of trusting in Him have something to realize. God said:

“Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn’t know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.” (Isa. 40:27-31, TEV)

God wants them to know that He is all-powerful and nothing is impossible with Him. He can give whatever His chosen ones need and He will do so in His time just as long as they completely put their trust and hope in Him.

What else are the mighty things God can do for those who trust in Him? The Bible made clear the extent of God’s power and the things He can do for His righteous servants:

“The LORD kills and restores to life; he sends people to the world of the dead and brings them back again. He makes some men poor and others rich; he humbles some and makes other great. He lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from their misery. He makes them companions of princes and puts them in places of honor. The foundations of the earth belong to the LORD; on them he has built the world. He protects the lives of his faithful people, but the wicked disappear in darkness; a man does not triumph by his own strength.” (I Sam. 2:6-9, Ibid.)

Indeed, there is no reason for God’s people to complain and become impatient when situations around them look overwhelming and require immediate solutions.

The value of obedience
and renewing one’s life
Another condition set by God so that the prayers of His servants will be heard is to honor and love Him:

“The LORD is righteous in all he does, merciful in all his acts. He is near to those who call to him, who call to him with sincerity. He supplies the needs of those who honor him; he hears their cries and saves them. He protects everyone who loves him, but he will destroy the wicked.” (Ps. 145, 17-20, Ibid.)

To honor and love God is to turn away from wickedness or renew one’s life – to obey all His commandments. Doing so will ensure God’s favorable response to the calls of His righteous servants. Even during the time of ancient Israel obeying God’s commandments was a must for them to remain His people. God’s statement concerning the importance of obedience is unequivocally stated:

“But I did command them to obey me, so that I would be their God and they would be my people. And I told them to live the way I had commanded them, so that things would go well for them.” (Jer. 7:23, Ibid.)

Refusal to comply with God’s commandments is the reason things turn for the worse in man’s life. What happened to Israel when they refused to listen to God’s commandment draws our attention to an important lesson. The prophet Jeremiah attests that they were cursed by God and ended up in a wretched condition when they became stubborn and refused to obey His commands:

“But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers. …Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips’.” (Jer. 7:24-26, 28, New International Version)

Thus, what God’s people should make sure of is that they abide by the conditions He set in order for their prayers to be heard. They should never ever bear a grudge against God, complain or become impatient and lose hope if their prayers are not immediately answered.

Patience and prayer
Instead of complaining and losing one’s hope in God, His servants should wait in patience for His mercy:

“So it is best for us to wait in patience – to wait for him to save us - … When we suffer, we should sit alone in silent patience; We should bow in submission, for there may still be hope … The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever.” (Lam. 3:26, 28-29, 31, TEV)

Undoubtedly, the Lord God is very eager and willing to help solve all the worries and provide all the needs of His nation to whom He has given the right to draw near and pray to Him and to the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah elucidates:

“And yet the LORD is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the LORD. You people who live in Jerusalem will not weep any more. The LORD is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you. The LORD will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more. If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, ‘Here is the road. Follow it’.” (Isa. 30:18-21, Ibid.)

Hence, God’s chosen ones await their salvation that is certain to come with confident hope. Amid all the haste and hardship in the world, they remain unperturbed knowing fully well that God is on their side. They continue to have faith in the power and efficacy of prayer. The words of the Psalmist about patience in praying to the Lord God inspire them:

“I waited patiently for the LORD’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.” (Ps. 40:1, Ibid.)

Ka Arnel (ATV)

maaari ko bang limutin ang pagmamahal
ko kay ka arnel, hindi kailanman,
naging ama sa akin at takbuhan,
nahabag at tumulong! ang panahon at
distansya ay di nagpalamig ng pagmamahal
ko, ganun din sya dahil nananatili ang
pagsubaybay sa akin : D! salamat.
isa sa pinakamamahal na pastor.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Published in God's Message Magazine (Pasugo), Feb 2007

LIFE NOWADAYS is full of problems, hardships, and difficulties. Many people today cannot fully satisfy their basic needs, as many are not properly fed, clothed, sheltered, and educated. Though they aspire for things that could give them a sense of security and contentment, such as what is commonly considered as the “good things in life,” not many enjoy such things.

This failure to live a worry-free life has brought much frustration and unhappiness to many. Hence, the pursuit of happiness remains to be the focus of many people in their lives. The Declaration of Independence of the United States (July 4, 1776) qualifies “the pursuit of happiness” as one of the “unalienable rights” of people.

In our time, scholars who are seeking to understand happiness more, and finding ways to lift its level, have been searching on this problem: What makes people happy? Sifting through their data (for their study in 2002), psychologists Diener and Seligman of the University of Illinois “found that the most salient charactereristics shared by the 10% of students with the highest levels of happiness and the fewest signs of depression were their strong ties to friends and family, and commitment to spending time with them” (Claudia Wallis, “The New Science of Happiness,” Time, February 28, 2005, p. 33).

Other data unearthed by positive psychologists show that “performing acts of altruism or kindness … connecting with other people seems to be the most fundamental finding from the science of happiness” (Ibid., p. 36).

Furthermore, on the question, “Does wealth make people happy?” research has shown that “once your basic needs are met, additional income does little to raise your sense of satisfaction with life. … neither education nor, for that matter, a high IQ paves the road to happiness” (Ibid., p. 33), Research further shows that “there is much more to happiness than financial security” (Gregg Easterbook, “The Real Truth About Money,” Ibid., p. 41).

There are also studies on the planet’s happiest peoples done by other researchers. Interestingly, many poor countries ranked high in ratings. Dyland Evans, author of the book Emotion: The Science of Sentiment, concluded that “money doesn’t guarantee happiness” (Ibid.). In relation to this, author Gregg Easterbook quips, “we often gives us more social anxiety than satisfaction” (Ibid., p. 40).

Based on these researches, there are other steps to raising one’s level of happiness prescribed by scholars but these cannot guarantee a permanent one. What then will?

The happiness of
God’s people: a desired state
There is a state of happiness that God teaches and offers through the Bible. This is what His people desire to attain even though they are in the midst of suffering. The Psalmist articulates:

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps. 37:4, New King James Version)

The Bible teaches a desire state of happiness – to delight in the Lord – that is different from what is commonly known by the people of this world. Those who fulfill this will “rejoice in the Lord,” for they have received a blessing far greater than the things of this world:

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, …” (Isa. 61:10, Ibid.)

The people who can truly find delight in the Lord are those who have been clothed “with the garments of salvation” or have been promised with salvation. In the Christian Era, those who have been “clothed with the garments of salvation” are the ones who “were baptized into Christ [and] have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27, Ibid.). They “were all baptized into one body” (I Cor. 12:13, Ibid.) which is the Church that belongs to and is headed by Christ (Col. 1:18).

The proof that those who were brought into this Church have been clothed with salvation was declared by Apostle Paul:

“For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body.” (Eph. 5:23, Today’s English Version)

This Church which Christ will save is the Church of Christ He redeemed with His precious blood:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.: (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation)

Because of the promised salvation, members of the true Church of Christ can truly rejoice in the Lord even in the midst of troubles and difficulties in this world. Furthermore, trials and persecution do not cause them to despair because they rightly view such experience as “sharing Christ’s sufferings,” and they will “be full of joy when his [Christ’s] glory is revealed” on His Second Advent (I Pet. 4:13, TEV). For this, Apostle Peter exhorts them:

“Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ’s followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you. … if you suffer because you are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of it, but thank God that you bear Christ’s name.” (I Pet. 4:14, 16, Ibid.)

Facing anxities
While the true people of God also have their material needs in this world where economic problems are numerous and become more sever, they are not anxious about them. Instead, they always work hard and are being guided by Christ’s admonition:

“Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these.” (Matt. 6:31-32, Contemporary English Version)

Thus, members of the true Church should not worry even though there may be times when they lack some of the things they need in this life, because they can expect God and the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:24) to help them with the good things that they need in this life. As God’s servants, they believe that God will never forsake His people. King David, who himself experienced and had observed the manifestations of God’s loving-kindness, attested:

“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” (Ps. 37:25, NKJV)

Thus, instead of worrying in the face of hardship, the true servants of God ought to have confidence and hope when it is their turn to be in trouble:

“Now it’s your turn to be in trouble, and you are too stunned to face it. You worshipped God, and your life was blameless; and so you should have confidence and hope. Think back now. Name a single case where a righteous man met with disaster.” (Job 4:5-7, TEV)

God’s people know that it is inevitable for them to experience great difficulties in this life but as long as they live righteously He will never forsake them.

Finding joy in obedience
God’s people find joy in fulfilling His commandments:

“I am unimportant and despised, but I do not neglect your teachings.

“I am filled with trouble and anxiety, but your commandments bring me joy.” (Ps. 119:141, 143, TEV)

The faithful consider as their top priority obeying God’s commandments, happen what may. They know that in obedience, they would also have the love of God and Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ inspires them:

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. … that My joy may remain in you, and that our joy may be full.” (John 15:10-11, NKJV)

To love and to be loved by God and Christ is the greatest source of happiness. Hence, for true Christians, no problem is too big for a solution. After all, God’s love and power are much greater than all the combined problems in this life. Moreover, they have the Holy Spirit to comfort them, as promised by Christ:

“I will not leave you bereaved, I come unto you;

“And I will ask the Father, and another Comforter He will give to you, that he may remain with you – to the age; the Spirit of truth, whom the world is not able to receive …” (John 14:18, 16-17, Young’s Literal Translation)

Furthermore, God’s people do not seek comfort in worldly pleasure, because they know the “the world is passing away” (I John 2:17, NKJV – it will end soon and those who do evil will be destroyed (II Pet. 3:7-10). However, “he who does the will of God abides forever” (I John 2:17, NKJV).

Hence, them members of the true Church ought to value most the great love that our God and our Lord Jesus Christ gave them and never exchange this for anything or anyone in this world. Such love is a “perfect” one as qualified by Apostle John (I John 4:17).

Towards eternal happiness
Moreover, the Lord Jesus Christ promised eternal happiness to the members of His Church:

“I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn to gladness.

“.. Now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you.” (John 16:20, 22, TEV)

Where will this eternal happiness be experienced by God’s faithful servants, among whom are the true members of the Church of Christ today? God declares through the Bible:

“For behold, I create new heavens and new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.” (Isa. 65:17-19, NKJV)

Life in the new heaven and new earth is eternal and blissful – there will be no more sorrows there (Rev. 21:1-4). It is one that all of us must seek to attain. And because the hope of God’s people is anchored not on empty words but on the promise of the Almighty God, they, therefore, seek joy in His reassuring words while living in this world and looking forward to the attainment of eternal happiness.

me now

i like the me now, i have been waiting to be myself,
my real self, to talk more and to smile! :-D!
talked to ka jun, there are parts of his body that
is paralyzed but he still teach in high school math
subjects.. he is an inspiration and he has a
beautiful smile.. :-D happy talking...!