Young and Happy

Tips for Daily Living

The Word of the Lord tells us in Deuteronomy 33:29a that "Happy art thou, ...O people saved by the Lord." In this life we face some difficult questions and choices that demand answers and action. Knowing the answers to these questions is of great importance to each of us. We cannot continue to avoid matters that need answers and action NOW.

• It could be how to deal with peer pressure at the young adult level.
• It could be deciding your career in life.
• It could be a struggle with remaining spiritually and morally pure.
• You could be facing the decision of marriage.
• It could be LIVING for the LORD and deciding to be HAPPY doing it.

ONLY JESUS CHRIST, the one born without an earthly father and that committed no sin, can help us.

Until we let Jesus help us we cannot escape the many traps of this life, nor the dreaded punishment of being cast into the lake of fire. The good news is we can be Saved, Happy, and Free while we wait for Jesus to return.

But we can ONLY find true happiness in salvation through Jesus Christ.

Our happiness, true happiness, that is lasting and leaves no condemnation depends on being saved. Yes, one can receive carnal pleasures from sin. But, as the writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter 11 verse 25, the pleasures of sin are only for a season. In other words, what it will cost will far out weigh the brief sensual pleasures. A season may be considered short or long, minutes, days or years but the season will surely change or come to an end. Before we do anything we should count up the cost. Only after you have counted up the cost can you determine whether or not you will receive permanent gain from the situation or activity.

HAPPINESS is defined as a state of well-being and contentment.

• Drugs cannot bring about lasting happiness.
• Cigarettes and alcohol cannot guarantee lasting happiness.
• Sex cannot guarantee happiness and contentment.
• Worldly lust and conformity to the world cannot guarantee happiness.

Before we address the gateway to happiness in the church, let's discuss some of the reasons some of the youth are unhappy in the church. Often when young saints are asked why are they unhappy, two of the most commons responses are:

1. can't have any fun or can't go any place
2. the church is too strict

ATTITUDE IS THE KEY

Again we must count up the cost. Anything worth having will cost something. Anything worth being a part of, must have rules. If we can agree that our salvation is the most important thing in life, then it is not unreasonable to see that it will require the greatest sacrifice.

We are working for the long term benefit; to live throughout eternity with God. Jesus paid a great price for our salvation; what is it worth to you?

What seems to be strict rules from the men of God and your Pastor are really the manifestation of love to protect you, who they care about, with a passion. (Trust me! When you become parents, you will have a list of DO's and DON'TS for your kids!)

Consider this thought again. Anything worth having will cost you something.

• It takes more than wanting good grades in school, college, or success on your job. You must be willing to spend the time in study and preparation.
• It takes more than wanting to be happy in God. You must be willing to be obedient, even when you don't understand why.
• It takes more than just wanting to be saved. You must be willing to submit to God's righteousness.

• Going through the physical and emotional changes.
• Experiencing certain feelings, pains and longings that you did not have before.

As you fully submit yourselves to God the happiness of holiness will flood your soul. Don't get caught up in the identity crisis that has gripped the world. God has called us to be different, to separate ourselves from the world, II Corinthians 6:17. All through history, God's people have been called to be different. If you have professed to your peers that you are saved, remember deep down that they want you to BE DIFFERENT so that they might have hope. If you think the world is happy, look again.

Many lives are ruined because of early out-of-wedlock pregnancies. The brief happiness (superficial) you experience, is soon removed. Watch that seducing spirit that falsely tells you that you cannot get pregnant with one brief encounter!

Look at the high rate of teenage suicides. Happy people do not commit suicide! We are in a position of blessedness and happiness that the world will never know.

Success breeds happiness. The reason many people will not pursue meaningful challenges is because they are afraid to fail. Failure causes one to be unhappy. Failure for a Holy Ghost filled, spirit led saint, is just an event in life, rather than a way of life.

We can correct our mistakes and go on to be happy in the Lord. A formula for success, which will lead a child of God to true happiness, is expressed in three simple but powerful terms:

1. Purpose in your heart that you will submit and serve God. (Acts 11:23)
   
2. Depend on God. (Psalm 23)
   
3. Try God, and see that He will perform all that HE has promised to do for His children.
   

Daniel was about sixteen (sweet sixteen I must add) years old when he was taken into captivity in Babylon. See what God did for Daniel. I know God (Jesus Christ) "the same yesterday, today, and forever," Hebrews 13:7. What He did for Daniel as a teenager, He will do for you as a teenager or young adult.

The example of Joseph (Genesis chapter 39).

Note: Read the entire chapter.

For greater encouragement read the following scriptures.

• Proverbs chapters 1-4       King James     New International
• Proverbs chapters 10-14   King James     New International

This is Powerful! A Must Read!

Yes, you are going through a very difficult period of life, but God specializes in difficulties.

If, after reading this message, you want to talk to someone, we're here!  If you want to ask more questions or need more help or direction, we're here! Don't be alone with your doubts, we're here!

To talk with Pastor Deas, call the phone number at the top of our Home Page. You can also write down your thoughts and send them through the mail, or you can e-mail Pastor Deas directly at pastor@progressivechurchflo.org.

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