by Rev. Robert A. Wendel
These days the internet has hundreds of daily lists and tips on everything from losing or gaining weight to medical help and financial pointers, travel articles, cooking suggestions and relationship advice. Most of what is “posted” can require just simple common sense. Still, we ordinary folks can’t know everything about everything, even if “Father knows best!”
If you and I are searching for a list of life’s ‘do’s don’t’, we’ll never outdo the Old Testament’s Ten Commandments found in the 20th chapter of Exodus. Undoubtedly, people with spiritual roots pay attention and try their utmost to abide by those rules written in stone so very long ago.
Happy Christians don’t covet. They are perfectly content with what they already have. It’s enlightening to discover that there is a direct link between happiness and being obedient to the laws that God gave Moses to share with us.
In one way or another, every Sabbath day preaching pastors, priests and rabbis continually urge those sitting in the pews to apply lessons from the Bible to our everyday life right here, right now. Time and time again I am amazed at how what I listen to in sermons and weekly prayers serve as an echo of where my heart is on that particular day. So, as it should my happiness level rises.
One clear sign of lasting happiness is the sincere desire to be good and do good. The Apostle Peter preached “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good and healing.” (Acts 10:38)
Going about doing good seems to be the way to ultimate happiness. What would life in this sad world be like if everybody “went about doing good?” We’d be following in Jesus’ footsteps. We’d be doing our part to heal the sorrow and sadness which lingers inside so many.
Let’s work to change the happiness level.. You may be just the person to give your family member or neighbor a lift! Here’s an idea “Invite him or her to church!”
A note our ABC Men: From September through May we enjoyed the blessing of wonderful prayer breakfasts thanks to the great cooking, inspiring devotional moments, fellowship time and timely prayer. Be sure and join us on the second Saturday in September for more of the same. Our fall devotion leaders will include Mike White and Phil Parvin.