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HOW TO
FIND
TRUE HAPPINESS
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
WHAT
IS THE SECRET TO FINDING TRUE HAPPINESS?
Anthropologist
Margaret Mead may have been wrong in her analysis of the sexual habits of
primitive tribes, but she was right in this statement:
HELPING
OTHERS BY SHOWING LOVE & KINDNESS IS WHAT TRULY BRINGS REAL HAPPINESS
In
my opinion, the premier ingredient for a happy home, a friendly community
and a satisfying life is a genuine caring for each other.
CONSIDERATION
AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS IS VERY IMPORTANT !!
"He
that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the
LORD, happy [is] he." (Proverbs 16:20) "But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith," (Galatians 5:22)
The
ripple effect of this godly principle would impact the otherwise stuffy,
boring and mechanical
atmosphere often found in business, academia and government!
As well as
the Church! Because
it makes contacts with our fellowman more courteous, helpful and
congenial, rather than sterile, suspicious and self-serving.
Husbands
and
wives, be kind to your spouses. Show love and kindness to each
other. Parents, treat your children with consideration. Young
people, honor your mom and dad. Employers, seek to improve
working conditions for your staff. And employees, don't try to
short-change or rip off the firm which employs you!
If
we followed these principles, there would be far less high blood
pressure, ulcers or nervous breakdowns and much more happiness! The
divorce rate would plummet to an all-time low, juvenile delinquency would
almost disappear and war would be a thing of the past!
If,
however, we are snarly, bitter and hard to get along with, we can expect
the same in return.
WE
ALL REAP WHAT WE SOW
We
may have a few lean harvests, but eventually, all our seeds will come
back in a bumper crop of good or evil, of joy or tears.
The
Old Testament scribe wrote, "Cast your bread upon the waters for
thou shalt find it after many days". (Ecclesiastes 11:1)
In
teaching Galatians Christians to communicate economic help to God's
servants, St. Paul invoked the universal 'law of reciprocity'. He stated,
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap". (Galatians 5:7)
And
Jesus Christ admonished, “And as ye would that men should do to
you, do ye also to them likewise”. (Luke 6:31)
In
counseling partners of troubled marriages, I often refer to the old cat:
If you stroke him, he will purr for you. If you kick him he will be
afraid & slink away!
It's
the same in any relationship - learn what brings out the best in your
spouse, partner or acquaintance, and then nourish that particular aspect
of your relationship!
Often,
human and carnal reasoning tends to cater to self interests only, with
very little thought for others!
IT
SHOULD NOT BE 'What can I get out of my marriage, friendship or
relationships', but 'What can I put into the marriage!
What and how can I contribute to make my home, business or church a
better place and function more smoothly? How can I be a better father,
mother, neighbour or friend?'
The
art of caring costs something, however. You must put others first, but it
pays marvelous dividends!
SELFISH
PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY PEOPLE - THEY ARE CRABBY PEOPLE
Selfish
people are crabby people who only take, take, take! And they end up as
very unhappy, lonely people, whose friends are similar types...picky,
proud, prejudiced and real bores to be around!
General
William Booth will always be remembered as the unselfish, caring
clergyman whose combination of hell-fire preaching and God's love in
action (soup, soap and salvation), lifted thousands out of sin and
despair.
The
founder of the Salvation Army used as his slogan the word
"others", which he had painted on the front of his pulpit!
That's
Christianity in action; receiving Christ into our lives in such a way
that we not only refrain from evil, but that we do good to others.
St.
James points this out so graphically when he refers to "pure and
undefiled religion as visiting (helping) the fatherless and widows in
their affliction..." (James 1:27)
Jesus
Christ emphasized this same great principle in His ‘Inasmuch
Commandment’: "For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I
was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger and ye took Me in:
Naked and ye clothed Me: I was sick and in prison, and ye came unto Me.
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of My brethren, ye have
done it unto Me".
EVERYONE
WANTS TO BE NEEDED
Everyone
responds positively when shown love and kindness & consideration
Children
especially feel the need of concerned parenting. They may act like they
don't want to be dictated to, but in their hearts, they expect Mom's and
Dad's supervision.
They
want to be challenged, disciplined, and complimented because then they
know someone cares. And that makes us all know we are needed. To be
ignored is worse than being criticized or reprimanded!
Jesus
Christ rebuked His disciples for their "unbelief and hardness of
heart". And these two sins are still prevalent in the church
today!
I
would rather be an "easy-touch" than hard hearted, because
someone with a stony heart is void of feeling and lacking in compassion!
And that is
the sad commentary of many in this Yuppie, and Me first generation!
One
of the reasons that Jesus Christ affected so many people in His earthly
ministry, was because of His great compassion upon the lonely, sick and
sinful!
AND
IN ORDER TO BE HIS TRUE DISCIPLES, WE MUST FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF
JESUS CHRIST AND DO AS HE DID!
Then, we will
see a great change in our lives, as well as in others!
The
religious Pharisees, scribes and lawyers were constantly trying to "catch
Jesus Christ in His Words", seeking to trap Him.
THE
PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN!
Our
Lord Jesus told them a parable about a man who fell among thieves, who
brutally wounded him and stole everything of value on his person!
Two
religious Jews happened to come down that same road, but they
deliberately chose not to help the stricken man. Neither the priest
nor the Levite showed mercy toward the wounded victim but passed
on the other side of the road.
A
certain Samaritan - who was considered an “unworthy person” by
that religious community - helped the victim. He had compassion on a
total stranger who was seriously incapacitated and helpless!
Jesus
asked the smug lawyer, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou,
was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that
shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou
likewise". (Luke 10:36-37)
The
message is crystal clear to us today as well: "GO, AND DO THOU
LIKEWISE"!
The gospel of
Christ fills our hearts with love and compassion for others and that is
why St. Paul wrote:
"Brethren,
if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such as
one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ". (Gal.
6:1-2)
Again
the Word of God states: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance;
and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)
So,
in conclusion, the way to find true happiness is through helping others,
being a caring, considerate and giving person.
Putting
the needs of others in front of your own, seeing a need and fulfilling
it, going out of your way to make a difference in someone's life will
give you a satisfaction money can't buy. When you see the happiness
these actions bring to others, you also will achieve true happiness.
GOD'S WORD ON
THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
HOW
TO OVERCOME FEAR & ANXIETY
The
Bible says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of
love, power, and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
MY
PEACE I GIVE TO YOU - LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED
"For
the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR NOT, I
will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13)
WHAT
IS FEAR? AND WHAT DOES FEAR DO TO US?
Fear
is a corrupting, constricting and crippling agent! Fear corrupts us.
Fear consumes the thoughts and controls the mind.
Fear
is divisive, demeaning and destructive! Fear creates a divided heart which
brings only condemnation and confusion.
When
we allow fear in our minds and in our hearts, we are not allowing the
Lord to give us the peace that he promises us in the scriptures.
The
Word of God states: "Fear thou not, for I am with thee"
The
Holy Scriptures declare: ”There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made
perfect in love.” (1 John 4: 17-18)
The
Bible states, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not
unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and
He shall direct thy paths."
Fear
destroys the perfect love that God gives us by the unbelief it breeds in
our hearts! When we put our full trust in the Lord, we give him our
troubles and our fears. We are released from fear through the Lord
Jesus Christ, and as we walk with Him, read the Word of God and pray, he
gives us perfect peace.
The
Bible says, "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong,
fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with
a recompense: he will come and save you." (Isaiah 35:4)
It
constricts the flow of the Holy Spirit and reduces the fruit that faith
produces! Its crippling effect erodes the peace and joy that results from
receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Why?
Fear hampers the normal functions of the Gifts of the Spirit, making
victims and spiritual cripples of servants and emissaries of our Lord.
The
Bible states: ”But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A
double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1: 7-8)
The
deacon, Phillip, broke tradition
by preaching in Samaria, among that city’s Jewish-extracted, mixed-race
population. Cornelius’ household were the first Romans to accept the
gospel - two years later - when ‘Shimon bar Yonah’ (St. Peter)
preached to them.
Jesus
said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
Since
God does not give anyone the spirit of fear, it is evident that fear
comes from Satan, and Satan is the ENEMY of God. Satan is also the
enemy of man.
When
Jesus' powerful blood sweeps over our souls, fear must leave
immediately! There
is no room for Satanic bondage of any kind in the life of a Christian.
"Fear
thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I
will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
A
marvelous story of faith has come to us from the Second World War:
In
the Battle of Britain, the German Luftwaffe rained down about thirty-five
thousand bombs upon London during nightly air raids, causing terrifying
fear and tremendous destruction and mayhem in large parts of the city.
For
months, as sirens wailed out warnings of approaching German bombers, the
general population automatically hurried toward the nearest
Air Raid
Shelter! People learned to look after one another during the nightly
raids and the ’morning after’ walk abouts and clean-ups.
After
a terrible night of bombardment, an elderly woman was not seen in a
certain neighborhood for several days. Her neighbors assumed that she had
either been killed by the falling bombs or that she had gone to the
countryside to escape the danger, disruption of life and incessant noise.
Some
time later, a neighbor spotted the elderly woman walking down the street
and articulated his happiness that she was alive and well.
"It’s
nice to
see you back", he said. "I
have not been away", she replied.
"Where
have you been?" he asked. "I’ve
been at home", said the woman.
"What
have you been doing at home during the air raids?” inquired the
neighbor.
"Sleeping",
she answered.
"How
could you sleep with all the noise and
explosions?"
he asked.
"Oh",
she replied, "I was reading my Bible and found in Psalms 121: 4
where it declares that God doesn’t slumber nor sleep, so I thought
there was no point in both of us staying awake."
The
Bible says: ”Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I
am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea. I will
uphold thee
with with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Isaiah 41: 10)
FEAR
IS A UNIVERSAL ENEMY
Fear
is demeaning because it makes you think, say and do things that makes you
look foolish, puts you outside the will of God and is out of character
with Christian living! It is destructive because it destroys your
confidence in God and His Word and therefore your fellowship with Him.
The
Bible confirms: ”For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our
heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him,
because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing
in His sight.” (1 John 3: 20-22)
What
is the underlying cause of condemnation? Plain and simple: Sin.
And
what is the antidote or solution for the serious problem of sin? The
answer in a nutshell, is the Blood of Jesus.
What
can wash away my sin?
The
Bible says: ”If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have
fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sins. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us and cleanse us from all sins.” (1 John 1: 7,9)
When
the sin is cleansed away, condemnation leaves and faith leaps to the
forefront! Then, miracles occur as God answers prayer in response to
sincere faith-filled petitions coming from a clean heart!.
Fear
brings trepidation, torment and terror! It is an enemy, but fear can be
neutralized, beaten and vanquished.
The
Bible states: ”God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of love
and power and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Since
God does not give anyone the spirit of fear, it is evident that fear
comes from Satan, Satan who is the ENEMY of God. Satan is the enemy of
man.
The
Holy Scriptures declare: ”There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made
perfect in love.” (1 John 4: 17-18)
Jesus
said: ”The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill and
to destroy. I am come that ye may have life, and that ye might have it
more abundantly.” (John 10: 10)
Former
alcoholic and drug addict, James Payne, wrote a Gospel song titled John
3: 16. Here are the lyrics:
"Alone
one night at the end of my rope
In a hotel in Nashville praying for hope
In
my hand was a Bible I had read as a child
On the table was the bottle that was driving me wild
I
poured the whiskey into the glass
Praying that somehow I could forget my past
Then I remembered how Jesus had died on the tree
I poured out the whiskey and fell down on my knees
The night old Jack Daniels met John 3:16
God’s
Word broke the chains that he had over me
I traded Tennessee whiskey for Calvary’s tree
The night Ol’ Jack Daniels met John 3: 16
That
is the exact reaction of the spirit of fear meeting the blood of Jesus.
When
Jesus' powerful blood sweeps over our souls, fear must leave
immediately!
There is no
room for Satanic bondage of any kind in the life of a Christian.
The
Blessed Holy Spirit makes us free from sin, free from guilt and free from
fear. And He keeps us free for God’s glory.
US
President Roosevelt stated: "The only thing to fear is fear
itself."
In
many cases that is true. Because fear is a spirit, when it digs its
deceptive tentacles into a victim, raw fear often proves to be far worse
than the object of the fear.
In
Middle East folk lore there is story of a great warrior who meets a
mythical rider called Death, carrying a gigantic scythe! . Addressing
him, the warrior says: ” I have just come from a battle where I left
5,000 men dead.
Where
have you been and where are going?” Replying, the mystical rider says:
”I have just left the area to which you are heading."
Inquiringly,
the warrior asks: ”How many dead will I find there?” Death answers:
”The plague killed 5,000."
The
next week, the great warrior again meets the mythical rider on the
windswept desert. He hails the scythe - carrier with a shout: ”You lied
to me. The plague left 50,000 dead . You told me that you had killed
only
5,000!” Death replies: ”I told you the truth. 5,000 perished from the
plague. The rest died of fear!"
An
old adage says: ”Cowards die a thousand times before their death.
The
valiant tastes of death but once!’ Without doubt, fear is a real enemy
and robber. The Bible character Job, after having been attacked by Satan,
confessed: ”The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me.” (Job
3: 25)
DO
NOT BE AFRAID - CALL UPON GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
When
things go wrong and it appears that the bottom has dropped out of
everything, that is not the time to become afraid or to panic.
God’s
Word says: ”And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver
thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” (Psalms 50: 15) Jesus said: ”Come
unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
life.” (Matthew 11: 28)
- Powerful AUDIO Bible
sermons/messages by: Pastor Max Solbrekken
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