10 Gifts God Gives for Personal Happiness

The mere mention of the song "Happiness is the Truth" by Pharrell Williams should immediately cause you to break out singing this wildly popular hit song.  It's been featured in the movie Despicable Me 2, commercials, singing competitions, news shows, and more.  I also think one of the reasons it was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list for 10 consecutive weeks was that it touched a desire God placed in every human soul: the desire to be happy.

Yet, you have probably been taught as a Christ-follower that happiness and joy aren't the same.   If you mean happiness based on the "happenings" of life, then that is true.  However, when considered in Biblical context, I'm not sure they are different.  You may have also been taught you are not supposed to focus on being happy but on being holy.  Yet, the more I understand the New Covenant, the more I'm convinced these aren't mutually exclusive.  Why?  In one sense, holiness is simply living life the way God intended.  It would seem then that the more you do that, the happier you will be.  Of course, many have their own ideas of what makes them happy that are far from God's ideas.  Let's see if we can discover together in the story of creation what God originally provided for your happiness.  

1. Himself:  When God breathed into Adam, He breathed Himself into him.  His intent in creating each of us has always been to be intimate with us by living inside of us so He could love us and show us how wonderful He is.  He also intended to live through us to reveal Himself to others.   Genesis 2:7 describes this and is similar to Jesus breathing on the disciples in John 20:22. 
2.  Identity:  When God created Adam, Genesis 1:27 says, He created him in his own image.  This means you were created with a God-centered identity.  Though Adam's identity was stolen in Genesis 3, Jesus came to give it back to all who believe in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:17
3. Forgiveness:  After Adam and Even sinned, God came looking for them.  Afterwards, He banished them from the Garden but before He did, He killed animals and covered them with their skins for clothing.  This was the first sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and was pointing to the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ's death on the cross, which would provide past, present and future forgiveness to all who believe.  Genesis 3:21, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 10:17-18
4. Companionship:  When God said, "It is not good for man to be alone", He formed a wife for Adam from his rib.  However, this speaks of a truth larger than just marriage. You were made to be in satisfying relationship with a group of people starting with your spouse(unless God has called you to be single).  Married or single, you were made to enjoy human connection on a deep level.  Genesis 2:18-25
5. Children:  God intended for most of us to have children so He could have others to live in and through.  In a fallen world, some have experienced anything but happiness in raising their children.  Yet, God originally intended for them to be a blessing.  Also, even those who don't have children may often enjoy their family or friend's children.  Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3
6. Animals: God gave us animals to take care of and to enjoy.  If you've ever owned a dog or cat, you know how special they can be to you.  You also know how much sorrow you feel when they die.  Maybe that is why there will be animals in the new heaven and earth that we are going to inhabit.  Genesis 2:19-20.  Isaiah 11:6-9
7. Creation:  God gave Adam a beautiful earth and breathtaking stars to gaze upon.  Why do you enjoy fall leaves, geological formations, mountains, the ocean, a river, a sunset and the stars?  It's because God gave those to us to enjoy and to see Him reflected in it.  That may be why many people feel close to God when they are in nature.   Genesis 1:1-19
8. Work:  God gave Adam a specific job to do - to cultivate and keep the garden.  Genesis 2:15.  According to Ephesians 2:10, you were uniquely designed by God to do specific jobs which include good works in your time on this earth.  Do you know what you are designed to do?  If not, find out for a very small fee at www.placeministries.org.  It will help you understand why you keep being drawn to certain activities.
9. Food:  God created a smorgasbord of tasty nutritious food.  Adam and Eve were given carte blanche permission from God to eat any of the hundreds of fruit and vegetables in the garden any time they wanted (except for one).  When the majority of the food we eat is a variety of God-made food rather than man-made food, we will typically feel a lot better physically and emotionally.  Genesis 1:29; 2:16-17.
10. Land/Home:  In Genesis 2:8, we are told, "The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed."   The desire to have your own home whether a house, condo, cabin, apartment or tent, is not rooted in the American dream.  It comes from God.  So much so, that the Scriptures speak of God having a home for you in God's house after you die.  John 14:2-3

As you just read about all God gave to provide for your happiness, are you enjoying them?

Here are a few other comments as I conclude.  Did you notice that this is a God-centered happiness instead of a man-centered happiness?  Unless you are enjoying 1 - 3 in light of the New Covenant, the remainder will provide only fleeting happiness.  On the other hand, if 1 - 3 are in place, you can enjoy the others more than you could ever imagine.  You can enjoy God-centered happiness without having all of 4-10 such as children or animals.  The world, your flesh and the devil have the goal of twisting all 10 of these to make you miserable.

Believe it! It's the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

Robin Williams and How to Deal with Depression

Robin Williams shocked the world this week when he committed suicide.  He is one of the last people anyone would have ever thought was depressed.  It just goes to show that depression can be something people share openly or hide secretly.   As a result, I am dedicating this article to those who suffer mild, moderate or severe depression, especially Christians.

Depression is something everyone experiences at some point in their lives. Did you know that many well-known people struggled with depression such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther, James Taylor and Charles Spurgeon? 

There are also some great characters in the Bible who experienced depression.   They include the Prophet Elijah, Hannah, King David and the Apostle Paul.  As you can see, depression is a condition which is blind to wealth, notoriety, achievements or beliefs.

Sadly, most Christians don't want to talk about their depression because they believe that if they trusted God enough, they would not be depressed. That can be true but it is not necessarily valid in all situations.

If you identify with a majority of these symptoms, you are most likely depressed.

1.  Ongoing feelings of sadness or irritability.

2.  Loss of interest or pleasure in activities.

3.  Changes in weight or appetite.

4.  Changes in sleeping patterns.

5.  Feeling guilty or worthless.

6.  Inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions.

7.  Fatigue or loss of energy.

8.  Restlessness or sluggishness.

9.  Thoughts of suicide.

10. Unexplained or heightened physical pains.

11. Intermittent or prolonged anxiety.

To be open and vulnerable, I have at some point in my life experienced the different types of depression that I am about to list. You may have too or you may know someone who has. Simply put, these types are Non-biological and Biological.  Let's take a look at each.

Non-biological depression can be caused for a number of reasons such as difficult circumstances, not being a believer in Christ, being overworked consistently, attempting to get your love and acceptance needs met apart from Jesus, performing to measure up instead of resting in your righteousness in Christ, rejection, trying to be perfect, unforgiveness, unresolved guilt, unyielded rights, not understanding the New Covenant, spiritual oppression, prolonged disappointment, failure and more.

How can you deal with non-biological depression? The best thing you can do is to resolve the spiritual conflicts within you - most often with good grace-based Biblical counseling. We see God work to bring healing in many depressed people's lives each week in our counseling ministry, Grace Life International. If you are interested in having a consultation, we provide live and Skype counseling for people. For more info, visit our web site at www.GraceLifeInternational.com or call us at 704-522-9026.  We may also be able to refer you to one of our counseling associates elsewhere.

I encourage you to read a wonderful book, "Conquering Depression" by Bill and Anabel Gillham.

Biological depression is such that counseling, praying, reading your Bible, knowing your identity in Christ, or setting your mind on Biblical truth will not alleviate it.  As a doctor friend once told me, "You can't think you way out of this kind of depression." Some of the reasons for biological depression include illnesses which change the body chemistry such as a stroke, side-effects of some medications, drug or alcohol abuse, extreme fatigue, hormone imbalance, and heredity.

What can help with biological depression? Thank God that we live in a time when there are both natural and traditional medications to help with this kind of depression.  See your doctor to discuss your options for this kind of treatment. And listen Christian!  There is no need to feel guilty or ashamed if you need to take a natural or prescription medication for depression. Would you feel this way if you had to take thyroid medication? Of course not!  So don't let those feelings prevent you from seeing your doctor.  Also, let me say that in our experience, some people cannot deal with the spiritual causes of depression until they get some help from medication to get their brain chemistry back on track.  Afterwards, some are able to stop their meds with their doctor's help while others may need to remain on them for the rest of their lives.

There are many books on biological depression to help you understand the role of brain chemistry, hormones, blood sugar, medications and more.  Though you will need to disregard the evolutionary bent, one such book is "The Broken Brain: The Biological Revolution in Psychiatry" by Nancy C. Andreasen.

Most of all, pray for God to heal your depression and to guide you to the best counseling or treatment for you. He does not want you to remain in depression.  He loves you and He is for you.  2 Corinthians 7:6 says, "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us in the coming of Titus." (NASB)  Also, tell someone.  Secrecy is a mighty weapon Satan wields against God's children.

Finally, if you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, talk to Him and ask Him to forgive you for your sins and to come live inside you.

Live Free In Christ,

Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding

Objections to Our Freedom from the Law

Occasionally, someone challenges me when I teach that under the New Covenant, Christians are not obligated to keep the 10 Commandments.  I appreciate their honesty and prefer that response, rather than automatically dismissing what Grace Life International and I teach.  It provides an opportunity for dialogue so we can reason together with Scripture.  Here are a few of the challenges I have received and my responses using Scripture.

   1.      Christians need the Law to show us our sins.

   2.      The Law helps Christians sin less.

   3.      The Law can't save us but we need the Law to sanctify us.

We Died to the Law

The moment you die you will no longer have to pay taxes because your death frees you from the tax law.  In the same way, when your old nature died with Christ on the cross, you were freed from the Old Covenant Law so that your new nature could be united to Christ instead.  "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."  Romans 7:4 (NIV)  Having Jesus is so much better than having the Law!

The Law Was a Shadow

When I come home late at night from speaking, sometimes my wife sees my shadow first.  If she gets in the floor to hug my shadow, I'm calling 911!  The shadow tells her I am coming in.  The Law was a shadow according to Hebrews 10:1, telling us that Jesus was coming.  "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming..." (NIV)  Don't hug the shadow.  Hug Jesus!

 The Law Is Not For Righteous People

 The only righteous people in the world are those in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  As a consequence, we don't need the Law.  "We also know that the law is made not for the righteous..." (1 Timothy 1:9)

 The Law's Purpose

1. To Show Unbelievers their Sins  "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."  (Romans 5:20 NIV)
2. To Prepare Unbelievers for Salvation  "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."(Galatians 3:24-25 NASB)

The Law Cannot Sanctify Us  

To sanctify means to grow spiritually.  For those who say the Law is not needed to justify us but it is needed to sanctify us, meditate on this verse written for believers."For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14  NIV)   To deepen it's meaning, let's read it backwards.  "For sin shall be your master, because you are not under grace but under law".  Spiritual growth is a result of living under grace not law!

The Law Provides No Power to Live a Righteous Life

 Many don't realize Paul was writing about how he came to the end of himself by using the law to try to live a righteous life in Romans 7:15-25.  That is why he said in verse 15, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." What we see in our counseling at GLI is that victory over sin for Christians increases dramatically when they live by grace instead of the Law!

Our identity in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit has replaced the Law. (Hebrews 10:16, Romans 7:6) All of the New Covenant in Scripture exhorts us to understand this and to live in a way consistent with it.  This is how we live an "inside out life" by faith, which pleases God.

    

Believe it!  It's the Gospel!

Live Free In Christ,


Mark Maulding, President and Founder

www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding