Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 1)Sample

A rich young man and street kid

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another (1 John 3:11)

There was a rich young man who experienced a series of disappointments in his life that made him think that life was worthless as if he had nothing to keep him alive. On his way to a river where he intended to end his life, a street boy came up to him and asked for money to buy bread. The young man, seeing that the boy looked very hungry, said to himself, "I will buy good food for this child before I die."

He took the boy to a fine restaurant and ordered food he had never seen in his life. When the young man saw the street kid enjoying his meal, a strange feeling of joy entered his heart. And then he thought if he killed himself, then the boy would feel hungry again like before.

So he decided to keep trying so that the boy always had enough to eat. The young man found happiness – because he found something to live for – someone he could help.

Therefore, the secret of happiness is not possessions, enjoyment, work or knowledge, but faith in the Lord and a ministry to fellow human beings. We can find the joy of Christ in these two things. When we enter into His life in prayer, Bible study, and ministry to others, we can enter into His joy and prepare to share His joy.

Reflection: If we live in this world without knowing exactly what our purpose in life is, then our life will be empty, and we will find no reason to keep fighting to live. Therefore, we need to realize the purpose of our creation in this world. Our greatest goal is to love God and our neighbors.

The secret to having joy is to give your life instead of trying to save it. 

(Joyce Meyer)