Devotional for July 5

Key to Happiness

5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 146:5-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

It has been said that the best things in life are free, but that doesn’t mean they are without cost. There is no better example than love. Love cannot be earned nor purchased. Yet pay no attention to it, and instead of it continuing to blossom into more happiness it will shrivel leaving mostly bitter regrets. The world says it’s okay to sow your wild oats and other such foolishness. God says to turn away from sin, not to keep us from having fun, but to protect our health, prosperity, and joy. Christ our Healer says “abide in Me,” and come out from every other place. Deny self and live constantly in the love of Jesus Christ. The wise will heed this instruction of the Lord. If you set the intention of your heart fully on abiding in Christ, His divine power will keep you there. But the foolish refuse this great salvation provided by the Lord. They live in the self-willed deceitfulness of their own hearts, and do suffer for it now and later. They act as one who does not know that in the hereafter everyone will have to give a full accounting of their stewardship of this life. Seek godly wisdom and she will protect you. Sure is the Word of God. Trust the Word to be your ever reliable fixed point and it will never fail you.

Question

What is the key to happiness?

Answer

Holiness is the key to happiness (3 John 1:2; Ephesians 4:24; Psalm 15:1-2, 40:8). If happiness is pursued apart from God, it will flee from you (Isaiah 50:10-11; Proverbs 23:5). Pursue holiness and happiness will find you (Psalm 144:9-15). Cast down evil imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5), and cultivate creative vibrations instead (Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 16:3). Holiness is to participate in the divine nature of God (Psalm 32:1,1 John 1:9; Psalm 1; Romans 10:10-11), and happiness comes from a heart cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Isaiah 61:1-3; 2 Peter 1:2-11; Revelation 12:9-11; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.