Does God want you to be happy (In THIS life)?

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Question, does God want you to be happy?

How one answers this question also relates to their doctrine or theology on other matters.

Some people say God does not want you to be happy, God wants us to share in his suffering and submit and humble ourselves,
denying the self of all pleasures.

Others says, God wants me to be happy and will bless me with those things, relationships, a job, etc, so that I can be happy because
God loves me.

I'm somewhat in the middle but leaning very very slightly towards the first answer.

My thoughts on the question of if God wants us happy (in THIS life) (obviously we will be happy in heaven) is that our happiness
is not God's primary concern, but it may be secondary.

Was Job happy when the devil was striking him with illness?
Was Paul happy when the thorn in his flesh was attacking him?
Was Jesus happy when he was being crucified on the cross?
Was Mary happy when her brother Lazarus was dead, a death that Jesus wanted due to delaying his coming?

When I look at the story of Job and his suffering and many other stories, my answer to this question is, God's primary concern
is for God to be glorified in our lives. I believe God wants us to be content and satisfied in Him, and for us to grow closer to God
and learning more about who God is (a protector, a healer, a deliver, a way-maker) though our circumstances, but I do not believe
that our happiness (in this world) is God's primary objective. I believe that Joy is a fruit of the spirit and God wants us grounded in
Him, and He wants us to have that peace that passes all understanding, but if God can be glorified in Job's life by Job remaining
faithful and not cursing God, at the expense of Job being "happy" in the moment due to pain and suffering,
God will allow those things to happen because God's primary concern in my opinion is (#1) God's Glory (# 2) for our good.

How do you answer this question? @PloughBoy , @Christ4Ever , @Andyindauk , @complete , @MedicBravo , @GodB4Us , @Godbehonored @Br. Bear
All may answer.

 

[MedicBravo]

IMO, one's mindset must change when becoming a Christian.
Once you know who made everything and how it started then you know God is real and despite your and humanity's high flawed way of thinking He knows everything.
He's not going to be your genie and protect you from every bad thing nor fix all of your problems. A person will never learn if He did.
Given how bad this world is depending on your or someone else's ability to see past the material and how Jesus saw/sees the world then your mind is opened. Sorry the pun but I can not unlearn what I have learned and experienced in all things.
I've seen God work through me to affect people far more than I've seen any "miracle". I've seen Him do the same things through many people yet few words about God are spoken. Usually, "Why do you do this?" in some form is the question and the answer isn't easy or short in words.
The Bible stands for:
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth

Coincidence? I think not! This is not our home. Our home...is with our Father and the sooner a person learns that the better.

 

[PloughBoy]

Question, does God want you to be happy?

How one answers this question also relates to their doctrine or theology on other matters.

Some people say God does not want you to be happy, God wants us to share in his suffering and submit and humble ourselves,
denying the self of all pleasures.

Others says, God wants me to be happy and will bless me with those things, relationships, a job, etc, so that I can be happy because
God loves me.

I'm somewhat in the middle but leaning very very slightly towards the first answer.

My thoughts on the question of if God wants us happy (in THIS life) (obviously we will be happy in heaven) is that our happiness
is not God's primary concern, but it may be secondary.

Was Job happy when the devil was striking him with illness?
Was Peter happy when the thorn in his flesh was attacking him?
Was Jesus happy when he was being crucified on the cross?
Was Mary happy when her brother Lazarus was dead, a death that Jesus wanted due to delaying his coming?

When I look at the story of Job and his suffering and many other stories, my answer to this question is, God's primary concern
is for God to be glorified in our lives. I believe God wants us to be content and satisfied in Him, and for us to grow closer to God
and learning more about who God is (a protector, a healer, a deliver, a way-maker) though our circumstances, but I do not believe
that our happiness (in this world) is God's primary objective. I believe that Joy is a fruit of the spirit and God wants us grounded in
Him, and He wants us to have that peace that passes all understanding, but if God can be glorified in Job's life by Job remaining
faithful and not cursing God, at the expense of Job being "happy" in the moment due to pain and suffering,
God will allow those things to happen because God's primary concern in my opinion is (#1) God's Glory (# 2) for our good.

How do you answer this question? @PloughBoy , @Christ4Ever , @Andyindauk , @complete , @MedicBravo , @GodB4Us , @Godbehonored @Br. Bear
All may answer.

Well the word “Happy” have two definitions.

The Word as the world defines “happy” And How GODs WORD defines “BLESSED”!

And GOD does not Use The world’s definition concerning “Happy“

Now one must choose. Which happiness he she and the other genders they Prefers.

You choose.

“HAPPY IS the man that walks not in the counsel of The Ungodly”

“Happy are you when people talk about you and say all kinds of Evil about you falsely because of me”

“Happy are you…ff.

Happy to many might mean, it makes me feel good, Now!

And to Others “HAPPINESS MIGHT MEAN, Thank you LORD, for keeping MyFeet out of Slippery Places!

She was fine, they way I like em! The way she move if she come I’m coming!

Keep me Jesus, when morning come you so Happy you didn’t slip. You start singing!

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

IMO, one's mindset must change when becoming a Christian.
Once you know who made everything and how it started then you know God is real and despite your and humanity's high flawed way of thinking He knows everything.
He's not going to be your genie and protect you from every bad thing nor fix all of your problems. A person will never learn if He did.
Given how bad this world is depending on your or someone else's ability to see past the material and how Jesus saw/sees the world then your mind is opened. Sorry the pun but I can not unlearn what I have learned and experienced in all things.
I've seen God work through me to affect people far more than I've seen any "miracle". I've seen Him do the same things through many people yet few words about God are spoken. Usually, "Why do you do this?" in some form is the question and the answer isn't easy or short in words.
The Bible stands for:
Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth

Coincidence? I think not! This is not our home. Our home...is with our Father and the sooner a person learns that the better.

Thanks for the response @MedicBravo .

The question was prompted by thinking about John Piper's concept of Christian Hedonism.
He has the position that God wants us to be happy and happy in God.

And I agree that God wants us to find our fulfillment in God, but I don't think that God is all about our happiness as John Piper puts it.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Well the word “Happy” have two definitions.

The Word as the world defines “happy” And How GODs WORD defines “BLESSED”!

And GOD does not Use The world’s definition concerning “Happy“

Now one must choose. Which happiness he she and the other genders they Prefers.

You choose.

“HAPPY IS the man that walks not in the counsel of The Ungodly”

“Happy are you when people talk about you and say all kinds of Evil about you falsely because of me”

“Happy are you…ff.

Happy to many might mean, it makes me feel good, Now!

And to Others “HAPPINESS MIGHT MEAN, Thank you LORD, for keeping MyFeet out of Slippery Places!

She was fine, they way I like em! The way she move if she come I’m coming!

Keep me Jesus, when morning come you so Happy you didn’t slip. You start singing!

Thanks for sharing the wisdom. I know you would have something good to share.

Good point about the world's definition and the Bible speaking of Blessed.

So how do you respond to John Piper's take on Christian Hedonism?

 

[PloughBoy]

True Happiness​

(Luke 6.20-23)​

3“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

4 “Happy are those who mourn;

God will comfort them!

5 “Happy are those who are humble;

they will receive what God has promised!

6 “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;

God will satisfy them fully!

7“Happy are those who are merciful to others;

God will be merciful to them!

8 “Happy are the pure in heart;

they will see God!

9“Happy are those who work for peace;

God will call them his children!

10 “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;

the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

 

[PloughBoy]

Most Christian’s do not want to accept this and it is understandable.


New Living Translation
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. [HERE] Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

English Standard Version
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

 

[MedicBravo]

Thanks for the response @MedicBravo .

The question was prompted by thinking about John Piper's concept of Christian Hedonism.
He has the position that God wants us to be happy and happy in God.

And I agree that God wants us to find our fulfillment in God, but I don't think that God is all about our happiness as John Piper puts it.

Of course He does.
However, we can't be like "Logan's Run" and expect us to have these crap eating grins on our faces 24/7.
Given any problem there is usually a solution to it. It might not be how or when we want it but it exists.
IMO, if anything when faced with a problem where our "Happiness" is affected greatly we should be "Ok, what have you got for me this time?"
Which in turns should draw us TO Him not away from Him.
If you/anyone cannot find your fix in the Bible then most likely God will send someone or put obstacles in your path to help steer you in the right direction. He is a guide is he not?
He's not going to force us.
I'm happier I am not the 3 people I used to be in my past especially before I met my Then-Wife and the one after was not much better.
Our ultimate destination should be Home with our Father not this place.

 

[Br. Bear]

@Jesus_is_LORD

Greetings Brother,

thank you for inviting me to join in.
I was not sure what to write but as I now type, I see a 'happy' in that... that you included me! A 'wow!!" factor, as I am not anything of any greatness or special worth but you included me in and deemed me worthy to invite...

now, as i type, that reminds me of a Friend of ours! He said... come unto Me, all who are.... hungry, thirsty, weary.... and God showed His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners.... He gave His Beloved Son to be the propitiation for our sin.

I suppose, Brother, I would ask, what is happiness?

Bless you ....><>

 

[GodB4Us]

Question, does God want you to be happy?

How one answers this question also relates to their doctrine or theology on other matters.

Some people say God does not want you to be happy, God wants us to share in his suffering and submit and humble ourselves,
denying the self of all pleasures.

Others says, God wants me to be happy and will bless me with those things, relationships, a job, etc, so that I can be happy because
God loves me.

I'm somewhat in the middle but leaning very very slightly towards the first answer.

My thoughts on the question of if God wants us happy (in THIS life) (obviously we will be happy in heaven) is that our happiness
is not God's primary concern, but it may be secondary.

Was Job happy when the devil was striking him with illness?
Was Paul happy when the thorn in his flesh was attacking him?
Was Jesus happy when he was being crucified on the cross?
Was Mary happy when her brother Lazarus was dead, a death that Jesus wanted due to delaying his coming?

When I look at the story of Job and his suffering and many other stories, my answer to this question is, God's primary concern
is for God to be glorified in our lives. I believe God wants us to be content and satisfied in Him, and for us to grow closer to God
and learning more about who God is (a protector, a healer, a deliver, a way-maker) though our circumstances, but I do not believe
that our happiness (in this world) is God's primary objective. I believe that Joy is a fruit of the spirit and God wants us grounded in
Him, and He wants us to have that peace that passes all understanding, but if God can be glorified in Job's life by Job remaining
faithful and not cursing God, at the expense of Job being "happy" in the moment due to pain and suffering,
God will allow those things to happen because God's primary concern in my opinion is (#1) God's Glory (# 2) for our good.

How do you answer this question? @PloughBoy , @Christ4Ever , @Andyindauk , @complete , @MedicBravo , @GodB4Us , @Godbehonored @Br. Bear
All may answer.

James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

He will help us to be happy while we endure suffering afflictions down here, but we are not to be happy with our lives down here when our hearts is to be set on the things above to be ready to leave this life when the Bridegroom comes.

Colossians 3:1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1 Peter 4:1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Thanks for asking me to the thread.
I guess I'll try to add my two cents to the discussion.

Question: Does God want us to be Happy (in this life)?

Good question, but one I can't say unless one is in Christ Jesus and living for Him, that it's difficult at best to answer what each person might consider to be to them the state of being "Happy".
I won't try to go and define what Happy is, because others have done so. What I will however do, is send this to a parallel course so to speak. Why? Because
one's Happiness I see as a momentary thing a high so to speak. Many times, it's a high that when attributed to materialism fades, and not the Spiritual which is felt but cannot always be grasped. Though in truth when the Spirit of God has fallen on me, I cannot help but consider myself to be Happy, beyond Happy, but all to quickly it is gone, like when Moses saw God and wore a veil in the fading. What is left is a peaceful/contentment that is attributable to the joy of His presence. Something that comes and goes, and to try as I might to hold on to it, it's lost to the intrusion of life, which is like experiencing the wind, and then trying to grasp it, when the glare of the sun shines in one's eyes and moves us to something else to wonder/focus on. Were I Holy, Sanctified enough to Glory in His presence forever, while still in this life! But that is the question is it not?

Instead, what I'll suggest to one and all, is if you believe that being Happy is something that God wants or doesn't want or is ambivalent about us having. I would say, that
maybe, instead of this elusive happiness in this life, which is usually tied to materialism (non-believer), and God's Presence (believer) that one seeks and is not wrong, instead seek to be "Content" until that day we are joined without distraction/impediment or pause to the One we love and Who loves us!

As Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

For I see that being content is a more mellow, and less of a roller-coaster of one's feelings/emotions and a condition that one can also rejoice in regardless of whether it's the high of His presence, or the low of its fading due to the very life we are now living.

So, at best I can say to my brethren because if one can be "content" you'll be "happy" so then it is as Paul said it best, and so said it twice; Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NKJV

I hope I've made some sense with this. For my loss of my wife weights heavenly upon me that even as tears come to my eyes, my thoughts are not always clear before me, but still I praise Him and long to be called home that I can be Happy without pause or distraction, so until then I'll be content and rejoice that He has made me His! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[GodB4Us]

Because one's Happiness I see as a momentary thing a high so to speak. Many times, it's a high that when attributed to materialism fades, and not the Spiritual which is felt but cannot always be grasped. Though in truth when the Spirit of God has fallen on me, I cannot help but consider myself to be Happy, beyond Happy, but all to quickly it is gone, like when Moses saw God and wore a veil in the fading. What is left is a peaceful/contentment that is attributable to the joy of His presence. Something that comes and goes, and to try as I might to hold on to it, it's lost to the intrusion of life, which is like experiencing the wind, and then trying to grasp it, when the glare of the sun shines in one's eyes and moves us to something else to wonder/focus on. Were I Holy, Sanctified enough to Glory in His presence forever, while still in this life! But that is the question is it not?

Instead, what I'll suggest to one and all, is if you believe that being Happy is something that God wants or doesn't want or is ambivalent about us having. I would say, that
maybe, instead of this elusive happiness in this life, which is usually tied to materialism (non-believer), and God's Presence (believer) that one seeks and is not wrong, instead seek to be "Content" until that day we are joined without distraction/impediment or pause to the One we love and Who loves us!

I hope I've made some sense with this. For my loss of my wife weights heavenly upon me that even as tears come to my eyes, my thoughts are not always clear before me, but still I praise Him and long to be called home that I can be Happy without pause or distraction, so until then I'll be content and rejoice that He has made me His! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

To seek God's Presence by a sign of a supernatural phenomenon as if the "Holy Spirit" is falling on you is the same as denying He is in you and with you always since salvation.

How can that be seeking contentment when seeking another one of those moments again just to feel His Presence is with you?

Is it better to take stock in His words that He in us and is with us always rather than to look for a sign that He is with you by a visitation?

How can the Holy Spirit visit when He is in you since salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?

How can you test for the spirits of the antichrist that visits with signs & lying wonders if you believe the permanently indwelling Holy Spirit does the same thing by hypocrisy?

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

So the Lord is with you always to comfort you in the loss of your wife and to face any storm in life that comes your way. Believe that so as to not seek His Presence by a sign any more, brother Nick.

 

[Christ4Ever]

To seek God's Presence by a sign of a supernatural phenomenon as if the "Holy Spirit" is falling on you is the same as denying He is in you and with you always since salvation.

How can that be seeking contentment when seeking another one of those moments again just to feel His Presence is with you?

Is it better to take stock in His words that He in us and is with us always rather than to look for a sign that He is with you by a visitation?

How can the Holy Spirit visit when He is in you since salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?

How can you test for the spirits of the antichrist that visits with signs & lying wonders if you believe the permanently indwelling Holy Spirit does the same thing by hypocrisy?

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

So the Lord is with you always to comfort you in the loss of your wife and to face any storm in life that comes your way. Believe that so as to not seek His Presence by a sign any more, brother Nick.

Dear Brother,
To you it may appear to be seeking Him (salvation/sealed), and so denying Him being with oneself, but that is your interpretation of what I wrote, and since I wrote it, I know it to be incorrect to my intent.
Believe you what you will, for I am not your Master, and you are not my disciple nor am I yours. Do not seek to know that what is mine, for which God has granted me is mine, and not yours.
If you feel His presence 24 hours a day, blessings to you. I am honest to tell you that I do not. It does not mean that He is not with me, or in me, and that too I know to be true. One does not necessitate the other.

I would also tell you to not interpret my words here to be less because yours are different. No two witnesses are the same. When one cries out in anguish it does not lessen ones salvation, or understanding that He, is with us. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT Now this may not be the case for you, nor does it have to be your understanding in order to be true. I know I have prayed at the altar and have felt his presence fall upon me. You do not have to believe it, but I will never deny what it was, and expectation of the supernatural or sign it was not.

Never have I said to seek His presence, by sign, and seeing what you have written here, I know you have not understood my words as it pertains to the topic of this thread and that is what I was addressing.
(deleted sentence)

I leave you with thoughts to contemplate and request no answers, for in truth I do not desire to know them. Are you "Happy" all the time, and if you are not why are you not if God is with you all the time? Is not God your Happiness, your Joy, your All in All, or is there something lacking in you that even with God in you no matter what you are going through that you don't have the capacity to feel Happiness 24/7? I also know from your words that Happiness is not a necessity/requirement to your relationship/interaction with God.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

I suppose, Brother, I would ask, what is happiness?

Bless you ....><>

What is happiness? Great question.

Initially I will admit that I was using the world's definition which related to a state of joy, a joy perhaps often associated with the flesh,
Then @PloughBoy shared the Biblical term "blessed" and how this happiness or blessed state can be found in being meek, poor in spirit, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, etc.

Perhaps when the world looks at happiness it is looking at the flesh and when the Bible looks at it
it is looking at things happening in your spirit.

For example one can truly worship in the spirit and be happy in the midst of a chaotic storm, but one cannot
truly worship in the flesh because even if they seem happy, we know that true worship happens in the spirit.

The soul or the person themselves there the self consciousness exist is impacted by both the state of the fleshly nature
as well as the spirit.

So with that said, I will simply define happiness for the sake of this discussion as such.

(my definition)
Happiness is a state of being, in which one experiences a sense for joy and fulfillment in a positive manner,
arousing within them a state of pleasure, satisfaction, or supreme contentment.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Thanks for asking me to the thread.
I guess I'll try to add my two cents to the discussion.

Question: Does God want us to be Happy (in this life)?

Good question, but one I can't say unless one is in Christ Jesus and living for Him, that it's difficult at best to answer what each person might consider to be to them the state of being "Happy".
I won't try to go and define what Happy is, because others have done so. What I will however do, is send this to a parallel course so to speak. Why? Because
one's Happiness I see as a momentary thing a high so to speak. Many times, it's a high that when attributed to materialism fades, and not the Spiritual which is felt but cannot always be grasped. Though in truth when the Spirit of God has fallen on me, I cannot help but consider myself to be Happy, beyond Happy, but all to quickly it is gone, like when Moses saw God and wore a veil in the fading. What is left is a peaceful/contentment that is attributable to the joy of His presence. Something that comes and goes, and to try as I might to hold on to it, it's lost to the intrusion of life, which is like experiencing the wind, and then trying to grasp it, when the glare of the sun shines in one's eyes and moves us to something else to wonder/focus on. Were I Holy, Sanctified enough to Glory in His presence forever, while still in this life! But that is the question is it not?

Instead, what I'll suggest to one and all, is if you believe that being Happy is something that God wants or doesn't want or is ambivalent about us having. I would say, that
maybe, instead of this elusive happiness in this life, which is usually tied to materialism (non-believer), and God's Presence (believer) that one seeks and is not wrong, instead seek to be "Content" until that day we are joined without distraction/impediment or pause to the One we love and Who loves us!

As Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

For I see that being content is a more mellow, and less of a roller-coaster of one's feelings/emotions and a condition that one can also rejoice in regardless of whether it's the high of His presence, or the low of its fading due to the very life we are now living.

So, at best I can say to my brethren because if one can be "content" you'll be "happy" so then it is as Paul said it best, and so said it twice; Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NKJV

I hope I've made some sense with this. For my loss of my wife weights heavenly upon me that even as tears come to my eyes, my thoughts are not always clear before me, but still I praise Him and long to be called home that I can be Happy without pause or distraction, so until then I'll be content and rejoice that He has made me His! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

Good point about contentment and about God's presence. Thanks for the 2 cents, much appreciated.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

To seek God's Presence by a sign of a supernatural phenomenon as if the "Holy Spirit" is falling on you is the same as denying He is in you and with you always since salvation.

How can that be seeking contentment when seeking another one of those moments again just to feel His Presence is with you?

Is it better to take stock in His words that He in us and is with us always rather than to look for a sign that He is with you by a visitation?

How can the Holy Spirit visit when He is in you since salvation by faith in Jesus Christ?

How can you test for the spirits of the antichrist that visits with signs & lying wonders if you believe the permanently indwelling Holy Spirit does the same thing by hypocrisy?

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

So the Lord is with you always to comfort you in the loss of your wife and to face any storm in life that comes your way. Believe that so as to not seek His Presence by a sign any more, brother Nick.

Thanks for the contribution.

 

[GodB4Us]

Dear Brother,
To you it may appear to be seeking Him (salvation/sealed), and so denying Him being with oneself, but that is your interpretation of what I wrote, and since I wrote it, I know it to be incorrect to my intent.
Believe you what you will, for I am not your Master, and you are not my disciple nor am I yours. Do not seek to know that what is mine, for which God has granted me is mine, and not yours.
If you feel His presence 24 hours a day, blessings to you. I am honest to tell you that I do not. It does not mean that He is not with me, or in me, and that too I know to be true. One does not necessitate the other.

I would also tell you to not interpret my words here to be less because yours are different. No two witnesses are the same. When one cries out in anguish it does not lessen ones salvation, or understanding that He, is with us. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT Now this may not be the case for you, nor does it have to be your understanding in order to be true.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. KJV

The Holy Spirit is not using tongues to make intercessions for you when the KJV testify that not even His groanings can be uttered. The "he" in verse 27 is Jesus Christ that searches our hearts per Hebrews 4:12-16 and thus the One that knows the mind of the Spirit to give the unuttered intercessions of the Spirit to the Father which is according to the will of God because Jesus is the only Mediator between God and men as He alone answers prayers so that the Father may be glorified in the Son for answers to prayers.

John 14: 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

This is how and why the Father knows everything before we ourselves ask anything in prayer.

Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

So Romans 8:26-27 in the KJV is for every believer and not the purported claims of believers using tongues for private use which proves that tongue for private use is not of Him at all when it divides the body of Christ as if God shows partiality within the body of Christ of having the Holy Spirit use tongues as the means to make intercessions for that individual believer and yet not for every believer? Come on. Wake up.

I know I have prayed at the altar and have felt his presence fall upon me. You do not have to believe it, but I will never deny what it was, and expectation of the supernatural or sign it was not.

Never have I said to seek His presence, by sign, and seeing what you have written here, I know you have not understood my words as it pertains to the topic of this thread and that is what I was addressing.
(deleted sentence)

I leave you with thoughts to contemplate and request no answers, for in truth I do not desire to know them. Are you "Happy" all the time, and if you are not why are you not if God is with you all the time? Is not God your Happiness, your Joy, your All in All, or is there something lacking in you that even with God in you no matter what you are going through that you don't have the capacity to feel Happiness 24/7? I also know from your words that Happiness is not a necessity/requirement to your relationship/interaction with God.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

2 Corinthians 11:1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

There can be no other baptism or reception with the Holy Spirit apart from salvation; otherwise this warning above is moot.

The one thing you are also overlooking is that this phenomenon of feeling the reception of the spirit can repeat again and again and again which is after the rudiment of the world and thus not after Christ.

Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

You have been complete in Christ since salvation at the calling of the gospel when you had first believed and had received Him for why we are to walk in Him rather than believe we have not come to our resting place in Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

I am warning you brother that you are at risk of being left behind. I cannot make you see your error even by the scripture. I am asking you to ask the Lord Jesus Christ in normal prayer to discern what it is you are preaching that is not really the gospel of Jesus Christ, but an apostasy by preaching another calling and thus another reception of the Holy Ghost by a sign as if that takes place apart from salvation when there is no other drink of the One Spirit by how we were all baptized into that one body of Christ. You are committing spiritual fornication against the Bridegroom and it is a wonder how you can test for the spirit of the antichrist when you allow them to seduce you into believing that reception was the Holy Ghost even though He has been in you since salvation. This is a work of iniquity that denies Him as being in you since salvation and by testifying to that, you are at risk of being denied by the Bridegroom for when He comes.

So please ask Jesus Christ in normal prayer to discern your supernatural experiences in what they are leading you to testify falsely of our Lord Jesus Christ when He has never left you for you to receive Him like that again and by a sign too.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. KJV

The Holy Spirit is not using tongues to make intercessions for you when the KJV testify that not even His groanings can be uttered. The "he" in verse 27 is Jesus Christ that searches our hearts per Hebrews 4:12-16 and thus the One that knows the mind of the Spirit to give the unuttered intercessions of the Spirit to the Father which is according to the will of God because Jesus is the only Mediator between God and men as He alone answers prayers so that the Father may be glorified in the Son for answers to prayers.

Who said it was tongues? Why do you introduce an argument that I know you enjoy having, when it's not even part of what my writings are about? I added Scripture to show you that your understanding and mine though different here (testimony) does not negate ones salvation and actually is another confirmation that He is with us. Again, why divert into something else? I can only come to the conclusion that you failed to understand what I had written and why, so picked something out of it (verse) that you did understand and are experienced at to discuss even though unrelated to the topic of the thread. My apologies for using a verse that distracted you so. There are so many others I could have used, but this one is the one that came to mind at the time of my writing.

My words were "I would also tell you to not interpret my words here to be less because yours are different. No two witnesses are the same. When one cries out in anguish it does not lessen ones salvation, or understanding that He, is with us. And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 NLT Now this may not be the case for you, nor does it have to be your understanding in order to be true."

2 Corinthians 11:1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

There can be no other baptism or reception with the Holy Spirit apart from salvation; otherwise this warning above is moot.

The one thing you are also overlooking is that this phenomenon of feeling the reception of the spirit can repeat again and again and again which is after the rudiment of the world and thus not after Christ.

For if you perceived me preaching another Jesus, then you are sadly mistaken, and I will bear with the folly of your words to me brother. That you believe that one cannot feel the Presence of God, or the movement of the Holy Spirit but at one's moment of Salvation if then, then I am sad for you, but also rejoice for one day you will experience it again or for the first time! Apparently, the thoughts I left you to contemplate flew by you with no affect or thought.

You have been complete in Christ since salvation at the calling of the gospel when you had first believed and had received Him for why we are to walk in Him rather than believe we have not come to our resting place in Jesus Christ.

I'm glad you rejoice and are happy all the time! Alleluia! Sadly, the trials and tribulations that I'm going through have not given me a complete rest, though Christ abides in me. Even our Lord who is our Rest was at time anguished. I guess I am in good company then, though I do look forward to so much more in Christ Jesus as I await my call to come home. Rejoicing!

I am warning you brother that you are at risk of being left behind. I cannot make you see your error even by the scripture. I am asking you to ask the Lord Jesus Christ in normal prayer to discern what it is you are preaching that is not really the gospel of Jesus Christ, but an apostasy by preaching another calling and thus another reception of the Holy Ghost by a sign as if that takes place apart from salvation when there is no other drink of the One Spirit by how we were all baptized into that one body of Christ. You are committing spiritual fornication against the Bridegroom and it is a wonder how you can test for the spirit of the antichrist when you allow them to seduce you into believing that reception was the Holy Ghost even though He has been in you since salvation. This is a work of iniquity that denies Him as being in you since salvation and by testifying to that, you are at risk of being denied by the Bridegroom for when He comes.

So please ask Jesus Christ in normal prayer to discern your supernatural experiences in what they are leading you to testify falsely of our Lord Jesus Christ when He has never left you for you to receive Him like that again and by a sign too.

I have never spoken in tongues, except what comes natural to me. Yet you assume I have, just by your comment for me to pray "in normal prayer"!! You assume so much about me and just from what I can only assume is my use of Romans 8:26!!! It's amazes me that you have any discernment in you at all when you are so easily led to believe what is not true!!! I sense that arguing this topic of tongues has truly blinded any discernment you may have had. You are so dogmatic in your stance, that any mention or near mention of it has you seeing red! Again, my apologies for having waved a flag in front you, that has agitated you so that it had you move away from the topic of the thread so!

Something tells me that any talk of Supernatural occurrences like Creation, the floating axe head, Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, must be difficult for you to read! To believe that God might still be active in people's lives in such a way that it brings Him Glory and Praise, must truly have you troubled. I mean to even realize that our Jesus did so much more then is recorded in the Bible, must also be difficult to comprehend. Don't worry Brother, there is so much more, especially when as the tumult that is happening in the World even as we watch becomes even more pronounced and evidence as Scripture has foretold unfolds before us!

I would mention Peter's first Sermon, in referencing Joel, but you might have a conniption, and that I could not stand being the cause of!

In closing I would also warn you to take care of what you accuse others of, especially when not in possession of all the facts.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
\o/
<><

 

[Br. Bear]

What is happiness? Great question.

Initially I will admit that I was using the world's definition which related to a state of joy, a joy perhaps often associated with the flesh,
Then @PloughBoy shared the Biblical term "blessed" and how this happiness or blessed state can be found in being meek, poor in spirit, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, etc.

Perhaps when the world looks at happiness it is looking at the flesh and when the Bible looks at it
it is looking at things happening in your spirit.

For example one can truly worship in the spirit and be happy in the midst of a chaotic storm, but one cannot
truly worship in the flesh because even if they seem happy, we know that true worship happens in the spirit.

The soul or the person themselves there the self consciousness exist is impacted by both the state of the fleshly nature
as well as the spirit.

So with that said, I will simply define happiness for the sake of this discussion as such.

(my definition)
Happiness is a state of being, in which one experiences a sense for joy and fulfillment in a positive manner,
arousing within them a state of pleasure, satisfaction, or supreme contentment.

Thank you Brother @Jesus_is_LORD

makes for an interesting thought, that is, "what is happiness".

I think from a Biblical and Scriptural take, we have 'definites' as what we have, is and has been there, way-long before we came into any language or culture! Somewhat trustworthy - the only 'problem' we face, as with all things Scriptural, is understanding exactly as the LORD intended for us.

Then we have what the 'world' would suggest happiness is. That is often an individual thing - what is happy to me might be different to happy for you, for example.

I recall a song where the lyrics went something like this," you put the happy in my ness" which i thought was good word-smithing.

So, back to the title question of "Does God want you to be happy..." and more specifically, " ... (in THIS life)..."
we are faced with "what does God 'call' happy?" or are we looking at our idea of 'happy' and trying to work out if God is 'happy' with our being happy, while adding the dimension of in THIS life, which I think you mean to be, for all people who do their 'six score and ten' and go through all the baby to old fossil stages?

Perhaps if we look at 'what is the opposite of happy?' , we might get a little closer? What do you think of that question to be asked, Brother?

also, there are those who have the Hope set before them, whose outlook is so different from those who do not.

Grace and Peace, with love


Bless you ....><>

 

[Br. Bear]

@Christ4Ever

Greetings Brother,

more strange happiness for me! What is this new word....? conniption

perhaps a related word might be fitting...? captiousness

however, on a more serious note (can not stay too happy for too long!!!) I note the interaction and dialogue that has suddenly threatened the thread.

In other words, @GodB4Us , please listen ....

Have you heard the expression, "you are barking up the wrong tree"?
Also, as purely an etiquette here on the forums, de-railing of threads, although done often enough, is not encouraged. While you have a point that you would like to point out to any who might read it, and one that you most strongly adhere to, this particular thread is really about something quite different.
I am placing a temporary thread ban on you so you don't 'shoot yourself in the foot" by replying with anything but an understanding acceptance of my fellow Moderator's words to you. Please feel very welcome to PM me or us about anything you would like to discuss about this.

-----------------------------

As a slight furtherance to what has been shared by Member GodB4Us, some folk do 'seek' to be 'filled' with a believed 'happiness' and do seek some sort of extra blessing from the Lord which they think, believe or are told, they can 'experience' through what is known in a lot of circles as baptism of the holy spirit.
I do share concern about this.

If we consider that 'yes!!' God does want me to be happy in this life and has provided a way to get that happiness, which is only through the baptism of the holy spirit - the sort promoted to be evidenced by the act of speaking in tongues, then are we seeking after something above and beyond what faith can provide if we truly believe. The question then would be " is that a real happiness"? or is it like so many artificial emotion boosters that the world wallows in?
(I know this might be offensive to some, but in order to discuss things, some things must be discussed. )

Historically, there have been countless, who by faith alone, have known God's peace that passes understanding and have had the Anchor of their souls keeping them through trials, that it would be reasonable to say that none of us have ever even come close to, even though we might think we have 'had it bad' . If they never had the recent 'outpouring of the spirit' as claimed to be as the 'pentecostal' baptism, how, please did they have happiness that we have not the slightest clue about?

I am reminded of two memories...
an old chap who was serving in the Philippines some years ago was telling me, back then, of how troubled he was when returning to the 'western world' after a few years in the makeshift poverty areas, where folk salvaged what they could and built what they could to make houses/homes, which all too often were washed away by storms and floods, where the white-man was told not to drink the water for fear of disease (my friend drank it because he had a simple trust in the Lord)... and how those very poor folk, from children through to oldsters, had amazing smiles of some sort of happiness that one never sees in the 'civilized' world... and on returning to the west, he was met with complaints about nearly everything and people moaning and fighting and bickering and being possessive over nothings...... and it made him quite sad.

makes you think, if you are a thinker.

and then there are those martyrs who, due to real and severe persecution, endure with glowing 'happiness' and shine brightly as testimonies to the Lord... often never even owning a copy of the Bible or even a couple of pages from one.

and we in the west,
we... what do we do?

loose that taste of His goodness
fight and protest
--------------------------------

Jesus is Lord


Bless you ....><>