HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 162
page A160
Happiness continued
• E PH E S I A NS 3 :1 8 | And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
There are areas of the Christian life that are very serious—sin and its consequences, church
discipline, and fighting the presence of evil. But there is also a great delight in knowing that
the God of the universe loves us, has a plan for us, and made this wonderful world for us. In
fact, he tells us to serve him enthusiastically—joyfully and with a great sense of delight. God
understands that enthusiasm lights the fire of service.
What dampens enthusiasm most, and how should we guard against it?
• MAT T H E W 1 3 :2 0 -2 1 | “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message
and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots . . . they fall away
as soon as they have problems.” (See note on page 874.)
Spiritual dropouts have lost enthusiasm for their mission. A person who lacks depth has no
place for the seeds of God’s Word to grow, and without that depth, the hot sun of persecution or adversity causes enthusiasm to wither. The sense of purpose fades and along with
it, one’s relationship with God.
How can I regain my enthusiasm for life and faith?
• C O L O S S I A NS 3 :2 3 | Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the
Lord rather than for people.
H
Your attitude improves when you do even life’s most distasteful or mundane duties as a
praise offering to the Lord. How can you disdain what you joyfully offer to God?
HelpFinder
• PSA L M 1 0 3 :2 | Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he
does for me.
Counting your blessings will increase your enthusiasm. Forgetting your blessings will
lead to apathy and the feeling that you deserve more.
• PSA L M 1 9 :1 | The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his
craftsmanship.
Stop to look, listen, smell, and feel. A stunning sunset, the tiny veins of a leaf, or a fresh
breeze can lift your spirits if you take a moment to let yourself wonder at God’s creation.
The glory of God will lift you from the mundane.
• MA R K 6 :3 1 | Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest
awhile.”
Taking care of your body through proper rest, nutrition, and exercise will have a positive
impact on your outlook toward life.
• PR O V E R B S 1 2 :2 5 | Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 9 :2 | In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many . . . to begin
giving.
Choose to spend time with enthusiastic people. Their spirit will rub off on you because
enthusiasm is contagious!
• PSA L M 9 :2 | I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name,
O Most High.
• R E V E L AT I O N 3 :1 5 | “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish
that you were one or the other!” (See note on page 1155.)
Focus on the Lord and worship him, even if you don’t feel like it, and your enthusiasm will
increase.
• MAT T H E W 4 :1 9 | Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to
fish for people!”
• R O MA NS 1 1 :2 9 | For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.
Reclaim your sense of God’s unchanging purpose for your life, making an impact for eternity through God’s power at work within you. Working as God’s partner to advance God’s
Kingdom—now there’s something to be enthusiastic about!