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Happiness

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January 2020

January 27, 2020

Christ Is the Unshakeable Foundation for Our Happiness—But It’s Also Good to Rejoice in Positive Life Circumstances

In my books Happiness and Does God Want Us to Be Happy?, I emphasize that the primary source of...

November 2019

November 18, 2019

God’s Unchanging Character Means He Is Always Good, No Matter Our Circumstances

“‘Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!’ You have...

November 04, 2019

Modern Research about Happiness Repeatedly Parallels Biblical Principles

In the late 1990s, Martin Seligman, the president of the American Psychological Association, noted psychology’s...

October 2019

October 03, 2019

Lasting Happiness Will Never Be Found in Sin

“What is the matter with the world?” Martyn Lloyd-Jones asked. “Why . . . war...

September 2019

September 19, 2019

True Happiness Begins with Knowing God

Human history is the story of our desperate search for true and lasting happiness. Even...

August 2019

August 22, 2019

Doesn’t God Being Happy with Himself, and Seeking His Own Glory, Seem Smug or Self-Centered?

In my books and on my blog, I’ve written about the happiness of God. But some might...

August 12, 2019

Seek the Giver, Not the Gift?

The idea that we should seek the giver, not the gift, has truth behind it,...

July 2019

July 11, 2019

God Invites You to Delight Yourself in Him

Psalm 37:4 is a great but often misunderstood verse: “Delight yourselves in the LORD and he...

April 2019

April 22, 2019

Am I Sinning If I’m Not Happy as a Christian?

Since writing my book Happiness, one of the questions I’ve been asked is, “Am I sinning...

October 2018

October 19, 2018

Scripture Gives Us Many Reasons to Be Happy

When someone says, as many have, “Happiness isn’t in the Bible,” it’s not even slightly...

April 2018

April 23, 2018

The Early Christians Experienced Happiness in Christ Despite Suffering; So Can We

Recently Nanci and I saw the movie Paul, Apostle of Christ. We were both surprised at...

December 2017

December 18, 2017

What’s So Good about the Good News?

The angel’s message to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus condenses the gospel to...

December 11, 2017

Open Your Eyes to All the Gifts God Has Given You This Christmas

Sometimes focusing on God’s “big miracles”—like curing cancer and making brain tumors disappear—causes us to...

November 2017

November 09, 2017

“I Felt My Soul Rejoice”: The Christ-Centered Happiness of David Brainerd

David Brainerd (1718–1747) served as a missionary to the Delaware Indians of New Jersey. He...

September 2017

September 21, 2017

Increase Your Happiness by Enjoying God’s Creation

Joy is like the stars. Some nights they blaze in glory; other nights they’re covered...

June 2017

June 22, 2017

Happiness in Jesus Is a Righteous, God-Honoring Desire

This interview on happiness and the Christian life, and specifically related to my devotional 60...

June 19, 2017

Joni Eareckson Tada’s Advice for When You Don’t Wake Up Feeling Happy

As I’ve written and talked about happiness, I’ve heard from lots of people wondering how...

May 2017

May 29, 2017

Can Self-Forgetfulness Make Us Happier?

People who think a lot about themselves and their plans for wealth and success tend...

April 2017

April 24, 2017

The Doctrine of the New Earth Is Central to Our Future and Present Happiness

A character in the movie Pirate Radio says, “You know, a few months ago, I made a...

January 2017

January 09, 2017

God Designed the Human Machine to Run on Himself

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis wrote: What Satan put into the heads of our...

October 2016

October 24, 2016

Recognizing and Avoiding the Trap of Idolatry

Augustine said, “This is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee....

October 10, 2016

It’s Possible to Enjoy Watching Others Win

It’s not always easy to witness the success of others without pangs of envy creeping...

September 2016

September 19, 2016

Are You Looking for Satisfaction in All the Wrong Places?

The world is full of desperate people thirsting for happiness. In their quest, they eagerly...

August 2016

August 08, 2016

Experiencing Happiness in Christ, Even Through Depression and Sorrow

The following is a recent interview I did on the topic of happiness. I appreciated...

May 2016

May 23, 2016

A Message for High Schoolers and Everyone Else Too: Find Your Happiness in Christ

Last year I had the privilege of talking to a group of high schoolers about...

April 2016

April 23, 2016

The Happiness Found in God’s Word: Part 3 of a 3-Session Conference

Augustine said, “By hearing Thee I am happy; because of Thy voice I am happy.”[i] There’s...

April 21, 2016

The Happiness of God: Part 2 of a 3-Session Conference

Since we’ll inevitably seek what we believe will bring us happiness, what subject is more...

April 19, 2016

Hardwired for Happiness: Part 1 of a 3-Session Conference

Based on the books I’ve read, the sermons I’ve heard, and the conversations I’ve had,...

March 2016

March 14, 2016

An Idea for Churches, Families and Individuals: Let’s Celebrate the International Day of Happiness!

It’s likely not marked on your calendar, and you’ve probably never heard of it—but Sunday,...

February 2016

February 29, 2016

Turning from Idols to Find True Happiness in God

Thanks for stopping by my new blog on Patheos. I’ll be sharing a weekly post...

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