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Thread: Would you promise happiness to a person?

  1. #1

    Would you promise happiness to a person?

    Do you think God promises a happy life to all who follow Him? When you witness, do you ever promise that by giving their life to God, they will have a happy life?

    In my most recent book, Power in the Promises, I did just that. I called to mind the verse from Amazing Grace that says, "the Lord has promised good to me..." But do you think that's accurate? It's sure been my experience. Yes, I've had setbacks, went through cancer, went through a painful business failure, but my life has been very happy. I trace it back to the day I was in a bar as a young man and prayed, "God, if anything good comes out of my life after the mess I've made of it, I'll give you the glory." Well, He did make something very happy out of my life and I do give Him the glory. But can I really promise the same results to others? What do you think?

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  3. #2
    First, congrats on a new book!

    I don't want to have the "cold bucket of water" anointing, but I do think this is a very "western" mindset. Look at the persecution of our brethren overseas.....are they happy watching their toddler get their head cut off? No, I'm certain....NO. So I cannot say with any certainty that God promises happiness, but I would say he promises joy and steadfastness, no matter what life throws at you.

    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    Do you think God promises a happy life to all who follow Him? When you witness, do you ever promise that by giving their life to God, they will have a happy life?

    In my most recent book, Power in the Promises, I did just that. I called to mind the verse from Amazing Grace that says, "the Lord has promised good to me..." But do you think that's accurate? It's sure been my experience. Yes, I've had setbacks, went through cancer, went through a painful business failure, but my life has been very happy. I trace it back to the day I was in a bar as a young man and prayed, "God, if anything good comes out of my life after the mess I've made of it, I'll give you the glory." Well, He did make something very happy out of my life and I do give Him the glory. But can I really promise the same results to others? What do you think?

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    Senior Member Colonel's Avatar
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    I can promise happiness at the one level where everyone born according to the flesh is unhappy, in their human spirit, in their heart of hearts. The happiness found in the outer layers of the human being shifts with the wind and is at best a hollow thing. So smile from deep down there, show them Jesus is there, they will be able to tell the difference.

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  7. #4
    Peace, yes, Joy, yes.. but, I don't think I could happiness.

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  10. #6
    Well, remember, I'm not promising a life without trouble. Believe me, my cancer and bankruptcy were very painful. But even with those events, happiness has been my lot in life and I think that God's presence in our life can keep us happy even as we go through deep waters. Or maybe it's better said that we come through the deep waters with happiness. We may not be happy as we're walking through the pain (or we might be), but happiness is the eventual outcome. Someone has said "with God every bad situation will turn out all right in the end. If it's not all right yet, then it's not the end."

  11. #7
    I will agree happiness is the ultimate outcome.. but that may not happen until Jesus comes again.

  12. #8
    Administrator fuego's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    Do you think God promises a happy life to all who follow Him? When you witness, do you ever promise that by giving their life to God, they will have a happy life?

    Well, remember, I'm not promising a life without trouble.
    But that's how they hear that. This is the problem with that. We (as Christians) know there can still be joy and happiness in the midst of our trials and tribulations. The problem with telling someone this when you're witnessing is that they hear it from a wordly point of view. To them 'Jesus will give you happiness' and then they give their life to Him and all hell breaks loose, then in their minds you lied to them. Because they hear 'Jesus will give you happiness' as not having problems, etc. I think many fall away because of that kind of message.

    I remember a book title by Ray Comfort called, "God Loves You and Has A Wonderful Plan for Your Life (the Fallacy of the Modern Gospel)". God does love us, but the plan, from a world point of view, which is how those you are witnessing to will be looking at it, the plan may not be wonderful. Talk to a sinner and give them the details of any of the apostles' lives and the suffering, persecution, and death they encountered, and ask them how 'wonderful' that plan is or how much 'happiness' that will cause them to have, and trust me, they won't see it. There is nothing wonderful and 'happy' about that at all from their point of view.

    I just don't see where the Bible promises us 'happiness' per se. It does promise us trials and tribulations, persecutions, etc, while at the same time letting us know that Jesus had overcome the world for us, and we can overcome too. But I think representing what Jesus gives as 'happiness' is off base somewhat. I personally would never tell someone I was witnessing to that.

    Not criticizing you, it's jut not how I approach it.

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  14. #9
    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bookman View Post
    Do you think God promises a happy life to all who follow Him? When you witness, do you ever promise that by giving their life to God, they will have a happy life?

    In my most recent book, Power in the Promises, I did just that. I called to mind the verse from Amazing Grace that says, "the Lord has promised good to me..." But do you think that's accurate? It's sure been my experience. Yes, I've had setbacks, went through cancer, went through a painful business failure, but my life has been very happy. I trace it back to the day I was in a bar as a young man and prayed, "God, if anything good comes out of my life after the mess I've made of it, I'll give you the glory." Well, He did make something very happy out of my life and I do give Him the glory. But can I really promise the same results to others? What do you think?
    I believe happiness is a choice. Joy I always have, though I am not always happy.

    I don't promise happiness though to those I minister to.
    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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    Senior Member Valiant Woman's Avatar
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    Happiness or joy?



    When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
    https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/

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