The Key to Happiness - Just One Word

The secret of happiness can be found in one word:

< righteousness >

To make it clearer, it is:

< do the right things >

To make it even clearer, it is:

< do the right things and don't follow evil >

What are the right things?
< the moral laws, e.g. Law of God. >

When?
< all the time.... focus on it day & night.>

The Outcome?
< Give fruit at the right time and do well no matter what .>

Who say it? Where is the authority for us to believe it?

The Bible, Psalm 1

Let us use the 'Bible In Basic English BBE' translation:

Happy is the man who does not

1. go in the company of sinners, or < choose your friend wisely >
2. take his place in the way of evil-doers, or <watch your ways and steps>
3. in the seat of those who do not give honour to the Lord. <revere God. Be accountable and responsible. There is a day of judgement for all. see v5>

(Psa 1:1)

But whose delight

1. is in the law of the Lord, and <the what - God's Law is for our success & happiness. There are not joy killers as the devils want you to believe>
2. whose mind is on his law day and night. <the when-always & focus on Phil 4:8 true,honest, just, pure, lovely, good, praise-worthy .... > (Psa 1:2)

<The Outcomes of the Righteous >
He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, <foundation, the source is key .... joy is from within and not depend on external circumstances> See  also The Secrets of True Happiness

which gives its fruit at the right time, <not all the time - there are seasons of life   joy+sadness can happen at the same time. >

whose leaves will ever be green; <but always healthy, joyful, pleasant>

and he will do well in all his undertakings. <the Midas' touch!  >  (Psa 1:3)


The evil-doers are not so; but are like the dust from the grain, which the wind takes away. (Psa 1:4)

For this cause there will be no mercy for sinners when they are judged, and the evil-doers will have no place among the upright, (Psa 1:5)  <there is an eventual separation of good and evil>

Because the Lord sees the way of the upright, but the end of the sinner is destruction. (Psa 1:6)

For more, please listen to Tim Keller's message on http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/search-happiness

That was David's formula for happiness.

Here is Jesus' formula
The Behavior of His Kingdom People - Mat 5:3-12

A mind map is reproduced here:

Lim Liat (C) 30 Nov 2012

Spiritual Warfare - Learning from Tim Keller

Spiritual Warfare is a key topic that all believers should need to understand to have victory in his walk in the Lord. Tim Keller preached a great sermon on this topic. Here is a mind-map that I made from the message that I hope capture the essence of the devil's schemes and the ways to overcome them. Hope you can benefit from it.

In particular, the devil's method and power over us is through lies. He tempts us with lies, telling us the fun and pleasures and hiding the true harm and evil. He accuses us with lies, telling us that we are under condemnation and undermining the love and power of the cross of Jesus Christ. Please go through the 'talks' that the devil tell us. See which ones we easily fall for and let us wise up and talk precaution instead of falling into them again and again. Please note Tim's warning that when you manage to handle a few well, Satan will switch his tactics again.

Finally, the best cure for all these is to abide in Christ or yielding to His spirit. See 

Christianity Rediscovered: What is the meaning of Yielding to the Spirit.

Lim Liat (C) 24 Nov 2012

Your Last Message - A Reflection on Life

If you have but a little time left to live, what shall be your last message to this world? What would you say to your loved ones, your friends and even society at large? What is this simple legacy that you want to leave behind? Now that we have some time,  it may be good that we ponder over this question. Here are some thoughts of my last message:

You are more than what you see
1. You are more than just your body - of flesh and blood, of mind and body. You are firstly a spiritual being that live in a physical body through which you make your presence in this world. You will live on when your spirit leave your body behind. Where shall you go and where will you be after this physical death,

Jesus came to show us God
2. You must get to know Jesus. Jesus is God coming into our world in our likeness of flesh and blood so that he can tell us about the true and loving God, the creator of this universe and of us.

You are not an Accident but a Masterpiece
3. Through knowing Jesus, you will learn that you are not an accident nor of the will of man. You may think that your parents had given birth to you. That is a fact. But many couples wish for baby and they could not have any. Your parents could have given birth to someone else. Hence, there is a very unique purpose for you be born where, when and from whom. See You are a Masterpiece Created in Christ.

Find out Your Unique Calling
4. The meaning of your life is about knowing Jesus and find out your unique calling and living that calling out. After this life on earth, you shall depart and join your parents, relatives and friends in heaven with Jesus.

Live the Meaningful Life Now with Eternal Perspective
5. Even so, your life on this earth is important and meaningful; otherwise, you will be taken out immediately and to be with Jesus in heaven, There are wonderful things, of joy and even of sorrows, of victories and of disappointments, of intimate relationships and of separation, for you to live out with an external perspective of Jesus and His love for you.

Jesus is with you in the Journey of Life on Earth

• "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33
• "He hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). 
• "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
• "Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am" (John 17:24).
• The Most Comforting Verses in the Bible John 14:1-4

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.” ― Helen Keller

I have completed my last message for the time being. Will add more in future if I discover any more things that are of utmost importance.

What is your last message?


Lim Liat (c) 12 Nov 2012