Today's topic: Where to find happiness?
Bible: 腓利比書 Philippians 4:4-9
"你們要靠主常常喜樂．我再說、你們要喜樂。 當叫眾人知道你們謙讓的心。主已經近了。 應當一無挂慮、只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求、和感謝、將你們所要的告訴神。 神所賜出人意外的平安、必在基督耶穌裏、保守你們的心懷意念。 弟兄們、我還有未盡的話．凡是真實的、可敬的、公義的、清潔的、可愛的、有美名的．若有甚麼德行、若有甚麼稱讚、這些事你們都要思念。 你們在我身上所學習的、所領受的、所聽見的、所看見的、這些事你們都要去行．賜平安的神、就必與你們同在。"
Key to find rejoice / happiness
1) Our own choice (verse 4)
Things that take away happiness:
--> selfishness.
"在何處有嫉妒分爭、就在何處有擾亂、和各樣的壞事。" 雅各書 James 3:16
--> angry.
"又要謹慎、恐怕有人失了 神的恩．恐怕有毒根生出來擾亂你們、因此叫眾人沾染污穢．" 希伯來書 Hebrews 12:15
--> Others might have hurt you once... But if you keep thinking and thinking, then you are hurting yourself many many times... Is it worth it?
2) Treat people with kindness (verse 5)
--> Don't keep calculating people (e.g. people don't say hi back or don't buy us dinner back, etc.)
--> People are not born optimistic. They just choose to be happy and not let other people affect them. It's a choice!
3) Pray to God (verses 6-7)
--> ask in Jesus' name and you'll receive
"向來你們沒有奉我的名求甚麼、如今你們求就必得著、叫你們的喜樂可以滿足。" 約翰福音 John 16:24
4) Stress more on giving than receiving (verses 8-9)
--> It's more blessed to give than to receive.
"我凡事給你們作榜樣、叫你們知道、應當這樣勞苦、扶助軟弱的人、又當記念主耶穌的話、說、施比受更為有福。" 使徒行傳 Acts 20:35
--> Care for other people... Make an effort to remember new people's name... Don't ask for return
--> A lot of people have based marriage on returns... What can the husband/wife give me back in return? That's what there are lots of complains or divorces...
--> Sometimes, wife complains that her husband is a different person before and after marriage. Well, North American is target based culture. Before marriage, his target is getting a girl to become wife. After marriage, his target is getting money for house, car, kids, etc. Husband is the same person. It's just a misunderstanding.
5) Rely on god's power more than our own difficulties. (verses 4, 9, 13)
I found out one more thing today... Pastor Yung has serve god for 30 years next year!
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