Our Attitude Toward Life

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Today its YOLO - You only live once. Well yes you do only live once but its an incolplete sentance.

In Fact its YOLOTTJ

Hebrews 9:27 KJV 1900

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

You Only Live Once Then The Jusgment

This is just one example of a bad attitude towards life. I mean life is incredibly Difficult, just as it is, why then do we, through our attitudes, make it so much more difficult than it has to be.

I am convinced that the Devil hardly has to lift a finger in some people and they their rotten attitudes are more than capable of destroying their lives without the Devil’s help.

Pastor Rudy’s Guide on how to Live a Happy Life

1: Be Quick to Forgive

Ephesians 4:26 KJV 1900

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Unforgivness and bitterness is the cause of most misery. Million are afflicted by a poisonous plant that has sent don its roots into your hearts.

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

I know people can make you angry, the bible tells us that people upsetting you is inevitable.

Luke 17:1 KJV 1900

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

People are going to offered you, hurt you, upset you, make you angry.

Look at what Scripture says:

Ephesians 4:26 KJV 1900

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

1: Be Angry - You are allowed to get angry church. In fact its when your anger gets suppressed that it later explodes and we read about in berea mail. You are allowed to be upset, you are allowed to be frustrated. You are allowed to say “I dont want to see you right now”.

But it also says: 2 - Sin, not. - How would anger make you sin? One word: Revenge. You hurt me, now i am going to hurt you.

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:38–40 KJV 1900

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

It also says:

Romans 12:19 KJV 1900

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

The interesting thing is that the moment you retaliate, you give justice - So God’s stops repaying the debt.

2: Be Content with your Situation

Let me just give you a few scriptures:

1 Timothy 6:6–8 KJV 1900

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Corinthians 7:20–21 KJV 1900

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

Philippians 4:11–13 KJV 1900

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Get the point?

Contentment is the key to a happy life. Let me tell you what contentment is NOT: Its not not having dreams or ambition. Contentment does not mean that you not apply for the promotion or take a better offer if one comes your way.

Contentment is much simpler: To be content i to be thankful and appreciative of what the Lord has currently given you. and to show that thanks by praising Him for it.

3: Be Satisfied With Your Spouse

Proverbs 5:18 KJV 1900

18 Let thy fountain be blessed: And rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

This morning we saw the terrible power of sexual sin. To the married i say that your greatest defence against the devils temptation is to be satisfied with your spouse.

They are a great blessing to you. They are your partners in the family, they help raise children, they provide, the things our spouses do are innumerable, but there is another simply “service” that they provide - they are there for us when we need to have our basic human needs met with regards to our normal and natural desire for sex and intimacy.

So important is this that we are warned:

1 Corinthians 7:5–9 KJV 1900

5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Let me tell you: There is not a single person on this earth who needs to be impressed with your body or looks other than your wife or husband. There is nothing wrong with looking pretty, or staying in shape - neatness and modesty are good, but attention seeking is of the devil.

4: Always be in the Pursuit of Godliness

1 Timothy 6:11 KJV 1900

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

That word follow after, means to pursue or to chase after, to run towards.

1: Righteousness - Having a right standing before God based solely on the completed work of Jesus Christ.

2: Godliness - Asking myself all day: WWJD? being as much of an imitator of Jesus can i can be.

3: Faith - To live each day totally dependant of God’s grace and strength. To put my confidence on God’s word.

4: Love - To love others as God has loved me. This, according to Jesus is how i am knows as a christian - its not by my bible knowledge or preaching, its by how much i love his disciples.

5: Patience - The bible tell me again and again that the foolish man gets angry quickly. If I’m angry, then i defuse myself, often by just leaving and going for a walk, Kim has learned as well as those who know me, that when i say I’m going, i must go. If there is a fight and someone wants to go away and cool down let them, never chain up a an angry dog, let him run his frustrations away.

6: Meekness - I hate bullies. A bully is a person who tries to make others seem less.who puts others down, while exulting themselves.

There is normally a show of holiness and spirituality, but its just a farce. They want to appear unto men as being holilier than thou.

Meekness is when you dont care about how amazing people think you are, normally your daily life will testify to your devotion, but you are unassuming and gentle.

Jesus was absolutely meek in his life, so much so that sinners and little children were not intimidated by him.