“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 NLT)

 

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be talking about hot-button issues—things that play a large role in people’s lives today. And we’re going to start with finding happiness.

The pursuit of happiness seems to be part of the DNA of our culture. It’s so embedded in our consciousness that the Founding Fathers listed it as a fundamental right in the Declaration of Independence.

The irony is that for many people the pursuit of happiness is an empty, frustrating, and ultimately unfulfilling experience. The harder they pursue, the less happy they find themselves.

A better option can be found in God’s Word.

The word blessed comes from the Greek word makarios, which refers to the kind of happiness that is self-contained. When we see the word blessed used in the New Testament, that is the happiness it’s referring to.

Too often in our lives, our happiness is not self-contained. Rather, it’s contingent on good things happening. We convince ourselves that if we could just get that raise at work or if we could just meet the right person or if we could just own the object of our desires, then we would be happy. Until those things happen, our happiness is on hold.

If something fun or exciting happens, we may experience happiness for a brief time. But when the fun or excitement ends, so does the happiness. In other words, our happiness depends on certain things occurring.

But being blessed is a different concept altogether. Blessings depend on God. They don’t ebb and flow based on circumstances or moods. You can experience God’s blessings regardless of what’s happening in your life. You can be blessed in even the worst circumstances. That’s the idea of makarios.

The amazing news is that God wants to bless you. Jesus said, “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32 NLT).

When I was raising my two sons, I spoiled them. I would randomly buy toys for them. I would say, “Let’s go to the toy store.” It wasn’t a birthday or Christmas. We would look around, and then we would end up buying a big toy. That’s how I spoiled my children. I suppose that’s the privilege of a parent.

If you’re a child of God, then know this: God loves to bless His children. In fact, God wants to bless you even more than you want to be blessed.

Draw close to Him. Spend time in His Word, getting to know Him and His will for your life. Pour your heart out to Him in prayer. Tell others about the difference He’s made in your life. And then watch what He does in your life.

Stop pursuing happiness. Start pursuing God.

 

Reflection question: What would pursuing God look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

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&ldquo;So don&rsquo;t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.&rdquo; (Luke 12:32 NLT)
&nbsp;
Over the next couple of weeks, we&rsquo;re going to be talking about hot-button issues&mdash;things that play a large role in people&rsquo;s lives today. And we&rsquo;re going to start with finding happiness.
The pursuit of happiness seems to be part of the DNA of our culture. It&rsquo;s so embedded in our consciousness that the Founding Fathers listed it as a fundamental right in the Declaration of Independence.
The irony is that for many people the pursuit of happiness is an empty, frustrating, and ultimately unfulfilling experience. The harder they pursue, the less happy they find themselves.
A better option can be found in God&rsquo;s Word.
The word blessed comes from the Greek word makarios, which refers to the kind of happiness that is self-contained. When we see the word blessed used in the New Testament, that is the happiness it&rsquo;s referring to.
Too often in our lives, our happiness is not self-contained. Rather, it&rsquo;s contingent on good things happening. We convince ourselves that if we could just get that raise at work or if we could just meet the right person or if we could just own the object of our desires, then we would be happy. Until those things happen, our happiness is on hold.
If something fun or exciting happens, we may experience happiness for a brief time. But when the fun or excitement ends, so does the happiness. In other words, our happiness depends on certain things occurring.
But being blessed is a different concept altogether. Blessings depend on God. They don&rsquo;t ebb and flow based on circumstances or moods. You can experience God&rsquo;s blessings regardless of what&rsquo;s happening in your life. You can be blessed in even the worst circumstances. That&rsquo;s the idea of makarios.
The amazing news is that God wants to bless you. Jesus said, &ldquo;So don&rsquo;t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom&rdquo; (Luke 12:32 NLT).
When I was raising my two sons, I spoiled them. I would randomly buy toys for them. I would say, &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s go to the toy store.&rdquo; It wasn&rsquo;t a birthday or Christmas. We would look around, and then we would end up buying a big toy. That&rsquo;s how I spoiled my children. I suppose that&rsquo;s the privilege of a parent.
If you&rsquo;re a child of God, then know this: God loves to bless His children. In fact, God wants to bless you even more than you want to be blessed.
Draw close to Him. Spend time in His Word, getting to know Him and His will for your life. Pour your heart out to Him in prayer. Tell others about the difference He&rsquo;s made in your life. And then watch what He does in your life.
Stop pursuing happiness. Start pursuing God.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: What would pursuing God look like in your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Lasting happiness is found by pursuing God rather than happiness itself.