I love listening to Bible preaching, it helps us think right. I heard Pastor Jack Hyles once say that he asked his secretary to compile a list of all his appointment for that week. There were approximately 140 appointments that week. Of those 140, Dr. Hyles said 135 of them could have been avoided if people would just listen to his weekly sermons. I never forgot that.
I love listening to preaching in fair weather, laying truths up in store for when the storms of life come, when we are too weary in our soul to care enough to listen to preaching. Truly, unshakable faith comes from having our faith shaken. I learned that truth from Pastor Hyles too. Gotta love fundamentalist Baptist Bible preachers!
Having said that, here are some life-changing quotes from Brother Hyles...
“There's no such thing as people who can be happier than other people, there are people who choose to be happier than other people.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “The Secret To My Christian Joy”
“It's not the conditions of your life that make you unhappy, it's whether you choose to look at the positive or the corresponding negative that makes you unhappy or happy.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “The Secret To My Christian Joy"
Those truths are so powerful. I receive emails frequently from discouraged believers. I already know what the problem is before even finishing reading their email. The problem is that they have been focusing on the wrong things in life, instead of all of God's abundant blessings. I am guilty of doing it too. A thief robbed me on May 10th, but I didn't think to look at my security camera footage until May 24th. Sure enough, a young punk walked up and stole my clothing rack that I ordered from Amazon, right off my front porch. Here's a photo of him leaving with my package, the dirty thief...
I could allow this theft to discourage me, make me unhappy and become bitter. But I've been rejoicing all day today, praising God that I am not the thief, he is! I am a blood-washed, redeemed, child of the King. I prayed for the salvation of that young male, but it is unlikely he will ever be saved. That is sad and tragic, and his own decision. You can see the little white sign posted on my lawn, right in front and to the left of the guy, which reads: "JOHN 3:16, JESUS LOVES YOU!" You can't see any print because it is facing the street. That thief robbed a child of God. Matthew 18:6, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
The rack only cost $30, and Amazon replaced it, but the evil spirit that is instilled in the neighborhood by criminals who constantly steal everything not bolted down or chained is detrimental to society. Albeit, my faith is not shaken by some thief. I have been rejoicing in the Lord today, thanking God that my name is written in Heaven, and for His abundant blessings upon my life. I ate delicious Chinese food for lunch today.
I also went and picked up my Recording King Elite 85 maple neck banjo from the music store. I paid them $65 to do a proper setup on it. I could have done it myself, but I wanted to help support the local economy, and help the music store stay open. That is being ethical, which I think is rare these days, and important for Christians to be. I love learning and playing the banjo. I've been working on one of my favorite songs to play called, "Chicken Reel." Yes, you can make chicken sounds with a banjo!
I had a nice day today in the Lord, despite being the victim of a robbery, despite my constant neck pain. The police said Amazon was the victim, but that is only from a financial viewpoint. I suffered a lot of mental anguish, physical neck pain, aggravation, worry and stress. I am ten times more of a victim than Amazon! The owners of Amazon didn't feel five seconds of grief, pain and worry, I did. Amazon won't lose sleep or worry that the thief may come back, but I will. So, who is the true victim? I am saddened how calloused the cops can be sometimes.
Anyway, I choose to focus on the many blessings in my life, as Dr. Hyles wisely teaches. And by the way, there is nothing wrong with being unhappy. Sometimes I need to feel unhappy, so I can feel happy again later on. We cannot realistically be happy all the time. No one can live on the mountaintop all the time, we need to first ascend from the valley below. You cannot be upstream, until you've first be downstream. Sorrow, pain and unhappiness are a necessary part of life. They enable us to later on experience joy and happiness. Psalms 30:5, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
I heard Pastor Hyles say in his 70's that he is a happy man. I admire that, considering all the attacks, suffering and problems that Dr. Hyles had to deal with. He learned a long time ago that the secret to happiness in the Christian life is to focus on the good things, the blessings, the loved ones in our life, and the goodness of God. Anyone can be happy if we choose to be. Oh sure, heartaches will come, losses will occur, enemies will attack us, bad things will happen; but we can overcome those setbacks quickly and get back on our feet for Christ.
I was down, sad and frustrated yesterday when I discovered on my security camera system that I had been robbed, and that the cops wouldn't do anything to arrest and punish the guy, but today is a new day. I am not going to get discouraged because of the insane ways of the ungodly world. The United States is a total mess today, in so many ways, but all is well in my heavenly Father's house!
If thieves come back while I am at church one day, and they break thru to steal everything that I own, I will rejoice that my name is written in Heaven in the Lamb's Book of Life (Luke 10:20), and that no thief can steal my eternal rewards from the Lord for serving Him (Matthew 6:19-20). If you are a born-again child of God, you have an abundance of reasons to jump up and shout with great joy! Just knowing that we have escaped the damnation of hell, fire and brimstone is enough reason alone to rejoice continually.
I was also happy today to know that I can look in the mirror and see an honest man. I am a guilty sinner like everyone else, and I have many faults, but God knows I am an honest man. I would rather die than steal from anyone! I fear God, the young fool who robbed me doesn't. Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Stealing is not a victimless crime. And Amazon isn't the only victim just because they were nice enough to replace the stolen item free of charge. Amazon didn't suffer any mental anguish, but I was a nervous wreck all day yesterday. When someone steals from you (especially at your your home), you feel threatened, violated and taken advantage of. The police don't seem to understand that or care, sad to say. I am not impressed at all with the Pensacola Sherriff office's lack of sensitivity and compassion for residential victims of crime. Amazon didn't get robbed, I did!
I have decided not to focus on this stuff. As a human being I tend to start thinking about the negative stuff in my life. We all do that at times. The answer is found in 2nd Corinthians 10:5-6, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” Satan wants the child of God to worry, fret and become discouraged. If we are not vigilant to guard our heart (Proverbs 4:23), we may become disillusioned with life, bitter and a casuality for Christ. That downward spiral all starts when we choose to focus on the negatives in our life, instead of looking at God's blessings and the good things.
I've been spending some time each day learning the 5-string banjo, which I love to play. Dave Hum is my favorite banjo player. I discovered his music in 2018, which rekindled my love for the banjo. I find joy and pleasure in making my own backing tracks, and trying to recreate what Dave did, learning the songs and articulating them the majestic way that he does. The banjo makes people happy! Of all the evil things in this world that can destroy a man, I thank God that I have found a hobby that is good, honest and refreshing to do, playing the banjo. I still have a ways to go. Learning to play any musical instrument is a lifetime journey. I am taking a break from my steel guitar playing, so I can pursue the banjo.
Like Dr. Hyles said, I choose to be happy. Let me repeat those precious quotes again...
“There's no such thing as people who can be happier than other people, there are people who choose to be happier than other people.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “The Secret To My Christian Joy”
“It's not the conditions of your life that make you unhappy, it's whether you choose to look at the positive or the corresponding negative that makes you unhappy or happy.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “The Secret To My Christian Joy"
There are rich people with tens of millions of dollars, who are miserable. Solomon in the Old Testament was the wisest man who ever lived. He enjoyed untold pleasures with his 1,000 women lovers (700 wives and 300 concubines). Solomon was filthy rich. He enjoyed the best foods of the time, the best of everything. Yet, the Bible says he hated life! Ecclesiastes 2:17, “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Solomon looked at the wrong things. He had so much to be thankful for, but he was worried about his investments and kingdom.
Some of the most miserable people in this world are rich people. Hollywood actors are largely a miserable bunch. Most of them cannot stay married more than a few years. I just heard that Jenifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are getting divorced, again. The Bible says only by pride comes contention (Proverbs 13:10). Hollywood actors are generally sinfully proud! Only a proud person files for divorce, because they view them self as being more self righteous than their spouse. The inspired Holy Bible teaches that we ought to consider each other as being BETTER than our self. Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
We can be happy if we choose to be. Life is too short to live with a burden of hatred. I used to think I would be happy if I could find a wife, but I don't think that way anymore. I am happy now, living alone and single. I'd love to meet a woman and get married. Yes, absolutely! But after 18 years it just doesn't look like it will ever happen. So, should I be miserable for the rest of my life without a wife? No, I am going to thank God for the peaceful life that I enjoy, living alone. Jesus is my companion! My music and ministry are my work. Sure, I wish things were better, but they aren't, and I simply don't know how to make things better. I'm an idiot...lol.
I seem to be able to help everyone except myself. I get lonely every day, and I want to be married, but women today are scary. The female cop that came to my door was completely covered in big multi-colored tattoos all up and down both arms. She looked ridiculous! This is how broken our society is today. Today's youth and adults alike are following the world's wickedness, apostasy and insanity. The gender-bending craziness that has infected mainstream American culture is of the Devil. The news media are the biggest promoters of evil. At some point after the year 2000 the media overnight began sanctioning and promoting homosexuality as a normal way of life. That is Satan and his minions!
There's nothing new under the sun the Bible says. People haven't changed in thousands of years. When Elijah preached to the Jews and compelled them to choose sides between God and Baal, the Bible says they answered him not a word (1st Kings 18:21). That sounds like 95% of churchgoers today, fence-straddlers, who refuse to choose whose side they are on, God's or the Devils. These churches today that support the LGBTQ agenda are of the Devil. They've chosen the wrong side! These foolish churches that use and promote the modern corrupt Bible revisions are all pulling on the same rope as the Devil.
When Jesus healed ten lepers of the horrific disease of leprosy, only one man bothered to come back to thank the Lord (Luke 17:11-19). People haven't changed since Bible times. Most people today are ingrates. At every public event I've ever attended, people throw their trash on the ground and leave it there. I've literally been driving behind vehicles as the driver tossed their garbage out the car window.
Just to show you how rotten people are becoming, I went to Walmart today to buy some slippers. I saw the following pair hanging on the rack and took a couple pictures in disbelief of what I saw...
Some thief hung their old filthy sandals on the rack, and wore the brand new sandals out the Walmart door unnoticed without paying for them. Who looks at shoes? I thought it was hilarious when I saw those old filthy shoes for sale...lol. I mean, I've heard of new Blue Jeans being sold that deliberately are made to look faded, worn and old; but I've never seen old, worn and greasy shoes for sale before! Unreal.
I showed another customer in Walmart, a female, the dirty shoes hanging for sale. I told her that a thief swapped their old shoes for the new ones. She seriously said, “Hey, that's a great idea!” Oh brother! Or, I should say, Oh sister! People are something awful, aren't we?
Anyway, I am often reminded of our dear Savior's precious words in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We can be happy if we choose to focus on Jesus' resurrection instead of this horrible world. Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” This is the only true way to find happiness in this life, by setting our thoughts and desires upon heavenly things.
Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Thank you for reading my blog.
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