So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.1.27.KJV

Day 14 of 14 Joy Filled Days with God. Last devotional of this series.

After God had created the world and man, He looked at what He had made and it was very good (see Genesis 1:31). God made you in His image to be His representative here on earth. Yet there are very few people who are happy with how they look and who they are.

Most people strive continuously to be more beautiful, more popular, thinner, and richer. Yet Jesus said that the one command equal to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” If you are satisfied with yourself, you will succeed in being able to love yourself and only then will you know how God wants you to love other people. 

Make it your task to accept yourself unconditionally with your strong and weak points. Work on the negative things in your life that you can change and make peace with the rest. Remember: God made you the way you are. Stop comparing yourself to other people and being unhappy because you think you are not as good or as pretty as they are.

Concentrate on your good qualities and forget the negative ones. From today you are going to be happy because you are the image bearer and representative of God Himself.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so dissatisfied with myself. Help me to accept myself unconditionally as Your image bearer and representative. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.4.23.KJV

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬17 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.4.16-17.KJV

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.4.18.KJV

Day 13 of 14 Joy Filled Days With God

Researchers have conducted a long-term study of Northern Californians. Over a period of thirty years they’ve asked citizens when they were the happiest in their lives. Each time, eight out of ten of the people answered, “We are now at our happiest.”

People who have learned the secret of living each moment to the fullest and are aware of each one of their blessings are people who are happy. Therefore, stop yearning for the past or thinking that you will be happier tomorrow; just enjoy every day to the fullest. Christians actually have the assurance that the best still lies ahead of them because we know that heaven still awaits us! Even if you are experiencing difficulties and cannot succeed in being happy, you can know that true happiness awaits you.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:16-17). Be happy about the heavenly glory that awaits you in the future!

PRAYER: Lord, You know that sometimes I struggle to be happy. I praise You for the promise that the best is yet to come – that heaven is waiting for me in my future. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.1.5.KJV

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.15.13.KJV

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.5.5.KJV

Day 12 of 14 Joy Filled Days with God.

According to David Niven, unhappy people focus on their fears while happy people focus on potential improvements in future. There are things that happen around us that cause us to lose hope daily – and this should not be. Rather than focusing on things like crime and disasters everywhere, focus on the things that give you hope. There are still so many lovely things in life.

Be sensitive to the beauty around you and know that God made these things so that you could enjoy them. Listen to your favorite music, go for a walk in nature, do enjoyable things together with the people you love and know that even though negative things do happen in the world, you can still cling to hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” is Paul’s wish for the church in Rome (Rom. 15:13). It is also my wish for you today – that you will be able to look away from all the burdens and focus on God who is the source of your hope. Then you can’t help but be happy!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please make it possible for me to focus on the things that give me hope and to look away from the things that scare me. Amen.

The content for this devotional was taken from: “Where Hope Blossoms” by Nina Smit ©Christian Art Publishers.