bible teachings

Current Message:
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS: TWO WAYS - TWO ENDS

Lesson 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)

Week 2 - AVOIDING THE WRONG WAY

Last week in our first lesson in this series on "The Pursuit of Happiness" we learned that there are two ways one can take to pursue true happiness, but only one way, God's way, will get us there. But let's face it. Satan does not want us to take the right way. He wants us to get off the right path and on to his road that leads to destruction. How does he do this and how can we avoid the trap? Psalm 1:1 gives us the answer. This verse may be taken to describe the journey one takes into sin...

First, listening to and going along with a crowd (the world and its way of believing)
Then, taking a stand with the crowd
Finally, reaching a point where sinning is not enough, mockery is added.

Therefore the truly happy man:

Avoids Distraction "Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly"
a) He does not listen to or take their counsel as to how to travel or live while on his journey
b) He does not follow the directions or the advice of those who are sinful
Avoids Delay "Nor stands in the path of sinners"
a) He does not linger where sinners are known to go
b) For the temptation to go with them would be great

Avoids the Dead- End "Nor sits in the seat of the scornful"

He does not join himself with those who ridicule and mock those trying to do right thing and stay on the right path
Which sinners often do to fortify their conduct and defend their actions. 3. Are we there yet? If Satan has his way we will never arrive at the point of true happiness. But heeding the warning of Psalm 1:1 will keep us on God's sure way that leads to true happiness. As you Journey on your way to Psalm 1 happiness this week, avoid distractions, delays, and dead-ends by walking with God in prayer, staying in His Word, walking with other believers, and by following the footsteps of our Savior!