"...just a little happier than usual"

1twelve2 · 07-09-2003, 11:24 AM

[hey it's my first devo.! i'm a newbie, so i don't know what i'm doing exactly, yea, so...i just want to share my life experiences with you and hope that it transcends my own life into yours.]

Last night everyone (I was out for dinner w/some of my friends) was talking about drinking, (the subject came up in our convo.) and one girl said that she would not want to get drunk, but "just a little happier than usual." And no one spoke against this, and I was surprised. Admittedly, I've never drank, and consider me "unexperienced," but I say that it is sometimes better learn from the Experienced than from experiences.

Ok the girl who said that ("...just a little happier than usual"), along with everyone else that was there are Christians. So as Christians, we should be filled with God's love and the Spirit and be more than satisfied. And, do we really need to have alcohol at a party? (the topic came up because we were talking about an upcoming Beef & Beer Benefit for one of the girls' sisters) If we think we do to transform ourselves, then there is something wrong with that picture.

So if you "...just want to be a little happier than usual," I suggest a spiritual checkup...realizing (again) the abudant life you have with Jesus - will make you a LOT "happier than usual."

Romans 12:
"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual[1] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. " (NIV)

"1Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. 2Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him." (CEV)

"1So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (MSG)

Another thing I learned last night: Speak up. Don't be a coward like I was...I was afraid everyone would be angry with me. And "take advantage of every opportunity" ("4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Col. 4)

bryanfal · 07-16-2003, 11:07 AM

Hey there freak,

Don't beat yourself up about this episopde. Yes we do need to speak the truth, but it is taught even more in scripture to live the truth.

I am one of those "experienced" that has become a lot happier with being drunk in the spirit, than getting drunk on spirits. But, in my experience, my words don't speak to my peers nearly as loudly as the life I lead, or don't lead anymore, for that matter.

Great devo.
Keep looking at life through God's magnifying glass! Not through dirty bar glasses.

c-ya

1twelve2 · 07-23-2003, 02:00 PM

thank you for your words of encouragement, bryan

will barbour · 07-12-2004, 09:26 PM

BryanI really liked your devo. You really made me think things over. I loved the scripture!!! Thanks alot!

Noelene · 07-13-2004, 05:26 AM

I got some more scriptures for you...

Dont get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephsians 5:18)

Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine (Is.5:11)

It is not for kings .... to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights (Prov. 31:4-5)

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is lead astray by them in no wise (Prov 20:1)

but any way, thought you might take some intrest in them....

Cool devotional....

go in peace
jesus loves ya.

1twelve2 · 07-24-2004, 11:43 PM

Thanks everyone - I'm glad to see that this year-old devo. is still relevant. Of course, God's word is timeless. praise him for that.

also, a little sidenote: please pray for that friend I mentioned last year (the one I quoted saying "happier than usual"), who is started to drink more this summer - she's going through a hard time, and unfortunately alcohol is playing a larger role in her life now.