“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,” says the LORD;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
Psalm 12:5
Will knowing Jesus make me happier?
Romans 3, verse 20 says: “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” So God’s law (Bible) tells us what sin is. 1 John 3:4 says, “Sin is transgression (violation) of the law.” I'm going somewhere with this...please keep reading.
Romans 7, verse 7: “What shall we say then?” says Paul. “Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I had not known sin but by the law.” Paul says, “I didn’t know what sin was until the law (Bible) told me.” In Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.” God’s law acts as a schoolmaster to bring us to Jesus Christ that we might be justified through faith in His blood. All I knew was what my parents and friends had taught me and modeled for me growing up. I didn't know God's Word - I was ignorant concerning breaking His laws. I believe everyone knows when they are doing wrong. Our conscience tells us. But I was so used to ignoring what the truth was due to my upbringing - my heart was blinded and hardened to the truth. But that did not relieve me from the consequences of sin. Not knowing the truth would not have saved me from God's righteous judgement either.
According to the law we are all guilty before the judgment seat of a holy God. In adittion it is “appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). When you understand the horrific consequences of breaking God’s law, then you will flee to Jesus solely to escape the wrath that’s to come. And there is wrath to come. God “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Why? “Because He has appointed a day, in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (vs. 31).
You see, the issue isn’t one of happiness, but one of righteousness. It doesn’t matter how happy you are, how much you're enjoying “the pleasures of sin - (for a season)” Heb. 11:25. Without the righteousness of Christ, you’ll perish on the day of wrath. “Riches profit not on the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Prov. 11:4). When is the day of wrath? The day you die...and you don't know when that will be. It could be today. The Bible says, "Moreover, no man knows when his hour (of death) will come: as fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them." Ecclesiastes 9:12
So you see you should not be looking for some magic formula in the Bible to make you "happy"...the goal is not happiness it is righteousness. When you are in right standing with God you will be happy. But it will be more like joy than happiness. Joy is somewhat different from happiness. Happiness usually comes from external (outside of us) circumstances. Joy comes from within. Therefore it is not dependant on what is going on around you. So even if your life circumstances are not great, you can still have joy.
(Definition for joy: a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated). That is better than happiness. No one or no circumstance can take it from you. The scriptures are your instructions on how to be in right standing with God. Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments (Bible laws), you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:10-11
God's rules (Bible) also bring you to completeness and equip you for good works. Paul describes scripture as "given by inspiration of God, and... profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God (those who received the salvation of Jesus) may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2Timothy 3:16,17).
The definition of complete is:
1. having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full.
2. having all the required or customary characteristics, skills, or the like; consummate; perfect in kind or quality.
3. thorough; entire; total; undivided, uncompromised, or unmodified.
I was neglected and sexually abused as a child. As an adult I was insecure, afraid, angry and bitter. My whole life was affected by it; I struggled greatly to be a wife, a mother and a friend. I used drugs to help me cope, but drugs only made things more difficult for me. I didn't know what to do but still I cried out for wholeness. I wanted more than anything to be healed of my emotional wounds. I knew the degree of my wholeness would depict the quality of my life, and the lives of my daughters. I tried to do it on my own, but it didn't work. Phychology didn't work for me. 10 years of self-help didn't work either. It was like putting a tiny band-aid on my huge wounds. It could only teach me how to live with the wounds and manage them. I didn't want to manage my anger and bitterness. I didn't want to live with them. I wanted to be healed of them. I wanted to be delivered from the pit I was in. What I eventually learned is true healing only comes from Jesus Christ. He made me, only He could deliver me from the pit I was in. "He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light". (Job 33:28)
When I 36 years old I joined a bible study in a local Church. In that study Jesus began showing me the truth about myself and my situation. As I examined that truth I knew He was right; but I didn't know how to change myself. He began drawing me closer to Himself. The closer I came the more I healed. I listened to Him as He taught me the truths of the Bible and I knew it was truth. I felt a sense of hope for the first time in my life. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"(John 8:32). He showed me how to change and gently led me through it- step by step. My life began to greatly improve. There was a direct correlation between me recieving God's truth & healing and the quality of my life. That made me very happy and I had overwhelming joy. But I wasn't looking for happiness. Happiness is a byproduct of healing. The opposite of depressed is happy. I had to go through many trials and tribulation to come to that place. The Gospel wasn't some magic fairy dust sprinkled on me and suddenly my life was great. No...it was God Almighty leading me out of my pain step by step to a place of wholeness and healing. I praise Him for it - only He could have done it.
Isaiah 12 ~ Songs of Praise
In that day you will say:
"I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation."
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name;
make known among the nations what He has done,
and proclaim that His name is exalted.
Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
So I guess what I'm telling you is healing is a process. I am still learning and healing. I am sure I will until the day I join Him in Heaven.
When you accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord you will experience trials and tribulation and even persecution. You will have to face your problems and ask Jesus to give you wisdom and direction. But if you hang in there and allow God to bring you through it all you will come out the other side a different person. Everyone's experience is different and only God knows exactly what you need to be made whole, and I guarentee you He will bring that to you. But it may not look like what you need at the time. That is why the Gospel message only works by faith. If you don't trust God then the whole thing is pointless. If you don't trust Him your whole experience will be nothing but frustrating, dissappointing and eventually end up with you falling away from it. The sad thing is many people could have received real healing if they hung in there with Jesus and trusted Him.
But there is hope for everyone because the Bible says, "It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives." Romans 1:16-17 (The Message)
"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield". Psalm 5:11-12
God Word says we can only come to God
through His Son Jesus.
The Bible says, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6 The Bible says we must admit our sin to God and turn away from that sinful behavior and do whatever is neccessary to avoid it (repent). But we can't do it in our own strength. We need Jesus to help us overcome sinful strongholds (habbits).
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. "Acts 3:19
God loves you and wants to help you have victory over the things that are causing pain in your life. But first you must agree to allow Jesus to come into your life. He will not force Himself, He must be invited. If you want to invite Jesus into your heart you could use the model prayer below. Speak it out loud to Jesus...He will hear you and begin to change your life. "...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
" Romans 10:9
Here is a simple prayer you could say
to invite Jesus into your life. 
Lord God Almighty. I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I come to you with all the sins I've committed. I admit I am a sinner. I ask for your forgiveness. Please cleanse my body, soul and spirit from all this sin with the precious blood of your Son Jesus Christ. I believe your Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I also believe that He rose from the dead so that I, too, may have victory over the works of the devil. I confess and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and ask Him to come into my heart and give me a new life that’s after Your will and purposes. Please lead and guide me by Your Holy Spirit into righteousness.
Thank you Lord, for the work of Your Son Jesus shedding His blood for me and for hearing and answering my prayer. I’m now considered your child through the work of Your Son Jesus. I have a new life. I have been born anew and by faith I believe it.
Don’t worry about whether or not you
felt something after the prayer. Faith is not a feeling. What’s important
is how your life will change as you submit to God and His directions written in the Bible.
When you read the Bible measure your life against it. Do your best to bring your actions and thoughts in alignment with what you read. Think of it as an instruction book for life. Also pay close attention to what is now happening around you - you will see God at work in and through you. If you don't understand what's happening ask God to give you wisdom about it.
Now that you have prayed the prayer, what’s next?
1. Pray as often as possible – at least twice a day. It’s how you speak to God.
It doesn't need to be formal. Just talk with Him like you talk with your friends, but be respectful - He is God. You can read the Bible and pray it by personalizing it, especially the Psalms.
2. Read the Bible-it’s God speaking to you. The New King Kames Bible (NKJV) is great; it's accurate and easy to read. Listen to Him and obey His Word. As you align your thoughts and behavior with the truth of God's Word you will increasingly experience freedom from sin and its grip.
3. Seek divine guidance and wisdom in all you do (ask God to help you mak
e decisions). There will be times when you'll want to respond to situations based on your own experience, or own wisdom. This will get you into trouble. The Bible should be your guidance. Always go to the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of your situation to you. Look to see how God consistantly related to people throughout history, you can expect Him to work in a similar way with you.
4. Attend a bible based Fellowship/Church where you are receiving Biblical instruction and love. You have spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4 / 1 Corinthians 12 / Romans 12) given to you by God. He desires you use them in the body of believers. Seek a church that flows and encourages the use of spiritual gifts. Ask God to lead you to a Spirit filled church. Refer to the list of suggested Fellowships on this site. 5. Enroll in the Fellowship's water baptism class. Water baptism is important because Jesus said our new life in salvation needs to start with water and spiritual baptism. The prayer above ushers you into the spiritual baptism if you prayed it.
6. In adittion to the Bible also read Christian bible based books to equip you in your walk with God. Refer to the recommended sites page and click on the websites to search for suggested reading.
7. Listen and watch Christian bible based messages and programs to equip you in your walk with God. Refer to "Recommended Sites" page for help. This contains a list of great websites and radio programs available.
8. Seprate yourself from people who are dragging you down and trying to discourage you from your new faith. Make friends with those who want to help you and encourage you.