TRUE HAPPINESS<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
"Behold, HAPPY is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole." Job 5:17-18
What we learn from this passage:
·   "Happy is the man whom God correcteth"
·   "despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty"
·   "he maketh sore"
·   "he...bindeth up"
·   "he woundeth"
·   "his hands make whole"
Beware of the teaching and teachers who perpetrate a false happiness that does not align with the divinely-given ingredients of this passage.
"The man whom God correcteth…maketh sore…woundeth" is "happy" in the true sense – in God's economy. Not the man who is entertained and told by false prophets that he is okay in his sin, but rather the one who endures the chastisement of the LORD and sound doctrine to his own hurt and wounding, that Christ, the Master Potter might "maketh sore" and "woundeth" then "bindeth up" and "make whole."
Have you ever been wounded to health? As a child, were you spanked when you did wrong? If so, remember back to the sense of cleanness in your heart after the tears subsided. That is an example of being wounded to health.
In school, did you have art class? Have you ever worked with clay? If so you know how that there are many times when working with clay that you have to just start over. You have to crush the clay and ball it up and then begin rebuilding better. Isn't this the picture the LORD painted for us? In order to form clay in the image the potter, the craftsman must add moisture, squeeze out the air pockets, reform, and reshape that clay.
"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel." Jeremiah 18:1-6
What was written concerning Israel was "written for our learning" and "for our admonition." (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11) 
The LORD our Potter works His work on the wheel of His molding. When He sees fit, He will mar in His fashioning and creative hands us, His clay. In this process He is making us "another vessel" as seems good to Him, the Master Potter. - "Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."
God's Word plainly informs us that "he (God) hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." (Eph. 1:3-4) Beloved, do not fall prey to the fairy tale messages of modern-day moral pansies who like Joel Osteen, teach a happy message that is yielded through the serving of self (as he supposes). Christ came and died to make us holy not happy (Matt. 1:21; Jn. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:15, etc.). Modern day beguilers, who wield great influence in this self-serving last day generation, are leading millions to eternal damnation. They purposely leave out biblical truth such as the guarantee of sufferings, tribulations, judgment for sin, fasting, eternal damnation, the holiness of God, and essential nature of personal holiness for all who will be His, etc. True believers are called to endure sound doctrine and suffering (Matt. 10:22; 24:10-13; 2 Tim. 3:12; 4:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1).
The joy of the LORD truly is our strength and yet such a priceless spiritual fruit is yielded only as we abide in Jesus (Neh. 8:10; Jn. 15; Gal. 5:22-23).
These deceivers weave the tapestry of a false, featherbed "Christianity" that is totally irreconcilable with the Holy Spirit-inspired words of Jesus and His holy apostles and prophets. - "By good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." These men and their myths are to be marked and exploded with divine truth. See Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3-4.
Beloved, is it not moral cowardess that causes people to migrate to such foolishness? Don't we want to get real and be authentic to the core – broken and contrite in heart and willing to suffer anything for Jesus' precious name?
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES…LOVERS OF PLEASURES MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power (reign; rule; authority) thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The self-centered gospel is a false gospel that places the happiness of the individual above the glorification of the One who created and bled for us (Col. 2:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:15-16). The chaff run to hear their me-centered gurus tell them how much God wants to make them happy. Yet the one true God who gave us His Word, tells us differently. The happy god preached by the deceivers of our day is a false Christ (2 Cor. 11:2-4).
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 42:8
The plan of the true LORD and Savior is clear - it's all about His glory and not about the temporal feelings and entertainment of those He has redeemed to conform to the image of Jesus Christ (Isa.42:8; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 1:29, 31). He saved us to know Him and get to know Him better daily as we deny the self life and experience "the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." (Jn. 17:3; Phil. 3:10) 
Those leaders true to the LORD will "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" (2 Tim. 4:2-5)Those who refuse to obey Christ by enduring sound doctrine and denying self instead of esteeming self, will be deluded by the pied pipers of this last hour. God Himself personally sends these people "strong delusion." Why? – "BECAUSE they received not the love of the truth."
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they deceived not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
Here is a striking and telling e-mail we received from a true believer who loves God and His truth and seeks to help others in the same:
"God's Word is alive and healing!...I recently e-mailed the truth to a good friend and she doesn't want to hear from me anymore. She said she won't read anymore of my e-mails. She's into Joel Osteen now and all she can do is think about herself - determined to move away and not caring if her husband comes with her or not. She told me she only wants to hear encouraging and uplifting things and if I continued to talk about sin, I would lose everyone in my life. I guess that is a real possibility. Speaking the truth in love is hard, but absolutely necessary. After finding out about the lie of OSAS ('once saved always saved') and the problems with the modern translations, I'm sad to see how many 'Christians' are not willing to seek the truth. I know it's a spiritual battle, and as I seek God, he will heal the sadness I have in my heart. I am so grateful to know His truth and pray my friends and loved ones would heed to His warnings and obey." L. S.
The false teachers feed the self-life instead of preaching what Jesus and His apostles declared as the truth – that one must deny the self-life in order to have His life (Lk. 9:23-24; Mk. 8:34-38; Jn. 12:24-25, 2 Cor. 4:10-11; 7:1; James 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Either one is in his personal life denying, self or he is denying Christ.
Saints, do we want to be broken and put back together by the perfect hands of the Potter of our clay? Then we are blessed or happy in the true sense.
How "happy" do you think the followers of these false prophets and their messages are really going to be when they are led astray, die, and go directly into the flaming fires of eternal hell? What do you think they will be "happy" about then? How proud will they be of the smiling deceivers who led them down the wide road that led them to everlasting horror and conscious torment? How glad will they be for believing the lie of unconditional eternal security? Will they still be defending those false prophets then?
"Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:13-14
"And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:51
The LORD calls all those who will be His to be broken before Him - true joy will be one of the myriad of blessed benefits:
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalms 34:18
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalms 51:17
"But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isaiah 66:2
When I am truly broken before the LORD, I will tremble at His Word (Job 23:12; Ps. 119; Jer. 15:16).
Remember beloved, the LORD must break you to bless you! When He breaks us it is for our good and His glory and as He puts us back together, we are more whole. If you are going to go on with Him, you must be broken. There are no shortcuts. You must know that He is going to wound you to health. Be not surprised nor afraid. Ask Him to break you. Lay the clay of your life, your whole being and future, into the hands of the only perfect Potter. Pray like Christ: Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. You are His special creation and He truly does love you too much to leave you as you are.
Prayer: Father, please break me to the core of my being! Break us that You might make us whole in Your holy image. I have no hope without You! Do a deep work in me Jesus! Break me, wound me, and make me whole my LORD! You are the Potter and I am so thankful that You created me – Your clay. Sobeit!