“It is only since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world, that they’ve become so ineffective in this one,” writes Billy Graham in his DEVOTIONAL TREASURY called UNTO THE HILLS on page 241.

Believe me, when I read that this morning I was excited, and I am still excited.

There is a book in my library written by a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ called Georg Brinke and the title is JENSEITIGES UND ZUKUENFTIGES ( The other World and the Future ).

I can hardly believe what he writes at the beginning of the book. Here is the translation of a couple of sentences:

“It is now more than 40 years that I know the Lord Jesus Christ. During that time it was my privilege to attend many meetings and conferences. I listened to outstanding teachers of the BIBLE, but I never heard  anybody preach on the subject “Heaven.” Not long ago I noticed also that  I myself have never preached on the subject of “Heaven”, except on the subject of the New Jerusalem.”

You will agree with me that we hear and read a lot about DIVINE HEALING!

What was the favourite sermon subject of D. L. Moody? Yes, it was “HEAVEN.”

“‘Aim at heaven,’ said C. S. Lewis, ‘and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth, and you will get neither.'” ( Billy Graham in UNTO THE HILLS, page 241)

“IS EVERYBODY HAPPY?”

“Is everybody happy? The short answer is no, according to a recent UMR survey taken over the past couple of years on the state of happiness in New Zealand.” ( That is the beginning of the commentary “Finding our happy place” in the LISTENER March 3 2012 )

Why the negative answer?

Because we are not to seek for happiness, we are to hunger after righteousness.

WE ARE NOT TO SEEK FOR HAPPINESS.

Why are we not to seek for happiness?

Is not the whole world seeking for happiness? Yes, the whole world is seeking for happiness ……. and does not find happiness. Happiness always escapes discovery.

WE ARE TO HUNGER AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Why are we to hunger after righteousness?

The BIBLE says in Matthew 5:6 “Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperoues [that is, in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation] are those  who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!” [Isaiah 55:1,2] (THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this:

“According to the Scriptures happiness is never something that should be sought directly; it is always something that results from seeking something else.”

PRESENTS THE 2012 JUNIOR DEPARTMENT MUSICAL

“THE AMAZING GRACE RACE”

“Think about what it is like to run a race…”

“Tie your shoe strings and begin your race with the HIGH-ENERGY kids musical. When facing tough stretches through places like the Valley of Despair and Badlands Bog, these kids learn the value of love, forgiveness, perseverance and the value of working as a team.”