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--- jn_en_2019_01_04 [2019/01/04 08:11] – potthast
+++ jn_en_2019_01_04 [2019/01/04 08:28] (current) – potthast
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-====== Prayer and Life ... ======
+====== Pursuit of Happiness ... ======
 Friday, Jan 4, 2019. What is the idea of the New Testament about human life? How to
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-First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
+First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
 </color> (1 Tim 2)
+It is remarkable that Paul urges the church (through Timothy) to pray and to thank
+God for all the others. Here, he talks in particular about kings and those in high
+positions. It is about each and everyone who has responsibility for other people.
+As Christians, we should keep praying for them, from pure hearts! We should pursue
+their happiness as well, and their truthfulness and blessing - through prayer!
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-** ...**
+** Still life full of happiness and truth ...**
+The goal which Paul describes is a "peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified
+in every way". Let us relate this to the pursuit of happiness. How can you be
+happy if you do not have peace in your heart? In this sense peace is a core part
+of any happiness. Without peace, happiness is close to self-deception.
+Paul also describes the goal as "quite life". If you are truly happy, you do not
+need to be loud. You do not need to be clamant. True happiness has some element
+of being self contained, being in peace, being at rest.
+But Paul also clarifies that life should be godly. For those who have discovered
+that God is the fantastic creator, source and friend, the saviour, love itself,
+full of truth, creativity, majesty and freedom - how in the world should you not
+be godly, not orient your life and emotions and thoughts and actions towards
+him? How can you find full and deep happiness without the connection to him,
+without having him in your life day by day?
+In God, there is tremendous dignity for each and everyone of us. He dignifies
+our life even just by looking at it. His appreciation of life is breathtaking.
+He gives full value to every single life form through his deep love. When we
+react to this, when we are touched by it, and changed by it. When we are in his
+presence, our pursuit of happiness has reached its ultimate goal! All is good.
 (Roland Potthast)
 [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/topics_collection_ix|... further texts]]