Discovering YOU Magazine July 2019 Issue | Page 45

Pastor Philip Nissley has been the Senior Pastor of New Hope Assembly for 24+ years. He has a passion for the Downriver community and Detroit to be changed by the power of God.

SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH

ARE YOU LIVING THE GOOD LIFE?

Article by Pastor Philip Nissley,

New Hope Assembly of God, Taylor, MI

Everyday by our choices made, we are filling in the blank: Life is ______? Forrest Gump filled in the blank by saying: "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.” The longer we live, we realize that we need God to open our eyes to what “Living the Good Life” means! Life is far more than a rat race, a series of choices, a paycheck, a weekend party. Life is a dress rehearsal for the chance at Eternal Life with God. Because of what’s at stake we must look at…

THE STEALERS OF LIFE

The problem is, people in our world have very different perceptions of what exactly the Good Life is. Is the good life the wealthy life? Is the good life the famous life? Is the good life the quiet and peaceful life? Jesus warned in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy". Because of Satan’s attempt to steal our purpose and pleasure we must see…

A. You won't find the Good Life in Pleasure. You have likely heard people say that if only they could take a cruise, or retire in

luxury, or have their sex, money and pleasure fantasies fulfilled then they would be living. Yet every day we read about and see people who’ve done these things and yet remain empty. Try as they may in the pursuit of pleasure, it NEVER LASTS, and the law of diminishing returns takes hold. It takes a bigger thrill or a bigger event to bring another high. Further…

B. You won't find the Good Life in Performance. A Wimbledon tennis champion thought all his life that winning this major tournament would result in life as he had never known it. He said following his championship, "The thrill of victory lasts about fifteen minutes." That’s because you were made for God, for good and to bring glory to God. Further you will see…

C. You won't find the Good Life in Possessions. Eccl. 5:10 says "The one who

loves money is never satisfied with