Well, we're going to close out the week with a good, honest question from a podcast listener

named Seth, Hello Pastor John.

I believe intellectually that learning about God can provide a greater joy than whatever

temporary pleasures I may get from the many distractions that this world has to offer

and have experienced times in my life where it has.

However, these times are generally short-lived and expire very quickly.

Did you give me some tips on how to be more satisfied in the things of the Lord than

in the things of the world and in a way that endures?

I know that spending hours watching television or playing games throughout the day is a waste

of my time yet I struggle to stop doing these things.

Please help Pastor John.

Well, let me begin by congratulating Seth with the simple and glorious fact that he believes

there are such things as things of the Lord.

That very phrase causes some younger Christians to just gag because they're on a crusade

to demonstrate that all things are the things of the Lord.

So why are you talking about being more happy in things of the Lord?

Well, it is true that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.

In that sense, all things are things of God, but we all know that there's a difference

between balancing your checkbook and pondering a sweet promise of God.

We know there's a difference between the rising of the stock market and the saving of

a soul through the gospel.

And we know that our joys ought to be greater in a promise than in a balanced checkbook.

...