Psalms 1:1-6 - Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.  4 Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
 
“If you pursue happiness, you may miss holiness. But if you pursue holiness, you will discover the happiness God designed you to have.”
A. WHICH WAY ARE YOU SWIMMING? 
SALMON (Picture of Salmon Swimming Up-Stream)
 
B. PSALM 1 — GOD'S PICTURE OF THE HAPPY LIFE.  (5 PARTS BELOW)
"Blessed is the man..."  That word blessed means happy, flourishing, deeply satisfied.
 
1. HAPPINESS BEGINS WITH WHAT WE REFUSE TO FOLLOW
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
WHO IS SPEAKING INTO YOUR LIFE?
 
2. HAPPINESS COMES FROM WHAT WE CHOOSE TO PURSUE
Psalm 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."
WHAT YOU PURSUE MATTERS
What occupies your mind will influence your desires.
Your desires influence your decisions.
Your decisions determine your direction.
And your direction determines your destination.
 
3. WHEN YOUR ROOTS GO DEEP, YOUR LIFE BECOMES FRUITFUL
Psalm 1:3 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
"Don't chase the fruit. Deepen the roots."
 
4. THE HOLY LIFE GOES AGAINST THE CURRENT
Verses 4-6: Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Resistance doesn't always mean you're going the wrong way. Sometimes resistance proves you're going the right way.
 
5. THERE ARE TWO PATHS
Matthew 7:13-14 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
"Every choice is a step, and every step is taking you somewhere."
 
THE GREAT PARADOX OF HAPPINESS –
You can’t find happiness by chasing happiness. You can only find true happiness by seeking God!
 
 
Here’s What I Want us To Do this WEEK
4 QUESTIONS
1.     WHAT DO I NEED TO STOP WALKING IN?
2.     WHAT DO I NEED TO START DELIGHTING IN?
3.     WHERE ARE MY ROOTS?
4.     AM I GOING WITH THE CURRENT OR AGAINST IT?
 
*True happiness is found in becoming everything God created you to be.