JESUS' RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS

The world is determined to find peace and contentment. They are moving to the suburbs, the country, or a condominium. They exercise and jog for their health so they can be at “peace”, or “happy” with themselves. They put their money in mutual funds, seeking peace and happiness for their old age. They are going to college for their own self-esteem. Happiness and contentment are high on everyone’s want list.

When Jesus spoke of peace and happiness, He gave a formula consisting of eight broad principles that are capable of providing genuine happiness. Man’s formula emphasizes money, power, popularity and indulgence, but we know that man’s formula has been a dismal failure. Look at Jesus’ recipe, and see if it isn’t better than man’s.

1.  Blessed Are The Poor in Spirit         Blessed = Happy
This poverty of spirit is more than humility, but is the ability to recognize one’s limitations, yet not be discouraged by them. This word poor is the strongest term used in the Bible for poverty, describing the person who realizes just how weak he is without God’s strength. It is the opposite of the Pharisee’s attitude in Luke 18:9-14:

 “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

2.  Blessed Are They That Mourn