"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." —Matthew 5:3
Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, parties, self-improvement programs, fancy cars, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.That’s the wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are:
- Poor in spirit—recognizing our desperate need for God.
- Mourning—realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
- Meek—demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
- Hungry and thirsty for righteousness—longing to be holy and pure.
- Merciful—showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
- Pure in heart—being singleminded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
- Peacemakers—sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
- Persecuted—being willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake.
Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus’ way.
Happy are they who love the Lord,
Whose hearts have Christ confessed,
Who by His cross have found their life,
Beneath His yoke their rest. —Bridges
Happiness depends on what you are, not on what you have.
by Dave Branon
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“...Nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be
done”
(Luke 22:42b, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Like many people today, I have big dreams and
goals. I have desires in my heart. But my prayer now is, “God, not my will, but
let Your will be done.” If a door closes, it’s no big deal; I let it go. If my
plans don’t work out, no big deal; I know God has something better. I’ve
learned to not get so consumed by a dream that if it doesn’t happen my way, I
get all bent out of shape.
Maybe you’ve gone through a disappointment.
You don’t understand it. You could easily be bitter, live with a chip on your
shoulder, and give up on your dreams. Realize today that God is at work in your
life. He is directing your steps. What you thought was a setback is going to
turn out to be a setup for a comeback! When you surrender your will to Him,
when you humble yourself before Him, that’s when God can take you to another
level.
Today, shake off the self-pity. Shake off the
disappointment and realize that God has you in the palm of His hand. Know that
He has good plans in store for your future, better than you could ever imagine!
Trust Him with your whole heart today and every day!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Precious heavenly Father, today I surrender
every area of my heart, mind and life to You. Have Your way in me. Do Your will
in my life. Let everything I am bring glory to You in all things! I bless You
today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
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