Tuesday, August 12, 2014

August 13, 2014

“Blessed  are  those  who  have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the  kingdom  of  heaven. “Blessed  are  you  when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12

All of us have been deeply saddened by the tragic news out of Hollywood. It is heart-breaking to lose such a talented comedian and actor like Robin Williams. Adding to the tragedy is the irony of a man who devoted his adult life to bringing people happiness yet he died of terminal unhappiness.

Our hearts have been broken with the initial report of Mr. William's death and the sadness deepens with each additional morbid detail.

Robin Williams had all the trappings of happiness that typically shape our cultural paradigm of what brings happiness. He had a beautiful home on the San Francisco Bay in beautiful Tiburon. Looking across the Bay he could see the stunning skyline of San Francisco, looking to his left would be Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge in the background and to his right is a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Everyone in Hollywood respected him and millions around the world loved him. By every common standard he should have been happy.

What makes you happy?

Do you know what makes you happy?

How do you know you are happy?

This Summer we have been studying the Beatitudes and discovering eight things that make God happy.

I ask you again, what makes you happy?

Jesus gives the answer to that very thoughtful question in His Sermon on the Mount. In His proclamation of eight "blesseds" He is implying that your happiness will be found in making God happy. 

If you had a "bucket list" or a checklist of things that you would need to be happy, how many of these would be on your list?

Is being poor in spirit on that list?

Is mourning over your sinfulness listed?

How about meekness?

What about hungering and thirsting for righteousness?

Is giving mercy on the list?

Did you list being pure in heart, striving to be a peacemaker, or being persecuted for your beliefs?

I didn't think so. They weren't on mine either, until Jesus changed my heart.

I'm so happy He changed my heart!

Now I want to live to make Him happy by my attitudes and actions.

What do you need to be happy today?