"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Wisdom Regarding Work by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

Wisdom Regarding Work

INTRODUCTION

1. The responsibilities of being a Christian are many, one of which is
   providing a proper example...
   a. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth- Mt 5:13-16

   b. This requires outstanding and honorable conduct on our part- 1 Pe  2:12

   c. This is especially true as we go about the business of making a
      living - cf. 2Th 3:11-12

2. But how can we be sure that we behave properly toward outsiders in
   our business affairs...?
   a. We've seen that Proverbs has much wisdom to offer in regards to
      friends and family
   b. It also has much to say regarding every day work and business!

[As one who was employed in secular work before devoting my full
energies to preaching the gospel, I found Proverbs to be especially
helpful in this area.  For example, from Proverbs I learned...]

I. TO KEEP WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

   A. REMEMBER WHAT SHOULD TAKE PRIORITY...
      1. It is a fact of life that we must work to live and provide for our families
         a. If we aren't willing to work, the church is under no
            obligation to help us - 2Th 3:6
         b. If we don't provide for our families, we are worse than unbelievers 

             - 1Ti 5:8
      2. But misplaced priorities can be very harmful to our well-being!
         a. Righteousness, not riches, is what is truly profitable - Pro 11:4
         b. One should therefore seek to be righteous, not rich - Pro 11:28
      3. It is better to have a little with righteousness, than to be
         rich and wicked - Pr 16:8

   B. INVOLVE GOD IN OUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS...
      1. For then our efforts are more likely to succeed - Pr 16:3 (cf.
         how the Lord blessed Joseph - Gen 39:2-5)
      2. We are more likely to be able to enjoy what we receive 

          - Pro 10:22; cf. Ec 5:18-6:2

   C. REMEMBER THAT BUSINESS HAS A MAJOR SHORTCOMING...
      1. We never know what might happen tomorrow - Pr 27:1; cf. Jm 4:13-16
      2. Wealth is a fleeting commodity not worth killing yourself in
         order to obtain - Pr 23:4-5

[Many people come to learn these truths only after a lifetime, when they
realize they wasted their years on things not truly important, but the
value of Proverbs is that even the young can know them early and apply
them to their lives!  From Proverbs I also learned...]

II. TO BE SUCCESSFUL LABORER

   A. WHAT "NOT" TO DO...
      1. Be lazy, for it will greatly irritate your boss! - Pr 10:26
      2. Be slothful in your work, for it will ruin your company as
         quick as a competing company (and how long will your job last
         if your company can't compete?) - cf. Pr 18:9

   B. WHAT ONE "SHOULD" DO...
      1. Develop skill in your work (it will not go unnoticed) - Pro 22:29
      2. Be diligent in your work to ensure your promotion - Pr 12:24
      3. Impress people with the quality of your work, not the quantity
         of your words - Pr 14:23

[In today's competitive job market, among the best "skills" one can have
are such things as "diligence" and "honesty".  The wisdom from Proverbs
can help one become a valuable commodity!  Proverbs also provide wisdom
on how...]

III. TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

   A. BE A WISE MANAGER...
      1. Be diligent in your planning, and not too hasty in getting
         things done - Pr 21:5
      2. Nurture and utilize counsel from others - Pr 15:22
      3. Stay on top of your job! - cf. Pr 27:23-27

   B. BE A GOOD LEADER...
      1. Don't be oppressive - Pr 28:16
      2. Be concerned for the rights of your employees - Pr 29:7
      3. Provide good treatment, and you will gain loyalty and love- Pr 29:21
      4. Help the employee see how his work benefits himself as well as
         the company, so he will be diligent in his efforts - Pr 16:26

CONCLUSION

1. My experience as both a laborer and a manager gave me opportunity to
   test the wisdom found in Proverbs...

2. I found that if one...
   a. Keeps the need to work in proper perspective
   b. Applies the principles found in Proverbs and other Scriptures

3. That in His providence God...
   a. Not only provides you with the necessities of life
   b. But more often than not a good degree of material abundance!

The important thing to keep in mind is that throughout our business
dealings, we must always heed the words of Jesus:

   "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!" (Mt 6:33)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Questions and Answers: Was Job a Real Person? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=618

Questions and Answers: Was Job a Real Person?

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Q.

Was Job a real person?

A.

In a single day, the patriarch Job lost all ten of his children, all of his livestock, and many of his servants. And if all this was not enough, Job’s body then became diseased from head to toe, his wife urged him to “curse God and die,” and the comforting counsel of three of his “friends” quickly gave way to judgmental accusations.

Based upon the extent of the suffering mentioned above, and the time frame in which it all occurred, some critics tend to doubt that Job was a real person. Rather, they think he simply was fabricated to teach a lesson about human suffering. Perhaps, they say, he is to be valued like such parabolic figures as the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), or the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21).

If Job were not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible apart from for the book that bears his name, those who claim he was not a real person might be able to argue their position more confidently. But the fact is, Job is mentioned in three different verses in Scripture (outside the book of Job), and in all three passages he is considered a real, historical figure.

The first two places in which his name can be found are Ezekiel 14, verses 14 and 20. In verse 14, the prophet stated: “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” Verse 20 records: “[E]ven though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

Ezekiel’s point in both verses was that the ungodly conditions in the land were such that even if Noah, Daniel, and Job lived in that city, no one else would be saved. Ezekiel spoke of all three of these men as being real, historical people, not legendary characters.

Job also is mentioned in the latter part of the book of James. In 5:11 we read: “You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord.” Obviously, James was not writing through inspiration about an imaginary person. Although, admittedly much about Job remains a mystery, we can know that he was a real person who suffered in every way like you and me, and yet remained faithful to his God.

Questions and Answers: The Passion of the Christ--Biblically Accurate? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=638

Questions and Answers: The Passion of the Christ--Biblically Accurate?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Q.

Is the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ, biblically accurate?

A.

Hollywood rarely, if ever, represents the Bible accurately when it ventures into the arena of biblical history. Its depictions of Bible events usually are adjusted and supplemented with extrabiblical details. Nevertheless, Mel Gibson’s blockbuster recreation of the final hours of Jesus’ life on Earth depicts the major events quite credibly. The movie is particularly accurate in its cinematic portrayal of the attitude and actions of Pilate, the Jewish hierarchy, and the Jewish mob. Both the scourging scene and the actual crucifixion match substantially the extant historical reports of these Roman forms of punishment and execution—with perhaps one exception, i.e., the placement of the nails in Jesus’ hands (cf. Harrub and Thompson, 2002).

However, the movie does contain several nonbiblical allusions. For example, a single squadron of Jewish guards arrests Jesus in the garden, whereas the gospel accounts include a large angry mob with the Jewish officers (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47). After His arrest, Jesus is shoved off a bridge to dangle from a chain. As He is hoisted upward, He sees one of the disciples (Judas) hiding beneath the bridge. Mary Magdalene is linked with the adulterous woman of John 8. After Christ’s scourging, women sop up Jesus’ blood with towels provided by Pilate’s wife. Mary, experiencing a flashback to Christ’s childhood, comforts Jesus as He transports the cross to Golgotha. Simon of Cyrene, the man chosen by the Romans to assist Jesus with the cross, is given considerable dialogue. Mary is given an exaggerated role, and frequently is addressed as “mother,” in keeping with Catholic tradition (Gibson is Catholic). A raven pecks the eye of one of the thieves hanging beside Jesus. Yet the Bible says nothing of these details. Perhaps a more serious deviation is Satan’s attempt to discourage Jesus from subjecting Himself to the ordeal. In contrast, the New Testament depicts Satan as a central instigator of the event, apparently unaware of the ultimate spiritual and eternal implications for atonement (Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 12:1-5).

Despite such alterations to the biblical record, Gibson is to be commended for achieving his primary purpose: to give the viewer a deeper awareness of the suffering of Christ.

REFERENCES

Harrub, Brad and Bert Thompson (2002), “An Examination of the Medical Evidence for the Physical Death of Christ,” Reason & Revelation, 22:1-7, January.

Questions and Answers: Is there Proof of Bible Inspiration? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1379

Questions and Answers: Is there Proof of Bible Inspiration?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

Q.

What type of proof is available to show the Bible is inspired of God?

A.

There are any number of proofs which document that the Bible is inspired of God. But the Book’s uncanny brevity is one obvious proof of its divine origin. Throughout history, humans have been quite verbose in articulating their ideas and thoughts—from multi-volume encyclopedias, history books, and biographies, to the pronouncements of religious authorities via their councils, disciplines, and sundry theologies. In stark contrast to this human inclination, the books of the Bible are incredibly brief. Consider, for example, that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were given the weighty responsibility of reporting to the world for all ages the momentous events surrounding the life of Christ while He was on Earth. John even admitted that there were so many activities that occurred during Jesus’ life that, “if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:25). So what should be included, and what should be excluded in such a critical literary endeavor?

In reporting the events in the life of an extremely eminent figure in world history, what human writer would omit the birth—as Mark and John did? What author would skip over the first thirty years of the person’s life—as all four of the Gospel writers did (with Luke’s one exception of an incident in Jesus’ life at the age of twelve)? The baptism of Jesus is told in twelve lines by Matthew, and in six lines by Mark and Luke. Of the twelve post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, two are noted by Matthew, three each by Mark and Luke, and four by John. In Acts, Luke provided the only inspired report of the first thirty years of the history of the church and the spread of Christianity—and he did it in just twenty-eight chapters! The untimely death of the first apostle, James, which must have been a tremendous blow to the early church (on the order of, say, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to Americans), is recorded in a short eleven words. With such cataclysmic, earthshaking subject matter, how did these authors produce such succinct, condensed, concise histories consisting of only a few pages? The answer? They wrote under the overruling influence (in this case, restraint) of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

CALVINISTS & THEIR PRIVATE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE BY STEVE FINNELL

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2017/04/

CALVINISTS & THEIR PRIVATE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE  BY STEVE FINNELL

Calvinists believe the Bible as long as they can practice their private interpretations of Scripture.

Example: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

Calvinists Private Interpretation: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever God selects for salvation shall not perish but have everlasting life and whoever God selects to burn in hell, will not have everlasting life.

Example: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)

Calvinists Private Interpretation: (Acts 2:38) Then Peter said, "Repent for the remission of sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because you sins have already been forgiven. You received the gift of the Holy Spirit the very minute you believed.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God  and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they shall fall away, to renew then again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. (NKJV)

Calvinists Private Interpretation: (Hebrews 6:4-6)  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift to fall from grace, because once in grace always in grace. Those who have appeared to have fallen from grace were never saved.

Example: Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)

Calvinists Private Interpretation: (Ephesians 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith. Salvation is not the gift given by God. God give certain individuals the gift of faith so they can believe and be saved. Being baptized in water, by another person, is a good work; therefore it is not essential to be baptized in order to be saved.

Example: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,(NKJV)

Calvinists Private Interpretation: (Titus 2:11) For the grace of God brings salvation only to the elect that have been selected by God. God will choose those who will receive grace. There will be no free-will.

The only cure for private interpretations of Scripture is to have pride removed from a person's heart. 

What do the Scriptures tell us about Satan? by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/034-powerofsatan.html

What do the Scriptures tell us about Satan?

Jesus sent Paul to the people and to the nations: “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith” in Christ (Acts 26:18).
Who is Satan? What is the extent and nature of his power? Who has conquered Satan, and how can people turn from the power of Satan to God?

Who is Satan?
In Revelation we are told: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7-9).
Our knowledge of the heavenly realm is limited to what God has revealed. We are told that Satan led a rebellion against God. Pride was his downfall. An elder is not to be a novice, “lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).
It is the ultimate arrogance to suppose that a rebellion against God could succeed. Yet, billions today follow Satan's example. They live in rebellion to God.

What is the extent of Satan's power?
According to John, “The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Thus, Satan has much power.
Many do not believe that he exits. Others think that only those who commit terrible atrocities are under the power of Satan. But John says that the whole world is in the wicked one!

What is the nature of Satan's power?
The devil uses deception to rule the world. Jesus said that the devil “does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 RSV).
Satan is called “the tempter” (1 Thessalonians 3:5). He cannot force people to sin, but he tempts them by false claims that rebellion against God would bring greater pleasure, less pain or some advantage. Satan tempted Eve by telling her that she would be like God if she disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-5).
Satan appeals to people's desires. “Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13, 14).
When people decide to sin, they voluntarily join Satan's rebellion and extend his power. They also distance themselves from the fellowship of God. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

Jesus came to conquer Satan.
“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:31, 32).
Referring to the Holy Spirit, Jesus said: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).
Jesus came to rescue us from the power of Satan. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14, 15).
Satan is a killer. Jesus said: “He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). Satan brought death into the world by deceiving Eve. He encouraged her to disobey God and told her she would not die (Genesis 3:4). How could she be so foolish? Yet, we all follow Eve's example, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Jesus came to rescue us by depriving the devil of his deadly power. He accomplished this by bearing the punishment for our sins, He “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus says in Revelation: “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18). Through His resurrection, Christ conquered death. He has the keys to our grave. This is good news! This is the gospel!
Recently I learned the location of the grave of my maternal grandparents, Charles and Pearl Kincaid. I hope to obtain a picture of the plaque on their grave.
They were dedicated Christians. Although I do not remember them because I was small when they passed away, they had a great impact on my life. Their influence led to my parents becoming Christians.
When we walk through a graveyard, the stones are silent. The inscriptions show the person's name, the date of his birth and the date of his death.
In the fall, when the trees are wearing their most colorful garments, we like to go for a brief holiday across the border in the hills of Germany. While driving around admiring the beauty of God's creation, we have at times stopped to visit a graveyard. The cemeteries are beautiful, usually on the side of a hill. In the fall, flowers are placed on the graves in remembrance of family members who have passed on.
Walking from gravestone to gravestone, we sometimes noticed that a child had lived only a few months, or that a whole family had died on the same day, or that someone had lived a full life of eighty or ninety years. Now they all are silent in the grave, and one day soon we will be with them, unless the Lord returns before we die. We never know which day will be our last.
Death is the power of Satan. After Adam and Eve had to leave Eden, everyone dies because everyone sins (Romans 5:12).
Yet, something within us objects to death. God has placed eternity in man's heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11). People we know and love ought not to die! And God has provided a way that we can live on with Him forever. Death and sin give Satan his power, but Jesus has conquered sin and death and Satan.

How can someone turn from the power of Satan to God?
Salvation from the power of Satan is offered to all. After His resurrection, Jesus told His followers: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15, 16). “And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
When someone does not desire, however, when his heart is not right, Satan can prevent him from believing. Jesus explained the parable of the sower: “The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:11, 12). ... “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
Paul says: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4).
But when we are willing, when we hear the word with good and noble hearts, when we believe and are baptized, we are saved by God: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13, 14).
John heard praise in heaven for Christ's victory over Satan: “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:10, 11).
Paul explains: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1, 2).

But Satan does not give up easily.

He tries to bring us back under his power. Paul was concerned about the Corinthians: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). He had similar fears about the welfare of the Thessalonians: “For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Peter warns: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8, 9).
James gives this admonition: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
God has given us the weapons we need to resist the devil: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

What have we learned about Satan?
Mankind is in the clutches of the wicked one, who deceives the whole world. His power is the destructive power of sin and death.
Christ came to set us free from the power of Satan by suffering the penalty for our sins so we can be forgiven. This good news is preached to all.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved by God who transfers him from the power of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. Satan still assails us, but God gives us the weapons we need to resist him and remain faithful.
In conclusion, a blessing from Romans 16:20 - “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Oh, the blessed state of HAPPINESS by Gary Rose

This picture was entitled “The happiest picture you will see on the INTERNET today”. They were right. Just look at those two faces- Are they happy or what? Just a very young child (notice – no teeth yet) and the family dog, just happy to be alive. This picture makes my day! I wonder; what makes a person happy, a good joke, a kiss on the cheek, a promotion, a gift, a new home? And the list goes on… But there are people out there who are rich and very unhappy. So, what is happiness anyway? To answer this question, I did a small search and this is what I found. The Bible says…

Happiness and Deliverance (Salvation)

Deuteronomy 33 ( World English Bible )

[26] ”There is none like God, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, In his excellency on the skies. [27] The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’ [28] Israel dwells in safety; the fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine. Yes, his heavens drop down dew. [29] You are happy, Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency! Your enemies shall submit themselves to you. You shall tread on their high places.”

God loved Israel and brought them out of Egypt and into a land of plenty. Over many generations God led them and cared for them. He gave them HIS words to guide and correct them. All to give them true happiness.

Happiness and Correction

Job 5 (WEB)

[17] ”Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

Correction seems hard and even mean at times, but ultimately it can be the best thing that can happen to a person. Just think; how many wayward young men have joined the armed forces and came home the better for it. The correction they received made them better human beings.

Happiness and Children

Psalm 127 (WEB)

[3] Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. [5] Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Children can be a blessing. Their first step, their first day at school and a hundred other things are memories that parents never, ever forget. Why? Because we see ourselves live again through their lives. And when they do what we taught them, in the way we taught them, that is a joy that only a parent can know! Consider, for a moment, how God feels when we do things his way and not our own.

Happiness and God’s help

Psalm 146 (WEB)

[1] Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh, my soul. [2] While I live, I will praise Yahweh. I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist. [3] Don’t put your trust in princes, each a son of man in whom there is no help. [4] His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish. [5] Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God: [6] who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever; [7] who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. Yahweh frees the prisoners.

Most of us are ordinary people. We don’t have extraordinary jobs or lifestyles, we are not “rich and famous”. We work and make the most of life that we can. But for those who know God, we realize that we truly have help. Just think about this for a moment… Who is a better friend that the one who made this marvelous world and cares for us, even to the point of suffering for us in the most dreadful way? Jesus is the only one I can think of.

Happiness and Wisdom

Proverbs 3 (WEB)

[13] Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. [14] For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

Half of life is just not doing something STUPID. The Christian has volumes of information on how to live your life the SMART way- I am referring to the Bible of course. And the Bible is a guide to all the wisdom you could ever want or need. Straight from God, himself!

Happiness Perfected

Matthew 5 ( Young’s Literal Translation )

[1] And having seen the multitudes, he went up to the mount, and he having sat down, his disciples came to him, [2] and having opened his mouth, he was teaching them, saying:

[3] 'Happy the poor in spirit--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

[4] 'Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.

[5] 'Happy the meek--because they shall inherit the land.

[6] 'Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness--because they shall be filled.

[7] 'Happy the kind--because they shall find kindness.

[8] 'Happy the clean in heart--because they shall see God.

[9] 'Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.

[10] 'Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

[11] 'Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake-- [12] rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward is great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

While most translations use the word “Blessed” instead of “Happy”, the word really means- “OH, the blessed state of the person”. Right about now, some of you are thinking: How in the world can a person be happy while mourning (verse 4) or suffering (verses 11 & 12). The answer is found in a relationship with God. There is a saying I remember from many years ago: God’s will, God’s way, God’s results. When one commits their life to live their life according to what God wants- THINGS CHANGE, BECAUSE YOU CHANGE!

And this my friend is true happiness! May God bless you, and BE HAPPY!