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Blessed: happy; to be envied; spiritually prosperous-with life joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions
No doubt, times are hard. Everywhere we look, it seems people are struggling—struggling with finances and unemployment, poor health, rebellious children, etc. Life is bleak. As Christians, we know we have the promise of a better, more fulfilling life so how do we stand on those promises? How do we find that “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8) and “peace that passes all understanding?” (Philippians 4:7) Knowing the Bible is our “life manual,” I have been searching the scriptures to find the answer. In my quest for true happiness, I did not find one scripture that referenced a big house, perfect children, an expensive car, an elite social status with country club membership. Nor did I find age-defying beauty tips or trendy clothing and bargain shopping. Secrets to obtaining those material things we tend to believe will make us happy were not tucked away in a hidden passage no one has yet to discover. What I did find, though, were all things we can do freely and willingly for a life of Heaven here on Earth.
It is my prayer that as you take a stroll with me through these passages, you, too will find everything you need to walk in true joy, unexplainable peace, and life everlasting!
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Trust and Believe in the Lord; Look to Him Only:
Psalm 40:4 – Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Proverbs 28:14 – Blessed is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord at all times [regardless of circumstances.]
Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Luke 1:45 – You are blessed because you believed the Lord would do what He said.
Luke 11:28 – …But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.
John 20:29 – Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.
Walk in His Ways:
Psalm 119:1, 3 – Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Yes, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
Revelation 14:13 – Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on.
Revelation 22:7 – Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.
Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.
Seek the Lord with All of Your Heart:
Psalm 119:2 – Blessed are they who keep his testimonies and who seek Him with the whole heart.
Isaiah 30:18 – Blessed are all those who wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him.
Revelation 16:15 – Blessed are all who are waiting for me.
Surround Yourself with Godly Friends and Influences:
Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
Show Mercy:
Poor is not only defined as a financial state of lack, but also as: deficient or lacking in something specified; miserable, unhappy, pitiable.
Proverbs 14:21 – Blessed is he who is kind and merciful to the poor.
Proverbs 21:9 - He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
Proverbs 22:9 – Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
Scriptural Promises:
Psalm 41:1-3 – Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desires of his foe. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.
Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord—it makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it.]
Proverbs 20:7 – The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.
Revelation 19:19 – Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast.
And let's not neglect the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-11. A quick history lesson for your journey.
In Christianity, the Beatitudes are a set of teachings by Jesus that appear in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The teachings are expressed as eight blessings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result. In almost all cases the phrases used are familiar from an Old Testament context, but in the sermon Jesus elevates them to new teachings. Together, the Beatitudes present a new set of Christian ideals that focus on love and humility rather than force and exaction; they echo the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality and compassion. (Wikipedia)As a parent, I can think of nothing that makes me happier than to know my kids are happy. They do not pace about wringing their hands trying to solve the problems of life. My role as parent is to provide everything they need to live, to play, and to become successful adults. When my kids are happy and super excited for no apparent reason, they dance with reckless abandon, they giggle and skip and tumble and act so silly. God, our Father, takes His role just as seriously. We cannot take a breath or make one step lest He allows. And just as we are derive so much pleasure from watching our children dance with joy, so our Heavenly Father takes great delight in our happiness and scripture tells us “the joy of the Lord is our strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)
So, throw up your hands, dance in the rain, and play for you, my friend, are BLESSED!
Proverbs 3:6 - "in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight."
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