God's Exquisite Garden HAPPINESS Print version The word happiness means good fortune; contentment; joy. Happiness results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good. We might look about us for happiness. It is natural for us to want happiness. You might see happiness in the face of a child, or in nature. I enjoy seeing butterflies and birds and listening to classical music. It is relaxing to watch the squirrels running. These are simple pleasures that calm us in ways we enjoy. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5 (NKJV) He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20(NKJV) Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14(NKJV) The happiness that we as Christians have in Christ is so deep, and it will never die. Christians enjoy the glory and strength from the Lord. We read in Proverbs 3:13," Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. Also in Psalm 144:15," Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the Lord! " Doctors and scientists have found that happiness helps cure some illnesses. Not long ago, I heard of a group that met and laughed for an hour at a time for healthier hearts. Have you ever misplaced something that was special to you? Most people have, and it can become frustrating searching for it. Sometimes when we are still, we can either hear or see a glimmer of the object. God has freely given us a precious gift, His Son, Jesus. We read the story of the woman looking for the lost coin in the book of Luke." And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors, and say, ' Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin. '" Luke 15:9 Hear these words from John 17:3," And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." This gift is always ours to find, we only need to let Jesus live in our hearts and lives. Hannah prayed for a child and God sent Samuel to her. When he was weaned she took him to the house of the Lord, and there he remained the rest of his life " And Hannah prayed and said: " My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord, I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation. " I Samuel 2:1 II Corinthians 12:10," Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, I am strong. " The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up to it yourself. Benjamin Franklin So many people want happiness. Often, when we decide to live a happier life, we might try a self-improvement program. We need to study the will of God and allow it to be our guide through life. God will never leave us if our lives are centered around Him and His service. " And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. " Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 We read in Philippians 4:13," I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. " When our son was small, he enjoyed going to McDonald's. He was so happy in receiving a Happy Meal or chicken nuggets. His happiness did not cost much. Psalm 100:2," Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. " After all, our happiness is measured by the relationship we have with God. Many people feel uneasy as to their purpose in life. Our purpose for being here on earth is to glorify God. Romans 5:2,"... through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. " Larger image We read in Psalm 32:11," So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! " The Lord God, who made everything, has blessed us so richly. Even one who is not rich monetarily can be the richest person in town. God gives us this ability to be rich by the death of His Only Begotten Son. Through his death on the cross we have the forgiveness of our sins. Revelation 19:7," Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. " But there is a happiness in which a faithful Christian is assured of. That happiness would be the reward that awaits each Christian, found by the Lord, to have lived faithful unto death. That reward is our eternal heavenly home. This home will have no pain, no worries. That is true happiness. "In My Father’s house are many mansions;if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2-3 " Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer, Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. " Revelation 2:10 DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS (1) How can we be happy? (2) What makes a person truly happy? Lookup a word or passage in the Bible Include this form on your page Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence Lessons in this Series About The Author Print Version of All Lessons Lesson 1 Attitude Lesson 2 The Mind of Christ Lesson 3 Imitate Christ Lesson 4 Communication Lesson 5 Taming the Tongue Lesson 6 Our Legacy Lesson 7 Compassion Lesson 8 Confidence Lesson 9 Courage Lesson 10 Gossip Lesson 11 Honesty Lesson 12 Profanity Lesson 13 Improper Language . . Lesson 14 Faith Lesson 15 Encouragement Lesson 16 Humility Lesson 17 Assurance Lesson 18 Perseverance Lesson 19 Strength to Endure Suffering Lesson 20 Grieve Not The Spirit Lesson 21 Understanding Lesson 22 Knowledge Lesson 23 Wisdom Lesson 24 Purity in Heart Lesson 25 Trust Lesson 26 Obedience . . Lesson 27 Happiness Lesson 28 Contentment Lesson 29 Optimism Lesson 30 Inner Peace Lesson 31 Self-Control Lesson 32 Our Example Lesson 33 Patience Lesson 34 Concern Lesson 35 Testing Of Our Faith Lesson 36 Mercy Lesson 37 Grace Lesson 38 Problems Concerning Failure Lesson 39 Practical Results . . Lesson 40 Good Works Lesson 41 Women Teachers in Bible Times Lesson 42 Women Teachers Today Lesson 43 Having Good Friends Lesson 44 Choosing a Husband Lesson 45 Choosing a Wife Lesson 46 The Exemplary Daughter Part 1 Lesson 47 The Exemplary Daughter Part 2 Lesson 48 The Ideal Mother Part 1 Lesson 49 The Ideal Mother Part 2 Lesson 50 The Home As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 51 The Home As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 52 Impurity, . . Lesson 53 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 54 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 55 The Virtuous Woman Part 1 Lesson 56 The Virtuous Woman Part 2 Lesson 57 The Virtuous Woman Part 3 Lesson 58 Love Lesson 59 Morality Lesson 60 Pride & Haughtiness Lesson 61 Kindness Lesson 62 Respect Lesson 63 Modesty Lesson 64 Lying Lesson 65 Lewdness . . Lesson 66 Incomprehensible God Lesson 67 Unsearchable Riches Lesson 68 Infinite God Lesson 69 Holiness of God Lesson 70 Righteousness of God Lesson 71 Attendance Lesson 72 Omnipresence of God Lesson 73 Omniscience of God . .

The Secret of Happiness By Billy Graham / Thomas Nelson Most folks would probably never guess that the key to experiencing true happiness is poverty of spirit, meekness, mourning, and persecution. Now available for a new generation, Billy Graham's classic bestseller searches the heart of the Sermon on the Mount to show you Jesus' model for living a happy life---the Beatitudes. 208 pages, softcover from Word.