HOW TO BE A HAPPY CHRISTIAN
PSALM 40:16
I. Be in the Center of God’s Will
A. Proverbs 13:15 “... the way of the unfaithful is hard.”
B. Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
C. Psalm 1:1-2 (HCSB) “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.”
D. Deep down the miserable Christian knows that the thin facade of earthly pleasure can in no way equal the deep and satisfying "peace that passeth all understanding" that belongs to the one who walks with the Lord. I’m convinced that everyone who has taken a single step with the Lord is truly miserable when they get out of step with him. They perhaps experience some "pleasure," but pleasure is always temporary and constantly demands a greater "high." Happiness is a different matter completely. – Zig Ziglar
E. James 1:25 “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
II. Become Other’s Orientated
A. Matthew 20:26-28 “...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
B. How to be miserable in 20 easy steps!
1. Use "I" as often as possible.
2. Always be sensitive to slights.
3. Be jealous and envious.
4. Think only about yourself.
5. Talk only about yourself.
6. Trust no one.
7. Never forget criticism.
8. Always expect to be appreciated.
9. Be suspicious.
10. Listen greedily to what others say about you.
11. Always look for faults in others.
12. Shirk your duties if you can.
13. Do as little as possible for others.
14. Never forget a service you may have rendered.
15. Sulk if people are not grateful for your favors.
16. Insist on consideration and respect.
17. Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
18. Always look for a good time.
19. Love yourself first.
20. Be selfish at all times. – PULPIT HELPS, July, 1991
C. Understand happiness is to be found in being more concerned about others than about self.
D. 1 Corinthians 10:24 “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
E. At the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the hundred-yard dash. The contestants waited. The crowd watched. The gun sounded. It wasn’t exactly a dash, but all nine ran the best they could. Hoping to finish. Hoping to win. Suddenly one of them stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over, and began to cry. The other eight heard his cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then every one of them stopped, turned around, and went back to get him. A girl with Down syndrome bent over and kissed him. "This will make it better," she said sweetly. A few helped him up. Then all nine linked arms and walked across the finish line. Together. Everyone in the stadium stood. The ovation went on for several minutes. People who were there still tell this story. Why? Because joy is one of the few things that is multiplied when it’s divided. Because those who bring sunshine to the lives of others can’t keep it from shining on themselves. – Callaway, Phil. Laughing Matters, Multnomah Publishers, 2005, p. 87-88.
F. 1 John 4:12 “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”
G. American educator Booker T. Washington said, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." - copied
III. Be Content
A. As a rule, Man’s a fool
When it’s hot, He wants it cool.
And when it’s cool, He wants it hot,
Always wanting What is not. – Bits & Pieces, June 22, 1995, p. 5
B. No person can ever be happy until he has learned to enjoy what he has and not to worry over what he does not have.
C. Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
D. "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet." - James Oppenheim, Instant Quotation Dictionary, p. 153.
E. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
F. The Greek word translated "blessed" (makarios) is an adjective meaning "happy" or "blissful." Makarios comes from the Greek word makar, which speaks of being happy in a way not dependant on circumstances.
G. Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”
H. The secret of happiness? Count your blessings while others are adding up their troubles. – "Bits & Pieces," September 9, 1999
