I Deserve to be Happy

April 24, 2022

Randy Hageman

The Bible assures us that

are a problem.

No lies about your neighbor. —Exodus 20:16 (Message)

Jesus: ‘… [The devil] has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ —John 8:44 (NLT)

Jesus: ‘… the truth will set you free.’ —John 8:32 (NLT)

There are lies that are particularly insidious and dangerous – the lies we live as the

!

And a lie never makes for a strong

for how we live our lives.

‘Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.’ —Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

By what

can “they” say you and I “deserve” whatever is being offered?

Happiness: “a state of well-being and contentment” —Webster

The problem is what makes us happy, at least for a while, may not really be

for us.

We’re not really finding happiness but finding a

from our unhappiness.

The results of studies suggest that focusing on being happy may, in fact, make us more

of how unhappy we are rather than helping us become more happy.

This is what David meant when he spoke of the happiness of the person whom God accepts as righteous, apart from anything that person does: ‘Happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are pardoned! Happy is the person whose sins the Lord will not keep account of!’ (emphasis added)—Romans 4:6-8 (TEV)

David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’ (emphasis added) —Romans 4:6-8 (NIV11)”

“Happiness” or “blessedness” is the result of

God’s forgiveness, and therefore being made right with God.

Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.” —Psalms 1:1-2 (TEV)

Jesus: ‘Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised! Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully! Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God! Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.” —Matthew 5:3-12(TEV)

Jesus says happiness and blessings can come to his followers even when life is

.

Real and lasting happiness is a

of seeking God and living in God-honoring ways.

Jesus: ‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ —Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

We like to think that our happiness is God’s highest goal because that fits our consumer-focused, instant-access, you-deserve-it world.… So, let’s just be blunt here: your happiness is not God’s intent nor your reason for existing. We are here to praise God—not to accumulate wealth, be comfortable, have a great relationship, feel satisfied, or reach our personal goals. —Kelly Givens

There is a popular Christian saying that says, ‘God cares more about our holiness than our happiness,’ and this is true in one sense—making us like him is his top priority—but it also makes it sound as if we have to make a difficult choice between being happy or following God. This is not the case. God made us to find the greatest happiness in him. Choosing to follow Christ is choosing to be a happier person. —Clinton Arnold

WAYS WE REMEMBER AND AFFIRM GOD’S TRUTHS FOR HAPPINESS:

• Know that your sins are truly

.

Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the one whom the LORD does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. —Psalms 32:1-2

• You can have a clear

before God.

And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. —1 Peter 3:21 (NLT)

• Experience the Holy Spirit living

you.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. —Romans 8:11 (NLT)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.… —Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

• Realize that God claims you as His own

or

Reveal Answer

.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. —1 John 3:1 (NLT)

• God makes us part of His

, the

Reveal Answer

.

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers.…

—1 Peter 2:17 (NLT)

• God will use you to help others become

of Jesus Christ.

Jesus: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ —Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

• You will enjoy

with God.

You [LORD] will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. —Psalms 16:11(NLT)

Next Week – My Life Doesn’t Look Like It’s Supposed To