TRUE HAPPINESS

Jesus turns the world’s idea of happiness upside down. To Jesus, happiness means hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest form of happiness, get closer to God by serving and obeying Him! Many people seek happiness, but it easily fades. Very few seek God’s joy, which never fades. Are your attitudes a carbon copy of the world’s selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the ideal to which Jesus called you? If you want to live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. “When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers - wonderful! Be happy about it! Be very glad for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted too.” [Matthew 5:11,12 - Life Application Bible]. Jesus said we should be happy when we are persecuted! Persecution can be good because: *It takes our eyes off earthly rewards *It strips away superficial believers *It strengthens the faith of those who endure *It serves as an example to others who may follow us. We can be comforted to know that God’s greatest prophets were persecuted in the past, e.g. Elijah, Jeremiah and Daniel. Our persecution in the present means we have shown ourselves to be faithful. In the nearby future God will reward the faithful by letting them enter His eternal Kingdom where there is no more persecution, but only peace and true happiness!