 Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride leads to destruction. A proud attitude brings ruin. This is where the saying, pride comes before a fall, comes from. Pride is thinking that you're better than you really are. We are all equal in God's sight. The minute you judge someone, you are making the assumption that you are better than they are - that is pride.
Here are some more verses about pride: Philippians 2:3 In whatever you do, don't let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honour others more than yourselves. James 4:6 God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble. Romans 12:16 Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Can you think of a time when you have judged someone, or thought that you are better than them? Try to see them through Jesus' eyes. He loves them so much he died for them.
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Romans 5:2 says, Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory.
Let's direct this verse: I believe that the blessing of God's grace that we enjoy now refers to the forgiveness of sins (because Jesus died and rose again), God's daily help and guidance through his Holy Spirit, and the peace that he gives. We enjoy these blessings because we have faith in God, we believe in him. God's glory that we will share in refers to the fact that we will be in his presence one day. The hope that Paul talks about isn't wishful thinking, the Phillips paraphrase of the Bible refers to it as happy certainty. Here is Romans 5:2 in my own words: Because we believe in God, we enjoy his grace - forgiveness, comfort, guidance and peace. And we are happy because we know we will spend a glorious eternity with him. Here are some other Bible verses about God's promise of eternal life with him: 1 John 2:25 This is what the Son promised us—eternal life. 1 John 5:13 I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now. John 14:1-3 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. The thought of spending eternity with God is a great reason to be happy.  Proverbs 16:8 says, It is better to be poor and do right than to be rich and do wrong. This is counter-cultural to what the world says. It says that if you want to be happy you need to be rich. This isn't true though. Sure, those who are rich smile for the cameras, but underneath that glossy facade, they are just as insecure, lonely, afraid and broken as the rest of us. Many wealthy people (not all of them) have become rich through unethical means such as not looking after their employees or the environment, by avoiding paying taxes, by being involved in the sex industry, or other immoral means.
This verse must be important because the author repeats it again in Proverbs 28:6. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and evil. Proverbs 30:7-9 says, God, I ask you to do two things for me before I die. Don’t let me tell lies. And don’t make me too rich or too poor—give me only enough food for each day. If I have too much, I might deny that I need you, Lord. But if I am too poor, I might steal and bring shame to the name of my God. If you are too rich, you may rely on yourself and not God. Don't be fooled into thinking that you need to be rich to be happy or fulfilled - it is better to do what's right. I don't know about you, but I often find myself powering along in my own strength and wisdom, then wonder why I end up struggling. Proverbs 16:3 says, Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. God's Holy Spirit is living in you and will help, encourage and guide you. Here are some Bible verses about relying on God and the help of his Holy Spirit.
John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. Psalm 121:1-2 I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. Isaiah 41:10 Don't worry - I am with you. Don't be afraid-I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. You get the idea, if we trust in God and look to him for strength, guidance and wisdom, he will help you. I can tell you from my personal experience, when I have taken my problems to God in prayer, and asked him for help, he has always helped me. Romans 5:2 says, Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. As if God's grace isn't enough reason to be happy, we are happy because we know that more blessings wait for us in eternity, we will share in his glory. God's Grace means that we are free from the penalty of our sin because of what Jesus did on the cross. The word glory means splendour, magnificence and honour. We will share in this glory when we spend eternity with God. That is something to be happy about.
In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas visited Antioch to tell the Gentiles about Jesus. The other believers were happy to hear about what God was doing in other regions. There are thousands of people working in Countries other than their own, serving the poor and teaching people about Jesus. It makes me really happy to hear what God is doing around the world.
It makes you happy when you pray for and financially support missionaries. It also makes you happy when you serve on a missions trip. I have visited Cambodia four times to visit my sponsor children and serve in the centre where they learn English. It always makes me really happy to see how God is working in that Country. There are many short term mission trips that you can be involved with. You may even consider becoming a missionary one day. Proverbs 15:26 says, The Lord hates evil thoughts, but he is pleased with kind words.
Here are some Biblical truths about our thoughts: 1. God knows our thoughts. God already knows our deepest thoughts. Romans 8:27 2. Our words actions come from our thoughts. All these bad things begin in the mind: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual sins, stealing, lying, and insulting people. Matthew 15:19. 3. God's Word judges our thoughts. God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. Hebrews 4:12. 4. We should think about good things. Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Philippians 4:8 5. We should think about spiritual things, not earthly things. Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth. Colossians 3:2 How have your thoughts been recently? If you want your thoughts to line up with God's Word, you need to spend more time reading God's Word. Acts 11:23 says, Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. When he went to Antioch and saw how God had blessed the believers there, he was very happy.
When some of the early Christians went and preached about Jesus in Antioch, many people became Christians. It brings God great joy when people follow him. It can also make us happy too. It makes me happy just watching videos of kids getting a new puppy. It makes me way happier when I see people choosing to follow Jesus. When I see people get baptised, I'm so happy it makes me cry. Luke 15:8-10 is the parable of the lost coin. Jesus told the people another story: What will a woman do if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them? Won't she light a lamp, sweep the floor, and look carefully until she finds it? Then she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Let's celebrate! I've found the coin I lost.” Jesus said, “In the same way God's angels are happy when even one person turns to him.” Even the angels are happy when someone repents and follows Jesus.  Proverbs 15:16 says, It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be wealthy and have much trouble. Society puts so much value on making money and being successful. It is clear from reading the glossy magazines and watching the news that money and success don't make you happy. The Bible says that it's better to be poor and have Jesus, than to be rich and without him. Money. does not give you peace, contentment, happiness, joy, etc. - Jesus does!
The Christians in the early church found happiness in sharing their belongings, homes and purpose. Acts 2:42-26 says, The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together. Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers stayed together and shared everything. They sold their land and the things they owned. Then they divided the money and gave it to those who needed it. The believers shared a common purpose, and every day they spent much of their time together in the Temple area. They also ate together in their homes. They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts.
I think that one of the reasons people are so unhappy today is that we are isolated. We are surrounded by other people, but we're always so busy, or so connected to our phones that we miss real connection with other people. In Acts 2, the christians in the early church did several things which contributed to their experience of true happiness: 1. Listened to Biblical teaching. 2. Shared everything with each other. 3. Ate together 4. Prayed together. 5. Spent time with other believers. 6. Had a common purpose. 7. Spent a lot of time at church. 8. Shared their food and ate together. All of these things help us to live with one common purpose (to love God and love others) and to be happy. Choose one of these things to do more of this week. Invite a friend over for dinner, pray with someone, go to a Bible study, spend time with other Christians, share your lunch... |
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