BE HAPPY!

What means be happy?The Greeks said: happiness comes from a life of contemplation. The Epicureans by enjoing life's pleasure. The Stoics by virtuous attitudes. There are many questions in our hearts about it....
" Happiness is the motive of every action of man!" Blaise Pascal
" Happines is sucess, is a pleasurable satisfaction." Dictionary
" And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Ph 4:8-9 ( NLT)

1) HAPPINESS DOES NOT ALWAYS DEPEND UPON CIRCUMSTANCES
" For we live by believing and not by seeing." 2 Co 5:7 ( NLT)

" That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Co 2:9 ( NLT)

2) HAPPINESS DOES NOT DEPEND FROM PERFECT HEALTH
It's really, because my happiness doesn't come from my body, but from my hearth...
" And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Rm 8:28 ( NLT)

 "Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
 Then you will have healing for your bodyand strength for your bones." Pv 3:7-8( NLT)

3) HAPPINESS SOURCE IS FEAR THE LORD
Where is the root of happiness ? To Know, obey and fear the Lord!

" People who conceal their sins will not prosper,but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble."Pv 28:13-14 ( NLT)

" We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy." James 5:11(NLT)

4) HAPPINESS DOES NOT DEPEND FROM MONEY
Wealth certainly can  by oportunities and  security, but we see a tendency : wealths possess the possessor!
" Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." 1 Tm 6:17 (NLT)

"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it." 1 Tm 6:6-7(NLT)

CONCLUSION
In our days we hear that happiness comes from doing what we want to do, but in this freedom we don't escape from the consequences of this...

" Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.  For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy lifeand see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking eviland your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Pe 3:8-12 (NLT)
Happiness comes from doing what is right, living a life in obedience to God!
Pra. Eni A.S.Cruz Devidé

FINDING GOD'S PURPOSE IN PAINS!

I read this story in “Renew your Hope “ ( C.R.Swindoll):”'Muhammad Ali was inside the plane 747, and began the journey, but he was not wearing the seat belt.


_ The stewardess told him: Please put your seat belt.

_ He replied to her: The Superman does not need to use it.

_ Yes, sir, but the Superman does not need to use the plane. Please, put your seat belt.”

We all need security, but our greatest security comes from Christ.

Nobody in the world is free of pain , every day we see on news, newspaper, internet, and in the Christian life we’ve been through many problems either personal, family.

What pains can make in our lives?

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”James 1:2-4, 12( The Message)

1) Pains teach us about “ GROUTH”

Although it is difficult, rejoice when going through struggles, because you will grow in faith.

“But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes, yes…”( 2 Pe 3:17-18 The Message)

2) Pains teach us about “ FORGIVENESS”

"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.( Mt 6:7-13 – the Message)

“Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins." ( Mc 11:22-25 – the Message)

“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.( Ef 5:1-2 the Message)

Be people without guilt, hurts and resentments with each others.

3) Pains teach us about GOD’S LOVE

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. ( Mt 5: 38-47 The Messsage )

Trust, the loving God’s power can restore and heal a broken heart for the pain.

“So, if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. ( 1 Pe 4: 19 The Message).

“ GOD LOVES US ENOUGH TO ACCEPT US AS WE ARE, BUT LOVES US TOO MUCH TO LET THEM CONTINUE.!” Phillip Yancey

Pra.Eni A.S.Cruz Devidé