Don't worry be happy.

Mt 5:3-12

"Don't Worry Be Happy" is a song that was released in 1988, or at least I think it was released then, by Bobby McFerrin.  It had a silly video but a good message.  He says, "In every life we have some trouble.  When we worry we make it double. Don't worry, be happy."  Well, Jesus tells us in the above verses that those who have these certain characteristics will be blessed.  This word "blessed" means more than happy, not just happy.  You see Bobby McFerrin may want you to be happy, but God wants you to be blessed.

So what does it mean to be blessed?  I describe it as a double dose of happiness.  I say this because happiness is from the world, but blessedness only comes from God.  Thus, you have one dose of happiness from the world and another dose from God.  Providing you're obedient and have God's Spirit.  Acts 5:32 

It's plain to see that the happiness we get from God starts with submission and obedience to Him.  How do we get to be blessed?  Well, I like what Psalm 1 has to say.  Our blessedness can be found when we do NOT walk in the counsel of the wicked, do NOT stand in the path of the sinners, and do NOT sit with scoffers.  That sure sounds like being sanctified to me.  We are sanctified by obedience to God's Word.  Jn 17:17  Obeying God's Word will set us apart from the world.  

Notice Psalm 1 also says that the blessed person "delights in the law of the Lord."  The blessed person "meditates on the law day and night."  If you desire to  have that double dose of happiness in your life today it can only come from God.  It can only come from being sanctified from God's Word as we meditate on it day and night. 

Also, Psalm 1 says that wicked will not have blessedness.  They will be "like chaff that wind blows away."  Did you notice that it never says the will have no form of happiness?  You see this "chaff" can still experience the happiness of the world.  They just forfeit their opportunity at the second dose of happiness that comes from God due to their disobedience.  The disobedient can be happy, but not blessed.  Murderers, rapists, and child molesters can have times of happiness, can't they?  If they desire blessedness they must repent and obey the Gospel.  

How do you tell the difference between happy and blessed?   Well, the answer lies in this question, "What takes away your happiness?"  Does you happiness depend on the earthly things around you?  If so, you are happy and not blessed.  A blessed person can be happy in the middle of their struggles because that second dose of happiness is from God and not dependent on the things of this world.  Job 1:20-22

Today, pull out God's Word and meditate on it, don't just read it!  Apply it to your life and experience that true blessedness that God wants His children to have.  The blessedness that is not hampered by the world.  No matter what snare Satan sets in our path.  2Ti 2:26  On the other hand, you can also be satisfied with happiness that Bobby McFerrin invites you to have that can be taken away by the wind.  Today, will obey the Gospel and have that second dose of happiness in your life that only comes from God?

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22