file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941011.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                         Tuesday, October 11,1994
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READ: Matthew 5:1-12

                   "JOIN THE HAPPY MINORITY"

                 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad.

                       - Matthew 5:12

Are most people happy? Dennis Wholey, author of Are You
Happy? reports that according to expert opinion, perhaps
only 20 percent of Americans are happy.

Those experts would probably agree with the wry definition
of happiness offered by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz, who said,
"Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly attributed by
the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to
children and by children to adults."

Are you happy? What if we define happiness as an abiding
mood of joyful contentment, a deep-down state of peace and
hope, not just an upbeat, fleeting feeling induced by favor-
able happenings? Now, in light of that definition of happi-
ness, are you happy?

In His "Sermon on the Mount," our Lord gave us His prescrip-
tion for a life that is truly happy regardless of cir-
cumstances. Most English translations of Matthew 5 use the
word "blessed", but Jesus was actually promising happiness.
He repeatedly assured His disciples that they would be happy
if they trusted Him and practiced His teachings.

The Great Physician has prescribed this remedy for unhappi-
ness. Have you tried it? Take it and rejoice with the
"happy minority."

Author: Vernon C. Grounds

 "Rejoice in Him!" Again, again
 The Spirit speaks the word,
 And faith takes up the happy strain;
 "Our joy is in the Lord."

                - Anonymous

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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The Christian's happiness
   is not determined by happenings.

The Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 4-6

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