“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Declaration of Independence

Are most people happy?

“According to expert opinion, perhaps only 20 percent of Americans are happy.”

Dennis Wholey, Are You Happy?

“Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” Margret Lee Rumbeck

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Abraham Lincoln

Trust In the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. (NKJV)

Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Don’t worry, be happy!

Delight In the Scriptures

Delight in God’s law.

Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (NKJV)

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NKJV)

Delight In the Scriptures

Delight in God’s law.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

The scriptures provide comfort, strength, hope, joy, gladness, encouragement, and guidance

Live Righteously

The righteous shall rejoice.

Psalm 32:10-11 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (NKJV)

Live Righteously

The righteous shall rejoice.

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord.

Psalm 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and trust in Him and all the upright in heart shall glory. (NKJV)

Live Righteously

The righteous shall rejoice.

The righteous shall be glad in the Lord.

We know how we should live in this world.

Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (NKJV)

Worship God Regularly

Psalm 122:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." (NKJV)

Psalm 95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 96:9-11 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns; the world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously." 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and all its fullness; (NKJV)

Worship God Regularly

Keep A Clean Conscience

Like Paul, our conscience should be void of offense.

Acts 24:16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. (NKJV)

Like Paul, our conscience should be void of offense.

We are to have faith and a good conscience.

1 Timothy 1:19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, (NKJV)

Keep A Clean Conscience

Like Paul, our conscience should be void of offense.

We are to have faith and a good conscience.

Paul served God with a pure conscience.

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

Keep A Clean Conscience

Like Paul, our conscience should be void of offense.

We are to have faith and a good conscience.Paul served God with a pure conscience.Guilt of conscience is a burden.Genesis 42:21 Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us." (NKJV)

Keep A Clean Conscience

We Must Learn Contentment

Paul had to learn contentment.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: (NKJV)

Paul had to learn contentment.

If we murmur or complain, we are not content.

1 Corinthians 10:10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (NKJV)

We Must Learn Contentment

Paul had to learn contentment.

If we murmur or complain, we are not content.

We need to be content in life.

1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (NKJV)

We Must Learn Contentment

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

1 Timothy 5:13-14 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

So, are you busy doing good things.Do you care for those in need.Do you help the sick?Do you comfort the bereaved.Do you provide encouragement to those who

are hurting.Do you help a needy family when the

opportunity arises?Do you share your faith?

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

So, are you busy doing good things.Do you send cards of encouragement?Do you make phone calls to those who need you?Do you let people know they can depend on you?Do you visit the sick? Go to the hospital when

they are ill or having surgery?Do you let others know you love them?

It is amazing how quickly we forget our own problems when we set out to help others with their problems.

We are not to be lazy in business.

Romans 12:11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

We are not to be lazy in business.

This includes labor to provide for our family.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

We are not to be lazy in business.

This includes labor to provide for our family.

We are to be busy doing good deeds.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (NKJV)

Stay Busy Doing Good Things

We are not to be lazy in business.

This includes labor to provide for our family.

We are to be busy doing good deeds.

We have a sense of worth when we work.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (NKJV)

Stay Busy Doing Good Things