Ava’s Sermon: Happy, Happy, Happy

After not being able to have church this past Sunday, it was good to be able to go to prayer meeting.  We sang a little and had a time of testimonies.

Many of you have practically preached the sermon.  For me, I want to call it Ava’s Sermon:  Happy, Happy, Happy.  Most of you know that Ava is Kristina’s daughter.  She used to sing that little song about being happy, happy, happy.  It seems like she said it three times.  When I read this I thought of her, aglow with her child-like faith, and it inspired me to say a few words, but mostly this speaks for itself.

Matthew 5

³Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Blessed (happy) are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵Blessed (happy) are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed (happy) are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷Blessed (happy) are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸Blessed (happy) are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹Blessed (happy) are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰Blessed (happy) are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹Blessed (happy) are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

This is great teaching about the kingdom of God.  Jesus tells how life in this world will be for the child of God.  We will mourn.  We will be broken in spirit.  Those who choose to follow the Lord and live humbly may get walked on.  Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (which is contrary to the flesh and the world) may be laughed at by others.  Many are abused verbally, some even physically, because they choose to follow the Lord.  What the Bible tells us right here is that when we’re under this we can and will be happy because we are blessed under the heart of God.

No matter how the devil works on you, and he has many different ways to do it, he can’t take your happiness.  Life and the world can take a whole lot out of you, but it can’t take Jesus.  The joy Jesus gives remains.  Let’s hold onto the joy and enjoy our happiness in the Lord.  No matter what comes or goes, let’s be happy.

I’ll have to say “Amen” to Ava’s little song: happy, happy, happy!  There is happiness in knowing the Lord.  We are blessed!

And thank you, Ava.