Day 275

Matthew 5:1-6:4; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-36.  “Searching for Happiness”

         Would you like to know how to experience hope, joy and happiness?  The Beatitudes (Mt. 5 & Lk. 6) tell us how.  The first thing to note is that we will never get anywhere in our search for true happiness until we give up trying to find it by our own efforts and receive it instead as God’s free gift.  God is the source of all spiritual blessings.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).
         The first effect the Beatitudes have on those who understand them is to turn our minds to God.  In fact, each beatitude portrays a picture of Jesus.  He displayed each of these attributes for us.  According to Him the way to happiness is found in a poverty of spirit, in a character marked by humility, meekness, purity and mercy, and in a hunger and thirst for righteousness, peace and justice.  Jesus lived them, and because He did, we too can find happiness.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?