If you're happy and you know it

Smile A While

Years ago there was a song that went like this.

Smile a while and give your face a rest

Raise you’re hand to the one you love the best

Then shake hands with those near by

and greet them with a smile.

That’s it the whole song. It’s one that has been used to help people get in the mood to greet others. I know that growing up that was sung right before everyone was supposed to walk around greeting people and shaking hands.

This song though can be dangerous though. It can make us feel like we have to always be happy, it can make it seem like everything is okay. It can lull us into a false sense of security and understanding.

It’s not enough to smile!

There is a difference between Joy and Happiness.

Another one of those tride and true songs from growing up.

If you’re happy and you know it say amen

If you’re happy and you know it say amen

If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it

If you’re happy and you know it say amen.

Again a neat song, it’s fun especially for kids in a church that ar ewanting to make noise but again a problem if we ever get the idea that the Bible says anything about God promising happiness.

The word happy or happiness appear all of 10 times in the Bible. I’m going to hit you with something that may not make you to…well happy.

God does not care if you are happy!

Here’s why.

Happiness is fleeting

(things that make me happy)

(Eventually it will…)

So if God is not concerned with my being happy what is he concerned with.

By contrast while the word happy or happiness only appear about 10 times depending on the translations used the words Joy, Rejoice, or Joyful notice the root there. Appear about 430 times again depending on the translations. It’s a safe bet that While God does not care if we are happy he does care if we have joy in our life.

Happiness is fleeting, Joy is eternal.

Happiness is a byproduct of Joy, the opposite is not true!

So where do we go from here…well first of we are going to stop here.

Joy Sustains us through the hardest times.

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James 1:2–4 HCSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 4:2–4 HCSB

You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.

When a person dies

(the dreaded calls that seem to come)

that’s the difference between happiness and joy.

What is the secret to having sustaining Joy?

Philippians 4:1–5 HCSB

So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Joy comes from relationship

We were built for relationship!

Relationship is what makes humanity special. Our joy comes from relationship first with God then with other people.

Paul is telling the people in these verses the women that are fighting need to fix the relationship. We should help relationships to heal.

Relationships are worth working for

We all have people that we like to hang out with, and then we have relationships with people that we wish we didn’t.

(Nick and Elsie driving to Louisville)

Sometimes you have to go out of your comfort zone to keep a relationship

Relationships can help keep our faith strong

(hard to get up for church)

Joy comes from realizing we have a great hope

Jesus is our great hope.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

This Creed these beautiful words talk about the hope we have it’s a simple hope. (expound)

We should be joyful that we have such a hope.

Joy comes from the promise of an eternity with Him and others.

Scripture is full of proofs that we will be able to recognize each other in eternity.

David talks of going to the son that died because of his sin.

We read of Abraham Isaac and Jacob being recognizable

In Jesus tells his disciples that he will not eat or drink until he does so with his disciples

Paul tells the Thessalonians they will be his “joy” in heaven.

As long as a person has that relationship with God that is real and active if they have gone on before us we will see them and know them and be known by them.

Joy Comes from Serving

When we serve others the roots of Joy grow deep

Check out this video of what it means to serve even when the person can’t serve back!

When we give to others the roots of joy go deep!

This Week’s Challenge

Laughter is an important part of your life. Find one clean Joke. Tell the joke to a person. After you tell the joke ask if there is anything you can do to help them this week, or if there is something that you can pray for them for!