Mercy - Freely Give, Freely Receive

It's normal to long for happiness, especially when it appears fleeting. Sadly we've come to believe that happiness can be bought like furniture or an education. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "We have no more right to devour happiness without creating it for others than we do to consume wealth without working for it."

Philosophers have a proclivity for giving each generation a badge of distinction. Some carry a stigma of being self-absorbed and incapable of producing happiness for anyone. How then is happiness created? God’s word suggests happiness comes by demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Jesus gave this prescription for happiness: "Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy."  The Old Testament prophet Micah asked  a pertinent question that relates to happiness. “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly and to love mercy, and walk humbly before the Lord your God?” Good prescription. Why not make it your commitment? 

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Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!

~Matthew 5:7 Good News Bible

In every way I showed you that by working hard as I do, we should help the weak and remember what our Lord Jesus said: “We are happier when we give than when we get something.”

~Acts 20:35 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today