Happy Birthday.  Thanks.

Happy Anniversary.  Thanks.

Did you have a happy birthday?  … Hmmm… Quite a different question.

By “Happy,” do you mean “BLESSED?”

If that is your question, my answer is YES.

Aren’t happiness and blessedness the same?   How does Jesus measure blessedness?

Jesus Christ gives us an insight into blessedness and happiness you may not have considered or may hesitate to embrace.

You will find Jesus’ measure of “blessed” the Beatitudes in two of the Gospels.

We may see more of Jesus’ paradox of blessedness in the Young’s Literal Translation (or a contemporary rendering like The Message Bible):

• Happy the poor

• Happy those hungering now

• Happy those weeping now

• Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach, and shall cast forth your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake

(In case you seek a little more “blessedness”) Mathew’s Good News adds a little more to the paradox than Luke:

• `Happy the poor in spirit
•  `Happy the mourning
• `Happy the meek
• `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness
•  `Happy the kind
• `Happy the clean in heart
• `Happy the peacemakers
• `Happy those persecuted for righteousness’ sake
• `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake

Jesus said to His disciples – His followers: “You are my friends if you do what I command.” – John 15:14

Is Christ Jesus your friend?  (Take a look at His ‘To Do List’ for “Happiness.”)

Blessed are we IF we DO these things.

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. – Luke 14:27

Blessed are you: beloved brother, beloved sister in our Lord.

Have a blessed day. :{)+