If you’re old enough to remember the good old days of Monday Night Football with Howard Cosell and “Dandy” Don Meredith, you may remember they didn’t always agree (which I believe added to the interest level of the game.) On one particular Monday night, Howard was making excuses for the team that was getting thrashed by the Cowboys. He keep saying things like if only their quarterback hadn’t been injured; if only that receiver hadn’t dropped the ball in the end zone; if only they could have gotten that first down, it would be a different ball game.
Finally, Don Meredith had taken about all he could stand, and he turned to Howard and said, “If if’s and buts' was candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas!” His point was that we can always find an excuse for our failures and mistakes. Real winners prevail in spite of the adversity.
I run into a lot of people who have what I call “if only” syndrome. If only I’d gone to a different school … if only I’d pursued a different career … if only I’d married someone else … then I’d be happy. Then, I would be content. Benjamin Franklin once pointed out that, “The U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up to it yourself.” What would it take to make you happy this morning? More money? A bigger house? A better boss? A new motorcycle? The answer is none of the above. At best those things only bring temporary pleasure. Happiness is an inside job.
Notice the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes: 3Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 4Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! 5Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised 6Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully 7 Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! 8 Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
9 Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! 10Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 11Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted. (Matthew 5: 3-12 Good News Translation)
There is no mention of things or possessions in this list. In fact, if you read the rest of this Sermon on the Mount it indicates that a lack of concern (not worrying) about such things as where we’re going to sleep, and what we’re going to wear, and what we are going to eat is essential to true happiness (Matthew 6: 25-34). The secret is found in simply trusting our heavenly Father.
Happiness and contentment comes from knowing that you are held in His loving arms. So quit making excuses. Quit complaining. Thank God for His many blessings. Remind yourself that God is still in charge and He knows what He is doing. Hopefully, you can say with the hymn writer .. Whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Have a great week! And smile … it’s surprising how much better you’ll feel!
Pastor Barry
Finally, Don Meredith had taken about all he could stand, and he turned to Howard and said, “If if’s and buts' was candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas!” His point was that we can always find an excuse for our failures and mistakes. Real winners prevail in spite of the adversity.
I run into a lot of people who have what I call “if only” syndrome. If only I’d gone to a different school … if only I’d pursued a different career … if only I’d married someone else … then I’d be happy. Then, I would be content. Benjamin Franklin once pointed out that, “The U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up to it yourself.” What would it take to make you happy this morning? More money? A bigger house? A better boss? A new motorcycle? The answer is none of the above. At best those things only bring temporary pleasure. Happiness is an inside job.
Notice the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes: 3Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 4Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! 5Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised 6Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully 7 Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! 8 Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!
9 Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! 10Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! 11Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted. (Matthew 5: 3-12 Good News Translation)
There is no mention of things or possessions in this list. In fact, if you read the rest of this Sermon on the Mount it indicates that a lack of concern (not worrying) about such things as where we’re going to sleep, and what we’re going to wear, and what we are going to eat is essential to true happiness (Matthew 6: 25-34). The secret is found in simply trusting our heavenly Father.
Happiness and contentment comes from knowing that you are held in His loving arms. So quit making excuses. Quit complaining. Thank God for His many blessings. Remind yourself that God is still in charge and He knows what He is doing. Hopefully, you can say with the hymn writer .. Whatever my lot thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Have a great week! And smile … it’s surprising how much better you’ll feel!
Pastor Barry
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