When we find wisdom and retain it.
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3: 18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
When we have mercy on the poor.
Proverbs 14: 21
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
When we trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 16: 20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Loving and serving one another.
John 13:12-17
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Doing things that you are convinced in your heart that is okay for you to do.
Romans 14:21-23
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Don?t let anyone put pressure on you to make you do what you feel is not right.
The correction of the Lord.
Job 5: 17
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
We need to be happy when the Lord corrects us.
He corrects us for our own good and delivers us from our ignorant or disobedient ways.
Suffering for righteousness sake
1 Peter 3:13-14
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 4:13-14
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Bisi Oladipupo
4 July 2009