SEASON OF CONFERRING DEGREES
This is the season for conferring degrees. Centenary is a private college in Hackettstown, New Jersey. It has about 1,100 students. The university president, Bruce Murphy, made an announcement on March 18 that they would offer a new “Master of Arts in Happiness Studies” degree.
Wow, that’s interesting. The degree is offered online, and it is designed for people who are looking for personal, organizational, and societal happiness. The degree is intended to make folks happy in the tough times that we face, both on economic and emotional levels.
A master’s degree from a school won’t bring happiness. Jesus offers a Master’s degree that will bring happiness. Here is the curriculum for the happiness degree from the Master:
3“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
4 “Happy are those who mourn;
God will comfort them!
5 “Happy are those who are humble;
they will receive what God has promised!
6 “Happy 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!
10 “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you….
because you are my followers.
12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Matthew 5:3-11 (GNT)
Jesus’ degree in happiness is referred to as the ‘Beatitudes.’ I like that name. It involves the words ‘attitude’ and ‘be.’ Paul wrote, “Let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) Happiness comes when the beatitudes are the attitudes that “be in us.”
The degree from Centenary will cost $17,700. A lot of people would be glad to pay $17,700 if they were guaranteed they would be happy. A master’s degree doesn’t guarantee that happiness. A degree from the Master does guarantee happiness.
This new master’s degree at Centenary isn’t offered until next October. The degree of the Master is offered today if you surrender your life completely to Him, ask Him to place His attitude in you, and then allow the Holy Spirit to live in your life and empower you to practice the Beatitudes. It can happen immediately!
Jesus is conferring happiness degrees right now!
