SWEET HAPPINESS

I believe that true happiness only comes from giving freely of ourselves to others in love. I think this is partly what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote in Philippians 2:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.

Jesus Himself also said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

Over the last few days, I have had the opportunity to give of my time, my energies and myself to others, and I have discovered that it has made me so happy to give just because I want them to know they are loved and cared for. I have been happier doing things for others than just pleasing myself, and so what began as a desire to bless someone else also became a blessing to me.

This reminds me of a passage from Hannah Hurnard's book 'Hinds' Feet on High Places:'

The Water Song

Come, oh come! Let us away –

Lower and lower every day.

From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below.

Always answering to the call,

To the lowest place of all.

“I don’t understand,” said Much-Afraid after she had listened for awhile. “The water seems to be singing so gladly because it is hurrying to go down into the Valley, and yet You are calling me to the High Places. What does it mean?”

“The High Places,” answered the Shepherd, “are the starting place. It is only up on the High Places of Love that anyone can receive the power to pour himself out and give to others.”

Much-Afraid still didn’t really understand, but now as she listened she heard the wild flowers singing the same sort of song.

This is the law by which we live –

It is so sweet to give and give.

After that it seemed to Much-Afraid that all the little birds were singing the same kind of song.

This is the joy of all winged life above –

Happy it is to be able to love.

I also believe that it is because I have tasted the goodness of the Lord and been with Him that I have been enabled to give and give joyfully and happily, and I pray that this desire and passion continues to grow. How much our world would be transformed if the family of God lived this out day by day!

TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS

I did not write this poem, but it is beautiful and true in its expression of love and gratitude to the women who have given so much to all of us.

A Tribute to Mothers

Mothers come in all sizes and descriptions it's true,
But please know we're thankful for each one of you.
Some have many children, some have only one,
But each mother gave life to a daughter or son.

You may feel neglected and you may be, it's true,
But at least for today we want to thank you.
You not only gave birth but you guided and led,
And you saw that your children were clothed and were fed.

You taught us each night to kneel down and pray,
And things that you told us we remember today.
You may not always be "with it" or dressed all in style,
But my, you are lovely when at us you smile.

Some of you mothers are grandmothers too,
So your days for teaching children are certainly not through.
Grandchildren love grandmothers and need them you see,
To love them and teach them and their friend to be.

Thank God you're a mother and enjoy today,
And know that we mean all the good things we say.
We love you and need you every day of the year,
And we're glad to express it when Mother's Day is here.

We tell God we're thankful for each one of you,
But so often we're neglectful and forget to tell you.
So as children or grandchildren or as husbands too,
We say and we mean, "MOTHERS, WE LOVE YOU."

MEDITATIONS ON THE PSALMS - Psalm 20

The psalmist David is reminding the readers that Yahweh is the One in whom they trust for salvation.

Three times in this chapter, it references "the name of the Lord." This is significant, because we know that there is power in the name of God.

Psalm 124:8 says that "our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Proverbs 18:10 says that "the name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

John 3:18 says that "whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 20:31 says: "But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

In Acts 4:10, after the lame man was healed, Peter declared that "it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

In Philippians 2:10-11 it says that "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

God's name is so precious to us as believers because we know the strength and faithfulness of our God. The psalmist says 3 things about the name of the Lord in this chapter:

"May the name of the God of Jacob defend you" ~ God's name is a defense for us against evil and wickedness and trouble.

"In the name of our God we will set up our banners" ~ We should rejoice in the name of God and proclaim it to those around us.

"Remember the name of the Lord our God" ~ Our trust is in God and we need to remember this - AND remember who He is and what He has done for us, how He has proved Himself - especially when we are tempted to believe otherwise.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! ~ Deuteronomy 32:3