 Happiness is a very subjective thing.
People can feel happy one minute and depressed the next. Our
degree of Happiness is measured by the perception of 'what we
have' versus 'what we want.' Here is something to think about.
Is the pursuit of happiness going after everything we want, or
is it learning to appreciate what we have?
Our nation has suffered a great loss but we are emerging as
a more thoughtful people. "Not what we have lost - but
what we have left."
Is there a reason for thankfulness this holiday season?
Absolutely. We may even celebrate a more meaningful time this
year.
"Not what we have lost - but what we
have left."
"Shout
for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the
LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that
the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we
are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his
gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give
thanks to him and praise his name.
For the
LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness
continues through all generations." Ps 100:1-5 NIV
1. JOY and GLADNESS
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth."
Shout. Make a joyful noise.
We are encouraged to be exuberant in our joy to the Lord.
2. KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD
Lord - a ruler to whom service and obedience are due,
a person who has power and authority.
God - the supreme or almighty reality, the Being
perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness whom people worship
as creator and ruler of the universe.
3. WE ARE HIS
"We are his people, the sheep of his
pasture."
There is great comfort in knowing that we are under His
care.
4. YOU ARE WELCOME IN HIS COURTS
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his
courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his
name."
The invitation - Come unto Me. Follow Me.
Thanksgiving - Our expression of gratitude.
Praise - To glorify, to express approval of, commend.
- from the Latin pretiare "to prize".
What are we thankful for today? What do we
"prize"?
5. HE IS GOOD
"For the LORD is good and his love endures
forever; his faithfulness continues through all
generations."
Good - We serve a God who is all that is good.
Loving - He is a God who loves us - not just a ruler,
but a father.
Enduring - More patient than the best of us.
Faithful - What He has promised, He will do.
Through all generations - This promise is for us as
it was to our ancestors and as it will continue to our
children and our children's children.
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