What is HAPPINESS....

What is Happiness (幸福)?, you might ask in the first place.

Wikipedia puts it that way: "Happiness is a mental state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy."

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor,
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord. - Stanphill


Solomon tells us that God grants happiness to us as a priviledge (Eccl. 3:12, 7:14; 11:9)

And true happiness comes by keeping God's law.
Proverbs 16:20 tells us 'Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.' (NLT)

The foundation for happiness is a proper relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.


HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON HAPPENINGS, BUT JOY DEPENDS ON JESUS.

Watch the door of my lips

I've observed that those who speak most often about God's goodness are usually those with the most trials. They focus on the Lord's mercy and grace rather than on their troubles, and in so doing they taste His goodness.

So let us remember what David did in the book of Psalms and declare with him : I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; lt the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalms 34 :1-10

Matthews 15 : 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

Psalms 141 : 3 Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Dealing with doubt

I have known many believers that went through repeated cycles of joy and gloom. And when they were down, merely quoting Bible verses helped little because they were already aware of them. But they kept living for God and praying, and their faith prevailed.

For the past weeks, we visited a few Christians who pass through the dark tunnel of depression and sickness. They were depressed and down, and tend to focus on their sins and weakness and failures so much that they may even want to die.
Trying to live a Christ honouring life while experiencing hardship can leave us frustrated and discouraged. Yet when we depend on God to help us through our difficulties, we are empowered to keep going even when we can't always see the resolution of our problems.

In Psalms, God promises that : God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalms 46:1-3

Lord, give us grace to trust You when
Life's burdens seem too much to bear;
Dispel the darkness with new hope
And help us rise above despair. - Sper

Khan Gua Eh Chiu

Khan gua eh chiu, gua eh Zhu ah
Chia li mai li khui gua
Chit tiao lor gua koh ai kia

Gua su yau li lai cho phua

Khan gua eh chiu, gua eh Zhu ah

Chia li mai li khui gua
U si gua eh kia
U si mg chai an chua kia
U si ka na thia beh tiow li eh sia

Khan gua eh chiu, gua eh Zhu ah
Chia li ka gua choe phua
Ho gua eh kha po yu un yu tia
Kia kao Li eh bin zheng

Thia tiow li eh sia, ka gua kong, jip lai gua eh kia

[In English translation]

Hold my hand, My Lord.
Please don't leave me.
This path I still have to walk.
I need you to be my companion.
Hold my hand, My Lord.

Please don't leave me.
Sometimes I am afraid.
Sometimes I don't know which way to go.
Sometimes I seem not to hear your voice.

Hold my hand, my Lord.
Please be my companion.
Let my footsteps be strong and firm.
Walk till your front door.

Hear your voice saying to me, "Come in, my child".

[Song written and sung by Pas. GT Lim in Hokkien]

Psalms 37 : 23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (KJV)