Psalm 100:1-5
We're given a number of instructions in Psalm 100. Now I like to--make a joyful noise, come into his presence with singing and enter his gates with thanksgiving. I like serving with gladness too, but for whatever reason, I don't always accomplish it. Serving takes a little more planning and work than that joyful noise making, I guess.
So how do we accomplish serving cheerfully, with pleasure, with joy--with gladness? Any thoughts on some new or different ways we might try to expand our "gladness horizons" this week? Tami W.
For me serving with gladness is not always easy because I seem to forget that I'm just a sheep and not a shepherd myself! My problem is that my head gets too big for my wool. This psalm is clear that it is God who is worthy of the praise and as sheep, we are most satisfied by serving and serving with gladness. Sometimes I tend to want to serve only in ways in which I can see a tangible result or even in ways that bring benefit to me. But that's not true service. True service to the Lord is simply that, service. Whatever happens or whatever comes from it is up to God. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Be good and loving to strangers and shout a joyful noise at Thanksgiving with family and friends. Lord help me to focus on YOU this week and find my Joy in YOU through others.
We need to keep our attitudes on the things God has done and has promised us rather than how we feel or see.
I believe that way to serve cheerfully and with pleasure is to firstly commit your day to the Lord, right from the start enter his gates with praise and thanksgiving. Then during the day when you have a task to do give it to the Father and thank him that he is allowing you to be his hands extended. Sometimes this is easier said then done. If we make it a practice you will soon find that you can find a reason to praise and cheerfully do your work. I also believe that we should pray and seek God's guidance before we say yes to any request you need to know that it is what he wants you to be doing, then the task is not hard or boring because you are cheerfully doing it onto the Lord.
Being cheerful is an attitude that comes from knowing that the Lord is your shepherd, "I shall not want". There is also nothing to fear, "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil". With absolutely no needs or no fears then we must be happy, we need to always try and remember the goodness of the Lord. As David said. "I remain confident of this,I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" Ps 27:13. We must always have a positive attitude.
In all times good or bad, Mainly bad I need to stop everything right there and remember what Jesus did for me on the cross and the things that I did that he forgave me for and know that I don't deserve anything but through a strong love that I don't fully understand God felt that I was worth dieing for. I ask myself if I could forgive as I have been forgiven and I feel that it's very hard for me. That is a proof that our God is Love. And he is worthy to be praised just for his mercies and grace but he is a lot more than that if you look at your blessings.
Tami, I like the new look!
I find that if I am walking with the Lord, He puts a song in my heart - even before my eyes are open for the day. I look forward to my job, as I see it as serving others. (I am a substitute teacher.) With the realization that it is God that gives me these opportunities, I go into each situation with a thankful heart. If I am not getting those songs, then I know I am out of step with the Lord - again, and I have to look for what Jesus did for me, and find the gratitude attitude. Even being thankful for 1 small thing is the right step for more gratitude to start flowing again...and for me to get back on track with God.
To know the name of the Lord. Verse 3 says Knowing that the Lord is God. How beautiful. He is the one. CEO of the universe.
I like how he states twice in verse 3 the we are HIS people. It is like God doesn't want us to forget. I love hearing that I am his and I don't have to perform for other because I am His, and He has great plans for my life.
Serve cheerfully by knowing that all is vain except for knowing God and following Him. We are His!