Daily Thought for Wednesday, August 17th

August 17, 2011

Happiness

Today’s Thought:

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”  – Helen Keller

Today’s Quotes:

“All happiness is connected with the practice of virtue, which necessarily depends on the knowledge of truth.” – Edmund Burke

Today’s Question

Do you think there might be some truth in the notions that: “Human happiness consists in having what yu want, and wanting what yu have: and We are happy in this world just in proporshun as we make others happy?” – Josh Billings

Today’s Bible Verses:                     John 14:6  & Nehemiah 8:10

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“True happiness is found in unselfish love, a love which increases in proportion as it is shared.”– Thomas Merton

Contrary to what many believe to be truth; happiness does not come from fortune, fame or success: “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” – George Sand

As Christians we have experienced the greatest love possible in that we have embraced and accepted the purest love; that being God’s love for us that enabled Him, in spite of our nature of sin, to send Christ Jesus, His only Son, to die for us and pay the price for our sins, so that we could be reunited with Him.

There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for his friends and no greater happiness than knowing you have by your words, deeds and actions made a difference in someone else’s life.

Aristotle said, “Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.”

As Christians we know that we are loved, not because we deserve it but because God is merciful and His heart is filled with grace and compassion.  “The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves – say rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” – Victor Hugo

Having been given such love; should we not pass it on?

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” -The Bible (Matthew 5:43-45) 

If you’ve got the ‘Joy, joy, joy, joy, down in your heart;’ then ‘Go tell it on the mountains, over the rivers and everywhere:’ and ‘Let them know your are Christians by your love;’ by ‘Spreading a little sunshine:’ as you ‘Pass it on.’

If your happy and you know it – share it!

Today’s Prayer:

Father, my strength, my hope, my joy and my happiness are all in You and you are with me all the time so help me to share the happiness I have in you and the love you give to me, with everyone I encounter.