Page 4 - Good News February 2019 paper

was deeply touched by are leaving behind. A mixed
Jennifer Benson Schuldt's basket of troubles and trials;
Idevotional. challenges that sap you; joys
and beautiful days; tears and
Helping at church to keep an eye disappointments interspersed
on a dozen or more little ones, it with happy moments and laugh-
soon became warm in the room ter.
so she propped the door open.
One little boy saw his opportunity This much, however, is guaran-
to escape and tiptoed out. teed: "Unless the Lord builds a
Keeping an eye on him she house (or family); the work of the
wasn't surprised that he was builders is wasted. Unless the
heading straight for his daddy's Lord protects ... sentries will do
arms. no good. GOD GIVES REST TO
HIS LOVED ONES" (Ps. 127:1,2).
"The little boy did what we need
to do when life becomes over- Unless the Lord is your "go to"
whelming - he slipped away to be place of refuge and refreshing,
with his father." And that is that longed-for rest will keep
exactly how Jesus in His human eluding you.
frailty coped with the demands of
crowds constantly following Him My desire for 2019 is to slip away
and Pharisees pestering Him. He more often into my Father's
"went up on a mountainside by Presence where rest is found.
Himself to pray" (Matthew 14:23). This is His promise to you today
He slipped away to be with His for the coming year: "MY
Father. PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU,
AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST"
This coming year will probably be (Exodus 33:14).
much the same as the one we - Helen du Plessis, 083 332 0895.

The Joy of he Joy of
T

the Lordhe Lord
t

n recent times my heart has been thirsting for more of the joy of the
Lord. I am just not satisfied with the low level of joy in Him that I
Ihave! I want a joy that I am constantly aware of. Like a cup brimful of
sweet water sloshing over every now and then.

Since joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), we can expect
to grow more and better in these. Praying about this aspect, I was
joyfully surprised by "reminders" that popped up unexpectedly
throughout my days! I think our precious brother Paul has given us a
key to generate more of the joy of the Lord when he said: "Rejoice in
the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).

This life and its challenges sap us of much joy in life. Troubles and
daily cares are on the forefront of our thoughts. That is a definite joy
quencher!! But, that deep-down joy that looks beyond the cares of this
world, is renewed when we start rejoicing in the Lord!

We have way more reason to rejoice because we have eternity before
us! We have more reason to rejoice than to weep and worry about our
present tribulations that will be over in the blink of an eye. The
Presence of Jesus and all of His promises are ours - for this life and for
eternity!

I was in awe yesterday morning after the church service when a
precious little girl came and tapped me gently on my back, and when I
turned around she was holding up her page of what was possibly their
Sunday School lesson! I was overwhelmed to say the least. In her best
efforts this six year old had written: "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY
STRENGTH" (Nehemiah 8:10).

God's majesty radiates joy and I want to be where it reflects onto my
heart. Rejoice, dear ones! Rejoice!

- Helen du Plessis, 083 332 0895.