BIRHTDAY MESSAGE

INTRO:
Why are birthdays special? As we get older, we can sometimes feel
birthdays aren’t as special or as important to celebrate. They just aren’t
as exciting as when we were kids. While the Bible doesn’t command a
celebration of birthdays, there are good reasons to continue to celebrate
the birth of a person—and a birthday is a perfect time to do it.

Birthdays are a time for thankfulness.

It is important to remember that God is the one who should be the
focus of a birthday.

TEXT: PSALMS 37:4

(AMB) Delight yourself in the LORD,

And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.
(NIV} Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

What does Psalm 37:4 mean?

This verse is easily misapplied, as are many such references to

the promises of God.
To "delight in the Lord" is to enjoy all the blessings found in
Him, because they are from Him, not merely because they are
to our benefit.
It's often said that the person who delights in the Lord values
the Giver more highly than His gifts.
The Hebrew word translated as "delight" here is from a root
word that implies pleasure and enjoyment.
In context with the surrounding verses (Psalm 37:3, 5), this
clearly refers to those whose desires are in harmony with those
of God.
A person who "delights in the Lord" has righteous desires. He
will not desire anything that springs from selfish desires.
No one can expect God to give something contrary to God's
will, or the Lord's glory.
So far as our wills are attuned to the will of God (John 14:15),
our requests will be granted (John 14:14; Matthew 6:33). This
idea is expressed often in the Psalms (Psalm 21:2; 145:19).

Some commentators suggest this statement could be interpreted to mean the Lord
will place into our hearts those desires which are godly. In other words, when we
delight in God, He makes us want what He wants (Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:16–24).

Psalm 16:11 assures us that in God's presence there is fullness

of joy, and pleasures that last forever are at His right hand.
A truly joyful life, one which extends through eternity, is based
on our delighting ourselves in the Lord.
The book of Ecclesiastes traces Solomon's search for happiness
and meaning in a variety of things, but his search led only to
emptiness until he found happiness and meaning in a personal
relationship with God.
At the end of the book he counsels his readers: "Remember
also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days
come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no
pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
SUMMARY: Delight yourself in the Lord, because that really
matters most. Enjoy your day with our Lord Jesus Christ..
Once again have a blessed Bday!