Keys to a Happy New Year
As the new year approaches the most common phrase we hear is "Happy New Year".That's what we all desire.We all want happiness, but most people never find it.That's sad because it doesn't have to be that way.The Bible assures us we can be happy."He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he"( Proverbs 16:20)
Solomon points out two things that are essential for success--wisdom and faith.Wisdom shows us what we should do and faith depends upon what God can do.We need both of these.There are some things that God expects us to do (things He won't do for us), and there are things that only God can do.We need wisdom and faith to have a good and happy future.
We need wisdom:
Solomon said,"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good".Although we can't see the future, we all expect that the new year will bring some dilliculties--that's life(Job 14:1).The problem is that we don't always handle these problems wisely,and we end up getting hurt or doing harm. Doing things wisely would prevent a lot of problems.It would enable us to "find good".
Remember Joseph? His wise actions took him from the pit to the palace.His wisdom brought good to an entire nation and eventually a reunion with his family. Your experience might not be as extreme as his, but you can nevertheless "find good" by handling matters wisely. Whatever the "matter "is there is a right way to handle it.
We all can think of some situation where we could have handled things much better than we did.That's the past and we can't change it.But we need to learh from those mistakes and seek wisdom so that we won't repeat them.Wisdom is available (James !:5),so we have no excuse for failing.
We need faith:
Here is a wonderful promise that we all should embrace-"and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."As I said, everyone wants to be happy. Being happy is better that being beautiful, rich, strong,or famous. The problem is that most people don't know where to find happiness.It's sad to see so many people sad. It is also senseless--it doesn't have to be that way. Happiness is possible!
God made man in such a way that he can never be truly happy and fulfilled apart from Him.People feel hopeless simply because Christ isn't at the center of their life.God is the only source of true happiness and we appropriate what He provides by simply trusting Him.
True wisdom goes beyond human reasoning and planning.The wise person knows he is limited.He recognizes that there are some things that God alone can do.Wisdom acknowledges man's dependance upon God and causes us to trust Him rather than to depend upon self-effort.Then,when we trust God it leads to happiness.
Think about it.Those who trust God are happy because their sins are forgiven,their home is in heaven,they have a sense of purpose in life,and they have God as their helper.He enables us to be happy regardless of the situation.We can't control what troubles may come our way,but we can do something about the way we respond to them.
There is a sense in which happiness depends on you.Others can tell you about the Lord,but they can't force you to trust Him.They can give you the facts but you must have the faith.If your faith is lacking you can do something about it.Romans 10:17 says,"So then faith cometh by hearing,and hearing by the word of God".If you're not happy,stop complaining about it and/or blaming others, and do something about it.You can and should have a Happy New Year!--Think about it!!!!!!!!!!
DAVID STONE
NORTHWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
281-441-9473
Solomon points out two things that are essential for success--wisdom and faith.Wisdom shows us what we should do and faith depends upon what God can do.We need both of these.There are some things that God expects us to do (things He won't do for us), and there are things that only God can do.We need wisdom and faith to have a good and happy future.
We need wisdom:
Solomon said,"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good".Although we can't see the future, we all expect that the new year will bring some dilliculties--that's life(Job 14:1).The problem is that we don't always handle these problems wisely,and we end up getting hurt or doing harm. Doing things wisely would prevent a lot of problems.It would enable us to "find good".
Remember Joseph? His wise actions took him from the pit to the palace.His wisdom brought good to an entire nation and eventually a reunion with his family. Your experience might not be as extreme as his, but you can nevertheless "find good" by handling matters wisely. Whatever the "matter "is there is a right way to handle it.
We all can think of some situation where we could have handled things much better than we did.That's the past and we can't change it.But we need to learh from those mistakes and seek wisdom so that we won't repeat them.Wisdom is available (James !:5),so we have no excuse for failing.
We need faith:
Here is a wonderful promise that we all should embrace-"and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."As I said, everyone wants to be happy. Being happy is better that being beautiful, rich, strong,or famous. The problem is that most people don't know where to find happiness.It's sad to see so many people sad. It is also senseless--it doesn't have to be that way. Happiness is possible!
God made man in such a way that he can never be truly happy and fulfilled apart from Him.People feel hopeless simply because Christ isn't at the center of their life.God is the only source of true happiness and we appropriate what He provides by simply trusting Him.
True wisdom goes beyond human reasoning and planning.The wise person knows he is limited.He recognizes that there are some things that God alone can do.Wisdom acknowledges man's dependance upon God and causes us to trust Him rather than to depend upon self-effort.Then,when we trust God it leads to happiness.
Think about it.Those who trust God are happy because their sins are forgiven,their home is in heaven,they have a sense of purpose in life,and they have God as their helper.He enables us to be happy regardless of the situation.We can't control what troubles may come our way,but we can do something about the way we respond to them.
There is a sense in which happiness depends on you.Others can tell you about the Lord,but they can't force you to trust Him.They can give you the facts but you must have the faith.If your faith is lacking you can do something about it.Romans 10:17 says,"So then faith cometh by hearing,and hearing by the word of God".If you're not happy,stop complaining about it and/or blaming others, and do something about it.You can and should have a Happy New Year!--Think about it!!!!!!!!!!
DAVID STONE
NORTHWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
281-441-9473
posted by Scott Hescht at 9:03 AM
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