HOW TO HAVE A HAPPIER NEW YEAR
“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.” John 13:15-17.
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after He had washed their feet. In order that they not forget the example of humility that He had given them, the disciples were told that happiness is not found in merely knowing these things but in doing them.
Let us look at four things the child of God can do to ensure having a happier new year.
I. BELIEVE
A dynamic faith will enable us to defeat discouragement and empower us to live victoriously in Christ Jesus. Our faith in His power to supply every need that we will have in this new year will give us every reason to rejoice. Let us rejoice in the following evidences of His power to bless His childen.
His power to save:
“Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him.” Hebrew 7:25 NASB
His power to strengthen:
“I can do all things trough Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
His power to protect:
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
His power to provide:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” Psalms 23:1 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
II. BEHAVE
As so often said: "What we do speaks so loud that others cannot hear what we say." For this reason, the Word of God pleases great emphasis on the believer living a godly and holy life. Our behavior should exemplify Christ in the following areas.
In our daily life:
“Let your light so shine…” Matthew 5:16
In our witness before the world:
“…that they may see…”
In our church fellowship:
“But if I tarry long, that you may know how you should behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” I Timothy 3:15
III. BEWARE
To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. The Word of God gives us ample warning to beware of certain and real dangers that confront us in our daily Christian life.
Of the deception of men:
“Beware lest any man ensnares you trough philosophy and empty deception, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8
Of the snare of the devil:
“Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8
Of your own self:
"And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things which he possesses.” Luke 12:15
IV. BELONG
It is impossible for anyone to be genuinely happy without a sense of "belonging". Well has it been said that "a man is not an island unto himself."
Every child of God can rejoice in the blessing of
belonging to Christ and His church.
To Christ:
“because you belong to Christ…” Mark 9:41
“You are bought with a price; do not become servants of men.” I Corinthians 7:23
To the church:
“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47
