Do you remember?

"What do you mean by this service?" (Ex 12:26).

The Israelites were commanded to keep the Passover to remind themselves and their children of God's deliverance from Egypt. It was to be celebrated in a certain way on a specific day each year. A lamb and unleavened bread were to remind them of what God had done for His people.

Can you imagine reviewing the history of Israel to your children and grandchildren, just as your grandparents and parents had taught you? Passing on this great story of slavery, ten plagues and the jubilant exodus from generation to generation would have been the highlight of the celebration. Sitting at the table and hearing the great stories from the patriarch of the family each year.

As believers in the New Testament, we have a similar celebration: the Lord's Table. As the church gathers around that table, we are reminded of the work of Christ on the cross. He is our passover, the perfect Lamb, slain for the sins of the world.

The unleavened bread is a picture of His body. Sinless. Broken. A reminder of His incarnation, life, death and resurrection.

The juice is a reminder of His blood that was shed. His blood that paid the price for my sins. His blood that continues to cleanse me. His blood that sealed the covenant. His blood that redeemed me.

So are we using the Lord's Table to instruct the next generation? To teach them the great story of redemption in Christ should be the center of the celebration. Reminding ourselves of the work which God has accomplished on our behalf through His Son, we should be teaching our children and others the glorious story of redemption.

God's desire in your struggles

How would you like to have had Moses' job?

"And the LORD said to Moses, 'See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land'" (Ex 7:1-2).

Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?

But wait. There's more.

"But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you" (v 3-4a).

Great. It looks like the boss is working against Moses. God gives him instructions, but then says, "It's not going to work, because I'm not going to let it work."

Just keep reading.

"Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment" (v 4b).

God was going to keep His word. He would bring them out of Egypt.

But why didn't God just let Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh, who would grant their wish and let the Israelites go?

"The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them" (v 5).

God wanted to make it clear that He was the LORD. He wanted everyone in Egypt to know that He was the one who brought about the Exodus.

Not the smooth politics of Moses and Aaron. Not the softness of Pharaoh's heart. Not some behind the scenes deals by the Pharaoh's advisers.

God and God alone would be glorified.

How often are we trying to manipulate a situation to get what we think God wants to happen? Our counsel to others is often, "Do A and B, then C will happen." How often do we want to put a notch on our rifles to prove how great we are at solving problems?

And all the time God is working to bring glory to Himself. Not to us.

He wants us and those around us to know that He is the LORD. He wants to work great miracles to show the world that He is the LORD.

So why do we keep trying to steal His glory?

Not the way I planned it

Moses and Aaron received instructions direct from God. They were to go to Pharaoh and demand that Israel be set free. So they did that (Ex 5:1).

Pharaoh's response was, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go" (v 2).

Not only did Pharaoh not let Israel go. He made life miserable for them. He accused them of having too much time. He ordered that the slaves gather their own straw for making bricks. And the quota of bricks would not be reduced.

The slaves were beaten because they didn't meet quota.

The Israelites turned against Moses and Aaron for being the cause of the increased hardship.

Moses and Aaron had done what God had told them to do. Yet the results were not as they expected. Things got worse, not better.

God's answer, "Sit back and watch what I am going to do! You'll see how great I am when Pharaoh drives you out of Egypt!" - my paraphrase of 6:1.

Moses and Aaron had obeyed but not gotten the results that they anticipated. They followed the instructions, but life got tougher.

Why?

Because God had greater plans. His plan was to free Israel. That had not changed.

But the way He was going to do it was different than what Moses and Aaron anticipated.

God tells us each day to do the right thing. To live a holy life. To tell the truth. To confess sin. To resist temptation.

But even when we do those things, life might get harder, not easier.

That doesn't mean that God isn't working. Because God is always working.

God will fulfill His plan in His way at His time.

Trust and Obey.

Having trouble forgiving?

We've all been hurt. None of us make through life without someone stepping on our toes or knocking the wind out our sails.

It might be an unkind word that someone said.

It might be a parent who abandoned you.

It might be getting a cold shoulder from someone at church.

It might be a spouse who was unfaithful.

It might be a husband who didn't get the hint that you wanted to go on a date with him.

It might be a child who has turned his back on his family.

In any case, God calls us to forgive.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you" (Eph 4:32).

The Bible is a book about forgiveness.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

God is willing to forgive you for every sin that you have ever committed, or even thought about committing. He is able to forgive you, because His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for all of your sins on the cross.

"And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" (Col 2:13-14).

God has forgiven you for all of your sins.

Every lie. Every bad thought. Every hateful word. Every lustful glance. Murder. Adultery. Robbery. Incest. Cheating.

No matter what it was, God is ready to forgive you. Even if no one else knows about it.

So why is it hard for you to forgive others?

Could it be that you haven't experienced God's forgiveness?

God paid the complete price to pay the penalty for all of your sins. He forgives you completely. And commands you to do the same.

"...forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."

If you're having trouble forgiving someone, maybe it's because you haven't experienced God's forgiveness.

If you're holding a grudge against someone, if you're bitter, if you're angry - whatever the evidences of your unforgiving spirit may be - perhaps you need to trust God that He has forgiven all of your sins.

Then you'll be able to forgive others even as God has forgiven you.

Impress God

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
Psalm 19:14

It's easy to talk to make ourselves look good in front of others.

Self-justification: "Well, that's not exactly what I did..."

Self-glorification: "Did you notice what a good job I did?"

Self-preservation: "At least I'm not as bad as..."

Telling the truth, but not all of it.

Answering questions carefully so that reality is not being revealed.

Trying to impress others is really just lying.

But we can't lie to God. He knows what we think and what we say. Even before we do.

So it is much more important that our words and thoughts are acceptable to Him. We need to filter our words and thoughts through His character.

Are they holy?

Are they true?

Are they just?

Are they loving?

Are they wise?

Are your thoughts and words pleasing to God?

God delights in me

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." (Ps 18:6)

In response to David's plea, God shook heaven and earth to rescue him (v 7-15).

"He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me" (v 19).

God didn't have to rescue David, but He chose to, because He delighted in David. The Creator of the universe delighted in a shepherd boy-king!

Does God delight in me? Am I worthy to be rescued from my enemies? Have I scored enough brownie points with the Creator that He would deliver me from my distress?

No.

I am not worthy. There is nothing good in me. Nothing good enough to merit His deliverance.

And He chose to rescue me.

He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins.

He sent people into my life to show me the way of salvation.

He is providing for and protecting me through this life.

He is preparing an eternal place for me in His presence.

Not because I'm good.

But because He delights in me!

God did it!

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. For close to twenty years, he hadn't seen his family. His brothers were carrying the guilt of their actions all this time. His father was grieving for two decades.

Joseph had been falsely accused and served time in jail. When he interpreted Pharaoh's dream, he was elevated to Prime Minister over Egypt.

Still all this time he had no idea what had happened to his family and his family didn't know what had happened to him.

After a series of tests, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.

In his conversation with his brothers, he says, "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life...And God sent me before you...So it was not you who sent me here, but God..." (Gen 45:3-8).

The actions of Joseph's brothers were wicked. They abused their brother. They betrayed their father. They carried out a lie for two decades. They were sinners living with the consequences of their sinful choices.

But Joseph realized that it was all God's plan. Maybe he didn't realize it until that moment. Maybe he wondered those twenty years what God was doing. But at last it was clear.

The same is true today. Maybe your family has fallen apart. Maybe you're grieving the loss of a child. Maybe you're unemployed. Maybe you've been uprooted and starting all over.

Maybe you're trying to figure out what God is trying to do.

Be patient.

God is working to fulfill His plan, not yours. He will accomplish what He wants. And as we learn about God and as His plan is revealed, what He wants is what we want.

Why so unhappy?

There are a lot of unhappy people in the world around us. Some may laugh and smile a lot when they're around others. But many are putting on a front.

Maybe you're one of those.

You've tried to find happiness in life. But your career has turned into just work. Your family has disappointed you. Your friends are busy. Maybe you've even been disappointed with the promised joy in drugs, sex and money.

Surely, there must be something that will make you happy.

David was the greatest king Israel ever had. From a shepherd boy to king, he had lived the rags to riches story. He must have been very happy.

He was. But it wasn't because of his position and power. It wasn't because of his wealth and women.

His joy was found in God.

"I say to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You'" (Ps 16:2). If he didn't have God, he would have nothing good in his life.

"As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight" (v 3). He enjoyed spending time with others who were pursuing God.

"...indeed I have a beautiful inheritance" (v 6). His joy was not found in the earthly riches that were around him, but in his eternal inheritance. Heaven is going to be so much better than anything we could accumulate on earth!

"...because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken" (v 8b). God was his counselor and protector. He had nothing to fear.

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure" (v 9). True joy and security was not found in circumstances or surroundings, but in God.

"For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption" (v 10). Death does not even bring despair, because it is only a passage to eternal life in God's presence.

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (v 11). God directs and leads us to joy and eternal pleasures.

So joy comes from obeying and trusting God. Seeking delight in Him and in doing His will, not in our selfish desires, will bring happiness.

Obedience to God brings joy.
Selfishness brings sorrow.

So if you're not happy, you're probably being selfish. If you're not happy, you're not being obedient to God.

Choose to obey and trust God. He promises to bring you joy.

Memorize and put into practice

A Psalm of David

"O LORD, who shall sojourn in Your tent?
Who shall dwell on Your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
And speaks truth in his heart;

Who does not slander with his tongue
And does no evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But who honors those who fear the LORD;

Who swears to his own hurt and does not change,

Who does not put out his money at interest
And does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15

A breath of fresh air

Blameshifting, Murder. Lying. Polygamy. Rape. Incest. Homosexuality. Genocide. Physical abuse. Prostitution. Jealousy. Hatred.

After reading accounts of all of these and more in the first thirty-some chapters of Genesis, Joseph is a breath of fresh air. Finally, someone who doesn't live according to his sex drive!

He's the favorite son of his aging father, placed above his older half-brothers. He's the favorite son of his father's favorite wife, but hated by the rest of the family.

His half-brothers wanted to kill him, but chose to make a profit by selling him to slave traders. They tried to cover up their actions by sending his goat-blood-soaked coat  back to their father. The father fell for it. But the brothers knew. And God knew.

In Egypt, Joseph served his master, Potiphar, faithfully. He was given control over everything in his master's house except for his wife. She tried to seduce him. Often. Repeatedly.

When she tricked him, Joseph's answer was, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9).

Joseph fled. The seductress accused him of being the attacker and he ended up in jail. Not the consequences that Joseph desired.

Joseph is a great example for us. He realized that giving in to the pleas of this woman would be a sin against God. He understood that his moments of pleasure would dishonor his God.

We need to think like that, too. Whether it's sexual temptations, or the temptation to gossip. Whether it's cheating the IRS, or laziness.

Sin is against God.

Revealing words

"...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil" (Mt 12:34b-35).

The words that come out of your mouth today will reveal what is in your heart.

Words of encouragement, truth, hope and joy will only come out if those things are in your heart.

Filthy jokes, complaining, cursing, bitterness and anger will only come out if those things are in your heart.

Sometimes we can bite our tongues and not say the bad things that are in our hearts. Sometimes we can force a smile and an encouraging word, because we know it will help a situation.

Like a tea bag reveals its contents in hot water, conflict will reveal what's really in our hearts.

A sweet wife who lashes out in anger when her dream world comes crashing down around her. A husband who yells when he doesn't get his way. A teen who stomps off to his room yelling because his parents refused to give him what he wanted.

Heat reveals what's inside.

But it doesn't have to end there.

Evil and sin are within each of us. It's a constant struggle.

But God's grace brings about change. I don't have to stay in my anger and bitterness. I can choose to fill my heart with God's Word which will result in a change in my words.

But God's grace gives forgiveness. Because God has forgiven me, I can forgive those who have revealed the evil contents of their hearts. I can forgive them and we can work on changing together with God's grace.

From Fear to Love

Turning fear to love is not easy.

Fear of others. Fear of what they could do to me. Fear of what they might think of me. Those fears can control me to the point of inaction.

In reality those fears are founded in wrong values.

If those fears are controlling me, they reveal that I value myself more than I value God. I'm placing more value on my earthly life than it's worth.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt 9:28).

Rather than fearing those around me who may be able to harm me physically or emotionally, fear God.

Rather than fearing those around me who may be able to ruin my reputation or hurt my pride, fear God.

Why?

God has control over my eternal destiny. Physical or emotional damage is only temporary. My reputation, my pride, or even my life can only be damaged for a short period of time.

But God has control over all eternity.

Fear Him.

But I don't need to fear God either. The love that He has demonstrated in sending His Son removes all reason to fear Him.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18).

I am no longer condemned in God's presence. I am a beloved child. I have no need to fear Him.

And because I don't need to fear Him, I can choose to love others.

"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

So to turn my fear of others into love of others, God had to intervene.

And He did.

Miracles? Really?

"And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go, let it be done for your as you have believed.' And the servant was healed in that very moment" (Mt 8:12).

Jesus instructed and the centurion believed. A miracle took place.

How simple is that?

I often wish that these great miracles would happen in my life. Or at least in the lives of people around me. Instead of fighting this cold for the last week, Jesus could just heal it. Instead of living with broken relationships, Jesus could just speak and solve these problems. Instead of friends with cancer and broken bones, Jesus could give the command and they would be healed.

Looking at the miracles of physical healing distracts from the miracles that happen every day. The miracles that Jesus has done and continues to do in my life get derailed by "the big miracles."

Like salvation.

Jesus Christ, the eternal, holy Son of God, became a baby so that He could die on the cross. His death paid the penalty for all of my sins, which had separated me from the presence of a holy God.

By putting my trust in Christ's work on the cross as payment for the penalty for my sins, I have forgiveness from God. I have peace with God. I can anticipate eternity in His presence. No longer condemned, I am declared righteous. No longer guilty, I am free.

Not because of anything that I have done. But by God's grace.

So the centurion experienced a miracle that day. His servant was healed. But the servant probably got sick again. He eventually died. That miracle was great. But it was short-lived.

The miracle of salvation goes on into eternity. It's blessings are much greater than physical healing.

That's an amazing miracle.

Pray for your enemies

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Mt 5:44-45a).

Rather than hating my enemies, I need to love them. Rather than slandering those who slander me, I need to pray for them. Everyone hates their enemies. God wants me to love mine.

Easier said than done.

But why do I need to do it?

Because God says I need to. Not praying for them is disobedience.

This week I was asked if I had been praying for my enemy. I said that I hadn't been praying consistently lately, because I wasn't sure how to pray. Usually when I pray for that person, my thoughts wander toward bitterness and frustration. Trying to figure out what's going on. Trying to understand why rebellion is being sold as righteousness. Trying to understand the double standards. Trying to understand the justification of sinful choices. Trying to understand the arrogance and intolerance.

So often it turned into sinful thoughts that I have chosen not to pray. It seemed easier to control my thoughts by not even dwelling on that person.

But this verse tells me that I'm being disobedient by not praying for my enemy.

Regardless of my desires. Regardless of the outcome.

Because God says so.

Life is not a party

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:16)

“Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!” We sing about being happy. We do what we can to make a crying baby happy. We buy homes, cars, and toys to make us happy. We are happy when we are surrounded by friends and family. We listen to comedians to make us happy. We take drugs to make us happy. And yet we're not happy. What's up with that?

Could it be that we are not happy, because God didn't create us to be happy? Happiness is dependent on happenings. If everything is going smoothly and everyone is doing what I want them to do, then I can be happy. But if something changes my plans, someone crosses my path, I am no longer happy, nor am I expected to be happy. Did you notice how selfish those two sentences are? I will be happy if things are going my way. If they are not going my way, then I will not be happy. Happiness is truly selfish.

We are never commanded by God to be happy, but we are commanded to rejoice. Is there a difference?

In Matthew 5-7, Jesus is instructing His followers about His rules for life on earth. Not the rules of society or of religious leaders, but the rules of our Master. And what does He say about rejoicing? “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Mt 5:11-12). Does that sound like “Happy Birthday?” It's clearly not a party.

The command to rejoice and be exceedingly glad is right in the middle of a description of persecution. When people are ridiculing you, persecuting you, and falsely accusing you because of your testimony about your life in Christ, rejoice! That doesn't sound like cake and ice cream, does it?

Jesus expects you to rejoice in the midst of persecution. Why? How can He expect you to rejoice when people are making fun of your relationship with Him? “For great is your reward in heaven.” When your happiness is dictated by your happenings and nothing more, you will find little reason to be happy. But when your joy is guided by the hope of eternal rewards then your happenings are not that important.

What others might say about you is nothing in comparison to hearing your loving Master say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Mt 25:21). The physical abuse that you might receive for standing up for Jesus has no lasting effect when you remember that your body is going to be transformed to a glorious body (Phil 3:20-21). Even martyrdom for the sake of Christ is cause for rejoicing (Mt 10:28; 2 Tim 4:6-8).

Rejoicing in the midst of persecution is repeated throughout the book of Acts and the Epistles. In Acts 5, the disciples, who had heard Jesus preach about rejoicing in suffering for Christ were able to live that out. They had been imprisoned for preaching about Christ. An angel set them free in the night and commanded them to return to the temple to preach. The religious leaders who had arrested them, found the prison locked and guarded, but empty. Then they heard that the former prisoners were preaching in the temple. The disciples were arrested, interrogated, threatened, beaten and released. Their response: “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (Acts 5:41). They rejoiced because they were suffered for the cause of Christ!

Could it be that you are not happy because you are not suffering for the cause of Christ? If rejoicing in the midst of persecution is commanded, maybe you are not rejoicing because you are not being persecuted. And why would you not be persecuted because of your relationship to Christ? Maybe no one knows that you have a relationship with Him. Though persecution is not the only reason for rejoicing, there is a connection in this passage. One way that you could become joyful would be to talk with your co-worker about your relationship with Jesus Christ. He might rejoice with you, as you both discover that you are both followers of Christ. He might ask you more questions, which will cause joy as you dig into the Word to answer them. He might laugh in your face and ridicule you to the rest of the office staff. Regardless of your co-worker's response, you can rejoice “for great is your reward in heaven!”

The Secret to Withstanding Temptation

Jesus was taken into the desert and tempted by Satan. Appealing to His human nature, Satan tempted Jesus three times. And each time Jesus responded by quoting Scriptures.

Not by reasoning with Satan.

Not by changing the subject.

Not by diverting His thoughts.

Not by minimizing the temptation.

Not by casting Satan out of His presence.

Jesus defeated Satan's temptations by quoting Scripture. By quoting God's Word He was able to withstand temptation.

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psa 119:11).

Jesus, as my high priest was tempted in every respect just as I am, yet without sin. (Hebr 4:15). Jesus faced the same types of temptations that I face. But He defeated them. He didn't give into the temptations. He fought with Scriptures.

With the 100's of verses that I have memorized, I need to choose to think on Scripture when the temptations come.

"Let me then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebr 4:16).

From Fear to Trust

In flight from his own son, David sensed that many of his enemies were closing in on him. They were attacking him physically and attempting to discredit his spiritual life.

"How could he even be a Christian? There's no hope for him!" Ever hear that?

The circumstances didn't look great. But David didn't lose his trust in God.

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head" (Ps 3:3).

In the midst of these attacks, David cried out to the LORD and his prayers were answered.

How were they answered? Did God wipe out all of David's enemies in a battle? Did they all get sick and die in the night?

No. It doesn't look like the circumstances changed at all. In verse seven, David cries out for deliverance from his enemies again.

"I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me" (v 5).

God's answer came in physical protection and rest. David had a good night's sleep.

Now a good night's sleep may help change your outlook on life. But it wasn't the psychological benefits of sleep that helped David.

"...the LORD sustained me."

David's change from fear to trust came because he realized that God was continuing to protect him and keep him alive.

"I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around" (v 6).

David's circumstances didn't change. The enemies were still out there. His perspective changed.

Rather than looking at the enemies who were closing in on him, he turned his view toward God.

He trusted God, who is sovereign over all enemies.

The same God is sovereign over your problems. Over your marriage. Over your children. Over your job. Over your health.

"I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me."

Why fight against it?

The nations of the world plot and scheme. They work to rid themselves of God. They set themselves up as the authority. Whether it's a Muslim, communist or capitalist country, they try to exist without god.

How does God respond? He laughs (Ps 2:4).

God's plan is that His Son, Jesus, will reign from Jerusalem over all the nations. All the nations will be His possession. He will rule with a rod of iron and crush His opponents. God laughs because He knows that nations' attempts to live without His rule are pointless.

So the kings and rulers are called to submit to Him now. They will eventually submit or be destroyed. Submitting peacefully and lovingly now is the better alternative.

God will rule over them. the question is how they will respond.

The same is true on a personal level. God is sovereign over my life and yours. He has a plan and He has the resources to carry out His plan.

Whether I like it or not. Whether I realize it or not. No matter how hard I rage and plot against it.

God is in charge.

The best thing for me to do is to lovingly submit. Submit to what He is doing. Submit to what His Word reveals about His plan for my life.

"Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him" (Ps 2:12)

Happy New Year?

We hear this a lot this week. Even complete strangers wish it to us.

Do you really want a happy new year?

But there are so many uncertainties. Fiscal cliff. Health issues. Accidents. Family problems. Job security. Retirement investments.

Is it even possible to have a happy new year?

If your happiness is based on any of those above issues, probably not.

"Happy is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the way of scoffers,
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on His law he meditates day and night"
(Psalm 1:1-2)

What are the secrets to a happy new year?

Pretty easy, actually.

Pick your friends wisely. Spend more time with people who will lead you in godly living. Let those people be your best friends who will sharpen your relationship with God. Make an effort to follow those who are following the Lord. Avoid those who aren't.

Read your Bible. Look for God in the pages of Scripture. Meditate on His promises. Follow His instructions. Heed His warnings. Memorize Scripture. Meditate on Scripture. Study Scripture. Listen to Scripture.

Happiness isn't going to come through the events of life. Life stinks most of the time. Happiness comes through knowing God.

So what are you going to do to make this a happy new year?