Month: December 2018

Through the years, this writer has discovered that people only do what they really “want” to do (from their heart) – no more and no less. We can motivate and encourage Christians all day long to do the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58), but in the end, they will only do what they really “want” to do.

For example, we can motivate and encourage Christians to attend every church service, but only those members who really “want” to attend every church service, will be in attendance, and those who really “want” to stay home, will stay home (or engage in some secular activity).

Christians who really “want” to faithfully obey and serve the Lord, will do so “from the heart’ (Romans 6:17). Note the same phrase in Ephesians 6:6, and the contrast using the same phrase in Matthew 15:17-18 regarding what comes out of the mouth.

Serving God “from the heart’ (those who really”want” to serve God) is the kind of service God eagerly wants from His people (note the words “whole heart’ in Psalm 111:1; Psalm 119:2).

Beloved, let’s seriously “think'” about the above thoughts and then go serve the Lord with our “whole heart’!

As human beings, we get very excited about a New Year, because we look forward to making resolutions for the purpose of “turning over a new leaf” as it were. We make lists of changes in our lives, goals, and projects to accomplish. Many believe that happiness will be found in material wealth, worldly power, or fame and glory. Some folks will simply eat black-eyed peas for good luck.

However, true happiness can never be known without allowing our wills to be in alignment and compliance with our Creator’s will (cf. Isaiah 1:18-19; Matthew 7:21). After the wise man Solomon had recorded the futility of his search for purpose and happiness in this world, he wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

It’s only when we find and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives that we can achieve the true happiness God intended for us (cf. Jeremiah 1:5; Gal. 1:15-16). We can’t ignore this purpose and Imagine this upcoming New Year as a blank sheet of paper for us to write another chapter of our short and fleeting life (James 4:14; cf. Psalm 78:39; Job 7:6-7). Will we have the courage and commitment to look within the pages of the inspired Scriptures in determining our moral values and standards? (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:16).

Or will we allow worldly influences to set them for us? (1 John 2:16; cf. 2 Timothy 4:10). If we will choose the former, we will find true happiness in the upcoming New Year.

There’s a time to just say NO! to the world’s negative influences and say YES! to God’s priorities and will (Matthew 6:33; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18).

The following are eight of those times:

1) Just Say NO! to worldly peer pressure— Never follow a crowd to do evil (Exodus 23:2).

2) Just Say NO! to worldly mediocrity— God expects excellence from His followers.

3) Just Say NO! to trying to do too many things at once — Rather, strive to live a balanced life.

4) Just Say NO! to being unproductive – Don’t allow unproductive people to waste your time or God’s time.

5) Just Say NO! to shortcuts— Remember the old maxim,”Haste makes waste?” Well, it still does.

6) Just Say NO! to ungratefulness — Let’s be thankful to the good Lord for the things He has provided us, rather than being obsessed with always wanting “more.”

7) Just Say NO! to folks who have negative attitudes – – This is why we need to carefully choose the people with whom we associate. Remember, attitude is everything!

8) Just Say NO! to anyone who wants to compromise our integrity – – Allow the Lord to guide us in this regard (Proverbs 3:5-6).