A new year is often seen as a time of new beginnings: a chance to start over, improving ourselves and our lives in whatever manner we seem to be lacking. Many of us make New Year
resolutions: we vow to lose weight, or stick to a budget, or quit smoking. We decide we're finally going to take that trip or start a new job, or get married (or divorced!). We promise that this
year we're going to do more, be more, love more, and enjoy life more. It's a
time to throw out the old, and we makes our plans to begin our new, improved, better version of life.
This search for a new, improved life or to be a new, better person begins every year. And there is nothing inherently wrong about desiring a better life, or desiring to improve
ourselves. We SHOULD strive to improve ourselves and live better lives! The problem is, we don't always know what will make us happy. We think that this or that will change our lives for the better, but we usually only search for what we WANT,
not what we NEED. There's a big difference!
When we search only for what we think we need to be happier, we allow transient external factors determine the quality of our life, and our level of satisfaction.. We think we'll be better if we lose
weight or learn to manage our finances better. We think we'll be happier with a new job or a different spouse. But none of these things give more than temporary satisfaction.
Circumstances change, nothing ever remains the same, so if our happiness and satisfaction with our life depends on external factors, it is impossible to enjoy our lives. No matter how happy
something makes us today, there will be something else we think we need tomorrow!
The one thing that we truly need to make us happy and well-satisfied with out life is not a fatter bank account or a skinnier body, or a new relationship. The only true happiness
and satisfaction in life comes from a right relationship with God, our Creator, our Redeemer, our loving and compassionate heavenly Father. The Bible tells us:
Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you
the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4-5)
Our loving Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need, and when we seek Him, He gives us what we NEED, not just what we want. Who knows us better, and knows
exactly what we need , better than the One who created us in His own image? When we delight ourselves in the Lord, and commit all our ways to Him, we will find true
contentment and happiness. God will change our often shallow and self-centered desires to align with His plans for us.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you
hope, and a future. Then you will call upon me and come
and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me
and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:11-13)
But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
God knows every thing we need. He knows all our secret plans, hopes, and dreams. We only think we know what we need, and what will make us happy,
but often find that those things didn't make our lives any better after all, and we still weren't satisfied and happy.
What we need to do is learn is to seek God first and foremost, above all else,
and commit all our ways to Him. When we seek Him above all else, an surrender our lives fully to His keeping, He takes the responsibility for our happiness and our lives.
We are relieved of anxiety and stress, and free to live the life He wants for us!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean
not unto your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
We can rest assured that God will keep His word to us; He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. His plan for us is perfect.
We may not get everything we think we want: contrary to popular belief, God isn't our fairy godfather, just waiting somewhere up in heaven to wave His magic wand and grant our every request.
Our lives may not be perfect- in fact, our lives here on earth can never be perfect. We may go through difficulties . But our God knows exactly what we need. We can
confidently face whatever life throws at us, because He has promised He will always work things out for the best.
And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.(Rom. 8:28)
The start of a new year is a great time for us to evaluate our lives, our goals, our accomplishments, our failures, and our future. Where are we, and where are we going?
Are we truly seeking God first, with all our hearts? Is our walk with God all that it should be? What do we need to do to put Him first? More Bible study, perhaps, or more
time spent in prayer? Is there anything we need to get rid of? That load of guilt or resentment, or that grudge we've been carrying around for so long? That attitude of apathy
or stubbornness?
Someone said “A new year is a 365 page page book with blank pages, just waiting for you to write in it. It will be the story of your life, so make it a good one.” We don't
know at the start of the new year how the story will end, or what is going to happen along the way. But if we seek God first, He will give us what we truly need, and our
happiness and contentment will not be shaken by whatever circumstances may come our way. This year, let our New Year's Resolution be:
With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander
from your commandments. Your word have I hid in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:10-11)
To assist you in your Bible Studies, I am very pleased to be
able to add this King James Bible Search Engine.
The results of your search will open in a separate window.
My sincere thanks to "King James Version Of The Bible"
who made this search engine available.
 
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