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Show A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR III John 2 Until 2005, we have been in the habit of wishing those we care a about a very merry prosperous new year. The debate about dropping the word Christmas Christmas and a religious, that is Christian connotation, caused may to simply say, "happy holidays." Ifwe buy this notion as we seem so because of its apt to do, those of us who believe that Christ is the reason for Christmas not only have no gift giving but we also have no reason for hope in a better new year. So pardon me if you are offended but Merry reason for belated Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Let me tell you four reason why I offer you new year of prosperity. John wrote, a "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prosperous." First, God has put us in a PROSPEROUS 1 According to I Corinthians 16: 2 "God hath prospered him." We have not made and gained on our own. It has been by the good and powerful hand of God that we have prosperity in this life. He opened door and pour our blessings that no man can shut and shut POSITION. doors to hold back waste and destruction that man can no open. God has put us in a prosperous and the least we can do in return in give position a proportionate first fruit. Second, God has prepared for us a PROSPEROUS JOURNEY. In Romans 1: 10, 1 might have a prosperous journey we read, " ... by the will of God " ... There are sure obstacles and difficulties and to be persecution and along the way but God gets in front of us and clears the road, makes the pathway passable. Even when the spots are rough, He sustains and keeps us though the valleys that are shadowed with danger and death. We can make it because Jesus goes with us. That why we are able to sing, "If Jesus goes with me, I'll go troubles 2 Anywhere! "Tis heaven to me, Where'er I may be, If He is there! I count it a privilege here, bear; If Jesus goes with me, I'll go Anywhere!" (C. Austin Miles Hymn, "If Jesus His cross to Me.") Third, God provides Goes With for us a PROSPEROUS HEALTH. thy Every time That " mayest prosper and be in health " I go to the hospital or nursing home or to see the shut-in, I am reminded of how we take health strength and for granted. entitled and will have it see some of the We act as long as if, as we we are want. I sharpest and best educated lose of the strongest health. I see some of the their mental health. I see some physical youngest walking on crutches, riding in wheel chairs, blind, lame, and hardly able to fed or lose there for themselves. I tell you it is God who gives us health. The Lord is the Great healer of care body as well as Fourth, God soul. cause us PROSPEROUS SOUL. 3 to have " ... a Even as thy soul prospereth." It is God who give us life and that more abundantly. It is God that gives us joy unspeakable. It is God that give us peace that the world does not understand. Instead of fretting and at rest. We sustained are nourished by His grace prosperous. "When peace like When God worrying, sorrows so causes our by His that soul to be love and our soul is river attendeth my way, like sea billows roll; a Whatever my lot, thou hast taught It is well, it is well with my soul. me to say, Tho' Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come, Let this blest assurance That Christ has control, regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my souL It is well with my soul. It is well with my soul." (H. G. Spafford's hymn 4 "It Is Well") |
