Ps 128:1-2
Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. (KJV)
"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling." -Margaret Lee Runbeck
I greet each of you in this New Year in the incomparable and matchless love of Christ! I want to share a brief word that I hope will encourage you to start this new year wholly surrendered to the will of God. I cannot make mention enough times of the importance of our loving surrender to the will of God as presented in the Word of God. It is by our internal choices and convictions that we each will determine the quality of the lives that we will live.
I don't believe that there is one of us that do not desire to live a happy life, a life filled with joyful experiences. In order to lead a happy and fulfilled life, we must follow the owner's manual, which is the Bible. Everything of importance in life comes with an owner's manual. The reason for the creation of the owner's manual is so that the owner of the new object will no how to operate the device in keeping with the purpose for which it was created. The bible is the Lord's owner's manual purposed to teach each of us how to operate our lives in a manner consistent with the God who created us. When we choose to follow the regulations contained within the owner's manual, we can know expectantly that God will perform his word in our lives.
I believe in keeping with the owner's manual (the Bible), that happiness in life is secured through our obedience to the Word of God. In fact, I believe that happiness begins and ends with the Word of Truth. Happiness begins with a reverential respect for God and His laws. We show our respect for God in keeping His laws, and commandments. Happiness is the outgrowth of a life that is lived in agreement and obedience to God (the owner).
The Psalmist recognizes that when a life is lived to glorify God first, it causes labor to be blessed and life to become sweet. This year if you want to live and truly enjoy the fruit of your labor you must put God first in all that you say or do. The secret to a life which is granted the full abundance of God's grace is loving surrender to the will of God. If you want to live well, you must reverence God and walk in a manner that pleases Him. I pray in this new beginning that you will each choose to live well!