Good Advice, 2023. Ephesians 5:15-20
A BetterWorld For the New Year:
There was an article a few years ago in which a man gave his idea of a perfect world. He said, "In a perfect world you would feel as good at 60 as you did at 17. And you would be as smart at 60 as you thought you were at 17.” "In a perfect world professional basketball and baseball and football players would be complaining because schoolteachers were signing multi-million dollar contracts. In a perfect world potato chips would have calories, but if eaten with dip, the calories would be neutralized.” "In a perfect world, mail would always be early, and the check in the mail would always be for more than you expected it to be.” The truth is: this is not a perfect world and it never will be. As believer’s, we can make it better.
Ephesians 5:15-20AMP Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. 19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Pete, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette. “I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking," Ken responds. “I’m in the process of quitting,” replies Pete with a grin. “Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.” “Phase one?” “Yeah," laughs Pete, “I’ve quit buying.”
Here’s some good solid advice for making the New Year better.
1- This new year - Be careful.
2- This new year - Be thoughtful.
3- This new year - Be thankful.
1. This New Years day be careful in the way you live. -Be wise.
Be careful with your time, your time is actually God’s time. Don’t contribute to evil. Be careful. Seek the Lord’s will in all things.
Jesus begins His prayer on the sermon on the mount. Matthew 6:9-10AMP “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”
Pray. “Kingdom come, will be done.”
Again, 1. Be careful in the way you live.
That’s why verse 18, Paul states, “Don’t cheapen your life with artificial stimulants, and fleshly devices, but be filled with the Holy Spirit!”
2. This New Year’s Day be thoughtful.
Be thoughtful of others. That is always good advice.
Be thoughtful of God’s Spirit. Remember the Holy Spirit.
Welcome Him. Always give Him the biggest ovation.
Spend time with Him. Your time spells, love and devotion.
Ask Him for His help. -He teach, bring to your remembrance.
How To Be Miserable.
"Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use "I" as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.” This is how you become miserable.
Ephesians 5:18-20TM Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge drafts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.
The Greeks had a tradition of holding drinking parties (called, in the singular, a symposium) where the object was to sing the praises of the pagan gods while becoming drunk. Perhaps with this tradition in mind, Paul instructs believers to “be filled” instead with the Holy Spirit and to sing meaningful praises to God.
I Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Instead of being self-centered, we should be Spirit-centered.
3. This New Year’s Day be thankful.
Philippians 2:14NLT Do everything without complaining and arguing,
Dr. Dale Robbins writes, “I used to think people complained because they had a lot of problems. But I have come to realize that they have problems because they complain. Complaining doesn’t change anything or make situations better. It amplifies frustration, spreads discontent and discord, and can invoke an invitation for the devil to cause havoc with our lives.” Complaining makes us miserable.
“A positive, thankful person is a great witness in this dark world.” P.H
Ephesians 5:20GNT In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.
I really believe that Easter is the New Year's Day for the believers soul. -Our resurrection. Our new day.
Someone said- Last year when I called my parents to wish them a happy New Year, my dad answered the phone. "Well, Dad, what’s your New Year’s resolution?" I asked him. "To make your mother as happy as I can all year," he answered proudly. Then mom got on, and I said, "What’s your resolution, Mom?" "To see that your dad keeps his resolution.”
If we should plan our life this New Year as though it were to be our last on earth.
One New Year’s Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas.
The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas.
Luke 24:49AMP Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”
2023, fail not to neglect your spiritual maintenance, and though you may be"clothed with power,” don’t find yourself out of gas!
This is what I’ve learned: “What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.”
Be careful.
Be thoughtful.
Be thankful.
Benediction.
