The Abc’s To Having A Great Year

THE ABC’S TO HAVING

A GREAT YEAR

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: STATING THE OBVIOUS.

After a woman sued McDonalds because she wasn’t warned her coffee was hot, companies are changing their instruction manuals and product warning labels to cover themselves from liability. Listen to a few of these:

1. On a particular brand of soap- “Directions: Use like regular soap.”

2. On a frozen dinner – “Suggestion: Defrost before eating.”

3. A Christmas pudding – “Product will be hot after heating.”

4. On a string of Christmas lights- “For indoor or outdoor use only.”

5. A packet of peanuts warning – “May contain traces of peanuts.”

6. On a chain saw- “Do not stop chain with hand.”

7. On a motorcycle helmet mounted mirror – “Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you!”

B. TEXT & THOUGHTS

"An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions." Prov. 17:24, GNV.

1. We all can do the one of two things this year: We can waste it away by fretting about the things we failed to accomplish last year, moping and having a pity party, OR We can decide to make the most of this New Year. This could be the greatest year of our lives!

2. So what are you going to do with 2020? How will this year be any different than last year? How many of you would like 2020 to be better than 2019?

3. The bad news is there is nothing we can do to change last year. The good news is that we can change the coming year.

4. At the beginning of every year God gives each of us a clean slate to start over with. It’s like God is saying, “Let’s start over.” And that’s good news.

5. Proverbs 17:24, GNV, "An intelligent person aims at wise actions, but a fool starts off in many directions." “A fool starts off in many directions.” Does that describe any of us?

6. The beginning of this verse says, "An Intelligent person aims at wise actions." That means they have a goal, an objective, an aim, a target. Have you set any goals for 2020? Or are you just going to walk into this year and hope it’s better? You’ve got to have a plan.

C. THESIS

1. This morning I want to share with you four keys that will help us be a success in 2020. Keys can be used to start something or used to open doors. Having a good year in 2020 is as simple as “A, B, C and D.”

2. The title of this message is “THE ABC’S TO HAVING A GREAT YEAR.”

I. A–ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY LIFE

A. DON’T EXCUSE, CONFESS!

1. If we want a fresh start in life, we have to stop making excuses for our failures. That means to stop blaming other people, to stop seeing myself as the victim of my circumstances.

2. "Political correctness" says, "None of your problems are your fault. Everything bad in your life is somebody else’s fault. Blame the environment, the educator, blame your parents -- it’s not your fault."

3. If you get in an accident, it’s never your fault. If you spill some hot coffee on yourself, sue McDonalds; it’s their fault. Success in life: is to accept responsibility for our own lives.

4. Proverbs 28:13 “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them he gets another chance.” God says, “That if we admit our mistakes and our sins, then we get another chance in life.”

B. YOU NEVER FAIL UNTIL YOU GIVE UP

1. If at first you don’t succeed, welcome to the human race; you’re normal. Very few people make it on the first try. You’re never a failure until you give up. Sometimes we give up too soon.

2. Someone said, “People who are very good at making excuses are rarely good at anything else.” So let’s quit making excuses.

3. JOKE.

a. A guy delivering an oversized load saw a sign at the entrance of a narrow road. It read: "Blocked! Do not pass! Difficult to turn back."

b. He continued anyway, only to discover that the alley was indeed blocked by a fallen tree. As predicted, it took a while to turn the truck around.

c. When he finally got back to the entrance, he noticed a second sign that read: "Told you so!"

4. Let’s say, “I choose to accept responsibility for my own life, goals and happiness. I’m not dependent upon anybody else.” Do this and we’ll jump way ahead in 2020!

II. B-BELIEVE I CAN CHANGE

A. THE DEVIL WANTS YOU TO DOUBT YOU CAN CHANGE!

1. JOKE: THE PSYCH’S DIAGNOSIS

a. A man went to a psychiatrist and said, "Doctor, I have seen two other psychiatrists. They told me I am cursed with an inferiority complex. I would like for you to examine me and tell me what you think.