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by Jesse M. Hendley
Scripture: III John 2
People write and wish for friends a "Happy and
Prosperous New Year." Notice the word wish. We
recognize human frailty. We do not say, "I will make
you prosperous in the New Year!" There is something
beyond the writer's control that makes for prosperity
in another. If he had control of all things he would
make those for whom he cares "prosperous and happy"
through every day and hour of the New Year.
Now, who does control our prosperity"? There are two
persons, God and the individual, God and you; God and
me. Now God wishes for every human being prosperity
and happiness every day of the New Year. In III John 2
He speaks through His Apostle John and says, "Beloved,
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper."
Notice the word beloved"---God is speaking to His
beloved, those whom He loves with an eternal love.
Those who have believed on His Son Jesus and Trust Him
as Saviour and Lord; those who are Christians indeed!
Truly those whom God loves He will make to prosper
every moment on earth. His love is unfailing for He
loved us from the foundation of the world; He loves us
throughout our time on earth and will love us forever
for He gave us eternal life.
WHAT GOD WISHES FOR US
Next notice God's wish for us. "I wish above all
things"---This is the beloved apostles wish for the
well-beloved, Gauis, but it is God speaking His wish,
not only for Gauis some 1900 years ago, but for every
well-beloved believer today---everyone who trusts His
dear Son is included. How precious to go into the New
Year knowing that the Almighty God, Maker of all
things is my Father. For He inspired Paul to write,
"We are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus." So believing in Christ it is not presumption
to say, "I am a child of God." It is FAITH and it
pleases God for me to believe what He says. How
comforting to go into the New Year with God telling me
I am His child and He will look after me every day and
hour and minute and second of the New Year as a
Perfect Father should look after His child!
What does God wish for us? "That thou mayest prosper"
---The word comes from two words, the first meaning
well, prosperous, good, and the second, road. God
wants the road we travel this year, on the way to
Heaven, to be a "good road" all the way. It means a
prosperous journey and then, to be prospered,
successful! And He will make it so, as we walk life's
road with him. Jesus invites us saying, "Follow me,
live in my Bible." The Holy Spirit teaches me how to
live each day and moment WITH JESUS and this is the
most prosperous and happy road to travel. To try to
guide my own life or to let other failing human beings
control my thinking, speaking, and action is to become
a failure, to be a loser.
Source: Excerpted from a sermon
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