Ecclesiastes 8:14-15 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. This too, I say, is meaningless. So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
Over the past few days, you’ve likely heard endless renditions of New Year’s song, seen numerous advertisements for gym membership deals and talked with friends and families about your resolutions for a new year. And now, it’s here. New Year’s Eve has arrived!
Maybe you’re hosting a party this year, attending a New Year’s Eve service or "Watch Night" service at church, perhaps just taking in a quiet night at home by yourself, or with family. You might even have a nice glass of your favorite beverage on hand or even might "cut a rug" on the dance floor. Whatever the case, be safe, have fun and make room! End this year and bring in the new with your focus on what’s most important: your relationship with God. YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
If you're anything like me, I always enjoy the end of the year. I use it as an opportunity to check over the previous year's list of goals. The ones with a big check mark of accomplishments and fulfillment, as well as those I may not have completed yet. I enjoy forming the list of new goals for the coming year under the previous year's leftovers. It doesn't have to be major things. Little things done in a great way satisfy me more and more each year. Things like paying attention more when I'm cooking to prevent burning meals...lol. I've actually improved a lot on this one. The list includes things needed, things I want to see, do, try, make, and give, and so on. I've learned the hard way that after all the preparation is done, I need to hold every goal and plan loosely before my Lord and Savior and pray! My favorite prayer is "Nevertheless, Lord, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done", If my plan aligns with YOUR plan Lord, fine. If it doesn't, then I trust YOU to rearrange some things understanding that your way is always for my best. This prayer always keeps life interesting and often dynamic, as I watch God change or add to my best thought out plans and priorities to something much more beneficial and worthwhile. Either way, the biggest and the best joy of fulfillment is the result. As I'm guided by Him. Lord, in all our doings, remind us to stay before you with our plans. Now, after we've laid our plans at HIS feet, we can eat, drink and be merry. Eat, drink, and be merry is a phrase many associate with celebrations and enjoying life. Its roots go back to the Bible, specifically Ecclesiastes 8:15. King Solomon, known for his wisdom, says, "So I commend the enjoyment of life because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad." This means that finding joy in simple pleasures is a gift from God, but it also reminds us to keep a balanced view and remember the temporary nature of earthly joys. So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
As children of the Highest God, we should be the most joyful people on earth! We have every reason😊 because we have the peace of God through Jesus Christ! If you are reading this right now, then God has brought you to the end of another year. A year that has seen both highs and lows, yet here we are, still here! That in itself should compel us to be overflowing with the joy! Although many may have lost loved ones, relationships or even material things in 2024, knowing that our Father in Heaven is still with us, there is reason to eat, drink and be merry! God wants HIS children to have life and to have it more abundantly. this means He wants us to be joyful! He wants us to be happy. God is not Anti-Fun! He's Almighty! He's loving! He's Faithful, Everlasting, Marvelous, My Redeemer! Yahweh, Yahweh! Oh Lord of Lords! Promise Keeper! I can go on and on!! Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to see the last day of 2024 with expectation of greater in 2025!! Amen!
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