FYI: I rewrote this article just for this New Year. “And Jesus increased in (1) wisdom and (2) stature, and in favour with (3) God and (4) man” (Luke 2:52). As the Lord, we also need to continually increase in four areas for a full and fruitful life for the Lord. Seek to Increase in...
(1) Wisdom (mentally). Never stop learning. Read, study, listen, and seek knowledge. Ask specifically for wisdom (James 1:5). When you stop knowing, you stop growing. When you stop learning, you stop leading. Good news! As knowledge increases, ignorance decreases. Don’t be dumb! When you lack wisdom – Ask God (James 1:5).
(2) Stature: (physically). Because of physical neglect many have died prematurely. This is sad because it could have been prevented. Many have lost quantity and quality of many precious years. The late Oliver Green said, “Evangelism killed me. People and pastors continually overfed me.” Note: We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy, I have done it hundreds of times.” Some say, “I can resist everything but temptation.” Doctors say, “If only he had come to me earlier, this could have been prevented.” Poor health can also hinder you from serving the Lord. Don’t let your body control your life. Seek to stay hearty and healthy. Caution: This year seek to replace bad habits with good habits (Col.3:9-10..
(3) Favor with God (spiritually). Seek relationships, not rituals or rules. Be still and personally know God (Psa. 46:10). Stay close to God. Draw nigh to God, and God will draw nigh to you (James 4:8). Enoch walked with God. Abraham was a friend of God. There is no substitute for a good relationship with God. We can have favor and fellowship with God. Make your days full of life, not just a life full of days.
(4) Favor with man (socially). God made us with a desire for relationships so we could have a relationship with Him. We need to love someone, and we need someone to love us. Don’t love things but love people. Many regretfully say, “I wish I had given more to my family, friends, and health.” Don’t count the day but make the day count.
In closing, do not excel in one area and neglect the others. Seek to excel in all four areas for a full, balanced, beneficial and fruitful life. End 2022 better than you ended 2021. Make 2022 one of the best years you have ever known. You cannot change the past, but you can change the future. Loving moments bring lasting memories.
This year steadily increase in these four areas: mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. You and your family will be happy, and so will friends, doctors, and God.
Four Facts For a Full and Fruitful life in 2022
