Stephanus Elia

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Top 3 New Year’s Resolutions

3. Get out of debt

2. Stop smoking

1. Lose weight

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all

circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

2008 is a depressing year

• Worst economy since Great Depression• Record high people losing their jobs, homes & business• Nat’l unemployment rate 6.7% (2007: 4.7%).

2008: Layoffs >2M EE• 2008: 2.25M new foreclosures• Collapse of financial giants (Lehman, Merrill, Bear)• Near collapse big 3 auto co. (Ford, Chrysler, GM)• Christmas spending cut in half from 2007 => big hit for

retailers

Be Joyful Always

• Neh. 8:10 …And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

• Joy of the Lord vs. Happiness• Ps. 16:11 11You will show me the path of life; in Your

presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

• Ps. 71:23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.

• Paul and Silas joyfully praising God in jail. They got miracle (the cell door opened) & got the jailer & family saved (Acts 16)

Pray Continually

• Prayer is all about God not about me• The Lord’s Prayer is about His glory, His kingdom, & His

will (Mat. 6:9-13):"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom

come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”• Daily bread, forgiveness of sins, deliver from evil• God’s provision is to be used for His glory, Kingdom and

in line with His will.• God’s provision is to be sanctified in the altar to worship

the Provider (Gen. 22 vs. Ex. 32)

Pray Continually

• Pray continually! The answers to your prayers may be just around the corner!

• Luke 18:1 ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).

• The widow got the favor of the evil judge

• Daniel’s prayer experience (Dan. 10)

Give Thanks in All

• Give thanks in ALL circumstances• The Story of Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

14-16 They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan. 17-19Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

My 2009 New Year’s Resolutions

1. Be joyful always

2. Pray continually

3. Give thanks in all circumstances