Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”

Daniel prayed three times a day. When we’re stressed, tired, or depressed that makes it more important than ever to pray; a minimum of 3x daily.

Why do we need to regularly read God’s Word, just like we eat?

God has a love letter to us, and it’s written in the Bible. To keep in love with the Lord Jesus, we read His love letter—the Bible. It says that we will have joy and rejoicing in our hearts when we “eat” or read/study God’s word.

When is the best time to read the letter? First thing in the morning. We should have our devotions; read Bible promises (at least a verse to meditate on as we start our day).

Then we are to carry that love letter with us through the day—for example, at lunch time or in the middle of the day.

And of course this is important also at night, when before going to bed, our last thoughts should be of God, our Creator.

Let’s make this a new beginning where we open our hearts to this Love Letter.

Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” In His presence is fullness of joy! At his right hand are pleasures forevermore.

When will we have fullness of joy? Only when things seem to be going smoothly in life? The Lord invites us:

Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Matthew 11:28–30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Q. When is the best time of the day to start calling on the Lord? In the morning.

Let us not use God when it is convenient, but give Him time early in the morning. This will give Him joy, and bring us joy!

Q. What happens if we spend time with God in the morning? A new conversion takes place as we realize our sinfulness and need of a Saviour. (This is a new conversion every day.)

Q. What are some other things we can do in the morning besides reading God’s word?

Write down thanks/things we are grateful for, things to pray for others, and ways we may want to improve our own relationship with God.

Q. How often should we think of the Lord and put Him in our thoughts/mind? Psalm 16:8, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

Malachi 3:16, 17, “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”

Q. How frequently should we talk about the Lord? “They that feared the Lord spake often one to another.”

Are we doing that? Am I doing that? Are you doing that? Do you talk about Jesus to your family, your friends, your neighbors, and those with whom you work?

2 Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

We have to “look up” to God on the things that are eternal.

Luke 21:26, talks about the last days. “Men’s hearts [will be] failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

In 1886, Ellen G. White wrote in a new year’s letter:

“The eye is not to be fastened upon deformity, upon the curse, but upon the riches of the grace of Christ that has been provided so abundantly, that we may live in this world, and act our part in the great web of humanity, and yet not be of the world. As pilgrims, as strangers looking for the bright things of God, the joy that is set before us, seeking a city whose builder and maker is God, and by beholding the provisions made for us, the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for us, talking of the blessed home, we forget the annoyances and the fretting cares of this life. We seem to breathe in the very atmosphere of that better, even the heavenly country. We are soothed, we are comforted; we are more than this, we are joyful in God.”—The Upward Look, p. 15.

I once heard the story of a mother hen who had little chicks, and a fire broke out in the field where they were. Her body was burned to a crisp, but every one of the little chicks was saved. Jesus died on Calvary for you and me, and He said every one of us will be delivered—whose names are written in the book of life. Psalm 91:1, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” We have nothing to fear because we will be abiding in the secret place of the Most High.

Be kind to those that others disregard. Be kind to those that even are not worthy of kindness.

Does it bring us happiness, if we are friendly and kind to an unworthy person? “The Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” But Jesus said that, “I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:2, 10).

Are we going to be kind and friendly to people even if they are different than us?

Are we going to be kind and friendly to those who are looked down on by society (e.g. homeless persons, drug addicts, criminals, etc.)?

Will we treat these people kindly and considerately?

Q.Is there joy when we are friendly to the unworthy?

What do we read about Jesus when He lived on the earth? “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). Jesus says it plainly. This chapter talks about joy and rejoicing several times in the story of the lost sheep and the story of the lost coin. And then, Jesus closes the chapter by telling the story of the prodigal son—and the joy the father had when his son repented.

How can we go about being friendlier to others? Some suggestions:

1. When you come into church, turn to the person on the right and then to the one on the left, and smile and shake their hand.

2. When you see someone that may be considered an outcast of society, don’t look away . . . but smile at them. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them, and tell them about Jesus who’s coming back again (give them a book or pamphlet). A simple handshake and smile are very easy things to do.

3. Welcome the guests that come to church. (If we notice a visitor, we should go up to them, and say, “Hi, my name is . . . , and I would like to welcome you to our church!)

Proverbs 18:13, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

Don’t just think about yourself. . . . Don’t do all the talking.

Q.How should we listen? Prayerfully (asking God to show us how to answer the person), attentively, sympathetically, and then share the promises of God with them.

Listen to others, listen to family and friends, and most importantly, listen to God.

Study God’s Word daily.

Start a permanent relationship with the Lord.

Keep your relationship with God steady.

Talk about the Lord.

Look up.

Be friendly to outcasts.

Be a good listener.

What do all these steps have in common? They all lead to happiness. They all lead to joy.

May the Lord help us to follow these 7 steps that we may continue having a happy year, and many more to come here on earth, and in heaven one day!