I was incredulous as I saw the intense contestant miss such easy answers. How could he not know that the capital of South Dakota is Sioux Falls, or that the all time home-run hitter was not Mark McQuire, but Mickey Mantle, that Moses built and floated the ark, or that Abraham Lincoln was the seventeenth President, elected in 1776. Just think of the money that I could have won had I been the contestant!

The popularity of the game show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” took the television producers by surprise. The program, along with other such game show genre such as Greed, draws millions of viewers each week. Many like to second-guess the contestants, knowing that they could do a much better job if only they were in the hot seat.

Victories don’t come without a battle. What battles are you fighting this New Year? Perhaps it’s the “battle of the bulge”. You’ve vowed to lose weight and live healthier – but it’s a battle. Some continue to battle life controlling or negative habits or sin in their lives. Many people battle increasing debt or mounting stress at work or at home. If you have battles to fight this New Year I have good news for you. You have an ally. There is one who has never lost a battle and he desires to stand with you if you will look to him. He is the Lord God – the Lord mighty in battle.

More Americans than ever have climbed the ladder of success. For many people, though, life is getting better while they are feeling worse.

In the February 26th issue of the Centralia Sentinel, an editorial by Gregg Easterbrook, caught my attention. The title intrigued me – “Stress is the dirty secret of success”. Mr. Easterbrook made the following observation – “Americans are finding that merely possessing the good life does not ensure happiness. This may tell us there is a ‘revolution of satisfied expectations’ – that general prosperity brings with it an empty feeling. Here is another possible explanation of the progress paradox: That along with getting better at manufacturing cell phones, DVD players, and SUV’s society gets even better at manufacturing stress.”

What has been your most cherished gift? One father fondly remembers the carefully wrapped Christmas present given to him by his little girl. “Daddy, this is from me”, she excitedly said. As he opened it, he was surprised to find that the box was empty. “Honey, you’re not supposed to give someone an empty box as a gift.”

“But, Daddy,” the little girl cried, “It’s not empty, I put all my hugs, kisses, and love for you in it!”

Most people in the world seek purpose, success, significance, and love. Each day millions of people hope, covet, and labor to obtain these profound yet elusive ideals. Those who pursue happiness and meaning in life by grasping for riches, fame, or power seldom if ever obtain true contentment and happiness.

Is it possible to have a sense of purpose? To feel special in this world of more than six billion people? To prosper spiritually and financially? God gives us His Word and says, “Yes!”

Let’s look at some principles of enjoying supernatural prosperity.

“There goes poor Roy,” Aunt Gertie clucked as she craned her neck to look out the beauty parlor window where she sat for her weekly hair beautification.

Poor Roy rode down the street on his creaky bicycle loaded down with bulging gunnysacks. The oversized metal basket attached to the front handlebars overflowed with a menagerie of treasures collected along his route. Poor Roy, as he was called by some of the locals, could be described as one of the town characters that most towns have. He was somewhat eccentric or “odd turned” as my mother refers to such people. Some made fun of Roy’s severe stutter, which became worse when he became angry with his tormentors.

A harried housewife hurried through the crowded store with her whining children in tow. The ringing bells of the Salvation Army grated on her nerves. The press of jostling people vying for the season’s most prized doll wearied her. Finally, reaching the checkout counter, she unloaded her items and exclaimed, “Whoever came up with Christmas anyway?”

Businesses wish their customers a “Happy Holiday”, yet many are not happy. For many the holidays are a time of tiredness, loneliness, depression, or disappointment. How can we prepare to have a happy holiday? Consider some safeguards that will help you enjoy the upcoming holidays.

Most people in the world seek purpose, success, significance, and love. Each day millions of people hope, covet, and labor to obtain these profound yet elusive ideals. Those who pursue happiness and meaning in life by grasping for riches, fame, or power seldom if ever obtain true contentment and happiness.

Is it possible to have a sense of purpose? To feel special in this world of more than six billion people? To prosper spiritually and financially? God gives us His Word and says, “Yes!”