Without hope we could not survive nor really live. God gives hope and certainty in an uncertain world. God is real and speaks to us and gives inspiration in many different ways and places.

After Christmas I took my mother to a rather out-of-the-way delicatessen/restaurant in my hometown of Pana. “Poplars” as it is called, possibly because it is on Poplar Street, seemed to be a popular place. Was it the clean crisp décor or the delicious fare that attracted people? Possibly, but I was suddenly drawn to several fascinating pictures hanging on the walls of the establishment. Each had a philosophical message written on it. I think I discovered the real key to their success. More so, I think following these principles will bring us a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Does God want you to be happy, blessed, and prosperous? Absolutely! But God’s understanding of happiness and prosperity is not what most people’s concept of it is. “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (III John 2). God lets us know that happiness and prosperity is an inside job.

Here are some principles that are secrets of a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Priorities – Picture a young boy standing next to his father before a beautiful lake scene with a mountain reflected off the water. Together they gaze toward a dazzling sunset. The caption reads, “A hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove – but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

To be successful you must set priorities. What are your priorities? List them and as you go into the New Year make sure to keep “the main thing, the main thing”.

Jesus gave us a key to a Happy New Year in His “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Matthew chapters 5 – 7. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

On New Years many picture “Father Time” but the way to a Happy New Year is to make spending time with your Heavenly Father a daily priority. In the classic book “The Christian’s Secret of A Happy Life” Hannah Whitall Smith shares secrets such as prayer, reading, and meditating on the Word of God as keys to a truly happy and prosperous life.

Persevere – Picture a lone marathon runner with determination etched on his face confidently assessing the mountain he is about to ascend. The caption reads, “On the road to success, you can be sure of one thing – there is never a crowd on the extra mile.” Set your priorities and never give up – persevere. “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends, from start to finish” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT).

Positive Attitude – Picture a lightening storm with dozens of lightening bolts lighting up the night sky. The caption reads, “Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us but by the attitude we bring to life.”

How can you have a positive faith filled attitude? Be filled with God and trust in Him. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Whatever happens – give thanks to God. God’s presence and power will give you a charge greater than a lightening bolt. “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-24).

Purity of Character – Picture a deep crystal clear river flowing into a cascading waterfall where power is generated by a turbine situated at the bottom of the falls. The caption reads, “Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident and money takes wings. The only thing that endures is character.” Someone put it this way, “If we sow a thought, we reap an act. If we sow an act we reap a habit. If we sow a habit we reap character. If we sow character, we reap a destiny.”

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). True character comes when a person humbles himself and invites Christ to cleanse him from sin and to live with-in him. (See Philippians 2:1-11 and I John 1:9, 10.)

To have a truly Happy and Prosperous New Year make Christ Jesus the Lord of your life.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him form the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9, 10).