If you are reading the papers or listening to the news you must realize there is a tremendous amount of pessimism surrounding us. We are told the world banks are going to crash and we are headed for a world depression. Reports indicate our economy is slowing down headed for another recession. Because so much money is being printed some think we are headed for inflation as we witnessed in the 1970s. We are told to stay away from the dollar because it is about to collapse. Others believe our government is taking us toward bankruptcy as a nation with our humongous deficits. Has it affected you? Are you worried and stressed out about your finances and your future? If not, you may not understand what is going on. Or, you may be one of those mature Christians that we read about in the Bible who trusts God to meet their needs. I am one of those who believe it is not as bad as some seem to think. I don’t believe we have reached the point that the world is about to collapse. Someday, just not yet! Whether I am right or wrong I am not worrying about it either way.

The more I have read and studied the Bible the more optimistic I have become. Some will tell me it could be because of my temperament that I am positive. Because there are some who are perfectionists that never seem to be positive. Nothing ever seems to be perfect enough for them. Many see the future as being rosy and others see it as being doom and gloom. Let me address the following to those who feel things are just not going well. You don’t sense peace and satisfaction in your life. Life just doesn’t seem to have purpose and direction for you. There are just too many things that are not right in your life and everything seems to be routine and boring. You may have few goals or dreams. You may feel lonely or rejected. Nothing really seems to be satisfying. At least you are not living that full, prosperous and peaceful life.

Have you ever wondered why many gamble? It could be because of a void in their life, something missing. They relish the excitement of winning. They believe winning will make them happy. When they win the excitement and happiness lasts for only a matter of time. It does not meet the satisfaction that they expected. It doesn’t fill the void. Extensive drinking may make a person feel better for a time. Is it an expense they can afford? Why do some use drugs; is it to fill that feeling of emptiness in their life? Some feel so lonely, rejected and life is so unfulfilling that they commit suicide. We can’t look at a person and tell just how devastated they may feel.

Christians realize that peace and satisfaction comes from accepting Christ and learning to live by the teachings of the Bible. Becoming a mature Christian is when we realize the love God has for us and we find that same unconditional love toward others. One thing I found was a willingness to share with others. The greatest thing we can all share is the gospel. What would most people give to have a life that is full, prosperous to the point that their needs are met and no matter what happens there is always peace in their lives? So how is that obtained?

Let us assume that you have been shooting basketballs daily from the age of 6 to 18. You have become so good you seldom miss. You send a DVD to a college coach showing, no matter from where you shoot, it goes in and you would like a scholarship. They ask you to try out. But you have never learned the rules or played a game. What would your chances be?

Many Christians have never learned the rules or put into practice what the Bible teaches. You may have attended church all of your life but even if you know some of the rules you have never really put them into practice. You may wonder why you are not prosperous or why isn’t there peace in your life? If you know the rules and put them into practice you realize there are a lot of things you really do not need. As a good steward you would always earn more money than you spend. How much money do you need to feel prosperous? Could it depend on how much you trust God to meet your needs?

If you have a purpose in life and know the direction you are going, you feel loved and accepted by God, you sense that people realize that you are an achiever; that can make your life full, satisfied and peaceful. Allow God to fill that void and it doesn’t take the things of the world to make a person feel complete.

God wants every one of us to live by His rules because they are able to provide what is missing in every non-believers heart. He also knows that if we reach a spiritual understanding and spread it to others everywhere, it will make life as He has always wanted for everyone He has created.

Philippians 2:1 – 5 – “ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”