There are some decisions in life that are made below our conscious level.  We do not sit down, ponder the options and then chart a particular course, but gradually and slowly these choices are made.  We have all known people with manifold problems, and good reasons to be irritable and depressed, yet they were pleasant, positive, and determined to make the best of whatever comes.  They had made one of those choices—perhaps not consciously, but just as certainly—they were going to be happy!  On the other hand, we may know others with fewer problems, less reason to complain, yet for them nothing is ever quite good enough.  They love to talk about their troubles, and they constantly fret or grumble about something or someone.  They, too, have made a decision—they are going to be miserable!  And nothing anyone can do is going to deprive them of their enjoyment of that misery.  As a service to those who have made the latter decision, the decision to be miserable, we offer the following ten guidelines for being miserable and enjoying it!
 

1. Think and talk about yourself as much as possible.  In every conversation, use “I,” “me,” and “my” as often as possible.  Center all your thoughts on your own interests, and whatever you do, do not become interested in or concerned about others.  Talk about your troubles to everyone you see.  It will not be long before no one will talk (or listen) to you, and then you can really be miserable (Romans 15:1,2).
2. Measure your happiness by the amount of money or possessions you own.  If the first suggestion does not sound good to you, then this one will work.  Compare what you have (or do not have) with everyone you know.  Determine to have more or better than your neighbors, and resolve not to be satisfied until you are successful.  Of course, by then your neighbors will have something new, and you can start over (Hebrews 13:5; Luke 12:15).
3. Be suspicious and jealous of everyone.  Do not trust anyone, especially anyone who might be in competition with you.  When another person receives an honor, explain to everyone that you could have done better if you had just tried.  To be really miserable, you must envy everyone their success and happiness.  That makes sense, does it not (Romans 12:10-16)?
4. Be sensitive, easily offended, and impossible to be comforted.  Make everyone walk on eggshells around you for fear of offending you.  Make it clear to all you know that you will not take anything off anybody.  Look for insults in the comments of others, even when none are intended.  And then return the insults, humiliating everyone who speaks to you (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
5. Never forget a criticism or another person’s mistakes.  If you want to be miserable, you must have a good memory. When someone has criticized you—or even if you think they have—do not ever forget it or let them forget it.  And any time anyone makes a mistake, mark it down and periodically remind them of their  blunder.  As they say, misery loves company (Philippians 2:2-4; Colossians 3:12-14).
6. Think the worst about everyone.  If a rumor begins about someone else, tell those you see that you suspected it all along.  Expect the worst form others and you will usually get it.  If possible, reach the worst possible conclusion form seeing the deeds of others.  If an action could have been motivated by greed or envy, assume that it is—then tell everybody (Mark 2:14-28).
7. Demand agreement with your opinions. Make sure everyone knows of your opinions, and then show hurt and disappointment when others disagree.  Of course, you must make sure everyone knows that your superior wisdom and insight demands acceptance of your conclusions (3 John 9-11).
8. Never forget a good deed you have done.  Be proud of your occasional charitable acts, and if people do not know about them—tell them.  Sulk and pout if others do not go on and on about your goodness and righteousness, while showing the appropriate gratitude (Matthew 6:1-4).
9. Shirk your duties whenever you can.  Let  others know that you are too occupied in important things to be responsible for mundane matters such as helping the needy, visiting the sick, or cleaning the church building.  If you can not avoid the duties, then put them off till next week or next month.
10. Refuse to forgive or show mercy to anyone.   Accept no reasons for failure in others.  Make everyone aware of someone else’s mistakes, and refuse to accept anything but perfection from your friends (if you have any left) and associates (Ephesians 4:32).

You might be able to be perfectly miserable without following these guidelines, but if you fall short, this is just one more way of achieving depression, despair, and distress.  You have got to make your choice and then work at it.  Have a miserable day!

In nine verses, the Holy Spirit has given us a song—a “new” song—about the Lord’s coming to judge the earth (v.9). A good introduction to your study of Psalm 98 is Psalm 96, so I encourage you to read it now.
The judgment of God is a frequent theme in the Bible.  Even before the worldwide flood in Genesis 6-9, Enoch preached about judgment (see the epistle of Jude).  The story of judgment includes the fact that God is judge, He always judges according to His will, He has the right to judge when and where He sees fit, He does not have to answer to our ideas about what He should do, and there is going to be a final judgment someday for all who have ever lived.
Sadly, due to the fact that human beings almost always decide to live in opposition to His will, the judgments of God are almost always dominated by the theme of punishment.  It does not have to be this way!  God desires our salvation—He wants to pronounce us innocent on that great day (John 12:44-50).
So, let us study judgment one more time by noting the four words of our title: WHAT, WHY, HOW, AND WHO.
 

• WHAT WE SHOULD DO: SING UNTO THE LORD (98:1a).

• WHY WE SHOULD DO IT: BECAUSE OF THE THINGS HE HAS DONE (98:1b-3).

• HOW WE SHOULD DO IT: JOYFULLY (98:4-6).

• WHO SHOULD DO IT: THE WHOLE WORLD (98:7-9).

SICK LIST:  Glenda Rodney was scheduled for surgery Friday, March 8, at Gwinnett Medical.  Dave and Katie Komisak, the Carlyle family, Julie and Nathan Lanier, Dennis and Karen Clark, Lauren and Amanda Johnson—and others we may not have listed—have all been ill with colds or the flu.  Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers. 

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 2 is in charge of the services today at 1:30. This month Thomas Reid will be speaking each week.

FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class                    110   
AM Worship               140   
PM Worship                  91   
Wednesday Class        100   
Contribution             $5087  
Budget                     $5150  
 

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY UPDATE:  For those who missed getting a new picture for our directory, there will be a make-up date Sunday, March 10.  It is very important for everyone to get a new picture.  We would like everyone’s picture to be included in our updated directory.  Please see Jimmie or Linda Hill if there is a problem with the make-up date.  The elders appreciate your cooperation.

MARCH 17:  Ed Crookshank will preach Sunday morning.  The video, “What Is Happening to the Church?” will be shown in the evening.  (Skip and Helen will be in Campbellsville, Kentucky, for a meeting).

BUILDING CLEANING:  Please check out the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer—we need a few good cleaners!!