Be of good cheer

Friday, September 28, 2012

For the next several weeks, we (the 15th and Crawford Church of Christ) will be stating several Biblical principles and asking the questions: Have you heard? Do you agree? Do you follow? Would you like to know more? This will give everyone the opportunity to hear and believe (Romans 10:17) and an opportunity to learn (Acts 8:30-35). If you would like to write in, email any questions, or responses to be answered or published feel free to do so.

Last week's Bible trivia answers. 1. Saul was baptized in order to wash away his sins. 2. Plants God has not planted will be uprooted. 3. All saved people are in the church and the Lord adds them.

Today's principle: Be of good cheer. Some people seem to only see the bad side of things. No matter what happens, they have a negative point of view. These people seem to be only grumpy and miserable, and their only pleasure seems to be getting others to agree things are bad. Paul says in (Philippians 4:4), "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" Are you the one who sees the bad or the one who rejoices always? The Lord himself states seven times in the New Testament "Be of good cheer." John 16:33 being one of my favorites, "...be of good cheer , I have overcome the world."

Back to those negative folks for a moment. I read once at a wedding a giant fight broke out between the two families, and one family member claimed the entire wedding was a disaster. But wait just a minute, two people just joined their lives together. Something beautiful happened. That is how we must look at it according to the Lord. If we don't depression and many other issues can set in.

Elijah had this problem after Jezebel threatened to kill him (I King 19:4, 14). What was his solution?: (I Kings 19:15-18) -- Get busy; there is work to do.

Cheerfulness is something you can learn. We need to think cheery thoughts. We need to find the good in every situation. "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." (Proverbs 15:13). If you want friends, you must be friendly (see Proverbs 18:24). Proverbs 17:22 states, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones." People tend to become ill when sad or nervous. People with a good outlook heal quicker. Even our Lord instructed Paul to be of good cheer while in prison (see Acts 23:11). Good was going to come from this bad situation.

One thing that has always kept me cheerful was to remember the song "Count Your Many Blessings." It helps to name them one by one. After a while you will lose count. (Psalms 68:19) "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits..." Have you noticed? Pay careful attention today.

If nothing else, give someone a smile today. It will help you both. I will leave you with a cheerful thought. Just this summer as we were walking to a St. Louis Cardinals game, we came across a homeless man on the sidewalk.

Dub (my 5 year old boy) said, "Dad, I smiled at that guy. I think he needed it." As I recall, I don't think I did. (Luke 18:17) "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Needless to say I have some work to do.

Feel free to study, comment, ask questions, suggest a topic, or even stop in for a visit any time. For information, write or pay a visit to: Church of Christ, 1423 S. Crawford, Fort Scott, Kan., 66701.

Any other comments or questions: Please email me personally (Minister Mike Chipman) at mikeychip@sbcglobal.net or by phone at (620) 224 6681. Thank you for your time and God bless!