Be of Good Cheer..

Recently I was listening to a message that totally caught my attention. The message itself was a message to encourage us to have unshakable faith! During the message there was a phrase that just stood out and has been with me ever since.

The phrase was this that was said by our Savior Jesus Christ, "Be of Good Cheer!" Wow! Our Savior said that! I want to just name some of the scriptures I have found with that beautiful and encouraging phrase that I hope will encourage you through out those days when things don't necessarily seem so pleasant.

In Matthew 9:2 we find Jesus with the paralytic and when Jesus saw their faith, He said to him, "Son be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you." Do we realize why we need to be of good cheer? Jesus gave His life for us that we should be joyous because we don't earn our salvation but that He freely gives us the faith to believe in Him! We were chosen!

In Matthew 14:27 the disciples were in the boat in the middle of the sea and they notice someone walking on the sea and they were frightened. Our Savior speaks up and says, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Jesus Christ the beloved never leaves us even in these turbulent times. He is telling us not to be afraid when we don't know the outcome of any of our situations we are confronted with. Don't be afraid He says! What a comfort to us.

In John 16:33 our Savior is kindly reminding the disciples that He has overcome the World. They are being reassured by verse 33 where it says "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." What a great reminder to us that when we are being put through the ringer either at work or wherever we are to "be of good cheer, pilgrims!" He overcame the world through His death, and resurrection. He arose victoriously from His stronghold. Jesus reminded the disciples that the world would bring them tribulation but the He would bring them peace. This was an encouraging statement of peace for even us!

In Acts 23 we find Paul being almost mauled and killed by the mob. He is then forced into the barracks where our Savior appears to Him and says these words: " Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem so you must also bear witness at Rome." Can you imagine being in Paul's place? Our Savior is saying to Paul not to worry and not to just look at your circumstances for you are going to be okay! That had to be a pretty scary proposal after everything Paul had suffered. Reading further you find Paul thanking the Lord in every situation!

In Acts 27:22 there is a very terrible storm in where Paul and all the sailors were fearing for their life but an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul again and told him to take heart (be of good cheer) there will be no loss of life among you but only of the ship. Have you ever been in the midst of a hopeless situation and you hear His small voice that says to be of good cheer I have overcome everything? In the storms of life He reaches out His hand and you hold on to it knowing because of His promises that He will lift you up! What a great and faithful friend!

Disillusionment, pain, and sorrow will always be here on this earth but my phrase to you this month is, "Be of Good Cheer!"

Close and Personal:

1. When have you been afraid? How did you handle it?

2. Have you thanked him for Him rescuing you?

My dear sweet and loving Savior, I just want to tell you thank you for cheering us on! Thank you Lord for letting us know through your precious Word how much You want for us to know that you have overcome everything! We are just passing through and that everything in this world is temporary! We love you Lord and thank you, thank you for loving us this much!