Be of Good CheerBe of Good Cheer

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Numbers 11:11 So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 "Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 "Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' 14 "I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 "If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now -- if I have found favor in Your sight -- and do not let me see my wretchedness!"

Numbers 11:11 So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 "Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,' to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 "Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' 14 "I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 "If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now -- if I have found favor in Your sight -- and do not let me see my wretchedness!"

Numbers 11:16 So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 "Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

Numbers 11:16 So the LORD said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 "Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

Joshua 7:4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all -- to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 8 "O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? 9 "For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?"

Joshua 7:4 So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water. 6 Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all -- to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! 8 "O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies? 9 "For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?"

Joshua 7:10 So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 "Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. 12 "Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.

Joshua 7:10 So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? 11 "Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. 12 "Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.

1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"

1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"

1 Kings 19:14 "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

1 Kings 19:14 "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."

1 Kings 19:15 Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 "Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 "It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

1 Kings 19:15 Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 "Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 "It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

The Deacon's Thanksgiving

Old Deacon Bedell was the cheeriest man you'd meet with in many a day;He 'lowed that the Lord had a pretty good plan for running the world, and he'd say:"I'm thankful that things are about as they are - they could be a mighty sight wuss;An' the things we've complained of the loudest so far have proved to be blessin's to us."

The Deacon's Thanksgiving

Old Deacon Bedell was the cheeriest man you'd meet with in many a day;He 'lowed that the Lord had a pretty good plan for running the world, and he'd say:"I'm thankful that things are about as they are - they could be a mighty sight wuss;An' the things we've complained of the loudest so far have proved to be blessin's to us."

When others lamented the drought, he'd reply: "It's better than havin' a flood,An' we ought to thank God when the weather is dry that we don't have to waller in mud!"Yet, when it was stormy he'd never complain, but say with immutable trust:"The Lord in His goodness has sent us the rain to lay this discomfortin' dust."

When others lamented the drought, he'd reply: "It's better than havin' a flood,An' we ought to thank God when the weather is dry that we don't have to waller in mud!"Yet, when it was stormy he'd never complain, but say with immutable trust:"The Lord in His goodness has sent us the rain to lay this discomfortin' dust."

When adversity smote him, it fell like the dew on a mountain's impervious crest,For his simple philosophy held to the view that everything worked for the bestAnd for other's misfortunes he always could find such sweet consolation to give,It seemed that he envied the halt and the blind, the lives they were destined to live.

When adversity smote him, it fell like the dew on a mountain's impervious crest,For his simple philosophy held to the view that everything worked for the bestAnd for other's misfortunes he always could find such sweet consolation to give,It seemed that he envied the halt and the blind, the lives they were destined to live.

One day he was caught in a threshing machine; it cost him a leg, but he said:"That's getting off cheaper than some I have seen, I'm thankful it wasn't my head!"And always thereafter he stumped on a peg, or patiently went with a crutch,

Declaring: "I'm saving a lot on that leg - My socks only cost half as much."

One day he was caught in a threshing machine; it cost him a leg, but he said:"That's getting off cheaper than some I have seen, I'm thankful it wasn't my head!"And always thereafter he stumped on a peg, or patiently went with a crutch,

Declaring: "I'm saving a lot on that leg - My socks only cost half as much."

When his end was approaching, he said with a smile, as they folded his hands on his breast:"I've worked pretty hard a considerable while, and I'm thankful to get a good rest."So, he went through the world strewing smiles on his way, and the neighbors surviving him tellThat, no matter what happened, it seemed every day was Thanksgiving to Ezra Bedell.

-Author Unknown –

When his end was approaching, he said with a smile, as they folded his hands on his breast:"I've worked pretty hard a considerable while, and I'm thankful to get a good rest."So, he went through the world strewing smiles on his way, and the neighbors surviving him tellThat, no matter what happened, it seemed every day was Thanksgiving to Ezra Bedell.

-Author Unknown –

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Acts 23:11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."

Acts 23:11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome."

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!

Drinking From My Saucer by John Paul Moore (1970)

I’ve never made a fortune, and it’s probably too late now.But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better then I sowed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

Drinking From My Saucer by John Paul Moore (1970)

I’ve never made a fortune, and it’s probably too late now.But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow.And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better then I sowed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough –But I’ve got loved ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough.I thank God for His blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough –But I’ve got loved ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough.I thank God for His blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember time when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin.But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.So Lord, help me not gripe about the tough rows I’ve hoed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember time when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin.But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again.So Lord, help me not gripe about the tough rows I’ve hoed.I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and roughI’ll not ask for other blessings; I’m already blessed enough.And may I never be too busy to help others bear their loads.Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage when the way grows steep and roughI’ll not ask for other blessings; I’m already blessed enough.And may I never be too busy to help others bear their loads.Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘cause my cup has overflowed.

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Psalm 23:1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.