1. Be of Good Cheer John 16:33 Acts 23:11 Philippians 4:4-13

2. Despair Can Happen to Us Moses saw the millions of problems as burdens too heavy to carry. Numbers 11:11- 17 Joshua despaired and blamed God. Joshua 7:7-11 Elijah was overwhelmed and thought he was the only one doing what’s right. 1 Kings 19:4,14. (Don’t take everything on yourself at once. Look at the situation clearly. Don’t blame God. Solution is to Get Working.

3. The Antidote to Despair Think on good, noble, right things. Find the good in each situation. (Phil 4:13) Set your heart on cheerfulness, quiet joy, or a steadfast understanding that all will be well. Proverbs 15:13. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (so Prov 18:24, “If you want friends, then be friendly” -- NKJV). Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine...”

4. Our Lord’s Advice was “Be of Good Cheer” Christ says to Paul, Acts 23:11. God is with us at ALL times, not just in our good times. Phil 4:12-13 “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the L ORD is happy.” Proverbs 16:20 Little in life is under your control, except your attitude. Choose happiness. “Be of Good Cheer” Christ says to Paul, Acts 23:11. God is with us at ALL times, not just in our good times. Phil 4:12-13 “He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the L ORD is happy.” Proverbs 16:20 Little in life is under your control, except your attitude. Choose happiness.

5. Our God’s Advice “Blessed be the LORD, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 Don’t think He just loaded you down with blessings last year, last week. There is today! Tomorrow, too!

6. “... he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 Where is your focus? On the bad that happens or on the Lord?

7. God Has Good In Store for You “Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the L ORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” Psalm 97:11,12 “Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the L ORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” Psalm 97:11,12

8. Proverbs 10:6 – “Blessings on the … righteous” Live righteously, then. Titus 2:11-12 – God Himself teaches us that. Rom 13:3 – I can live guilt free The Source of Happiness/Comfort No evil will befall you? No. But it means that God will love you to the end. He will bless you more than you deserve. He will say well done, good and faithful servant. No evil will befall you? No. But it means that God will love you to the end. He will bless you more than you deserve. He will say well done, good and faithful servant. Phil 4:4-9 – Let God know your interests! There is peace there (v 7 and 9), because God is on your side, no matter what. Phil 4:4-9 – Let God know your interests! There is peace there (v 7 and 9), because God is on your side, no matter what.

9. Happiness is Worshipping God Worship gives glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Worship gives glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

10. Happiness is Worshipping God Worship is to give glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 There is delight in learning His word – Psalm 119:24 “... Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.” Worship is to give glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 There is delight in learning His word – Psalm 119:24 “... Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”

11. Happiness is Worshipping God Worship is to give glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 There is delight in learning His word – Psalm 119:24 God is able to bring us faultless before Him - Jude 24,25 “... able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy...” Worship is to give glory to God and gives happiness to man – Psalm 95:1-3 There is delight in learning His word – Psalm 119:24 God is able to bring us faultless before Him - Jude 24,25 “... able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy...”

12. “Cheer Up! On Your Feet!” Mark 10:47-52 Why call out for Christ? He can help you. When folks say, “Shhh, what are you doing!?,” that is when you call out louder for Christ, and He gives you strength and courage. Count your blessings. Live like He is your God. Give Him your whole heart. Mark 10:47-52 Why call out for Christ? He can help you. When folks say, “Shhh, what are you doing!?,” that is when you call out louder for Christ, and He gives you strength and courage. Count your blessings. Live like He is your God. Give Him your whole heart.

13. “I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

14. “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer. For I believe God, that it shall happen even as it has been told to me.” Acts 27:25