Three "Cheers"

"Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." Jn, 16:33In the mid-eighties, Steven Patrick Morrissey, betterknown as "Moz," dominated the British rock charts.Known for his melancholy as much as for his music,Morrissey's songs had predominantly depressivethemes. They dwelled on fractured relationships,lonely nightclubs, and the hopeless weight of the past.In short, Morrissey was a singer who lived a cheerlesslife in a minor key. How different from the life Jesuscalled his followers to live! On three differentoccasions He encouraged his disciples to "be of goodcheer." Bible teacher Philip De Courcy calls them "thethree cheers of The New Testament." The first reasonto be cheerful is because your sins are forgiven andforgotten in Christ (See Mt 9:2). Because of Calvary,your faults and failings will never be used in judgmentagainst you (See Jn 5:24). The second reason to becheerful is because we're not fighting for victory butfrom the vantage point of victory. "In the world you willhave tribulation; but be of good cheer, I haveovercome the world" (Jn 16:33 NKJV). And the thirdreason to cheer is because Jesus will be with you nomatter what life throws at you or who comes againstyou. Like the terrified disciples on board a storm-tossed boat, He will be there when you need Him. Youhave His word on it: "They were troubled...Butimmediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Be of goodcheer! It is I; do not be afraid'" (Mt 14:26-27 NKJV).Peace isn't the absence of storms. It's knowing Christis with us and "nothing…will..be able to separate usfrom the love of God…in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ro8:39 NLT).Send us Fan MailSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!