All That Matters Is Being Of Good Cheer

August 27, 2025

Leadership Notes

     A week doesn’t go by when I don’t think about Philippians 4:4-7:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your

reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not

be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known

to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I will see something or hear something or have an interaction with someone or simply an idle thought, and I’ll remember this passage. Joy.

     I love what Proverbs 15:13 says:

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the

spirit is crushed.

And again Paul, this time from Philippians 2:14-18:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be

blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the

midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you

shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so

that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain

or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering

upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice

with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

     What drives your outlook on life? What drives your attitude? What influences your worldview? Can anything in this world or of this world steal the joy you have in Christ Jesus?

     Have you heard of the happiness gap? It has been researched for over fifty years. The New York Times and Columbia Magazine {a publication of Columbia University, New York} have reported on the happiness gap. Essentially, it can be summed up like this:

“A substantial body of social science research finds that

conservatives are happier than liberals.”

I’d like to see a group of researchers and social scientists gathered in a room to hash this out. That would be a hoot.

     Some might say it’s best to be dumb and happy. Others might argue that ignorance truly is bliss. Who knows?

     Are Christians happier than non-believers? I hope so. Are Christian non-

conservatives happier than non-Christian, non-conservatives? I hope so. I believe happiness is a choice. And if you know that your name has been written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life, how can you help but not be happy? Decades ago, power of positive thinking pastor Robert Schuller {Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California}, wrote a book on the beatitudes of Matthew 5 titled, “The Be-Happy Attitudes.” As cheesy as that title was, I could not disagree with the point. We are called to live joyfully and happily in the knowledge that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Liberal or conservative makes me no never-mind. All that matters is being of good cheer. Be of good cheer…

     And now, your Moment{s} of Spurgeon:

1.  “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that

makes happiness.”

2.  “Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus -

humility, happiness, and holiness.”

With Much Love and Affection,

               Richard