Always Of Good Cheer

October 30, 2024

Leadership Notes

     William Tyndale was an English Biblical scholar and linguist. Born in South Gloucestershire, England, in 1494, he became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation. He translated much of the Bible into English, and was influenced by the works of prominent Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther. He died in 1536.

     On October 6, 1536, Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake. Among his crimes, translating the Scriptures into English for the common man. His final words were:

“LORD, OPEN THE KING OF ENGLAND’S EYES.”

What a towering example of Biblical courage and integrity!

     Next Tuesday night…National Election Day, 2024, as if you needed reminding…I’m going to do what I do every election year night. I’m going to go to bed about the time I usually do, and sleep as well as I usually do. I hope and pray the same for you.

     No politician or political victory is going to be the end of us. Our greatest enemies are sin and death, and Jesus has already conquered those for us. He was the horn of salvation.

     One of my favorite passages from the Gospel of John is from the final verses of chapter sixteen. Keep in mind that some translations render “take heart,” as “be of good cheer.” Here is John 16:31-33:

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is

coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to

his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the

Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you

may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take

heart; I have overcome the world.”

No matter what translation you use, that is such a beautiful promise. We are always of good cheer.

     And now, your Moment of Spurgeon:

Abraham said, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb.” God

hath provided himself a lamb for a burnt-offering and a sin-

offering too, and now we have not to bring a sacrifice for sin, but

have simply to take what God provided from before the

foundations of the world.

     With Much Love and Affection,

                  Richard