“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” - John 16:33 (NIV).
Those who happen to live in temperate climate lands will long have noted how moods tend to differ depending on seasons. With the beginning of fall and through winter there is a tendency for many people there to experience gloom. And why? Fall comes with trees dropping leaves as a cold wind takes over gradually forcing many indoors as winter finally locks on. Once the cold is all over all one can do is bundle up, and bid time.
Indeed, once springs breaks and flowers in their myriad of fresh colors burst out of the soils, the mood suddenly changes. Spring comes with joy. It’s a joy to see all the children who had been held up indoors sprint out to feel life, the soils breathing a new life with plants, the air smelling fresh, swirling with creatures. Spring rolls on to summer and with the sun above, life is experienced to the full.
When Jesus reminds us to be of “ good cheer” he is not unmindful of the world we live in. He points out that the world we live in is full of “tribulations” but we should still be cheerful, in spite of all. Yes, it is difficult to be cheerful through fall and winter, with ugly winds blasting through with a freezing cold, the ground bare of anything, and everyone held up indoors. But because of faith in Jesus, one remains steadfast, assured that the wintry season, with all its cold will surely pass.
We remain of good cheer because in spite of the harshness of the season, we know it will pass and spring will eventually break out, the sun will burst through the dark clouds. Every life there is certainly experiences harsh seasons every now and then. There are those who let the gloom of the seasons force them down with despondency. But those who believe in Christ Jesus remain of “good cheer” in spite of the season, because they know whatever they may be experiencing, all will pass, and it will be the spring of life back again.
Prayer for today: Lord Farther God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through the seasons of life, help me to remain of good cheer, whatever the season, because of the faith I have in your son, Lord Jesus Christ!
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
