DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY - A JOYFUL HEART!

My face in the mirror
Isn't wrinkled or drawn.
My house isn't dirty,
The cobwebs are gone.
My garden looks lovely
And so does my lawn.
I think I might never
Put my glasses back on.
– Source Unknown.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Pro 17:22.

"The proper way for man to pray," said Deacon Lemuel Keyes; "The only proper attitude is down upon his knees."

"Nay, I should say the way to pray," said Reverend Doctor Wise, "Is standing straight with outstretched arms with rapt and upturned eyes."

"Oh, no, no, no," said Elder Snow, "such posture is too proud." A man should pray with eyes fast-closed and head contritely bowed."

"It seems to me his hands should be austerely clasped in front. With both thumbs pointing to the ground," said Reverend Doctor Blunt.

"Last year I fell in Hodgkin's well head first," said Cyril Brown. "With both my heels a-stickin' up, my head a-pointing' down; And I done prayed right then and there; best prayer I ever said, The prayin'est prayer I ever prayed, a-standin' on my head." - Our Daily Bread.

Once more the end of the working week comes to a close, and we are anticipating having a wonderful weekend, and some much needed rest (not for pastor’s though). For those having to work, keep your chin up, your turns coming! ( Here is some humour that will make heart joyful...

Two men were talking together. The first challenged the other, "If you are so religious, let's hear you quote the Lord's Prayer. I bet you $10.00 you can't."

The second responded, "Now I lay my down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."

The first pulled out his wallet and fished out a ten dollar bill, muttering, "I didn't think you could do it!" - Source Unknown.
---------------------------------------------
One pastor went into the pulpit one Sunday morning wearing a pair of new bifocals. The reading portion of the glasses improved his vision considerably, but the top portion of the glasses didn't work so well. In fact he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them.

He explained to the congregation that the new glasses were causing problems, "I hope you will excuse my continually removing my glasses," hesaid. "You see when I look down I can see fine, but when I look at you, it makes me sick." – Source Unknown.

It is a wonderful and God-given gift to have a sense of humour, a lot of Christians and Churches, would be a whole lot more happier, if they just lightened up a bit...

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, - Psa 63:5.

"I'm not fat; I am a nutritional over-achiever."

CAN GOD USE YOU?
Next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember ...

NOAH was a drunk...
ABRAHAM was too old...
ISAAC was a daydreamer...
JACOB was a liar...
LEAH was ugly...
JOSEPH was abused...
MOSES couldn't talk...
GIDEON was afraid...
SAMSON had long hair, and was a womanizer.
RAHAB was a prostitute!
JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young...
DAVID had an affair and was a murderer...
ELIJAH was suicidal...
ISAIAH preached naked...
JONAH ran from God...
NAOMI was a widow...
JOB went bankrupt...
JOHN the Baptist ate bugs...
PETER denied Christ...
The DISCIPLES fell asleep while praying...
MARTHA worried about everything...
MARY MAGDALENE was demon possessed...
The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced....more than once!!... ZACCHEUS was too small...
PAUL was too religious...
TIMOTHY had an ulcer....
AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD!!!!
Here I am Lord......

SO ONCE AGAIN LET US REMIND OURSELVES, THAT BEING CHEERFUL KEEPS YOU HEALTHY, IT IS A SLOW DEATH TO BE GLOOMY ALL THE TIME!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to remind myself that Jesus died to set me free, help me Lord to live that life, and be determined in Him to have a joyful heart, in Jesus wonderful name I pray, amen!

HAVE A GREAT AND GODLY WEEKEND!
GBYAY