DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT FRIDAY - A JOYFUL HEART! #5

"Did you hear about the man who refused his dentist's Novocain during root canal work? He wanted to transcend dental medication." – Source unknown.

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

Another working week has come and gone, and it is time to party, time to rest the weary bones, time to rest the tired mind, time to spend quality time with the family, time to meet our Christian family at Church, time to do the odd jobs around the house, time to catch up on our reading, time to see old friends again, and before you know it... it's back to work! So don’t waste time, PARTY!!!!

ONE LINERS...

"Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church."
"Never give the devil a ride - he will always want to drive."
"There are two things I've learned: There is a God. And, I'm not Him."
"A friend walks in when everyone else walks out."
"JUSTICE: When our kids have their own kids!"
"Chemistry professors never die--they just smell that way!"
"Eat right. Exercise. Die anyway."
"Middle Age: When actions creak louder than words."

Here is something to stick on your wall, cubicle, computer, desk, coffee mug...

PSALM 23 (For the Work Place).
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that he is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honour him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop, for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that...I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!! - Source unknown.

THE BURNING HUT
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it may just be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it...

You say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All things are possible". (Luke 18:27)
You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest". (Matt 11:28-20)
You say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you". (John 3:16; John 13:34)
You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9; Psalm 91:15)

You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things through Christ." (Phil 4:13)
You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:28)
You say, "I can't forgive my self."
God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9; Romans 8:1)

You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil 4:19)
You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (2 Tim. 1:7)
You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated".
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (James 1:5)
You say, "I feel all alone."
God says "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)
– Source unknown.

Pass this on, you never know whose life may be in need of this today. There are some weeks that we all feel our huts are burning. I don't know why we go through these times, but I do know that after each trial, there is strength for the next trial, and I know we can't do it without Him.

Three pastors met and were talking over conditions at their churches...
The first pastor said, "You know, since summer started, I've been having trouble with mice in my church. I've tried everything, noise, spray, cats---nothing seems to scare them away."
The second pastor said, "Yeah, my church too. There are hundreds living in the basement of the church. I've set traps and even called an expert to get rid of them but nothing has worked so far."
The third pastor said, "I had the same problem, so I baptized all mine and made them members of the church... haven't seen one since. - Source unknown.

SO ONCE AGAIN LET US REMIND OURSELVES, THAT BEING CHEERFUL KEEPS YOU HEALTHY. IT IS 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