A Reason for Optimism

February 22, 2005

Author: Rev. Kip B. Banks

A merry heart does good, like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)



Good morning! Today's devotion, taken from Our Daily Bread, tells us that we always have a reason for optimism.



In addition, the East Washington Heights Baptist Church we will soon undertake a journey entitled 40 Days of Purpose. This spiritual growth campaign will give us opportunities to commit to habits of spiritual discipline, including scripture memorization and learning to live a lifestyle of worship to the glory of God.



If you are in the Washington Metropolitan region, we invite you to join our campaign. We will begin with a Fish Fry Kick-Off event at our church at 12 noon on Saturday, March 5. We are also forming small group Bible study sessions and we'd love to have you participate in a group. Please email me back to let me know if you can attend the Fish Fry of if you'd like to be a part of a small group. We also encourage you to pray for the success of the East Washington Heights Baptist Church 40 Days of Purpose Campaign. A prayer guide follows today's devotional.



God Bless You!

Pastor Kip Banks



East Washington Heights Baptist Church

www.ewhbc.org





A Reason for Optimism



The Bible isn't a psychology textbook, but it gives us the wisest counsel for experiencing happiness here and now. Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that "a merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."

That simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr. Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke University. The New York Times article that reported his findings carried this headline: "Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart Patients and Pessimism Death." The article begins with these words: "A healthy outlook helps heal the heart."

But Dr. Nancy Frasure-Smith, a heart specialist who has studied the effect of depression, anxiety, and anger, admitted, "We don't know how to change negative emotions."

Faith in God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present difficulty and put their trust in God's goodness cannot help but be joyful.

It's significant that our Savior said on several occasions, "Be of good cheer" (Matthew 9:2,22; 14:27; Acts 23:11). Knowing that life is filled with many crises, He encourages us with this word of reassurance: "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). —Vernon Grounds


All your anxiety, all your care
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus. —Joy

No matter what happens, you can find joy in the Lord.




40 Days of Purpose

Weekly Prayer Focus: GOD’S PROVISIONS



Pray that God will provide the energy, time, and endurance for all tasks to be done in preparation for the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign.
Pray that God will provide the needed volunteers to make each Campaign event successful.
Pray that God will provide East Washington Heights with all of the material resources needed to facilitate this Campaign.
Pray that God will provide unity among leaders and ministries in East Washington Heights, as they give time and adjust their schedules to accommodate the Campaign.
“And not because we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success comes from God.”

2 Corinthians 3:5 (lnt)



“Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer.”

R. A. Torrey