JOIN US THIS SUNDAY 10.30AM
ng
02
May '19
Need a Good Laugh?
02
May '19
Today, I want to share with you some tips on how to load up with joy in your life, ongoing! Joy is not just some nice-sounding but irrelevant word — it actually means a great deal to our lives…and according to the Bible, there is a secret power to JOY and it means a lot to our health. In Proverbs 17:22 we see that “a cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired” (MSG).
In fact, for years medical science has been studying the effects of laughter and humor and their role in the health of our mind and body. Humor therapy is being used for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Laughter is known to reduce muscle tension, increase cardio-respiratory function, and reduce stress. Many studies show the benefits of humor and laughter on various immune system outcomes. And, laughing brings in a tremendous amount of oxygen, which has profound positive effects in many ways for your body. The harder you laugh, the greater the effects!
I wonder if the Lord already knew all this. No wonder He told us through Paul to rejoice always! (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (Philippians 4:4). Rejoicing is an act of faith to stir up, fill up, refill and rekindle our JOY in the Lord – such as giving thanks, praising The Lord, worshipping The Lord, singing to the Lord, dancing and shouting for joy and LAUGHTER. I’m not talking about a “fake laugh” per se but a “faith laugh”. Sometimes you have to laugh in faith – trusting God before your feelings show up. Listen to what this verse says… “You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.” – Job 5:22 NKJV. Jesus our Lord even said to laugh… “…Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh.” – Luke 6:21 NKJV. In fact, I want to introduce you to a side of God that we don’t often consider — God laughs. Yes, that’s what the BIble says: God sits in heaven and laughs. He laughs at the futility of those who try to make Him irrelevant. (Psalm 2:4) And, the Bible also tells us that in His presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11) Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness! (Hebrews 1:9)
>>We need the joy of the Lord — it’s truly an essential hallmark of the Christian life.
Yet too many Christians are stressed and depressed or mad and sad. Let’s all become more Christ-like so we can live joy-filled lives! So, how do we load up on joy?…
Hang out with God! Because fullness of joy exists in His presence, it’s inevitable that when we hang out with and get close to God, His joy splashes over into our lives.
Shout for joy! When was the last time you shouted for joy? Shouted out your thanks and praise to God? I guarantee if you start shouting, you will also start laughing…and you will find the joy of the Lord to be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Laugh anyway! Sometimes we don’t feel like laughing. Friends, I encourage you — laugh anyway! Laugh a lot. Laugh at yourself. If it’s been a while, you might be surprised at how refreshing it is to laugh.
Thank God! Come on — why not try it — be thankful! If you’ll just start thanking Him for your life, breath, family, health, blessings…the joy will come.
Dear precious faith family friends — you have so much to celebrate and be thankful for in life! C’mon get happy, life is too short to be serious all the time. Start shouting with joy, start thanking and start laughing — you’ll be so glad you did and the JOY of the Lord will strengthen you. Remember, Andrew Murray once said…”JOY is the serious business of Heaven.”
Say This and Pray This Out Loud: “Father, I thank You for these blessings in my life: _________ (name them!). I shout with joy for my blessings, I shout praises of thanksgiving to You! I on purpose rejoice and become glad in You Lord! I make the choice to rejoice no matter what the circumstances of my life are right now. I say ‘Ha, ha, ha’ on the devil and laugh in faith knowing that You Father God are turning my captivity and restoring all things in my life! I choose to be glad, rejoice and laugh for joy because Jesus is my victory and You always cause me to triumph in Christ. Thank You Lord for helping me by Your Holy Spirit to maintain a fullness of joy and to daily stir up, fill up and rekindle my joy in You! Thank You for Your JOY Father! Lord, as I spend time with You, let Your joy flow over into my life. May my Christian life be one marked with laughter and joy! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
In fact, for years medical science has been studying the effects of laughter and humor and their role in the health of our mind and body. Humor therapy is being used for the relief of physical or emotional pain and stress. Laughter is known to reduce muscle tension, increase cardio-respiratory function, and reduce stress. Many studies show the benefits of humor and laughter on various immune system outcomes. And, laughing brings in a tremendous amount of oxygen, which has profound positive effects in many ways for your body. The harder you laugh, the greater the effects!
I wonder if the Lord already knew all this. No wonder He told us through Paul to rejoice always! (1 Thessalonians 5:16) and “Rejoice in the Lord always…” (Philippians 4:4). Rejoicing is an act of faith to stir up, fill up, refill and rekindle our JOY in the Lord – such as giving thanks, praising The Lord, worshipping The Lord, singing to the Lord, dancing and shouting for joy and LAUGHTER. I’m not talking about a “fake laugh” per se but a “faith laugh”. Sometimes you have to laugh in faith – trusting God before your feelings show up. Listen to what this verse says… “You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.” – Job 5:22 NKJV. Jesus our Lord even said to laugh… “…Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh.” – Luke 6:21 NKJV. In fact, I want to introduce you to a side of God that we don’t often consider — God laughs. Yes, that’s what the BIble says: God sits in heaven and laughs. He laughs at the futility of those who try to make Him irrelevant. (Psalm 2:4) And, the Bible also tells us that in His presence is fullness of joy! (Psalm 16:11) Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness! (Hebrews 1:9)
>>We need the joy of the Lord — it’s truly an essential hallmark of the Christian life.
Yet too many Christians are stressed and depressed or mad and sad. Let’s all become more Christ-like so we can live joy-filled lives! So, how do we load up on joy?…
Hang out with God! Because fullness of joy exists in His presence, it’s inevitable that when we hang out with and get close to God, His joy splashes over into our lives.
Shout for joy! When was the last time you shouted for joy? Shouted out your thanks and praise to God? I guarantee if you start shouting, you will also start laughing…and you will find the joy of the Lord to be your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
Laugh anyway! Sometimes we don’t feel like laughing. Friends, I encourage you — laugh anyway! Laugh a lot. Laugh at yourself. If it’s been a while, you might be surprised at how refreshing it is to laugh.
Thank God! Come on — why not try it — be thankful! If you’ll just start thanking Him for your life, breath, family, health, blessings…the joy will come.
Dear precious faith family friends — you have so much to celebrate and be thankful for in life! C’mon get happy, life is too short to be serious all the time. Start shouting with joy, start thanking and start laughing — you’ll be so glad you did and the JOY of the Lord will strengthen you. Remember, Andrew Murray once said…”JOY is the serious business of Heaven.”
Say This and Pray This Out Loud: “Father, I thank You for these blessings in my life: _________ (name them!). I shout with joy for my blessings, I shout praises of thanksgiving to You! I on purpose rejoice and become glad in You Lord! I make the choice to rejoice no matter what the circumstances of my life are right now. I say ‘Ha, ha, ha’ on the devil and laugh in faith knowing that You Father God are turning my captivity and restoring all things in my life! I choose to be glad, rejoice and laugh for joy because Jesus is my victory and You always cause me to triumph in Christ. Thank You Lord for helping me by Your Holy Spirit to maintain a fullness of joy and to daily stir up, fill up and rekindle my joy in You! Thank You for Your JOY Father! Lord, as I spend time with You, let Your joy flow over into my life. May my Christian life be one marked with laughter and joy! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”