Going Deeper Into Joy & Review

Week 2 Day 13 & 14

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.
-Henry Ward Beecher

Health Benefits of Laughter

In 2001 there were two studies that showed that a "good laugh" can strengthen your immune system. In one, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientist exposed 26 people to allergens which produced allergy symptoms and then let them view a 90-minute Charlie Chaplin film. The allergy symptoms were reduced in all 26 subjects for four hours after the video. The other study published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, looked for an increase in immune function through laughter. 52 healthy men watched an hour-long comedy video. They were measured before, during, and after the video for immunity markers like their T cell counts. It was discovered that just one hour of laughter boosted their immune function for up to 12 hours. Experts say that stress reduction seems to be the key for a stronger immune system, and even a few hearty chuckles a day can do wonders to lower stress. These studies support the belief that laughter can be a good antibiotic and humor can help fight germs.

"And these things we write to you that your joy be full."(1John 1:4)

Day 14 Let's Review What We've Learned

• Read or review of the week's five devotionals
• Read out loud each of the five declarations at the end of the devotionals

Questions

• Which of the five devotionals spoke to you in the greatest way? Why?
• What one sentence from the five devotionals stood out to you the most? Why did this speak to you?
• How did you do with last week's steps to increase your strength through joy?
• What two or three steps can you take this week to move forward in strengthening your life through joy?

The Foreboding Spirit (Murphy's Law)

Week 2 - Day 12

"...put off ...your former conduct ...and be renewed in the spirit of your mind ...that you put on the new man which was created according to G*d, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

The passage speaks of the "spirit of your mind." I believe this is the subconscious part of us that is the driving force of our attitudes and actions. These are strongholds (both positive and negative) that have been established thoughts and words (Romans 10:17). As we pursue "full joy", it is important to know that unchallenged lying thoughts will create and maintain strongholds of the enemy in the spirit of our minds (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Many have a stronghold of foreboding, which is having a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Those who have this attitude will not experience much joy. It is the opposite of hope and faith. It is "the confident expectation that bad is coming." Those plagued with this are regularly bracing themselves to "have the rug pulled out from under them again."

Murphy's Law seems to be a major pipeline for foreboding. Who was Murphy anyway? His mantra is "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. If the toast falls on the floor, it will always fall butter side down; or the wind will always blow in the direction of the non-smoker, etc." Murphy's philosophy is "smile, tomorrow will be worse." Obviously there is a lot of "tongue and cheek" humor with this, but many unconsciously believe these "laws". This belief, unfortunately, attracts problems to them and thus reinforces the lies.

We can demolish the foreboding spirit stronghold by:

• confessing it as a sin (1 John 1:9)
• proactively declaring trust that will build positive expectancy (faith) in our lives (Romans 4:17)
• feeding on the materials of faith teachers (Romans 10:17)
• becoming accountable for our thoughts (1 John 1:7)
• persevering in changing our thinking because our experience will catch up to our beliefs (Matthew 9:29)
• laughing when the devil says foreboding lies to us (Psalm 2:1-4)

Declaration: I reject foreboding and embrace hope and joy. I am now building a stronghold of joy in my life.

G*d's Way is the High Way

Week 2 - Day 11

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). G*d's ways are very different than our ways and must be intentionally pursued. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2)

Proverbs 13:15 states that "the way of the way of the unfaithful is hard." If you want long-term unhappiness, do it your way. Do you want long-term joy? Then, do it G*d's way.

Let's imagine that you ask two people to stand before you. The first has served Jesus all his life with true love, humility, faith, and following the ways of G*d. The second has served the devil from his youth. He has done it his way in regards to relationships, choices, money sex, attitudes, and other areas. How do you think these two would compare? It would be obvious that G*d's ways are a blessing and our ways lead to a curse.

There is "pleasure in sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25). It may appear that G*d's people are missing out on the "fun" of this world; but deep joy comes through healthy relationships, godly attitudes, wise choices, and an eternal perspective. G*d's joy will far exceed any temporary thrill that comes from doing it our own way. (We are like a car that runs best when the owner's manual is followed. It's dumb to ignore the red light on the dashboard!)

So, do we do it our way or G*d's way? Do we build on the rock or on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27)? The quality of our lives and the quality of our emotions are influenced dramatically by our choices in life. It is the wise person who puts off temporary pleasure for lasting and eternal joy. Jesus "endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2). We may have to experience short-term "suffering" (1 Peter 4:1) by committing to purity, honesty, the marriage covenant, forgiveness, ministry to others, and obeying G*d; but the reward will be great for us (and our descendents). Truly, G*d's ways are indescribably good.

Declaration: I love G*d's ways. I build my life on the rock of G*d's word. I obey G*d, and my joy is full as a result.

Serve the L*rd with Gladness (And With Enthusiasm)

Week 2 - Day 10

"Make a joyful shout to the L*rd, all you lands! Serve the L*rd with gladness; come before His presences with singing" (Psalm 100:1-2). This is an amazing portion of Scripture that instructs us to live a life of celebration and joy in our serving Jesus. It is a powerful encouragement and command that neutralizes grumbling.

"Gladly serving" is a catalytic mindset that provides a secret door to our prophetic destiny. On the surface it might not seem that significant, but it is. Whenever we consistently relinquish joy in an assignment from G*d, we have most likely hit the ceiling of our ministry influence. Our gladness level is one indicator of whether we are ready for greater responsiblity and callings.

We are called to minister in faith and love. These qualities are positive forces that generate enthusiasm - which is foundational for gladness. Enthusiasm first appeared in English in 1603 with the meaning "possesseion by a god." The source of the word is Greek 'enthousiasmos,' which ultimately comes from the adjective 'entheos,' "having the god within."

Gladness and enthusiasm are spiritual "muscles" that can be developed to higher levels because they are already resident in us. (The G*d of the universe is both enthusiastic and glad - and He wants to be released through us in all we do.) If we have the habit of "serving the L*rd with grumbling" or without passion, then it may take a while to radically increase joy in ministry (but the effort and journey are worth it).

Here is a keey to help you: Act more glad and enthusiastic than you really feel. As you do so, you will find that your emotions will catch up to your actions. Then your "muscles" of gladness and enthusiasm will grow, and you will increase your influence for Christ (because you have overcome the lies that robbed you of serving our L*rd in faith with joy).

Declaration: I serve the L*rd with gladness. I am enthusiastic about the opportunites to minister in the name of Jesus. I am an increasing joy to those who are around me.

Clean Out Your Pipes

Week 2 - Day 9

Have you ever tasted water that runs through rusty pipes? You are expecting to be refreshed, but there is a taste and after-taste that makes the water less than pleasant to drink. The water is tainted by the vessel it is flowing through. It may be great water, but you would never know it because the channel it went through has polluted it.

In a similar way, truth that flows through unclean "pipes" is harder to receive. This happens when teaching or revelation comes through a life that is stuck in frustration, fear, bitterness, anger, a bad G*d concept, or personal hopelessness. These pipes are a person's life attitudes that affect the purity of the truth presented. The lack of hope and empowering grace are the main symptoms of pipes that need to be cleaned. It should be every person's desire to be a clean pipeline for G-d*.

How then can we keep our pipes untainted so that hope and grace are attached to everything we say? One of the ways is to laugh a lot. Laughter has an amazing way of taking the "spirit of heaviness" off our lives (Isaiah 61:3). Godly humor gives us a new perspective that helps us to see reality rather than the falsehood that supports our unhappiness. our inner trouble is greatly associated with they way we think, and humor can change the way we think. We need to understand that it is not the situation that creates our distress hearty, but it is the conclusions that we place on those situations. Humor adjusts the meaning of our circumstances so that they are not so overwhelming (and so that we can begin to focus on G*d's promises instead of the problem). So let's use regular laughter as a cleansing agent to our spiritual pipes. We (and others) will be glad we did.

Declaration: Hope, love, and grace are attached to everything I say (even when I have to say difficult things). I have pipes that are not tainted or plugged, but they are regularly cleansed through hearty laughter. The joy of the L*rd is not only strength to me, but to others through me.

*It is important to know that a "bad taste" concerning what we hear may result from our own unresolved issues and not just those of the speaker.

400 Laughs a Day

Week 2 - Day 8

"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 18:2-4).

Jesus said that we must be converted (changed) and become as little children. We can learn much concerning life attitudes from watching children. There are many attributes that children have which we need to embrace (trust, simplicity, adventuresome, being a dreamer, forgiveness, love, enthusiasm, etc.).

One other characteristic of children that separates them from adults is laughter. I have read in different places that children laugh an average of 400 times a day, while adults laugh only 15 times per day. When people get older, something happens which decreases laughter (and I propose to you that this "something" is not a good thing). Laughter's decline is not rooted in faith or intimacy with G*d; but it comes from stress, "growing up", unbelief, and religious tradition.

I suggest we make it our goal to laugh 400 times a day. It may take us years to reach that level, but at least we will know what our goal is. Some would say such an ambition is ludicrous and unimportant in the big picture of Christian living. I would disagree and say that laughter should be a regular discipline because it will enhance our longevity, health, mental well-being and strength. Hmm, maybe a merry heart is indeed good medicine; and maybe being converted to increasing laughter is a part of what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:2-4. What do you think?

Declaration: I am becoming more like a little child every day. I live in a wonderful world of new adventures and big dreams. I also laugh as little children laugh. I regularly chuckle, giggle, snicker, hoot, snort, guffaw*, chortle**, have hysterics, and double-up in hilarity.

* Guffaw - a loud and raucous laugh
** Chortle - noisy, gleeful laugh

Going Deeper Into Joy

Week 1 - Day 6 & 7

"Resolve to keep happy and your joy shall form an invincible hose against difficulties."
- Helen Keller

Health Benefits of Laughter

Norman Cousins is a "laughter legend" who in 1979 called attention to the medical community of the potential therapeutic effects of humor and laughter. He described his use of laughter during his treatment for ankylosing spondylitis. Because Cousins believed that negative emotions had a negative impact on health, he theorized that the opposite was also true (that positive emotions would have a positive effect on his health). He believed that laughter could open him up to feelings of joy, hope, confidence, and love (and thus to healing and health).

Cousins is probably the best known proponents of using positive emotions to improve health, but he was certainly not the first to assert this relationship. As early as the 1300's, Henri de Mondeville, a professor of surgery, wrote: "Let the surgeon take care to regulate the whole regimen of the patient's life for joy and happiness, allowing his relatives and special friends to cheer him, and by having someone tell him jokes."

The difference now is that we have scientific studies of the relationship between joy and health. Cousins himself spent the last 12 years of his life at the UCLA Medical School in the Department of Behavioral Medicine where he explored the scientific proof and supported clinical research on humor.

Day 7 Let's Review What We've Learned

* Read or review each of the week's five devotionals.
* Read out loud each of the five declarations at the end of the devotionals.

Questions

* Which of the five devotionals spoke to you in the greatest way? Why?
* What one sentence from the five devotionals stood out to you to the most? Why did this speak to you?
* What two or three steps can you take this week to move forward in strengthening your life through joy?

He Who Sits in the Heavens Shall Laugh (Psalm 2:4)

Week 1 - Day 5

What is G*d finding so funny in heaven? "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the L*rd and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens shall laugh..." (Psalm 2:2-4) G*d is laughing at what His enemies are saying and planning.

This heavenly hilarity becomes personal for us as we pray. "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). If G*d is laughing at what the devil is proclaiming, then we should join our Father here on earth. (Remember, jesus said, "I say to you, the Son can do nothing to Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19).

The devil is a liar and he is constantly speaking lies that are inconsistent with the promises of G*d (John 8:44; 2 Peter 1:4). Responding to his lies with laughter can be a powerful, liberating experience. I have led many prayer meetings where we ask; "Are you hearing any lies lately that we can laugh with you about?" One by one, people share things like: "G*d won't meet my needs in the future" (ha, ha); "Things are only going to get worse" (ha, ha); "No one gets healed when I pray for them" (ho, ho); "I've sinned too much to be blessed and to enjoy life" (ha, ha); "My city is hard to the gospel" (hee, hee); "G*d has just about had enough of me" (ha, ha); or "I'm stupid and I'm accident prone" (ha, ha). It is amazing therapy to laugh at lies. Try it!

Laughter is obviously not the only weapon that we use against the devil's deceptions and tactics, but it is what the Heavenly Father does; so let's purpose to join Him on a regular basis (and bring a little more of heaven down to earth).

Declaration: I laugh uproariously when I hear a lie from the devil. G*d's promises are ture and the devil's words are false. I am chuckling more and more as I look at Satan's lies from G*d's perspective.

Jesus - Mr. Spock With Long Hair

Week 1 - Day 4

Many people think that Jesus was "robotto" and unemotional. He supposedly "floated" through life with a serenity and restraint that would make Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and John Wayne envious. Some picture Him like Mr. Spock from Star Trek completely devoid of emotions, especially laughter.

Hebrews 1:8 debunks this when it says of Jesus, "... Your G*d, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." Some would say, "Well, this is speaking of Jesus when He ascended to heaven." I don't believe so (even though a "glad Jesus" in heaven would mess up many people's theology)!

John 15:11 shows that Jesus walked in great joyfulness when on Earth. He said, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (see also John 16:24; 17:13, and 1 John 1:4). It was a big deal to Jesus that we walk like Him in this "full Joy." (And I don't believe for a moment that this gladness was always a quiet, inner joy that looked like Mr. Spock. I believe it was at times noisy, silly, freeing, and made Jesus fun to be with.)

Unlike our Savior, many Christians today are not fun to be with. Jesus was the desired guest at weddings and other events that "sinners" were attending. His joy caused Him to be attractive and have favor in relationships. He set an example for us to not only live in an uncompromising manner in the world, but to do so with joy.

There's one more thing to say about this. It's important to realize that our mental picture concerning the personality of Jesus will dramatically affect our own personality. Religious tradition has practically eliminated true joy from the Jesus we worship. The consequences have been unfortunate for our lives, our churches and for the kingdom. Let's seek G*d afresh and find the joy side of His nature that is so desperately needed today.

Declaration: The Holy Spirit is making me more like Jesus every day. My emotions are getting unlocked and I am experiencing great joy. I laugh heartily every day. My joy causes many to receive hope and to come into the kingdom.

Destination Disease

Week 1 - Day 3
(I need to add that I did not write these devotionals. I got them from Seymour Harvest of Seymour, IN. I believe the worship leader Deborah wrote them. :-) )

"I will be happy when_________ happens." We can fill in the blank with whatever we think is the key for our joy to begin. For example: "I will be joyful when I move out of the house, or when I get married, or when I have children, or when I get more money, or when I get a new home, or when the kids are in school, or when the kids leave home, or when I retire, ore when this circumstance changes, or..."

The "I will be happy when" mindset is called destination disease. This is a malady that plagues multitudes and is rooted in the belief that joy depends on changed circumstances. Certainly circumstances play a role in our positive emotions (we cannot deny the difficulty that life can bring at certain times), but ultimately we need to find inner victory over the giants of discontent and discouragement.

Paul said, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound..." (Philippians 4:10-11). He learned to be inwardly successful to matter if he was prospering or if he was in lack.

Paul apparently had a season in his life when he focused on (and was learning about) the development of the inner soul prosperity of being content (3John 2). We too need a time like this in our lives. It will never seem convenient to do so, but it is necessary in order to develop a life of joy.

Here is a truth to ponder: if we are not joyful now, then we will probably not be joyful then (when circumstances change). The root issue is in us, not in our current situations. Let's overcome destination disease and determine today to live in a new level of rejoicing and celebration in G-d's promises. As we do so, we will find our joy becoming a "faith weapon" to change things like never before.

Declaration: I have overcome destination disease. I am learning to be content and joyful now. I am breaking through the lie that says I can only be happy if certain things change. I rejoice now in G-d's goodness and in His promises. I can and will be joyful now.

Feeling Guilty About Being Joyful

Week 1 - Day 2

There is so much pain in the world that it is easy to feel bad or uncomfortable about living joyfully. "After all," we think, "how can I be happy when so many people are struggling?" Usually this conclusion comes from our own thinking, but sometimes it can result from "guilt trips" that others seemingly put on us if we are too happy. We need to recognize though that if we continually curtail our joy and optimism, we are robbing them and ourselves of much-needed aspect of G-d's nature.

Shame can also hinder us from accepting full joy in our lives because we unconsciously believe that we are still unworthy and undeserving of being happy. Like a dripping faucet in the back of our soul, we judge that we deserve to suffer and be punished. This inability to fully accept our forgiveness is a big issue with many people; it blocks blessing and hope for our lives. We need a greater revelation of the Father's love that will uproot this deception that wounds us. (Luke 7:47)

People around us need us to possess joy. By doing so, we are more able to set others free (and leave an inheritance of victory). Our breaking through the lies of the enemy will allow us to impart "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" (Isaiah 61:3). We will bring faith to a whole new level in the lives of those we touch.

Of course, there are times we need to be sensitive to the feelings of others and "weep with those who weep", but we cannot let guilt and shame hinder us from possessing outrageous joy for our lives. If we do, then we will be restricting our strength for our journey and our influence for Christ on others. Truly, biblical joy is a catalyst to breakthrough in the kingdom of G-d.

Declaration: I am forgiven. G-d loves me. The resurrection and death of Yeshua has made me worthy and deserving to be happy and blessed. I am sensitive to the needs and emotions of others around me, but I still move forward in rejoicing in the L-rd. My joy increasingly breaks off spirits of discouragement and heaviness all around me.

A Merry Heart Is Good Like a Medicine

Week 1 - Day 1

Imagine being prescribed medication and the pharmacist tells you, "Take this three times a day for ten days and you will get better." Most of us would start taking the medication because we would believe it would work. This faith, mixed with the medication, has helped many get well.

"Dr. G-d" has given us a prescription that has tremendous potential for our strength, health, energy level, longevity, and mental clarity; it's called "a merry heart." Those who heed the "Great Physician" and mix their faith with the joy of the L-rd will start a wonderful journey toward vitality in life.

This book is designed to ignite your joy. Some would object and say, "That's fine for you, but I am not a joyful person." In response to this, please consider two things.

First, can you imagine someone saying, "I can't be loving because I am not a loving person." We would say, "That's ridiculous. We are commanded to love. G-d would never tell us to do something we could not do." (1John 4:7-11). The same principle holds true for you. Each of us has the power and ability to become abundantly joyful. It is a "muscle" that can be developed in our lives.

Secondly, this writer was entrenched in a joyless state that resulted from an "it's not my personality" belief. Instead of using G-d's word to create my identity, I was using my past and my experience to tell me who I was. As I will share later in this book, I was delievered from this bondage and my joy was increased dramatically. It can happen to you too.

Dr. G-d is telling us to take our "good medicine." He is urging us to make joy and laughter a big part of our overall plan for good health for our lives. This spiritual truth is supported by science and recent medical research. So, let's take our medicine. We won't be sorry we did.

Declaration: merry heart is good medicine. I "take" this prescription of joy and laughter daily. As I do, my health and vitality are strenthened.


Please make your comments and let me know how the L-rd is using this devotional in your life.