The power of Joy!

                                                  Shout your way to Victory!


                                Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.(Hab 3:17-18) 

                    There is a tendency of a que sera, sera attitude in the body of Christ. We attribute everything including destruction as an excuse to praise God. God is sovereign and everything that happens is God's will---Allow me to, respectfully differ. The word says to give to Cesar what is Cesar and to God what is God's. Jesus said that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy but I (Jesus) come to give life abundantly. ( John 10:10) Jesus wants us to have life in our health, finances, relationships, etc. 
                   The key word to see in Hab 3:18 is joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit. Joy can be expressed in a shout, dance or even laughter among other things. (PS 126:1-2/Ps 149:3/Ps 32:11) Joy is a powerful weapon. Even Job in the midst of suffering knew about this power. He said that in the midst of corruption and famine to laugh. ( Job 5:22) Why? If you read the end of the book of Job, you will find that God restored unto him double for his trouble.(Job 42:10) Joy is a powerful weapon. 
                   So powerful is joy that God released it to set his people free from Egyptian captivity. (Ps 105:42-43) I, personally, believed that there were a remnant of Jews bringing into God's remembrance his covenant with his people. As God heard the words of his covenant being lifted up in prayer, he unleashed his force of joy upon his people and made them free. The best part is that none of them came out of the land broke or sick. (Ps 105:37) The word feeble is translated from the Hebrew as sick. 
               What about you, friend? Are you in captivity? Have you been frustrated regarding your prayers? Unleash the power of joy in your life. You are in covenant with God. God is laughing at your enemies, so it is time to laugh along with him and see his power at work! (Ps 2:4)

Verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

                                     

Pastor's thoughts---Feb 20,2015

   Have a good laugh!

                     When was the last time you had a good laugh? This world is so filled with bad news that it is easy to have a negative point of view. The good news is that you can learn to have a good laugh. Years ago, in Argentina, people were at a church services spending some time laughing. The spirit of laughter started spreading over Canada and into the United States. The media jumped on this and called us crazy but God had the last laugh.

                       Scientist have, recently, discovered that if you laugh at least 10 minutes a day, your health will improve. In studies made in hospitals, it was discovered that when people saw comedy shorts, their health took a turn for the better. Friends, When you get into the spirit realm, laughter is the joy of the Lord and it is the power to make you free. Joy was the power that God used to set his people Israel free from Egyptian bondage. (Ps 105: 43) 

                      Joy is a powerful force and if you are born again, you have it inside of you. It is part of the fruit of the spirit. Are you feeling sad and discouraged? Start laughing at your circumstances because you have a Father that cares for you. He is laughing at your circumstances because he knows the end result--You are more than a conqueror! You are in covenant with him and your problems are his problems. (Ps 2:4, Ps 126:1-2)

                   Having financial troubles? Use the Isaac principle! Friends, the name Isaac means laughter in the Hebrew text. Sow with joy and laughter. As you do that, you will see your hundredfold return come unto you (Gen 26:12) Start sowing laughter and see how God blesses you. I, personally, get a "kick" when I make people laugh. I like to call myself the "accidental comedian", because I make people laugh without even trying and its by accident. When you spend time encouraging people and making them laugh, you will apply the Isaac principle and sow a hundredfold blessing for your life. God bless. 

Prayer---Father, thank you for teaching me about the joy of the Lord. Lord, I bring my problems, sorrows and tears and turn it over to you. You are in covenant with me. You are laughing at my problems because you know the end results.Restore to me that joy of my salvation. Help and teach me to develop Holy Laughter. I receive the joy of the Lord and I declare that I will not be moved. I will learn to laugh at my problems because you give me the victory. HA, HA, HA! Thank you, Lord for your deliverance and blessing today. In Jesus name--AMEN!