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Do you have joy?

July 9, 2023 - By admin

In this world filled with challenges, it may seem difficult to find individuals who are genuinely joyful but not Christians. Against all odds, there are people who radiate true joy. They have discovered the secret of finding peace through the teachings of God’s word.

Let’s consider the formula for a fulfilled life: God’s joy + our joy + eternal joy.

This formula holds the key to understanding the essence of life. Without a connection to God, it becomes nearly impossible to experience true joy. Just as it is impossible to smile without God, genuine happiness is also unattainable without Him.

I once had the privilege of listening to a respected Pastor named Lou, who shared his perspective on joy. He described joy as an emotion that arises from a sense of well-being, success, or good fortune. It can also stem from the anticipation of attaining one’s desires, resulting in a state of delight.

Similarly, the renowned Bible teacher, John Piper, expressed that joy is a positive sensation within the soul that is ignited by the presence of the Holy Spirit (paraphrased). In other words, joy is solely a product of the Holy Spirit. It serves as evidence that God is with us and is not contingent upon our circumstances.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are manifested in the lives of those who are connected to God, and they transcend any worldly laws or limitations.

Reflecting on the accounts of Jesus’ birth, we find that the angels instructed the shepherds not to fear but to rejoice. This serves as a reminder that true joy is not dependent on external factors but rather on the presence of God within us.

In conclusion, genuine and lasting joy can only be found through a connection with God. It is not restricted to Christians alone, as God’s love extends to all. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, the fruit of joy blossoms within us, regardless of the challenges we face.

What are the three sides to be joyful

Contrary to popular belief that we can be joyful if we drink alcohol, have children, be married, have a good job, etc all those things are gifts from God, but they can only be maintained if we rely on God.

1. God’s joy

Throughout the entire Bible, there are countless verses where God shows he is a joyful God. The most amazing part is his joy has an effect on us.

Nehemiah 8:10 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

From that verse, we see that, even the strength we need to live is only from God. We can have it only when we depend completely on God alone.

In the records from Prophet Zephaniah 3:17,”The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” God rejoices over us with joy. What a rare privilege! It pleases God Almighty to consider us his own.

This means in everything we do, we need to fight to change our thinking. God loves us unconditionally. We will never earn that love, and he wants us to be joyful at all time, regardless of our circumstances.

Jeremiah 32:40-41, I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me. 41Yes, I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul.“

One of the main fruits of Jesus’ coming to earth is that God is pleased with us now through him. Luke 3:22, the Holy Spirit defended on Jesus.

2. Our Joy

In spite of our efforts to make ourselves happy, we can never boast to be able to maintain a stable, joyful life. Largely because our joy is dependent on our circumstances.

Some say joy is a good feeling, but l refute that argument. Our emotions are always misguided, complaining and unstable. We cannot depend on them for a long time.

John 16:22. No one can take your joy from you. Though everyone goes through seasons of darkness, we all have to be joyful. God has promised to help us in joyless times, have you asked him for help?

The joy we have is not ours.

Our only responsibility is to belief.

Romans 10:9, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”

During difficult times, we need to find God’s joy.

3. Eternal joy

This is joy in the life after life. Our eternity is based on our belief today. If we see God in it, then it will be joyful, but if satan, then it will be full of misery and pain.

Isaiah 35:10 “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

1 Corinthians 16:26-27 “Because all the gods of the nations are just idols, but it is the Lord who created heaven! Greatness and grandeur are in front of him; strength and joy are in his place.”

King David had a glimpse of God in heaven, that’s why he said in Psalm 16:11 that “You teach me the way of life. In your presence is total celebration. Beautiful things are always in your right hand.”

Psalm 30:4-5 “You who are faithful to the Lord, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!”

These and many more articles here can help you grow spiritually.

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Godly Living Posts / Quotes

Discovering Biblical Wisdom: 4 Health Advantages of Laughter

May 2, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
Were you aware that May 2nd is designated as World Laughter Day? If not, consider this newfound knowledge. On this day, countless individuals assemble in person or virtually in major cities worldwide to unite through shared laughter and enjoy the pleasures of comedy. It undoubtedly promises an enjoyable experience.

Beyond the celebratory aspect, how frequently do you find yourself laughing? Daily laughter can surprisingly become a regular exercise if we allow it. In fact, it’s an intentional action, as we’ll explore in the explanations below.

Laughing is equated to feasting in the Bible. Proverbs 15:15: “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”

Wikipedia defines laughter as a pleasant physical reaction usually consisting of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. In addition, it is a response to certain external or internal stimuli.

Laughter can arise from such activities as being tickled or from humorous stories or thoughts.

Is laughter in the Bible?

Wise King Solomon defined laughter in Ecclesiastes 10:19 “A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.

In addition, Job 39:22 says, “It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword.” Retrospecting Genesis 21:6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

In reality, everyone has laughed several times. Laughter takes little or no effort to do. There is a common saying, “laughter is good medicine.” How true is that for you? Let’s find out how you can try this therapy.

What are the health benefits of laughter?

The health benefits of laughing are numerous. We will not discuss all of them in this post.

1. It releases natural feel-good chemicals

Given the high level of stress on these pandemic days, a good laugh will undoubtedly be a stress reliever. Some medical research has confirmed in the short term, if you laugh regularly, it doesn’t just lighten your load mentally; it actually induces physical changes in your body. That stimulates several organs in your body by enhancing your intake of oxygen-rich air.

Equally, it stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles and increases the endorphins released by your brain. In other words, it increases and decreases your heart rate and blood pressure.

Acceptably, extreme stress increases tension, laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation. These both help to reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

2. It decreases pain

Did you know your body produces painkillers? I doubt you did. Now you know. Our bodies have natural God-given potential to ease the pain. When we laugh, it causes the body to produce its own natural painkillers.

Though this is a long-term effect, as medical researchers have affirmed, there is a massive benefit to laughing.

3. It increases personal satisfaction.

In everything we do, we expect to be happy and satisfied. It’s human nature to anticipate celebration and be applauded for doing something well. Medical reports have highlighted in the long run, if we laugh, it will make it easier for us to cope with difficult situations. Since everyone also wants to hang out with joyful people, it’s not rocket science to say laughter helps us connect with other people.

If God laughs, why shouldn’t we laugh? Psalm 2:4: “But the one who rules in heaven laughs.” Agreeably, it is not easy to laugh when we are unhappy about our lives, but we can pray to God for it. Job did it in his distress, you can too. I do it sometimes. Job 8:21: “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

If laughter is your hobby, you will not be afraid of the future. Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

4. Mood swing can affect laughter

We all can be and have been moody several times because of sad things happening in our lives or around us. Sadly, many people around the world are experiencing depression, either because of job instability or the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot deny this hard time can cause us to be stressed and feel anxious.

But laughter makes us feel happier. It improves our self-esteem and gives us a positive outlook on life. Even in captivity, the children of Isreal choose to sing joyfully because they know their joy is from God and not from the situation. Psalm 126:2: “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’”

I am not insinuating you should pretend to laugh at all times. That is unrealistic, and I don’t do that every day too. It’s ok to accept your challenging situation as a temporal event but choose to laugh as often as possible.

There is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:4: “A time to cry and a time to laugh.” God is always there in all seasons of our lives. We just need to trust him at all times. Luke 6:21: “God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now for in due time you will laugh.”

“Consider your trials as your friend” Prophet TB Joshua. That doesn’t seem like what anyone wants to do. Yes, it is, but that’s what the Bible encourages us to do. 1 Peter 4:13: “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

Recommendation

Doctors advise us to make it a habit to share a laugh. Yes, laughter can be a habit. This means choosing to spend time with friends who make you laugh. And then return the favor by sharing funny stories or jokes with those around you as often as possible.

Reading jokes from books or watching comedy shows on YouTube is one easy way to keep laughter updated. We all need humor; share it, and choose it. Make our world a better place.

In conclusion, laughter can be healing, it can be relaxing, and at times it can be just what we need to get through the day. Try it daily and give me feedback. I haven’t been perfect, but I try it almost daily.

Reflection questions
1. When and why did you last laugh out loud?
2. How do you make people laugh?
3. Do you have an infectious laugh?
4. When was the last time you giggled?
5. How easy do you find it to laugh at yourself?
6. What was the last joke you heard?
7. What comedy series makes you laugh the most?
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What is The Power of God’s Joy

April 7, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
Discover the profound truth that genuine joy comes from God, transcending the fleeting pleasures of accomplishments or possessions. In this post, explore the transformative power of God’s joy and learn practical ways to experience it in your life. Unlock the secret to lasting happiness that originates from a divine source, leading you on a journey of fulfillment and purpose.

Nehemiah 8:10 said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Unlike fleeting happiness, joy is a divine virtue gifted by God, free from negative counterparts like “unjoy.” This enduring joy remains constant through all seasons of life, whether in times of goodness or adversity. Embrace the timeless and unwavering nature of God’s joy, providing solace and strength in every circumstance.

The dictionary defines joy as a “lively emotion of joy and gladness evoked by a success or of well-being” or “to experience great pleasure or delight in a thing.” God’s joy is not a temporal emotion. Everyone both Christians and unbelievers have experienced one or more circumstances where it was difficult to maintain their joy and stay positive.

But for every situation Jesus kept the joy of God, thus it is imperative for every Christian to emulate Him despite the situation we are experiencing.

1 Chronicles 16:27 “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” God has joy.

What is joy?

Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sadness is the opposite of joy. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

In our modern age, many individuals tie their joy and happiness to external conditions, making them susceptible to sorrow and bitterness when things don’t align with their expectations. This vulnerability creates a fertile ground for the devil’s influence, as he thrives on sowing discontent and denying the gifts of joy and peace.

The presence of perpetual sadness not only clouds judgment but also corrodes the foundations of careers, marriages, and familial bonds. This toxic cycle limits people from reaching their full potential, leading to unwarranted suspicions and overanalyzing the actions of others. It’s crucial to break free from this cycle and rediscover the innate joy within, resilient against life’s fluctuations.

There’s power in God’s joy

A sad heart can’t pray.

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When sadness takes hold, it’s natural to adopt a victim mentality, questioning why challenging situations seem to target us specifically. These “why me?” questions can become a common refrain.

However, joy is different. It’s a byproduct of faith, rooted in the unwavering belief that God’s love encompasses us, regardless of our circumstances. This conviction gives us the strength to anticipate positive outcomes even during tough times. Joy is a force that transcends adversity, reminding us that God is ever watchful, aware of our struggles, and working for our ultimate good.

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

What is God’s will about our joy?

Jesus’ plan for us Christians is for us to have complete joy at all times.

John 15:11 Jesus Christ said, “l have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”.

No man (spouse, husband, children, parents, etc) or achievements (job, degrees, position…) can give us full joy.

The world has temporal happiness based on its environment. For example, some people drink alcohol, travel, or read books just to forget about their troubles. Yes, momentarily they find relief, but the next day or within hours, they go back to square zero.

Romans 14:17. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”.

God expects us to be joyful at all times, despite the difficult or happy situations we are experiencing. The power of God’s joy surpasses every form of happiness that we will ever have.

This is evident when Paul told the Philippians repeatedly in Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice”.

The contentment with what you have and who you are in Christ is sufficient reason to maintain a joyful heart.

Why is a happy heart relevant?

A happy heart is a grateful heart. Psalm 81:1 “Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.”

Indeed, remaining in a state of worry or unhappiness won’t alter the challenging circumstances we face. It’s essential to recognize that this is a tactic often employed by negative forces, often associated with the concept of Satan, aiming to disrupt our joy.

These forces attempt to chip away at our well-being by introducing destructive elements, pain, and a barrage of negative experiences. However, the power to counter this lies within us, through our choice to reject these influences and maintain our inner joy.

By understanding this strategy and actively guarding our joy against such attacks, we empower ourselves to navigate through difficulties with resilience and maintain a positive outlook, no matter what obstacles we encounter.

However, as devoted Christians, we need to identify Satan’s plan to rob us of our joy by praying to God for His joy and gladness. (Psalms 51:8)

We admit everyone has failed to keep their joy, and sometimes we make mistakes and forget to be joyful, particularly during challenging periods.

Can we pray for joy?

But just like David prayed after committing adultery in Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with a free spirit”, we can also ask God for restoration every time we fail.

As Christians, we are not shielded from the inevitable health challenges, marital trials, financial hardships, and other life difficulties. It’s important to understand that such challenges are not contrary to scripture; they are part of the human experience.

However, our strength lies in the choice we make to guard our peace and joy, irrespective of the circumstances. We firmly believe that nothing should disrupt the inner serenity that comes from our faith. This choice is rooted in our unwavering trust in the enduring power of God’s joy, a joy that transcends seasons of abundance and adversity alike.

By choosing to rely on this divine joy, we equip ourselves with the resilience to face life’s ups and downs with grace and a steadfast spirit, knowing that our faith sustains us through every trial. It is through this unwavering commitment that we find solace and triumph over the storms of life, maintaining our peace and joy regardless of the challenges that may arise.

A joyful woman

What does it mean to be joyful?

Joy is that decision we as mature Christians should make daily, depending on God to be in a happy state no matter how we feel or think physically.

When you are confident as a Christian that your situation will be worked out for good by God, you will be cheerful and wear a smile on your face daily.

Joy is a choice from a God-fearing heart, recognizing only God can maintain it. When your heart is restful, and you trust God, you will experience unspeakable joy and peace.

Even though Paul and Silas were beaten and unjustly imprisoned, they choose joy by praising God.

No matter the situation you have now, one thing is sure, beyond the trial there is a triumph. That scar can be turned into a star.

Joy is our conquering power (John 16:33)

No one can take the joy of God from us. John 16:22 “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Recommendation for God’s joy

In order to maintain the power of God’s joy every day, try the following recipe:
- Study God’s word daily.
- Listen to gospel faith-building music daily.
- Communicate with fellow Christians as often as possible.
- Pray continuously.
- Be regular and committed to a local church.
- Maintain a smile by controlling your thoughts.
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Reasons to wear a smiling face daily

March 1, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

Did you know that a simple smile can have a direct impact on your health?

Choosing to smile daily offers both spiritual and physical benefits. In a world filled with uncertainty and constant challenges, finding reasons to smile may seem rare—but it’s more important than ever.

Let’s explore fascinating truths about smiling and why it’s worth making it part of your daily lifestyle.

How Can Smiling Daily Improve Our Health?

King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 15:30,
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

This joyful expression lifts our spirit—our heart—and fills us with life. The heart, in this context, represents our inner being, the place where God dwells. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them.

A confident smile rooted in our identity in God can be a powerful remedy against depression. As Proverbs 17:22 says:
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”

Can We Ask God to Smile on Us Daily?

Absolutely. God desires to bless us with His presence and favor—His divine smile. When we open our hearts and seek His ways, we can invite that smile into our daily lives.

Psalm 119:135 – “Smile on me, and teach me your laws.”
Psalm 31:16 – “Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”

It is God’s goodness that sustains us through every season, both the good and the difficult.

Psalm 4:6 – “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD.”

If we ask God to smile on us, He will help us reflect that joy outwardly.

Even King David prayed for God’s smile to stay with him throughout life:

Psalm 39:13 – “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more.”
Psalm 80:19 – “O Lord God of hosts, restore us; cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

God’s smile brings restoration and salvation—gifts freely available to those who seek Him.

Can Sin Affect Our Smile?

Yes, sin has the power to affect our countenance.

In Genesis 4:7, God told Cain:
“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door…”

Unrepented sin weighs heavily on us. It can dim the joy from our faces. But when we surrender to God and choose righteousness, the burden lifts—and joy returns.

Spiritual maturity involves recognizing sin’s influence and choosing to walk in obedience. That decision leads to consistent, joyful smiles.

Can Smiling Be a Tool for Evangelism?

Absolutely. A genuine, heartfelt smile can reveal the goodness of God to others.

Psalm 126:2–3 says:
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’”

When we smile sincerely—especially during trials—people notice. They may even begin to wonder about the God who gives us strength to smile in hard times.

Job 29:24 – “I smiled on them when they did not believe, and the light of my face they did not cast down.”

Our smile can be a silent sermon, a testimony of faith.

Matthew 6:16 also teaches us that our appearance matters before God:
“When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do… Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

God sees and rewards a joyful, faith-filled countenance. A smile becomes a visible reflection of our relationship with Him and an encouragement to others.

When Should We Smile?

There’s no specific time to smile—we’re called to smile always.

Romans 12:12 says:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Even in grief or pain, we can choose joy. Life will give us many reasons to frown, but we can make the firm decision to smile through it.

Proverbs 14:13 reminds us:
“Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.”

Still, choosing to smile—especially when it’s difficult—is a powerful act of faith rooted in our trust in God.

Even when the emotions don’t match, we can still choose to smile intentionally.

How Should We Smile?

Job 9:27 says,
“If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and smile.’”

This verse reminds us to resist dwelling on what’s missing or what has gone wrong. Instead of feeding our complaints, we should make the conscious choice to shift our focus and preserve our joy. Smiling becomes an act of spiritual discipline—a decision to lift our countenance even in the middle of hardship.

What Is the Relationship Between Smiling and Hope?

A true sign of trust in God is the ability to smile, even when the future feels uncertain.

Proverbs 31:25 says,
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”

This powerful image shows us that our smiles are rooted in hope—hope not just for this life, but for the eternal future we have with God. A smile can reflect deep assurance that God is walking beside us through every chapter.

Living Joyfully Takes Effort

While everyone desires a joy-filled life, experiencing consistent joy requires intentional effort. Smiling daily doesn’t come from relying on our own strength or emotional stability.

Our emotions naturally fluctuate with circumstances. But spiritual joy—the kind that lasts—is anchored in the presence of God. It’s a fruit that grows in our lives when we depend on the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

When we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, He begins to produce joy in us. This joy isn’t about feeling happy all the time, but about being grounded in a deeper, unwavering gladness—one that sustains our smile even when life feels heavy.

We don’t need to force joy or wear a fake smile. Instead, we can draw from the deep well of spiritual joy that the Holy Spirit freely gives. This kind of joy allows us to smile genuinely, even in the midst of difficulty.

A daily smile becomes truly lasting when it’s anchored in the joy of the Holy Spirit—not in our shifting emotions, life circumstances, or personal willpower. Smiling each day isn’t about pretending; it’s about inviting the Spirit of God to fill us with a deep, enduring joy that naturally shows on our faces.

A daily smile becomes truly sustainable when it’s rooted in the joy of the Holy Spirit—not in our moods, circumstances, or personal strength. Smiling each day is not about forcing an emotion, but about allowing the Spirit of God to fill us with lasting joy that overflows through our expressions.

Additional Scriptures About Smiling
Proverbs 15:13 – “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.”
Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

These verses remind us that joy is a spiritual gift that brings both inward peace and outward expression through a smile.

Reflection Questions
Why is smiling every day important for believers?
How does it reflect our trust in God and the joy we receive from Him?

When is the best time to smile?
Are there moments when smiling is hardest? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit into those moments?

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