Let's Laugh

Laugh

1 a: to show emotion (such as joy) with a chuckle or explosive vocal sound

b: to find amusement or pleasure in something

c: to become amused

2 a: to produce the sound or appearance of laughter

b: to be a kind that inspires joy

　

Happy National Let's Laugh Day! Look at that definition again. Notice 2b in particular: To be a kind that inspires joy. I just love that. Don't you want to be someone who inspires joy to those around you? I mean, think for a minute. How would you like it if you inspired sadness, anger, or anxiety in those around you? I, for one, wouldn't like it. My sister makes fun of me (in a good way ;)) for trying to find the positive in every situation... and I mean every situation! But I'm just trying to bring out the positive so we can move on with joy and not any other negative emotion. Now, don't get me wrong. I have my bad days. But if we try to find the joy in everything, even the smallest little problem we have, we'll probably be living a happier life!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3

Don't take my word for it though. You see, even the Bible tells us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials.

What is something you are struggling with? Think for a minute. Okay. Now, think of something positive about your situation. It might just be, "I know God has something good in mind" or it might be, "At least it's not _________ (something worse)". Either way, I know there is a positive to whatever you're going through because God has our best interests in mind. Even though it might not seem like it at the time, I promise He has something wonderful in store for you. It might not be what you expect or what you think you want, but it will be what's best for you in the end.

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Read the story about Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus tells Martha that only one thing is needed. We need Jesus. If we have Him, we have everything.

"'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" Luke 10:41-42

Stop worrying and look to Jesus instead. This is what He wants you to do. He wants you to talk to Him, to tell Him about the bad things as well as the good. He wants you to be full of joy.

"'As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.'" John 15:9-11

"The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." Proverbs 10:28

Joy. Remember that word. God wants us to have joy. He wants our joy to be complete. Next time you feel sad, remember that. God wants you to be filled with joy.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

Be cheerful. Find the positive. And make someone laugh today, since it is National Let's Laugh Day!

　

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25

Speak Up!

Why do we, as Christians, not talk about Jesus every second of every day?? I've thought about this many times and wondered if I'm doing something wrong. Shouldn't I be converting all the sinners out there to Christianity? Doesn't God say in His Word to go and make disciples of all nations? But the more I think about it the harder it seems... the more impossible it sounds.

I do think we should live our lives so that if someone just glances at us they know. "Oh, there's one of those Christians." But how do we do that? How do we live our lives in such a way? I by no means have it figured out but the Bible does!

As a young child my favorite show was Dora the Explorer. And if you've ever watched it then you probably know a question she asks in almost every episode. "Who do we ask for help when we don't know which way to go?" And I'll always answer her back (yes, still to this day if I'm in a room where it's playing), "Map!" And Map will tell Dora where to go. Well, it's the same way with our Christian walk. No, we don't ask Map... we ask God! We consult Him in prayer and through the Bible; His Word, asking for direction.

In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

I love this verse but it has worried me many times that someone will come up to me and ask me a question about my faith and I won't know how to answer. BUT there is something that can be done about that! It is our job to study our Bible so that when we get asked questions we will know how to answer. We can also pray for guidance and God will help us know what to say. Allow His voice to speak through you.

"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:2-5

Right there. Paul says it. He says to be prepared and to preach the Word. Now is the time Paul is talking about. People don't want to listen. They go to the false teachers who tell them what they want to hear: That abortion isn't murder, that homosexuality is okay, that we don't need to live our lives for Christ, we can do whatever we want and when we die or when Christ returns, we'll still go to heaven. This goes AGAINST what the Bible says! But people want to hear that they can live their life however they want and still get the reward of living with Jesus, so they flock to the false teachers and are deceived.

It is our job to speak up! It is our job to tell the truth! We must study the Bible so that we know what to say and how to say it. Paul said in that scripture that we should do the work of an evangelist. The definition of an envangelist is this: A person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith. That is exactly what we should be doing. Don't be worried or ashamed that a certain "friend" of yours will laugh at you for talking about Jesus. That is being ashamed of the gospel.

Jesus says in Luke 9:26: "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

Wow. I definitely don't want Jesus to be ashamed of me! I would rather everyone make fun of me for sharing the good news of Christ rather than Jesus say that He is ashamed of me.

"So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." 2 Timothy 1:8

Paul suffered so much for the sake of Christ. Yet, he is telling us to join him in his suffering! Paul knew that the suffering was worth it. He knew that God was on his side and would never leave him. He knew that his reward waited for him in heaven if he followed God; even if it meant suffering while on this earth. So, do not be ashamed because in the end, it will be oh, so worth it.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

This doesn't mean that in order to get to heaven we must do good works. Nope! That would be a works-based faith and that is not what the Bible teaches. Right before that verse it says in verses eight and nine: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast."

We are saved by grace, through faith. And good works are a result of that faith. God has prepared a path for your life and He does want us to share His gospel. But we must be saved by grace through faith first. And as a result, God will show us what He wants us to do. His plan for you life is the best plan. Follow Him and you'll be on the right track.

Different people are called to do different things. Some are called to serve right where they are, others, to move a little farther away to serve, and still others, to travel to other countries and share the good news. We are all unique and that is part of God's plan. It's like a puzzle and each of us are a piece. But for all the pieces to fit together, we each have to do our part and be where we belong; where God has placed us or where He calls us.

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15