We all want to have more joy in our lives. Build good routines and habits so you have that joy! For example, start each day with daily Bible reading and prayer, focus on the good, and look for God throughout your day.
For more information on the habitus of joy, click here, then head to the last section of this video (this topic starts at 7:44).
Yes! and I’ll give you two good reasons. The G3 Ministries Blog posted an article Biblical Fasting: Is it a Practice for the Church Today? Part 2 I didn’t read part 1 but if it is anything like part 2..talk about complicating something simple and making it hard. The article attempts to make the case that fasting is unnecessary and unprofitable. The author’s bias or bent towards his position seems to make him ignore what the Bible is actually saying. I like common sense and simplicity. So here are two reasons that fasting is relevant, applicable, and profitable today. In Matthew 6:16-18 Jesus tells us to fast in secret so only the Father can tell we are fasting. Then He says “…and thy Father, which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” If Jesus says that the Father will reward thee openly then I believe the Father will reward thee openly. That is in itself a great reason for fasting. Another reason for fasting is Matthew 17:14-21. The disciples could not cure a man who was possessed but Jesus was able to. When they asked why they could not, Jesus said it was because of their unbelief and then said “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matt. 7:21)”. Just to note, some question the validity of this verse because it is not included in some English translations even though it is included in the King James. My only question would be, if it does not belong in the Bible, why does Mark 9:29 say the same thing? “And He said unto them: This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Just something to think about.
There are so many challenges today for Christians in the culture war we live in. Christian authors have an open page of thousands of topics that are relevant and helpful to embattled believers. So I’m not sure I understand why Russel Moore, Editor in Chief for Christianity Today, wrote an article entitled Why Superman Matters. Spoiler alert, turns out Superman doesn’t matter. Moore contends that people like Superman, “Not so much because he is godlike but because he is, underneath it all, so very human.” The main point of Moore’s article is the premise that “What we love about the hero is not his power so much as his vulnerability”. My mind’s wide open but when I was a kid I don’t remember anyone saying, “I want to be Superman because he’s so vulnerable.”
As mind boggling as this article is, I would just like to say to editor in chief, HE’S A COMIC BOOK CHARACTER! Superman was not meant to be taken this seriously. It was written to sell comics. I don’t get the whole religion comparison but hey, you do you. I just want to say that for myself I loved watching Superman because he was “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound—look, up there in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Superman!” As much as I adore Superman, he is not worthy to be included in a serious conversation involving the great God we serve. Perhaps we should let comic books be for entertainment and the Word of God for edification and life changing power. And just perhaps a Christian magazine should print articles that are edifying for believers and glorifying for the God who made us and saves us. Or you could do an article on why Lucy charges five cents for advice? Why doesn’t she give the advice free? Is she engaging in mind control, political activism, social influencing or commercialism? And why does Charlie Brown pay to listen to her? Just something to think about.
One of our favorite trips is to Universal Orlando! Theme parks are filled with thrilling rides, fun times with family, and ice cream! We’ve noticed one surprising thing there, however…people aren’t happy. In fact, they are downright grumpy and sometimes even irate. Now, this isn’t a post criticizing Universal, but rather, focusing on a deeper issue (because, news flash, this happens a lot of places). Why are people so unhappy?
There are a few factors involved, and it’s good to be aware of them so you can be in the smaller group of happy people. This affects you, even if you don’t like theme parks, because these issues affect you in all aspects of life (theme parks just sometimes paint the clearer picture of the issues).
1. Are you hungry or tired?
If you are overly emotional, stop and ask yourself if you are hungry or tired. Go get a snack or take a break. You’ll be surprised to see how much better life looks when you fix those two issues.
2. Have you set strict expectations?
It’s great to plan, but if you’ve come up with a strict itinerary of what you need to do and when, chances are, you are going to be miserable. The plan never goes the way you expect, and when you’ve determined that your day has to go a specific way, you crash when the plans change. It’s better to do your research and get an idea of what you would like to do, but go with the flow as the day brings unexpected changes.
“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. Are you having an attitude of gratitude?
The funnest place in the world can feel like the pits…or the dullest thing in the world can be fun. What determines this? Easy, your attitude. You choose to be grateful for the day the Lord has blessed you with, or you choose to be miserable about things that aren’t going your way. Choose to be grateful, count your blessings, and be happy!
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
4. Do you have peace with the Lord?
You can fix all the problems in steps 1-3, but if you don’t have peace with the Lord, you won’t find true peace and joy in life. You can try to fill the gaps, and have moments of satisfaction, but you will end up finding that something is empty and missing. When you turn to the Lord and have salvation through his Son, Jesus, you can start to have peace. But it isn’t enough to say a prayer, and put it into your pocket as insurance. You need to learn to walk with the Lord, to turn from your sins, to have His Spirit, to grow in Him. Without this, you won’t have peace or true joy. You can be in the funnest spot in the world, and still be empty. But with the Lord, you can be in a hard spot, and still have peace and His comfort, grace, and joy.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Colossians 3:15
