Smooth stone #4 is a Merry Heart. Proverbs, the book of Wisdom, tells us that a merry heart DOES GOOD like a cure (some translations says like a medicine, but the Hebrew word means a cure - not just a medicine). A merry heart cures more ills and evils sent by our enemy than you would think. Having a merry heart seems so simple, but it is hugely powerful because we were designed for joy. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit. The JOY of the Lord is your strength. Jesus Christ is the most joy-filled Person in the Universe. It was the JOY set before Him (you and me being saved from the kingdom of darkness) that caused Him to endure the cross and triumph in it... Now that is strength! Strength to overcome!
In the seme way, joy gives you the strength to overcome what the world throws at you and what the enemy means for evil. No wonder our enemy always tries to get us to "feel" downcast, sad, depressed and dejected. He knows the value of joy in our lives and is always trying to steal it or diminish it in some way. The good news is that you don't have to allow it. You have been given the power and authority by Christ to say NO! to you enemy and NO! to your flesh. Saying no to your flesh and no to darkness is saying YES! to God...yes to Light, yes to Life.. and yes to Good!
Joy is Good! It is one of the "goods" Christ has given you. He said to "Hold fast to that which is good." Don't let your enemy "talk" you out of it or "think" you out of it. By shutting him up you are assuring the flow of strength that comes from joy. The scripture says to "Rejoice in the Lord and AGAIN I say, rejoice." Whenever God says something 2x's, we know it is important. Rejoicing is one of the most important things you will do in a day. To rejoice is to "RE-JOY" yourself i.e.-to bring in a fresh supply of joy from the Lord into you The fastest way to "RE-JOY" yourself is to sing. Sing praises, sing songs of thanks and sing for joy.Making melody in your heart to the Lord is like being connected to an "IV" of joy to overcome the maladies of sadness.
The scriptures say it is the garment of praise that DESTROYS the spirit of heaviness. The enemy tries to cause you to focus on what "is" or the worries of what" might be" or the hurt of what "has been". His purpose is to dis-courage you (take away your courage). The word "courage" in the scriptures is the same word translated "cheer". Remember, He said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" which also translates "Be of good courage, I have overcome the world.". Cheer, joy and courage are strengths given to you by God to overcome. Overcome evil with good.
You get to choose WHO you will listen to - your enemy with his depressing, sad, sorrowful, self-pity garbage or your Savior with His encouraging words of love, comfort, faith, peace and hope. Choosing is a moment-by-moment action. Moment by moment you are choosing who is Lord over you. Thought by thought you are choosing who will occupy your mind and captivate your attention. You know by experience that bringing every thought captive to Christ will do you good. Conversely, every thought from your enemy brings you down. Learn to identify and cast down those thoughts from the enemy before they take you to an emotional place you are not willing to go.
Bringing every thought captive to Christ is not as hard as the enemy makes it seem. It is simply saying,"NO" to a thought or a mental picture flashed in your mind. The thought or picture is not from you, it is a cleverly crafted lie meant to scare you, upset you and ,in some way, turn your attention toward fear. Remember, these thoughts, "emos" and flashy pics ARE NOT YOU! The enemy has just camouflaged them to look like your thoughts. Truly, they are from the kingdom of darkness and God has BETTER thoughts for you - "thoughts to do you good and not harm - thoughts to give you HOPE (not despair) and a future."
One speedy way to "zero-in" on these thoughts is rejoicing. Singing, praising and songs of giving thanks are easy to do. God has not asked you to climb Mt Everest or run a 4 min mile or some other hard thing to do. He's asked you to rejoice, sing praise and give thanks. This is His good will and it is within your ability. In fact, it does you good to engage in these simple, wonderfully effective activities.
Although this is simple and easy to do, the enemy may put up many road block to try to deter and detour you. Do not be dissuaded - go back on task. Rejoice - sing - give thanks and you will find the supply of joy and strength flowing to you and though you. GOD WANTS YOU GLAD - a merry heart does you good!
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