Tag: laughter

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Ridiculous Laughter

Holy Laughter

Has God ever surprised you with the ridiculous? Has He promised you something that seems impossible? Have you ever thought that God is taking too long because there is no time left? You’re not alone Sarah was ninety years old when she became the mother of Isaac. When the Lord visited Abra­ham a year earlier and told him they would have a son she laughed. Sarah thought it was impossible—and perhaps even ridiculous. Shortly after that, she held her newborn son in her arms, understanding that, God had the last laugh. Now she laughed with Him not because the situation was surprising, funny or ridiculous, but because it was so wondrous. She even named her son child Isaac, which means “laughter.”

Today, are you waiting on God for the ridiculous? Is He taking too long? Abraham and Sarah’s long years of disappointment at not having a child and waiting on God to keep His promise ended in the joy of welcoming their beautiful baby boy. God had indeed brought laughter and hope, the beginning of the fulfilment of His promise to make them parents of a great nation. His faithfulness to them is one example of how God is faithful to us. God wants to birth laughter and joy in you right now to end sin, suffering and death.

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your promises. Father, please give me patients as I await answers and hold on to the ridiculous and the miraculous. Just like Sarah and Abraham, keep me laughing until my breakthrough comes. Today I celebrate the birth of joy and no more sin, suffering, Sorrow and death in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Losing Jesus

Have you ever lost your child? Having had the experience of losing our son in the store years ago – the panic, worry, and stress that came with it – it reminds me of one of the first stories about Jesus. It takes place when He, Joseph, and Mary were visiting Jerusalem with some other families for the Feast of Passover. 

At first, it is easy to think that your child is with other friends in the crowd, but then you realise you don’t hear his laughter or see him anywhere nearby. The search began in earnest, and they had to travel back to Jerusalem to find Him. When they found Jesus, He was perfectly fine. In fact, He was astounding people with his questions and answers. 

Today, I wonder if we get so busy doing life sometimes, that we lose Jesus like Mary and Joseph did. We stop experiencing God’s presence and His divine interruptions. Perhaps the beginning of a new year is a good time to search out where Jesus is and to join Him in conversation and in the important work he is doing.  

They began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. — Luke 2:44-45 

Let’s Prayer 

Yahweh, at the start of this new year, help me find you and walk the journey of life with you. Father, help us to listen to you and follow you. Thanks for being here with us when we have forgotten about you, in Christ’s name. Amen. 

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Complete Joy

How are you feeling? Are you joyful? When something is full, there really isn’t room for any more. It’s a feeling of complete satisfaction. God wants your joy to be full and complete! But, too many people drag through the day with a sour outlook, no enthusiasm and no joy. Hardly ever smile. No laughter anymore. Everything is a burden.  

Based upon today’s verse, God never created us to endure life; He created us to enjoy life. We’re not supposed to go around with a long face; negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. Christians, are supposed to be the happiest people on earth. Everywhere we go, we should be so full of joy that we brighten other people’s day. 

Today, choose love by choosing to obey God. That’s how our joy becomes complete. If there’s an area in your life where you know you need to make some adjustments, do it today. Don’t waste another moment living in disobedience. When we obey, it opens the door to His blessings! When we follow His commands, our joy becomes complete! 

“As the Father has loved me, so have I 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, NIV) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, I humbly come to You. Father, I ask for Your peace and wisdom to do what is right in Your sight. God, grant unto me complete and full joy, as I choose love for You and others by obeying Your Word, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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Holy Laughter

Holy Laughter

On this weekend where the focus is on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, joy – not sorrow – should be our spiritual response. Did you know that it’s God’s will for you to be joyful always? God wants you to be happy and carefree. He wants you to love your life no matter what your circumstances look like. In fact, when you have joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, it’s the evidence that you have faith and trust that God is going to bring you through.

In Christ, joy is strength. When you have His joy, you can stand strong, no matter who or what wants to crucify you. You might say, “I’m just not a real jovial person. I’m more serious. I never laugh much.” I realise God made us all differently, but you can experience real inward joy, which should externally make you happy and excited. So let yourself laugh and have fun, because that’s why Christ came and died. I read where the average child laughs over 200 times a day, but the average adult only laughs 4 times a day. What happened? We’ve allowed the pressures of life, stress and responsibilities to steal our joy.

Today, on this Spiritual weekend, make the decision to get your joy back. Decide that you are going to look beyond Friday’s problems, to Sunday’s resurrection and hope, and know that God will see you through. Ask Him every day to fill you with His supernatural peace and joy, so that you can live in Christ’s strength and victory all the days of your life!

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)?

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I humbly receive Your Word today. Father, on this weekend, I choose to open my heart to You, and invite You to fill me with Your joy and strength that the resurrection brings. Yahshua, thank You for showing me Your goodness, and empowering me with Your grace. I bless You today for Your amazing sacrifice, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

A special word from the Lord, from Pastor Ray Patrick

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Worlds AIDs Day, Some Facts You Should Know

World AIDS Day: 'My Health, My Right'

As the holiday season approaches, most of us will preoccupy ourselves with shopping lists, vacations, and other festive preparations.

All these activities might be exciting, however; it is important to not forget issues facing the world.

“AIDS is a horrible disease,  and the people who catch it deserve compassion.” – Sam Kinison

Created as a way to raise public awareness, World AIDS Day brings  fresh public attention to fighting the virus that infects 6,300 people daily, according to the UN HIV/AIDS 2013 Factsheet. Globally, about 34 million people are HIV-positive.

Demographically, 43 percent are black, 44 percent are Hispanic and 11 percent are white.

In 2014, 1,916 people died of HIV in Florida; 352 of them were Miami-Dade residents.

WHY IS WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?

“Rumors of sneezing, kissing, tears, sweat, and saliva spreading AIDS casued people to panic.” – Ryan White

AIDS itself is subject to incredible stigma. Therefore, the AIDS day specifically targets HIV-related stigma and discrimination that prevents people who are known to have HIV from securing a job or caring for their families.

Discrimination can cause isolation and marginalizes people who have HIV and AIDS and can prevent people from being offered or seeking treatment that could save their lives.

“The AIDS virus is not more powerful than God,” – Marianne Williamson

One theme this year is ‘Right to health’ and ‘Getting to Zero’, which would mean zero new HIV infections

“Three million people died of HIV/AIDS in 2003, making this the most lethal year so far in the history of the epidemic.”

The virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, thus gradually making infected individuals become immunodeficient.

WHAT LEADS TO A GREATER RISK OF HIV?

  1. Accidental needle stick injuries
  2. Sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment
  3. Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, tissue transplantation, medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing
  4. Unprotected anal or vaginal sex.

BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER WORLD AIDS DAY?

“Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.” – Nelson  Mandela

We encourage everyone reading this letter to listen to voices outside the city limits — to research and learn about how HIV affects us globally.

After your searching, we will guarantee you two things: you will be shocked by the death toll, and most importantly, you will know it is within our reach to drastically make a difference.

“AIDS today does not mean a death sentence. Its can be treated as a chronic illness, or a chronic disease.” – Yusuf Hamied

AROUND THE WORLD ON WORLD AIDS DAY?

  • Apple store logos around the world are turning red.  The transition from gray to a more crimson hue started Thursday in Australia and continues around the world through tomorrow.
  • President Donald J. Trump Proclaims December 1, 2017, as World AIDS Day
  • OraSure Technologies, Inc. a leader in point of care diagnostic
  • Naomi Campbell and Marc Jacobs Design T-shirt for World AIDS Day
  • RESTANCE Joins World AIDS Day Support With Former President
  • Community AIDS Network (CAN) Celebrates World AIDS Day
  • World AIDS Day: Coalition targets 5000 Lagosians for free HIV testing
  • UTEP students hold World Aids Day event
  • Sampson County AIDS Task Force observing World AIDS Day
  • 4343 youths undergo HIV/AIDS test in Kaduna
  •  Mariah Carey Supports World AIDS Day
  • Planned Parenthood offers free testing for World AIDS Day

WHAT SHOULD I DO ON WORLD AIDS DAY?

“I enyoy being a messenger for God in terms of letting people know about HIV and AIDS.” – Magic Johnson

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide.  It’s not only is it a day to spread public awareness, but it is a day to remember those who have it and are battling the vicious virus.

The challenges surrounding HIV and AIDS are getting more complex and mature, and we just can’t stick our heads in the sand and say, it can’t happen to me.

 

 

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