A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 18:22)
Did you know that not one scripture in the Bible can be discounted? That's right, not one. Some scientists who have tried for many years to discredit the Bible as God's word. Yet the more we understand about science the more credible our Bible becomes. Even archaeology and history bear out the great truths of scripture.
Take the scripture above for instance. Is there really a connection between recovering from a sickness and joy? Science has long told us that laughing releases endorphins from the brain into the body that cause one to tolerate pain at a higher level. Reader's digest for many years has had a section called "Laughter, the best medicine". Many studies have been done to show how a good laugh makes those in pain feel better.
We shouldn't be surprised that laughter makes us feel better. God said it didn't he? He designed our bodies and he knows how they work. And isn't it just like our loving creator to make something so enjoyable as a good laugh to work as a medicine! I believe laughter affects not only our physical bodies but our minds and spirits as well.
Are you feeling the weight of the world today? Life seem to be going all downhill? You don't see anyway out? Try laughter. See if you can cheer someone else up. Tell someone a good joke and feel the affects of their laughter. It may just serve as the missing ingredient that you need to have a good day. Let's spread some cheer, not only at Christmas time, but the whole year through.
Laughingly Yours,
Rev. Sullivan Jones
12/6/12
12/4/12
Determination
Thanks to everyone for all the calls, cards, well wishes on Facebook, etc for Gail. She is doing well. She decided to do a week of Rehab before coming home this Friday We appreciate the continued prayers as she recovers. Right now the plan is to have her next surgery in June or July barring any complications. That will give her time to truly heal and it will be more convenient for me with work. Gail said to tell everyone she has never felt more loved.
This morning as I was praying a phrase came to mind that I recognized as scripture but didn't know where it was or who it pertained to. It is "set thy face like a flint toward Jerusalem". It is actually parts of two different scriptures.
Isaiah chapter 50 contains a prophecy of the Messiah being scourged, having his beard pulled out, and being spit on. This was fulfilled so distinctly in the life of Jesus that it could not be accidental. Verse 7 says "I set my face like a flint". This somewhat archaic phrase means he was determined. The fulfillment of this verse is found in Luke 10:51, "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem".
When Jesus knew that it was time to be crucified he resolved himself to follow through with it no matter what his flesh wanted. His purpose in coming to this earth was to redeem us and he was determined to fulfill it. At least one translation uses the same terminology here, "he set his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem".
There are times in all of our lives when we must make difficult choices. We are asked to do things that we'd rather not do. We find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to consider in those times "him that endured such resistence of sinners.. so that you will not be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:3 paraphrased) He continues to say that we have not yet resisted unto blood ....
It is true that none of us will ever have to go through anything near as agonizing as Jesus did when he was on the cross. So if we are facing a challenging circumstance we just have to "set our face like a flint" and decide with the help and grace of God I will get through this no matter the cost. Once we know the will of God, let's put our all into it. Heaven is counting on us!
This morning as I was praying a phrase came to mind that I recognized as scripture but didn't know where it was or who it pertained to. It is "set thy face like a flint toward Jerusalem". It is actually parts of two different scriptures.
Isaiah chapter 50 contains a prophecy of the Messiah being scourged, having his beard pulled out, and being spit on. This was fulfilled so distinctly in the life of Jesus that it could not be accidental. Verse 7 says "I set my face like a flint". This somewhat archaic phrase means he was determined. The fulfillment of this verse is found in Luke 10:51, "he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem".
When Jesus knew that it was time to be crucified he resolved himself to follow through with it no matter what his flesh wanted. His purpose in coming to this earth was to redeem us and he was determined to fulfill it. At least one translation uses the same terminology here, "he set his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem".
There are times in all of our lives when we must make difficult choices. We are asked to do things that we'd rather not do. We find ourselves in situations we'd rather not be in. The writer of Hebrews tells us that we are to consider in those times "him that endured such resistence of sinners.. so that you will not be wearied and faint in your minds." (Hebrews 12:3 paraphrased) He continues to say that we have not yet resisted unto blood ....
It is true that none of us will ever have to go through anything near as agonizing as Jesus did when he was on the cross. So if we are facing a challenging circumstance we just have to "set our face like a flint" and decide with the help and grace of God I will get through this no matter the cost. Once we know the will of God, let's put our all into it. Heaven is counting on us!
11/21/12
Our Daily Bread
With the Thanksgiving season upon us it seems fitting that the next part of the Lord's prayer deals with God's provision. "Give us this day our daily bread." What a concept! Let's examine it just a little. What exactly is our daily bread?
For most of mankind's existence it has been a daily struggle to get something to eat. Modern technology has created a different world for us but in Biblical days people were truly tied to the land. What they were able to raise is what they ate. Bread was literally "the bread of life." If they failed to have a good wheat harvest they could easily starve. It was a year long process of plowing fields, sowing and harvesting to have a daily portion of bread. Considering this should make us so thankful that most of us will never go to bed hungry. To this Jesus spoke! And what strange teaching he did!
He told his disciples things like "take no thought for tomorrow" and when you go to preach take no coat, no staff, no money in your purses, etc..." He wanted them to learn to depend completely on God. He was not telling them that they didn't have to prepare. The scripture is very clear that we must work to eat. But he was reminding them, as his word reminds us now, that our very existence depends on God's mercy and love. We can work ourselves near to death and without God's blessing on it, our work is in vain. David said it like this in Psalm 127:1. "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
But we are God's children and he truly does want to establish "our houses and bless our fields." This prayer starts with "our father" and what a father he is. Let us take this time that we call "Thanksgiving" to truly give thanks to God for all he has given. Even for "our daily bread."
For most of mankind's existence it has been a daily struggle to get something to eat. Modern technology has created a different world for us but in Biblical days people were truly tied to the land. What they were able to raise is what they ate. Bread was literally "the bread of life." If they failed to have a good wheat harvest they could easily starve. It was a year long process of plowing fields, sowing and harvesting to have a daily portion of bread. Considering this should make us so thankful that most of us will never go to bed hungry. To this Jesus spoke! And what strange teaching he did!
He told his disciples things like "take no thought for tomorrow" and when you go to preach take no coat, no staff, no money in your purses, etc..." He wanted them to learn to depend completely on God. He was not telling them that they didn't have to prepare. The scripture is very clear that we must work to eat. But he was reminding them, as his word reminds us now, that our very existence depends on God's mercy and love. We can work ourselves near to death and without God's blessing on it, our work is in vain. David said it like this in Psalm 127:1. "Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
But we are God's children and he truly does want to establish "our houses and bless our fields." This prayer starts with "our father" and what a father he is. Let us take this time that we call "Thanksgiving" to truly give thanks to God for all he has given. Even for "our daily bread."
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