Psalm 126:2 - Christianity and Laughter.
Psalm 126:2 (NIV) Our mouths were filled
with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has
done great things for them."
Psalm 126:2 (NLT) We were filled with
laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations
said, What amazing things the Lord has done for
them.
COMMENTARY
Laugh
Happy Christians are a great
advertisement for Christianity. Be as happy as you can all
the time - laugh and laugh and then laugh some
more! Take every opportunity to laugh, because it
can actually improve your health. Humans are the
only part of God's creation who can laugh, so
surely it is something He wants us to do.
Laughter begins with a smile, and you can
decide to do that anytime.
Speak this: I will laugh every chance I
get! [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
Something to Laugh About
Why do eagles like to go to church?
Because they are birds of prey.
What is a bee's favorite Bible verse?
Acts 16:31: "Bee-lieve in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved."
What kind of car did the disciples drive?
A Honda. The Bible says they were all in
one Accord.
Which book of the Bible gets hurt the
most?
He-bruise.
What did Noah tell his sons when they
went fishing?
"Easy on the bait, boys. We only have two
worms."
Did you laugh at any of those jokes?
Hopefully one of them tickled your funny bone, because
laughing is good for you. Studies show laughter makes
you healthier by boosting your immune system and
reducing stress. Plus, it makes you smarter by
increasing oxygen to your brain. Research indicates
that when teachers use humor in their lessons,
students retain more information and do better on
tests. Laughter also makes you more alert and
creative, because it engages both sides of your
brain.
God wants us to laugh. Our joy should be
contagious. Unfortunately, many people picture
Christians as gloomy folks who always frown and never
laugh. But that's not the picture we get in the
Bible. Jesus had a great sense of humor. He
probably didn't tell any knock-knock jokes, but the
Gospels show he was funny.
In Luke 11, as Jesus teaches about prayer
and giving, he asks the disciples a couple of
questions: "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for
a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if
he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?"
(verses 11-12). Read that again. That's funny! Just
picture your dad handing you a scorpion for
breakfast when you asked for eggs. Jesus could've
easily made his point by saying if earthly fathers
know how to give good gifts to their children,
just imagine the amazing gifts your heavenly
Father will give you if you ask. But he didn't do
that. He used a silly scene to drive home his
message.
Jesus was clever. He made people laugh.
So don't be afraid to laugh - even at church
... just make sure it's at the appropriate
times. [Case For Christ For Kids by Les Strobel]
ILLUSTRATION
After a week of camping, my wife and I
were on our way to pick up five of our grandkids
so they could spend the weekend with us before
we headed home. Our camper had been neat and
quiet all week, but within thirty minutes of the
kids' arrival, everything had changed. There were
clothes, sleeping bags, and backpacks everywhere.
Within the first few mutes, there was also spilled
milk, cookie crumbs on the sofa, and much more.
There was also a lot of love and laughter. My wife
and I went to bed with smiles on our faces and
hearts full of love.
I thought about this and how much it
parallels our Celebrate Recovery group (or most any
Christian group). People come into our group, into our
lives. They're loud, and they make messes. But as
we love them into our family and clean up a few
messes, they learn to laugh, their hurts begin to
heal, they come to know Jesus, and it's all
worthwhile.
The love and laughter we share with
family and friends is all we will take to heaven
with us. Those relationships are the most
important thing of all.
Lord God, thank you for giving us the
ability to laugh even when faced with messy campers
and messy people. It reminds us of what is truly
important. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Psalm 126 - From Tears to Joy.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170913-1001.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
