Enemy of Joy: Being Easily Offended

Week 5 - Day 33

Joy cannot properly co-exist in a life that is offended. If we dwell on the past hurts, we empower the devil to steal our joy. We will be weighed down with "spirits of heaviness" that will create feelings of anger, self-pity, criticism and unforgiveness.

Being offended means we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. All of us will experience things like these. It is important to realize though that the mistreatment itself does not cause offense, but we choose to be offended. Joy cannot survive in an atmosphere where offense is prevalent.

Joy and forgiveness walk hand in hand. Wherever you find people with great joy, you will find great forgiveness in their lives (that is rooted in the revelation that they have been forgiven much by G*d and others). We forgive not only because it is the right thing to do, but it is also a great weapon for releasing an "open heaven" over those being forgiven and over our own lives (consider Jesus on the cross and Stephen in Acts 7 - and read John 20:23).

How can we become "unoffendable"? Here are five suggestions:

1. Realize that we offend others and need forgiveness too.
2. Understand that overcoming the tendency of being offended is necessary for maturity and effective ministry.
3. Realize that our response to a situation is almost always more important than the situation itself.
4. Increase rejoicing when offense tries to control you.
5. Get personal ministry to resolve deep hurts.

There is one more step to take in overcoming this sin of offense and bitterness. It's this: do a great work for G*d. Nehemiah, in response to his enemies' request to meet with him in the Valley of Ono, said, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:1-3). Those who focus on a big vision aren't even aware of many of the wrongs done to them, and these "history makers" know that being easily offended causes a "going down" from the high place of G*d's purpose.

Let's purpose to rejoice always and forgive easily. As we do, G*d will strengthen us in amazing ways.

Declaration: I am doing a great work in G*d. I am not easily offended. I walk in radical forgiveness. My joy helps insulate me from offense. (WOW!)

The Discipline of Joy & Laughter

Week 5 - Day 32

There are many important disciplines to develop in life. It is the wise person who establishes regular non-negotiable "customs" like Daniel (see Daniel 6:10). The quality of our life is impacted greatly by the development of consistency in areas such as time with G*d. Bible reading, fellowship, positive declaration, thankfulness, etc. If we proactively put these in our schedule, we will set ourselves up for success in our Christian life.

One non-negotiable custom that is often overlooked is joy and laughter. "A merry heart is good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). We've already acknowledged that "Dr. G*d" has give us a wonderful prescription for health and longevity. Now it is up to us to find a way to consistently make this happen in our lives (and not just wait for special moments to develop on their own).

Laughter clubs are appearing all over the world. (Do an Internet search on this and you will be amazed at what you find.) There are many people who participate in a laughter group one or more times a week. Even though we many not be able to join such a group, there are many ways we can increase joy and laughter. Here are some suggestions:

1. Watch humorous, but clean, video presentation. (If you have children you could sit down and watch one of their shows, if you like stand up comedy try: http://www.bananascomedy.com/ , if you are married or engaged try: http://www.laughyourway.com/ )**
2. Become a student of animals. They are funny. (America's Funniest Home videos abcfamily)
3. Get CD's of people laughing uncontrollably (Anyone who has conference/session cd's of people being filled with the "new wine" of the Holy Spirit and laughing that could lend it to you is pretty funny & contagious.)**
4. Create a regular joy prayer meeting where you laugh at the lies of the devil (Psalm 2:1-4) (We did this at Seymour Harvest, wow it was so freeing and we were all filled with joy.)**
5. Find Christian friends to have special joy times of stirring up joy, child likeness and hilarity. (Ex. Begin praying the scriptures that speak of joy. Lay hands on one another and ask the L*rd to pour out joy and manifest His joy in them. Watch the awesomeness of G*d's joy fill them up!)**
6. Look in the mirror and tell yourself this: Don't take yourself so seriously, then laugh. (Even David Hogan is a pretty joyful/jolly fellow: http://www.freedom-ministries.us/ & he's pretty serious.)**
7. Give expression to your "inner laugh." Don't just laugh on the inside. (My inner laugh is hilarious! The Holy Spirit really brought that out of me a few years ago. When you hear it, it becomes contagious to laugh...LOL)**

Laughter is like a muscle. If we have not laughed much in recent times, it may take a while to get strong in this area. Don't be discouraged. Just set your compass toward increased chuckling.

(Last night I did something dumb. I snuck up on one of the cats in the house and when I touched him quickly he scatted and in the process his hind claws caught my big toe. It was a mess but the whole time I was laughing. Even though it hurt I still laughed because I knew what I did was a dumb mistake and at the same time his reaction was hilarious.)**

Declaration: I have the discipline of joy and laughter. It is one of my non-negotiable customs and disciplines.

**Quotes in lavender are from Leslie.

Rejoice in the L*rd Always

Week 5 - Day 31

"Rejoice in the L*rd always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The L*rd is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to G*d' and the peace of G*d, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).

Paul is writing to the Philippians from jail. One of the main themes of the New Testament book is joy. He emphasizes this when he says, "Rejoice in the L*rd always." He not only says it once; but he repeats it, just in case we somehow overlook its significance.

This command is in three parts. First, we are to rejoice. This means to be glad and take delight. Secondly, we are to rejoice in the L*rd. We are not to just think positively, but we are to "rejoice" by exulting in the various aspects of our L*rd's nature and promises concerning what we are tempted to worry about. Lastly, we are to rejoice always. It is to be a continual expression of our lives (not just something we do in church or when we feel like it.) Remember, this is not a suggestion, but it's a command. That we may depress some, but it excites me because G*d never commands us to something He has not already empowered us to be able to perform. Yipee! Now that is something to rejoice about!

There is one more thing to see here before we close. The verses that follow "rejoice in the L*rd always" tell us to absolutely and totally reject worry. We are to empty ourselves of this crippler in our lives. This will occur as we have a revelation of truth to replace the worry with prayer, thanksgiving and rejoicing in the L*rd. Thankful rejoicing is truly a key for a powerful prayer life and to walking in deep peace and joy.

Declaration: i am learning how to rejoice in the L*rd always. I continually turn my heart towards His goodness, love and promises. I verbalize praise, thanksgiving and adoration of Jesus. I don't wait for circumstances to change before rejoicing, but my rejoicing changes circumstances.

For the Joy Set Before Him

Week 5 - Day 30

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of G*d" (Hebrews 12:2).

One of the ways to possess and keep joy is to be able to "see through" the challenges of life and focus on the joy that is set before us. There are two specific joys that we can fix our gaze upon that will propel greater joy now.

First, we can focus on the joy of our heavenly reward. We are saved by faith (not our goodness); but we can "lay up treasure in heaven" (Matthew 6:20) that will have benefits now and for eternity. Some Christians are too earthly minded to be any heavenly good. (I hope my corny humor caused a chuckle or two.) Listen , our journey here on earth is but a moment in our eternal life as Christians. What we believe and do in Jesus' name will lay a good foundation for this life and the life to come. This realization can bring a joyous perspective to our time here on earth.

Secondly, we understand that vision for the future brings strength and joy for the present. Consider an athlete who has an ambition to achieve a great goal. This dream (future joy) causes an increase in enthusiasm to overcome challenges and in establishing consistency in daily "life-launching" habits. Where there is no vision for the future, there can be little power or joy for the present.

Jesus endured the ultimate negative circumstance (the cross) by focusing on the joy that was set before Him. He has set an example for us. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. He will help us walk in joy-filled faith by causing us to keep our eyes on the greater joy ahead.

(Inter-Leslie: I wanted to add here that yes the L-rd through the Holy Spirit will help us walk in joy-filled faith, however we must ask for it on a daily basis. We are given according to our faith and the Holy Spirit will pour out as much as we contend for it. So if we want our eyes to continue to stay focused on the greater joy ahead (higher vision) we must ask for it. In your personal prayer time for your own inner man you have to contend. James 4 says "you have not because you do not ask for it." Jesus says in Matthew that if you "ask you will receive, if you seek you will find, and if you knock the door will be opened for you." It's a heart connect that G*d wants with us and He will purposely hold these things for you until you ask for them. ASK for the fullness of joy and fullness of His perfect will, His ways, and His purposes for your life today and everyday. When you read the declaration do you just read it or do you DECLARE it over yourself with a loud voice? The same in your prayer time don't just think it say it! It doesn't matter how fancy or anointed or how well you say it just simply say it and it will be done for you in Jesus name. When you read the declarations READ them OUT LOUD and speak that joy-life into your spirit and daily life.)

Declaration: I am empowered to face my present with faith because I have a great joy set before me. This future joy causes me to persevere through tough times with joy now. I am a person with great vision for this life. i also rejoice as I consider heaven and it's reward.

All Joy and Peace in Believing

Week 5 - Day 29

"Now may the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). This is one of my favorite Bible verses. It's reference to hope is foundational for those who are on the "joy journey." Remember, hope is the "confident, optimistic expectation that good is coming." It is the "soil" that faith and joy must have their roots in.

Paul prays that the Roman people will be "filled" with ALL joy. Concerning this joy let me ask you: is joy an emotion or a substance? It s an emotion, but it is primarily a substance - something that can be imparted and something that we can defeat the enemy with. The apostle prayed that we would be filled with it. This would seem to indicate that we could also be empty of it, half-filled or have other levels of joy. Is there a kind of "spiritual dip stick" that measures our joy level? I wonder.

What strikes me more though in this verse is the phrase "in believing." It says, "now may the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." Our joy and other emotions result mostly from what we believe. This verse implies that believing our G*d is the G*d of hope is a key to experiencing joy and peace. This hope is based on the finished work of Christ, His love, His goodness and His promises. As we replace the lies of the devil with truth (John 8:31, 32), we will see a corresponding increase in our joy level. We will indeed be filled with all joy.

Romans 15:13 starts with the word now. It does not say tomorrow, or next week or next year. It says NOW! It does not give us the idea that we will be filled when our circumstances change. No, it says, "believe now and you will be filled." Let's receive a filling of joy and peace by faith right now.

Declaration: (OUT LOUD!) The G*d of hope is continually filling with joy. I am a believing believer who believes in His goodness and promises. I am being filled more and more as a result. Right now I choose to walk in an abounding hope that will ignite my joy like never before.

Going Deeper Into Joy & Review Day 27/28

"True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." -Helen Keller

Health Benefits of Laughter:

The Science of Laughter Discovery Health website reports that when we laugh, natural killer cells that destroy tumors and viruses increase in our bodies. Also increasing are Gamma-inter-feron (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells (important for our immune system) and B-cells (which make disease-fighting antibodies). This website also states that laughter lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen in the blood, which promotes health and healing.

"Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The L*rd be magnified!'" (Psalm 30:16)

Let's Review What We've Learned

• Read or Review each of the week's five devotionals.
• Read out loud each of the five declarations at the end of the devotionals.

Questions

• Which of the five devotionals spoke to you in the greatest way? Why?
• What one sentence from the five devotionals stood out to you the most? Why did this speak to you?
• How did you do with last week's steps to increase your strength through joy?
• What two or three steps can you take this week to move forward in strengthening your life through joy?

From Leslie -- "Really and deeply meditate on the questions and let them catapult you into what the Holy Spirit has been showing you and speaking to you about joy over the last week."

Enemy of Joy: Excessive Introspection

Week 4 - Day 26

Here is a truth to remember: negative, excessive introspection leads to discouragement and ultimately to depression. When we constantly try to find out what is wrong with us, we will be on a journey that leads to the Christian wilderness. Certainly , we cannot be in denial about negative tendencies in our lives, but the way to overcome these is not by continual self-analysis. This kind of introspection can be a major enemy of joy for our lives.

Excessive introspection is the detailed, mental self-examination of feelings, thoughts and motives. It is the fruit of the works of the law and performance Christianity. The book of Galatians repudiates this as not only unbiblical, but completely counterproductive (Gal. 5: 1-6). Listen to what Paul says. "O foolish Galatians! ...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ...Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1-5). Introspection and works are not the keys to miracles, Christian maturity or the supply of the Spirit. It is the "hearing of faith."

Paul adds in chapter five, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). We are told to activate the positive ("walk in the Spirit") and then the negative ("lust of the flesh") won't happen. The key of getting rid of darkness is to turn the light on, not to continually analyze the various aspects of the darkness.

In conclusion, it is important to deal with our weaknesses primarily by growing in faith and filling our lives with the thins of the Spirit. Certainly, we need accountability and responsibility for these weaknesses, but this must be done as part of a bigger plan that primarily includes "mega doses" of G*d's Word and Spirit. Excessive introspection won't help this plan, so stay away from it.

Declaration: I reject excessive, negative introspection as a means to Christian maturity. I walk in the Spirit and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh . The "hearing of faith" is alive in me and causes me to mature, have an increasing supply of the Spirit and have miracles work through me.