He was Emphatic, Not Strict

Strictness was never part of Jesus' leadership style. He taught what was right but left people to themselves about their lives and decisions. Even with his disciples. Jesus knew Judas was stealing money from their ministry fund, for instance, but nothing's said about the Lord confronting him about it. Neither did he pluck him out of being treasurer.

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Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. [John 12.6]

The same with Peter's denial. Jesus prophesied and emphasized Peter's retraction but didn't stop him from doing so. Jesus didn't confront or counsel him about it, didn't oppose or forbid him. He left Peter to decide about the matter. Jesus did pray for him, but that was all. He also prophesied about Simon's consequent turning back from failure.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22]

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Holiness and Being Strict

Church people often connect holiness and godliness with strictness. But in the Gospel, only the Pharisees were strict. Jesus wasn't. Emphatic, yes, but never rigid, austere or harsh with standards or rules. He stressed Kingdom truths and standards and demonstrated them in his life for emphasis but never imposed them on people, not even on his disciples. He commended those who adapted but cautioned those who didn't. He didn't "warn" them to scare but to inform about real consequences. 

We would've done it differently. I probably would. We're too strict about the sin and failure of others. We love to keep our "standards" and impose them on others, scare (or shame) those who'd dare defy us. But often, we trash the same "standards" when the issue concerns us or our loved ones or favorites. When James and John were aching about positions (or their moms were), Jesus didn't outright rebuke their greed for power. He merely explained:

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. [Matthew 20.22]

Then he simply told them that real positions in the Kingdom were decided solely by the Father. It's not that Jesus found church politicking okay. I'm sure he didn't. He lambasted Pharisees about their greed for importance and positions. Neither did he find theft or denial light matters. Far from truth. In fact, his policy about sinning brethren is first personal confrontation, then confrontation with witnesses present, and finally church disclosure. He emphasized that:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. [Matthew 18]

 

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Willing Obedience

Did Jesus apply this to Judas and Peter?

I believe (though nowhere verbatim in Scriptures) that Jesus did talk to Judas one-on-one. I'm quite sure Jesus would apply his teaching to himself--to walk the talk. But Judas loved stealing money more than anything else and was also too eager to get his 30 silver pieces quite soon, so Jesus allowed the sellout plan pronto. "Whatever you have to do, do it fast." No more taking other witnesses to confront the offender. Finally, the matter was taken to the church--I mean, we (the church) know all about it today, right?

With Peter, Jesus did stress his looming denial in front of the disciples, and I believe he had also talked about the matter with Peter previously. I can even imagine how Jesus took Peter to the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John (other "witnesses") to possibly talk about this denial, among other things (because Moses and Elijah would later discuss with Jesus about his "departure"). That's how I see it. But the thing here is, do you see how Jesus' leadership was?

He wasn't strict, yet people saw his seriousness about it all. He emphasized his points but not shove them down people's throats. He demonstrated his teachings in real life--his willing obedience to the Father--and invited people to follow suit. But he never strictly forced his teachings or required anything to that effect. This is a powerful leadership and church management Kingdom principle we find in Jesus--something quite the opposite of what we find today in church.

End man's ways, religion and inclination to sin once and for all.

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Today you need to abide by church rules, even manuals and "doctrines" that church denominations formulate to keep order and membership intact, because "order" to them means control. God's Word, however, is already complete and effective as it is, but churches feel they need to sift out portions of it they think are harmful to their belief systems. 😒

Jesus demonstrated how order is through the Word and Holy Spirit alone, along with freewill. The Word or Holy Spirit will not restrict you; they will guide you (in fact, obeying God's Word frees you, not restrict), and if you opt to submit, they will strengthen you to obey God. 

But there is, however, a point where a believer opts for radical surrender to God and his will so that freewill is taken away. Doulos is when you tell God HE owns you completely and enter into this covenant with him. You relinquish all rights or privileges (but actually, it is in doulos you enjoy all favors and freedom).

6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life. [Exodus 21]

This is when God sometimes opts to corner you or give you no choice but to do his will, like how it was useless for Jonah to escape God's will and was forced to end up in Nineveh through a big fish. Doulos covenant can cause big-fish circumstances to swallow you up and give you no choice but end up in God's will. Elijah tried to escape from Jezebel's hand and also quit ministry altogether but an angel "cornered" him gently, as it were, making him go back to where he came from. Jesus told Peter how he would be led to where he didn't want to go [John 21.18]. The psalmist gives us a hint:

You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me. [Psalm 139.5]

Not all believers are in this covenant. Most cling to their freewill and stubbornness to do things their way. But some go up higher with God on his mountain and hear his soft whisper. Nothing dramatic or fancy. Just a gentle revelation about an ultimate surrender--being one flesh with him (as Paul hinted in Ephesians 5)--and enter the covenant. 

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5. 31-32]

Ananias and Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira were free to give any amount to the church, even keep part of the sales of their property for their own. Problem was, they claimed to have given the whole amount of the sales when in fact they didn't. Peter even emphasized that the money was theirs to keep. But they lied to the Holy Spirit. Here's the whole story:

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” [Acts 5]

God isn't strict about giving. He wants us to give what we can and what we have determined to give. He loves a cheerful giver. He doesn't force us. Problem is when people have expectations about our giving or if we desire to be recognized for it. Or if we're in the habit of competing with others out of egotism and make false claims. Then we suffer consequences. But the thing to see here is, there was clear emphasis on giving and freewill. 

The passage seems too strict at first glance. The couple died on the spot due to dishonest giving, and some preachers would give us the impression that we have to give the amount they expect from us. But if we look closer, it's nothing like that. In fact, God wants us to decide what or how much to give, so that "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion." [2 Corinthians 9]. No compulsion. Nothing forced. 

However, there are unscrupulous church people who'd twist the passage and think they can decide in their hearts not to give anything because anyway, there's freewill. 😕 When you're under grace, you should know what to do with your freewill. 

(Grace) teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [Titus 2]

I've seen churches proud of their strictures on tithes and offering. They keep strict records and monitor givers and non-givers, or if giving in church is or isn't enough. Then the pastor preaches accordingly, sometimes capitalizing on the guilt feelings of non-tithers. This is control. It's reliance on man's effort, not the Holy Spirit. Jesus or the apostles never did this. When you control people like that, it's witchcraft. Even with your kids, train them up in the way they should go. It doesn't mean you control and force them to do things. 

Training means to "teach (a person or animal) a particular skill or type of behavior through practice and instruction over a period of time," says Google dictionary. It's primarily teaching, and teaching the way Jesus taught his disciples--through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, not man's ways or efforts or rigid rules.

Submission and Freewill

Keeping order and compliance are never through man's restrictions, rules or control. It's through emphasis (teaching) and freewill. Let the Holy Spirit do His work, and let people be. Pray that they learn to fully submit to the will of the Lord, and that prayer would strike something in the spirit world through the power of God and trigger radical change in people.

It doesn't mean God will force people to change. Instead, God will reveal to them, open their eyes to see the beauty of Jesus and total submission to him. Then they choose to submit. Revelation, and the decision and act of submission, however, are solely through God's grace and mercy.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. 

In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4] 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.

"Nothing Will be Impossible for You"

The disciples saw how Jesus simply rebuked the demon to get rid of it, because they could not. Then he said every believer should easily do this even with seed-size faith. And do more. 

"Nothing will be impossible for you."

Photo by Jill Heyer on Unsplash. 

Nothing will be impossible for you! Do you understand what this means? Because no less than the Lord Jesus Christ declared it, it's permanently established in the spiritual realm. And nothing--not even demons, principalities or church smart Alecks--can change it. It's one thing to say that nothing is impossible to God, but quite another thing to say, nothing is impossible for you.

Two Things About Spiritual Warfare

Fresh from an awesome supernatural experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples Peter, James and John, along with Jesus, were greeted by a crowd around a demon-possessed boy with the rest of the disciples who failed to drive the demon out. I saw the look of disappointment on the disciples' faces. Yup, I was "there" as I meditated that portion of the Gospel. I saw the scene like I was in it.

I know the disciples tried their best to "heal" the kid (demon possession sometimes takes the form of an illness), to no avail. I can imagine how they tried to rebuke it with heavy, high-sounding spiritual words you usually hear in spiritual warfare. Or spoke words with an authoritative, majestic voice. But nothing happened. With disappointment, the boy's dad told Jesus: "I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

The thing is, it's not enough to "try." Jesus never "tried" to do miracles, see if they would work. He performed them. Demonstrated. He showed them how the power of the Kingdom worked. The wrong attitude is to "consider" miracles among other solutions to remedy a situation. If trying miracles doesn't work, then we have Plan B and C ready. This is why miracles never work today--we're never dead serious about them. Miracles are just one of our options, often our last. Then we conclude that miracles are already obsolete because they don't happen anymore.

Another worse thing we do is hear God's Word but do things our own way. This is far from being faith. It was how the disciples probably did it, so Jesus said they were "unbelieving." Believing without putting it to work is unbelief.

Why couldn't the disciples drive the demon out?

“'You unbelieving and perverse generation,' Jesus replied."

 

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Unbelieving

Driving out demons is not through some formula or steps or procedures or words uttered. Or voice tone. Or prayer warriors. Definitely not through denominational titles or degrees. A lot of spiritual warfare seminars teach you methods and formulas as if demons are scared of them. Jesus said it plainly in the Matthew 17 passage--nothing but your faith will make it work. And faith comes only by "hearing" the Word, said Romans 10--not reading or being learned in Sunday school or sermons. 

Real faith comes by hearing God Himself speak his Word in the bible to you. Specifically to you. I heard Jesus say it like this:

"Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes out of the mouth of God." [Matthew 4.4] and...

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. [Matthew16]

About his Word and healing, the bible says:

He sent out his word and healed them. [Psalm 107.21]

God sends out his rhema healing Word from his own mouth. We have to believe it and really do it. And there are dozens of promises in the bible released for our use. We have to meditate them, put them to heart, and really apply them. It's no use learning about miracles just to know how Jesus healed people in the bible. Jesus demonstrated them so we can do them correctly. It all starts with serious meditation.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. [Joshua 1.8]

As you meditate the Word, the experience is that you hear it straight from God's mouth and hear it in your heart. Bible studies, Sunday schools and sermons are good, but they are mere "snacks" compared to the grand, filling "feast" you get from meditating God's rhema (spoken) Word in your quiet times with HIM. This is what feeds your faith to believe God's signs and wonders and miracles. This has been my experience, enabling me to operate in signs and wonders (though the consistency is not yet enough).

Perverse

It's quite clear. If your faith cannot command demons, you are "perverse" or wayward or unyielding (insubmissive), even "villainous" said one dictionary. That's how God sees you, no matter if you're a bible school or seminary graduate or super active in church or in the ministry. Remember, the disciples were with Jesus in person, no less, learning straight from him and active in his ministry. But they were "perverse" because their faith couldn't drive out demons or move mountains.

Yes, they heard Jesus' Word straight from his mouth but failed to combine it with genuine faith--faith that actually applies, demonstrates and performs God's signs and wonders to actual situations. Doing it precisely according to His Word. Faith without doing is dead. It's one thing to know that a medicine works and you can even buy it and have it in your possession. But unless you actually take it, it won't work for you either.

Or if the meds should be taken orally but you use it topically. It won't work. You have to do it as prescribed, not in your own ways or how you see it fit.

Perverse Generation

Yup, the church mostly still belongs to the perverse generation. Most church folks don't know about rebuking demons, much less commanding them out. Most of us cannot even command headaches, colds, cough and fever--or toothache--to leave. Church does not prioritize the supernatural things God has given it, although Jesus has given the hint that God's supernatural is the key to prevent the church from being "perverse."

If you are perverse, then everything about the supernatural becomes impossible to you. But if you're not perverse, Jesus promises that "nothing will be impossible for you." Everything in the supernatural will work for you, 100 percent. Your imagination will be your limit. If you have God's imagination, then "nothing will be impossible for you." It's important, then, for faith to radically grow. And it does not grow except by hearing the Word of God, straight from HIS mouth, and believing and doing it.

It All Starts with Surrendering

All this may sound overwhelming to you. Well, don't let it. God's Word and promises are really very simple. They're about faith, the same as Jesus had. No rituals, membership, sacrifices, hardships, self-punishment or anything like that. No pledge or vow to go to church on Sundays from now on. Just genuinely believe. And part of it is surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. It all starts there.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord. Then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not your good deeds or religion or church), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. In Jesus alone is salvation. 

Jesus is: “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4]

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.

Why the Kingdom is Powerful

Finally, Jesus appeared and introduced the Kingdom. For so long, there had been various speculations about it, especially its coming King and Messiah and the kind of power and authority he'd carry. When he did appear, however, he didn't seem much to reckon with, unlike the powers that be. He looked trivial and weak. He didn't look like a king or messiah.

Photo by Nighthawk Shoots on Unsplash.

But it's precisely why the Kingdom is powerful. Power is made perfect in weakness. You cannot change that. It's a perpetual Kingdom principle. So many go after clout and dominance, be it in politics or church (church mostly is mere politics today), and never see truth that the least is really the greatest. Thus, in his Sermon on the Mount, his first teaching was,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."

Beatitudes 

Jesus first laid out the heart of the Kingdom. If anyone would operate in Kingdom power and authority, he should first have its heart and character. It is imperative to be poor in spirit, mourning (sorrowful about the sorry state of the world), meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker and persecuted for him. Possessing this character (they should be treated as one) makes you salt and light and therefore manifesting the life of Jesus. And His life fulfills the law. 

Then Jesus emphasized the mindset of the Kingdom. After the heart comes the mind. 

1. Relationships
2. Covetousness and adultery
3. Marriage
4. Declarations
5. Treating enemies

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These five sensitive areas are often our pitfalls. If we do not have a clear Kingdom mindset about them, they easily become negative strongholds that spiritually hold us down, often without noticing it. The thing can easily escape our awareness and make us serve the enemy while believing to be "serving" the Lord. It's been happening in church. It's the great deception in these end times. Having the reputation of being alive but actually dead.

Operating in the Kingdom

After the heart and character of the Kingdom are placed firmly in us, we begin to operate in Kingdom power and authority. Because we've become among the least (Kingdom heart and character are designed to empty us of anything desirable to the world) we easily imbibe what it means to move in the Kingdom. Thus, we begin to operate in real power, something the world does not understand or appreciate.

1. Giving to the needy
2. Prayer
3. Fasting

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Jesus especially instructed his disciples to make sure all three above are done in SECRET. This is how genuine Kingdom people operate for the Kingdom. Everything is done solely for the enjoyment of the Father. Then the Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. What kind of reward? Spiritual treasures. Untrained human eyes will not see or appreciate these rewards but the deeply spiritual will. The unspiritual will keep showing off their good deeds and accomplishments in exchange for earthly treasures that will rot and be destroyed and stolen by the enemy. 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Only those with "good eyes" will see this truth and possess generous hearts that bless others incognito. Those with "unhealthy eyes" will not see anything in the Kingdom and possess stinginess that brag about every good deed they do and expect something in return.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy (generous), your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy (stingy), your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 

Two Masters

If you are not disciplined to keep private or secret what you do for the Father but seek to be praised in public, then you serve two masters--God and your ego. Later, you will love one and hate the other, and God often ends up hated in the love triangle. But the Beatitudes are designed to starve the flesh or ego and let it die. It empties us of anything in this world, just as Jesus emptied himself and took the form of a servant. In these last days before Jesus comes back, only God should be glorified. The flesh or ego counts for nothing.

Don't Worry

Modern man's number one worry today is to be left out ignored or be unrecognized or become the least. This is why they all pursue more studies and seminars to secure all the titles they can grab. They want to be updated to please their benefactors and prove their usefulness to them. They all want a measure of success or greatness to be relevant. If they lose relevance or popularity, they fear losing their seats or positions. They fear losing their jobs. 

But only pagans run after these things. From the mouth of Jesus, Kingdom value system says, "Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’" Seek the King, the Kingdom and the King's righteousness, first and last. Don't worry--seek nothing more. 

If you want to be part of God's Kingdom, it all starts with surrendering your life totally to Jesus Christ. See below.

(To be continued)

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Then receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord, then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do, but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.

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Why Some People are Just Too Happy

Count it all joy brethren..

- James 1.2

Happiness comes in various hues and colors. Almost all of them are temporary except one. A lot of happiness happens for fleeting reasons and they're due to outside factors, mostly physical, what we get from the world. So we see "happy" people covering up depression with a smile, laughter or jokes. It's often escape, especially when they cannot face their realities anymore. 

Photo above by Alex Alvarez on Unsplash.

But there's a genuine happiness that springs from deep within. It comes in various forms, too, like baffling happiness, inexplicable laughter, clean jokes, taking things in stride, carefree freedom, seeing funny in everything, staying calm and cool, etc. I see it as glee even in ordinary situations--sometimes, even in adversity. Mostly, it's remaining contented and jocular amid vicissitudes of life. Simply put, it's being light-hearted and amused even in failures.

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A lot of people cannot understand it. You just can't help being happy, taking nothing seriously, though you know what things in life are serious and you tackle them intently as adults should. But you enjoy life in general like a kid. It's just not in you to worry too much or let anything bother you. I believe you're what others see as "cool." A genuinely happy person is cool, although a lot of seemingly cool guys aren't really happy. They feign being cool to cover up their real self.

And genuine happiness is only possible in Jesus Christ. I mean, if Jesus really reigns in your life supreme and nothing or no one else is, then this is the natural result. Sure, it's easy to claim that Jesus is your Lord and he reigns in your life. But if all that is mere talk or religious slogan (a churchy catch-phrase), it will not manifest naturally in your life. You'd pretend to be happy and artificially and consciously wear a smile. The kind people wear when posing for a selfie or cam shot to appear happy.

Fake Happiness

And often, feigned happiness is not comfortable alone. It needs the company of other people, without which happiness is impossible. So they want company or "fellowship" all the time because they can't stand loneliness in isolation. Fellowship is vital, but it's more important to be happy and strong even when alone--that is, alone with GOD. I believe this is among things GOD wanted done in this pandemic and lockdowns--that we learn to prioritize being alone with HIM than the so-called "fellowship" in church which is often a mere escape from loneliness or boredom.

And church makes us feel important and noticed, so our ego craves that attention and keeps going back there and become active and appreciated. But no real close encounter with the Lord--because if you do, God's Presence is so addicting. You'd keep looking for it and preferring it to other things. You'd want nothing more than be with HIM in silence, listening at his feet and talking casually with HIM. 

"Happiness" without craving for God's Presence is a lie. It's fake news. You can pretend but deep inside you're not. Or, your happiness is hinged on temporal conditions--good company of friends, new clothes, pay day, Shopee or Lazada, job promotion, career take-off, financial breakthrough, or even church. I've heard someone say you're going to be weak if you miss church on Sunday. Nope. If you do, your happiness is skin-deep. True strength and happiness comes from the Holy Spirit, spending time with the Lord and His Word.

Happy Alone

Imagine Daniel alone in the lion's den without fellowship with other believers or what we call "church." But he never grew weak in faith. In fact, his spiritual gift was intact. And there's Joseph being in prison for two years and having convicts as his companions. No fellowship of believers there. And yet Joseph came out with strong faith and a powerful spiritual gift.

This is why even a lot of church people are overstressed or pressured and take maintenance medicines to help them feel healthy or normal. Some even need sedatives, tranquilizers or calming drugs. Without genuine happiness, you'd be sick because its absence creates a lot of destructive cells or free radicals inside your body. They're harmful to your health and produce all sorts of illnesses. But the happiness or joy Jesus gives makes you rest in God and puts an "easy yoke" on you instead. Yeah, you have troubles but you can afford to be genuinely happy through it all. In fact he says:

"In this world you will have trouble. But cheer up (or be happy)! I have overcome the world.”

Be genuinely happy! Without effort or trying to, you are naturally in a happy mood all the time, even in sorrows. But it's not sorrows caused by sin, mind you. It's sorrows as Jesus had them. Joy in sorrows? Yup, nothing is impossible with God. But it doesn't mean you keep laughing out loud while in emotional pain. When Jesus agonized in the garden of Gethsemane, I strongly believe he was happy deep within because he knew well his suffering and death would mean our salvation. He was never sad about the fact. His sorrow was about going through the ordeal, and that's normal. 

Without meaning to, I sometimes find something funny in my sad moments, and I even laugh out loud in my loneliness. It's because (like what Sarah felt) God gives me laughter. When in company with people and it's a solemn occasion, of course I just laugh in my mind. It's part of a cheerful heart. Cheer is far from just feeling okay or smiling. It means animated or energized happiness. It's a "continual feast," says the bible. It's not just a good meal or snack, it's a continuous feast. And not enjoying this may mean spiritual oppression by the enemy.

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. [Proverbs 15.15]

Mundane Happiness

But temporal or mundane happiness is always short-lived and dependent on circumstances that tickle the ego. Like winning in gambling, getting FB likes or Youtube subscribers, hitting sales targets if you're in sales, things like that. Or even having more income for your church, if you're a minister. These are temporal. This is not the happiness Jesus meant when he said, "Cheer up, I have overcome the world." Mundane cheer is the happiness that material possession or earthly success allows people who have not known Christ in a deep way and which only makes them depressed or anxious eventually.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. [Proverbs 14.13]

Thus, the real secret to genuine happiness is a surrendered life to Jesus Christ. He offers a drink that becomes a "spring of water welling up to eternal life," and that also means eternal happiness inside of you that naturally manifests without effort. It starts with a Jesus meet-up, meeting Jesus in person, in the spirit.

Surrendering to Jesus 

Ask forgiveness and repent of your sins. Believe God's forgiveness. It is promised in the bible. Then receive Jesus Christ into your heart as your sole Savior and Lord, then be assured of heaven, not because of anything you have or do (not because of your good deeds or religion), but because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ. 

Surrender to Him by intently studying the bible daily (ask guidance from the Holy Spirit) and applying in life everything you learn. And then pray that God lead you to the right person who'd disciple you, one who is totally surrendered to Jesus and living His words in the bible.