TOPIC: THE POWER OF A MERRY HEART
A merry heart’ refers to a cheerful, joyful, lively, bubbly, high-spirited and contented state of mind. This concept often emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and finding joy in life despite challenges or difficulties.
It is not enough to say I will not die, the punch in the statement is the power of a merry heart.
These are what some among us want to achieve through drug inducement which is freely given to you by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.
At some point, a lot of people who were baptized in the Holy Ghost were baptized with laughter.
The word of God is prescribed medicine with power to cure and prevent all diseases, forestall the power of the enemy and keep the inward parts ignited for God.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Prov 17:22 (KJV)
“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” (MSG)
Prov. 17:22 (TPT)A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression.
What a powerful statement! Merriment is like medicine to our bodies, and a broken spirit is just the opposite
Most children of God do not realize the benefits of dwelling regularly in the word of God.
The hallmark of longevity is in the center of the heart.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Prov 4:23(NIV)Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
We can steer our hearts toward happiness or sadness by the things we focus on. Proverbs 4:23(KJV) says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Song: I have a joy like a river, joy like a river, joy like a river in my soul (2x)
There is a difference between joy and happiness, – Joy – “is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness. Joy is permanent. Joy is from God . We have joy even in our suffering.
While in happiness, You can have joy and be happy, but you can’t really be happy without joy. It’s easy to be happy when you have freedom from suffering, you’re financially secured, and all your relationships are good, but then if you have trouble with one or more of these, what happens to the “happiness?” It’s probably gone .
A merry heart is a spiritual wave that captivates your total personality in a second.
The atmosphere around brightens in a second. Faith enters and you begin to do things which you could not do before because faith cannot coexist with discouragement
Proverbs 15:13 – “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
You are happy this moment and all of a sudden you become sorrowful, angry, sad and upset about everything.
Do not continue to justify your sorrows or circumstances why you need to be angry or unhappy.
Repent if you want to live long. Give up sorrow, anger, unforgiveness, worry, anxiety and fear of the unknown
Proverbs 15:15 (MSG) “A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.”
you remember all the Lord has done for you, you will have a revelation of His peace and salvation.
A merry heart rebuffs every miserable attack of the enemy.
This is the panacea for all manner of ailment – Proverbs 18:1 says, “A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?”
We all know people who struggle with sickness and weakness, yet when you go to see them, they cheer you up.
A merry heart is a life of faith – Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT) “ Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
A merry heart is not a product of the abundance you have. It is a life of the Spirit of God.
It may surprise you that God is attracted by a merry heart to perform miracle and healing than a crushed heart.
There is no relationship between darkness and light so also there is no relationship between the Spirit of the living God and crushed spirit of satan.
You must make yourself happy whether you like it or not.
Ps. 5:11 (KJV) “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
God will see you through in this situation.
Ps 5:11(TLB) But make everyone rejoice who puts his trust in you. Keep them shouting for joy because you are defending them. Fill all who love you with your happiness.
Let’s stop the murmuring, anxiety, anger, fear etc.
It is a determination in the midst of adversity.
Isa. 61:10 (KJV) “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
We have sought for many ways to be healed and delivered from our heavy burden.
We have failed to answer the invitation from our Lord – Matt 11:28-30 “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I know to some, merry heart, joyful heart and happiness are strange to their life because they worry about everything and become infectious with worry.
Are you a champion in worrying?
Phil 4:6-7 (TLB) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
Matt 6:25-34 (NLT) “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
This is something you do by faith even from the point where you are now.
1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) “ Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
John 16:33(NKJV)33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Rejoice in the Lord, not sometimes, whether the going is smooth or rough.
Phil 4:4-5 “ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
1 Thess 5:16-17 (NLT) 16 Always be joyful.
Paul prayed in Rom 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”