Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
In part five of this teaching series, we will examine the importance of Divine laughter and supernatural joy. As the world grows darker by the day, the ability to cut through the darkness becomes more important than ever. The best way to deal with such demonic darkness is to allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength.   

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Notice it is the joy of the Lord. It is not your joy or mine – or anyone else’s. It originates in heaven and can only be accessed and enjoyed by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior – and then allowing His joy to be the strength it can and should be. Too many times we allow the devil, who is the god of this age (world system - 2 Corinthians 4:4), to work against us through his puppets to create circumstances that rob us of the Divine rest we’re supposed to enjoy as children of God. If they steal your joy, they will be able to easily steal your Divine rest. Remember that!  
The sower sows the word. And these are they by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones who are sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. Mark 4:14-20. 

From this passage, look at all the different scenarios that cause people to forsake the Word of God. These are demonic attempts to rob you of your joy, and steal the rest that Jesus promised in Matthew 11:28-30. We need to be the people who Jesus describes in the last verse. We want to be good ground for the Word of God. We hear it. We accept it. We bear fruit as a result. Very simple! And when we bear fruit, remember that joy is identified as one of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23. 

This passage in Galatians doesn’t talk about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, even though most translations capitalize the word “spirit”. The Holy Spirit doesn’t need fruit. He’s perfect. We need the fruit. Jesus said He’s the vine, and we’re the branches, and that’s where the fruit grows – on the branches.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
 
Joy is a fruit of the re-created human spirit. It’s a by-product of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That’s why it is the joy of the Lord, and no one else. Sinners as well as saints can have happiness, but only the Christian can experience joy. Why? Because happiness is external – of the flesh. Joy is internal and comes forth from our born-again spirits.  
Laughter is spiritually therapeutic. It is like heavenly balm for our soul! There is no faster way to recover or maintain Divine rest. Let the joy of the Lord be the strength that overcomes any temptation the devil brings against you. And when you rejoice (which is joy overflowing), laughter is one of the ways it will manifest! I’ve experienced this many times, and maybe you have, too. When the joy of the Lord strengthens our soul and calms our flesh, it’s almost impossible to keep from laughing! This is exactly how the Lord designed His joy to work in our lives. 

A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22. 
 
What a tremendous statement! A joyful, merry heart does good like medicine. Think about that! So many Christians have been joyless for so long, if they smiled their cheeks would crack. Not only are they without the joy of the Lord, I guarantee there is no such thing as Divine rest in their lives either. They are some of those described by Jesus in His great teaching on the sower sowing the Word of God. They are believers who allow the devil to rob them of peace, joy, and rest, simply because they never let the joy of the Lord be their strength. A few more thoughts to consider: God’s medicine is free and has no side-effects or overdoses! Prescription medicine can be very expensive, but God’s medicine is 100% free – paid in full by the stripes of Jesus
(1 Peter 2:24). There is no such thing as an evil overdose, or any unintended side-effects either. Not with God’s joy, my friend! It's pure power to heal whatever ails you. There’s no such thing as a joy overdose – and the only “side-effect” is the laughter that lets the world know you’re walking in God’s Divine rest!  
It may be hard for some Christians to imagine God laughing, but the Bible plainly says He does. And since we’re made in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), we can and should, too. I’m not talking about some superficial, giddy expression of shallowness masquerading as joy. No! Joy produces laughter that emanates from deep with our spirit, calming our soul by renewing our mind (Romans 12:1-3). When we realize that God will never leave us or forsake us, joy and laughter should be our natural response to anything from Satan seeking to steal our Divine rest (Romans 8:31-39). 

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces, and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Psalms 2:2-4. 
 
You’ll also find similar statements in Psalms 37:12,13, and
Psalms 59:6-8. Laugh at your enemies, just like God does! He’s not upset, fearful or stressed out when the devil comes along with another plan to steal our Divine rest. He just sits up in heaven and laughs at the devil and his puppets doing his bidding. That’s what we should be doing too.  
Remember, happiness is an external feeling that any saint or sinner can enjoy. But joy is internal, of the spirit, and only the Christian can have it. Many times, in life, believers need to walk by faith, not feelings. Therefore, the Bible tells us to rejoice at all times, not just at certain times. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4.
 
There have been plenty of times in my life when I’ve had to start laughing by faith, as an act of pure choice. I didn’t feel like laughing, and I didn’t feel any joy. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about! It’s a daily discipline we must all develop! Rejoicing by faith is so important, this verse repeats that command twice! 

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15.    

We are told to offer praise to God (another expression of joy) continually. That means there will be times when the feelings to do so aren’t there. We’ll have to do it by faith. Its takes discipline to do that, but it’s well worth the effort! If you’re struggling with depression, sadness, confusion, despair, frustration, or dozens of other feelings you don’t want, it's time to laugh! Laugh at your circumstances. Laugh at the devil. According to 1 Timothy 2:8, lift up those holy hands no matter how you feel, and let the joy of the Lord take you to the place of Divine rest that Jesus promised!  
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THE RADICAL REMNANT
Since the devil’s COVID-19 Fear Virus has made our ministry travels much more difficult, the Lord has enabled me to maximize my time through the writing of more faith-building books. In 2020, we produced DETERMINED FAITH, which is being sold out wherever we make it available. Now for 2021, we have just produced THE RADICAL REMNANT, another book designed to inspire, instruct and exhort the true warriors for Christ Jesus in these last days.

Order your copy today. You can also do what many are doing - ordering additional copies for others they care about. Go online at www.mkmi.org to order, or call our Tucson office to place your order directly.
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