Finding the fun

Want to hear a funny story? I have got a lot of them, and they come from things that happened in my ordinary, everyday life. Now, I was not laughing when those stories were in the making, but I am glad I can laugh about them now.

For example, I did not think it was funny when I could not get my hair to stay in place, but if you could seen what I did about it, you certainly would have laughed. It was not amusing when I tried to make clothes, especially for the people who had to wear them. And I was so irritated when Dave threw paper towels over the grocery store aisle at me, but I realize now, he just knew how to have a little fun no matter what he was doing. I am glad I have learned to look at times like these and see the humor in them.

Now I know that not everything in life is necessarily enjoyable, but I think we all need to learn to have more fun in our lives. And I bet if you took time to think about it every day, you could find a moment that brought you joy or you can laugh about now.

God wants His children to have some fun. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. I think we all need a healthy dose of laughter everyday - many times during the day. You just can not overdose on joy!

I encourage you to deliberately look for something to smile or laugh about every day, and be sure to share a smile or a laugh with someone else and brighten their day too!

Prayer starter: Lord, Your Word says that a cheerful heart is like good medicine. Thank You for helping me to find the joy and fun in life!

**Joyce Meyer

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

《裸婚》

《裸婚》-- 芥末


裸婚的大意是无房无车无存款无婚戒，不办婚礼，直接登记结婚的一种方式。
然而芥末则用裸婚这两个字呈现了另一种意思 :
“我要扒光婚姻所有的光怀和彩色外衣，让它赤裸裸暴露在世人面前。”


到最后，芥末也找到了她的幸福，体验到自然而然寻找的爱情，从新让自己有恋爱的渴望。


幸不幸福由自己决定，一当决定了，就没有后悔的权力。正如芥末在后记说：“重新选择，无非是变换的经历；而任何经历也不过都是些台阶。”也许人生就在于不断地学习，就算真能从新来过，又岂能100八仙肯定已痛改前非、吸取教训，绝对不会再走上冤枉路？

Throwing fear outdoors

I want to talk to you about a four-letter word: FEAR!


Many of us can probably remember when we were kids, if we said a bad word, our mama threatened to wash our mouth out with soap. Well, if "fear" is a dirty, four-letter word, then faith in God's love is the soap!


I am not talking about wimpy faith. I am talking about a powerful faith in God's unconditional, unlimited, unwavering, perfect love for us. 


First John 4:18 teaches that understanding God's love for us will deliver us from our fears. Now this does not mean we would not ever feel fear, but faith in God and His love will enable us to 'do it afraid' if we have to.


God wants you to know that He is with you. He will lead and guide you, so you can put your confidence and faith in Him!


Remember, His love is perfect, even when we are not. He is not going to love us any more or less because of our mistakes. Isn't it good to know that God loves you right where you are? Doesn't that thought just kind of boost your faith and take your fear down a notch?


You and I are going to feel afraid now and then. When we do, we can get our focus back on God and know that He will lead us through any situation we face.


It is the perfect love of God, not perfect us, that casts out fear every single time.


Prayer starter: God, only Your love can cast out my fear, so I put my faith in You. I know that Your presence is with me and that You will lead me through my fearful situation I face. I receive Your love.

**Joyce Meyer

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

The importance of finishing

Several years ago I read a verse that caused me to weep before the Lord. In John 17:4, Jesus says, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." This is saying that following God means finishing what He has called us to do.


Ever since reading that verse, it is become very important to me that I not just do what God has called me to do, but that I finish what He has called me to do.


There are a lot of people who step out and begin a journey with God, but I don not think there are nearly as many who finish it.


The apostle Paul said, '...If only I may finish my course with joy...' (Acts 20:24)


I am determined to finish God's call for me and enjoy every minute of it! That is what I want for you, too, to enjoy every single day of your life and finish what God has called you to do.


But most of this is up to us. It is not all up to God. He has done His part and given us everything we need in Christ. It is up to us to keep learning, growing, and letting the Spirit of God work in us. Take time to consider the things that God has called you to do and ask yourself, "What am I doing today to finish strong what God has set before me?"


God has great plans for you. Receive them by faith and go after them with all your heart. Today, I want you to make a commitment to finish strong. It is a commitment I know God will honor.


Prayer starter: God, like Jesus, I want to be able to say that I have completed the work You have for me. Thank you for working in me to give me the power and the desire to live for Your pleasure and finish my course with joy!

**Joyce Meyer

John 17:4

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Free to be relentless

Relentlessly pursuing God is not necessarily easy, but it is definitely worth it. However, you can't really pursue God until you have first experienced real freedom.


God is in the business of setting us free, and it is glorious to be free from guilt, condemnation, and always wondering what people are thinking of us.


We are set free from the concern of failing when we know who we are in Christ. This brings us the courage to be able to step out and pursue God's promises.


One of the greatest freedoms God has given me is the freedom to be me. For years I tried to be something I was not, feeling like I needed to be like this or like that, all the while knowing I was not like everyone else. Yet, I kept trying to be like others until I learned through my relationship with God who He created me to be. This also set me free from me, so I can focus on Jesus and reaching out to others the way He wants me to.


Philippians 3 says Paul was determined, or relentless, to have the things that Christ Jesus died for, to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I believe when we are born again, there is a spirit of determination that rises within us. We can call it Holy Spirit passion or zeal, and it is what gives us the 'oomph' we need during hard times to say, 'I will not give up on having an intimate, passionate, deep, personal relationship with God. I will not give up on being all that Christ wants me to be.'


Be relentless to stay in faith and receive God's promises. Remember, you belong to Him and He has given you a relentless spirit!


Prayer starter: God, I want to live a new life, relentlessly pursuing You and Your promises. I trust You to help me become all You created me to be and experience true freedom.

**Joyce Meyer

Philippians 3:10

I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death