The MIRTHFUL warrior

 Ecclesiastes 7:29

King James Version

29 Lo, this only have I found, 

that God hath made man upright; 

but they have sought out many inventions.

Is there such a thing?

A mirthful warrior?

Aren't those incongruous?

Aren't warriors supposed to be serious?

Aren't they supposed to have long faces?

Depends WHICH war the warrior fights.

Depends WHICH lord the warrior serves.

You can only smile, if you serve a worthy purpose.

You can only laugh, if you serve a worthy lord.

You can only be jubilant, if you serve the TRUE winner.

"Mirthful" simply means:

adjective

joyous; cheerful; jolly; merry:

a mirthful laugh.

providing mirth; amusing:

a mirthful experience.

-- Dictionary

We are, indeed, funny folks.

We worry about what we shouldn't worry about.

We focus on things, that are not worth focusing on.

We let our energies leak in so many places.

And we wonder why there is inner, and outer, strife.

We're doing it to ourselves.

SPIRIT planted an "idea" in my head yesterday morning.

He imprinted upon my mind the words:

"Oh, humanity!

How useless your preoccupations are!"

First, I laughed.

And then I began to feel all that "motherly" love for people.

Seeing how asleep, and unaware, most people are.

I've always known what their "preoccupations" were.

I'm forever amazed at what people think they should be, do, or have.

It's always posturing, positioning, "image" consciousness.

What a tiring way to live!

I simply couldn't buy into it.

Most want the same things:

Face, fame, form, friends, and fortune.

Power, prestige, and possessions.

Houses, hot tubs, and Hummers.

Cars, clothes, and collectibles.

Gadgets, glory, and games.

Sale, stuff, shares.

Are these really necessary to have a good life?

Are these essential to have a fun life?

Do these assure you of happiness?

Do these last?

Seems they've forgotten the more important things.

The ONLY things that are FOREVER:

F for FAITH.

P for PEACE.

H for HOLY SPIRIT.

C for CHRIST.

G for GOD.

S for SCRIPTURE.

FAITH keeps you going.

PEACE can only come from CHRIST.

The HOLY SPIRIT teaches us about JESUS.

GOD loves you enough to sacrifice His Son.

CHRIST saved us from our sins.

SCRIPTURE is GOD's WORD.

Before I got to this point of being a mirthful warrior, there were OCEANS of tears.

You won't believe how I nearly drowned in my own tears.

That always happens when one is awakened by SPIRIT.

And you realize the things you've done wrong.

How you've hurt others.

How you've defied GOD's laws.

Mostly, due to ignorance.

Then yesterday, I began to laugh.

I mean, really laugh.

At how foolish we all are.

At how foolish we all have been.

How our useless preoccupations cause us great unhappiness.

How it causes everyone discontent.

How it divides all of us.

How it's all so unnecessary.

That's what made me laugh the hardest.

That unnecessary suffering could have been prevented.

If only we knew better.

Through Scripture.

Your neighbor has a new car, you get jealous.

Your officemate was promoted, you get jealous.

You can't buy that new gadget, you get mad.

You don't get noticed as you would want to, you try to be prettier.

You are not as popular as your sister, you get depressed.

You are not invited to prestigious events, you mope.

You think you have to have that corner office.

You think you need to make a fortune.

You think you need this title, or position.

You covet your neighbor's land.

All  "useless preoccupations".

All soulless preoccupations.

At what price, all these?

There's a "mansion" waiting for believers.

JESUS told us so:

John 14:2

King James Version

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you.

Believers have a different "citizenship":

Philippians 3:20-21

Christian Standard Bible

20 Our citizenship is in heaven, 

and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, 

the Lord Jesus Christ. 

21 He will transform the body of our humble condition 

into the likeness of his glorious body, 

by the power that enables him 

to subject everything to himself.

We must realize all worldly things won't last.

Only GOD's WORD does.

That's the reason for my mirth.

I honestly know what matters most.

And I delight in it, every single day.

As warrior, I fight for it, all the time.

Slashing at the lies, everywhere I could find it.

Making no room for fear, hatred, or doubt.

Thus, the many blogs giving GOD glory.

Only GOD deserves glory anyway.

Our little selves don't.

Happiness is waiting for you.

If only you'd turn to JESUS.

Turn to JESUS now.

Related material:

In JESUS, we have EVERYTHING

The ONLY THING that will REMAIN

CITIZENSHIP in HEAVEN

GOD's LOVE

GOD's TRUTH

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics

SPIRIT and Spurgeon

 Proverbs 2:6

King James Version

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom:

 out of his mouth cometh 

knowledge and understanding.

There is a wonderful minister of GOD.

Who knows how to deliver the gospel.

With precision, warmth, and humor.

Charles Spurgeon is such a minister.

A true poet.

Thanks to the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD in him.

His wit knows no bounds.

And yet, gets the gospel across effectively.

And powerfully.

Still, others may take offense for he zeroes in on sin.

Uncompromisingly.

Unless you are born again, you will be offended.

Witness what he says about sinners:

"They have read the Bible 

and every chapter has thundered 

at them."

That really made me laugh.

A born again has no sense of self.

We have no more self to protect.

No ego to hold on to.

We know GOD's law.

We grieve over our sins.

We've asked forgiveness over our sins.

We've turned to JESUS for our SALVATION.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, whereby we must be saved.

And yet we have the capability to laugh at ourselves.

Actually, we are mortified, too.

For we've all gone through the process of unbelief.

Before a person comes to the knowledge of CHRIST, he is all these:

Hard-hearted, thick-skulled, blind, deaf, dumb, stubborn, and ignorant.

But all that foolishness ended, the day GOD made us born again.

And SPIRIT started teaching us about Scripture.

There was no more excuse to sin.

Or to remain ignorant.

Or to keep sinning.

Or to hold on to sin.

We've run out of lame excuses to stay away from GOD.

His WORD made sure we stayed on track.

There could be no more habitation for sin.

No room for sin to roost, or fester in.

No delight in iniquity.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

It's a lovely thing being born again.

You don't mind if the Bible thunders at us.

Or if we hear GOD's voice, which is likened to this.

Our heart welcomes ALL correction from the LORD.

We greatly FEAR the LORD, for His wrath.

But we are also tickled by His quirky ways.

And we marvel at how much JESUS loves us all:

Revelation 3:19-21

King James Version

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: 

be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: 

if any man hear my voice, and open the door, 

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, 

and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh 

will I grant to sit with me in my throne, 

even as I also overcame, 

and am set down with my Father 

in his throne.

In JESUS, is our PEACE.

Philippians 4:6-7

King James Version

6 Be careful for nothing; 

but in every thing by prayer 

and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus.

Thank GOD, for ministers like Spurgeon.

Who, through JESUS, has the spirit of boldness, and creativity.

Now we have the urge, to purge ourselves.

From debilitating sin.

Related material:

The LORD's invitation

PEACE through JESUS

Sin AWARENESS

SOUL-saving WORD

BORN AGAIN articles

Related video:

The Rough Hewer (Hosea 6:4,5) - C.H. Spurgeon Sermon

Ambassadress of GOD's WILL

 

2 Corinthians 5:20

King James Version

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, 

as though God did beseech you by us: 

we pray you in Christ's stead, 

be ye reconciled to God.

Funny, funny SPIRIT.

You know that phrase, "ambassador of goodwill"?

Well, SPIRIT planted an idea in my mind this morning.

He used the words, "ambassadress of GOD's WILL".

And I realized that's what I had been doing all along.

Talking about GOD's will.

To anyone, or everyone, who would listen.

Reminding everyone to pray to know GOD's will.

Because that's man's sticking point -- GOD's will.

It's difficult for many to bend to GOD's will.

Many don't even know what GOD's will is.

But the born again knows.

Scripture told us.

The GOD's WILL idea was cemented completely, and forever, when SPIRIT and I wrote, "WHAT makes GOD answer a PRAYER?" nearly two years ago.

SPIRIT led me to this exact verse, which revealed EVERYTHING I needed to know:

1 John 5:14

King James Version

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, 

that, if we ask any thing according to his will, 

he heareth us:

It's always about GOD's will.

Man can demand things, but if it's not GOD's will, he won't receive what he wants.

That's probably the hardest lesson man needs to know.

And that's when he gets all angry at GOD.

Or doubts He even exists.

GOD knows what He's doing.

Who are we to question His ways?

It's very sweet, and yet humbling, to know we need that.

And in this materialistic, Satanic, and demanding world, you have to be strong, sure, and steady, reminding everyone to know GOD's will.

Another set of verses actually complement that verse.

JESUS declared:

Matthew 6:7-8

King James Version

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard 

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth 

what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

GOD knows what we need.

He knows what we want.

We don't have to scream, holler, or shout.

We don't need to bug Him constantly.

GOD cannot be bullied.

Perish the thought, dears.

He knows what's good for us.

He predestined us for something.

And it's your job to find out what that is.

PRAY to know.

That's why, these days, when I pray for myself, or for others, I always just pray that "GOD's WILL be done".

I would have no idea what GOD's will is for you.

I cannot even begin to guess.

It's between you, and GOD alone.

It's a SACRED thing between you, and GOD.

No one must interfere with His plans for you.

Only GOD knows the circumstances of our life.

He knows EVERYTHING about you.

We must trust Him.

We must have faith.

We must believe in JESUS.

We must surrender our will completely to His.

We must listen to SPIRIT.

It's really pretty easy, once you belong to GOD.

You would not want to be without the LORD.

You will rely on His will, each and every moment.

You will delight in following His will.

And that pleases the LORD.

The world is the way it is today because man does not know GOD.

Or if he does, he doubts.

He questions GOD's will.

He doesn't have the grace to accept it.

Only by being born again, can we understand obedience.

And that pleases the LORD the most!

It's what JESUS taught us.

John 6:38

King James Version

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me.

So, that's my heart's song today.

Relishing the idea I am an "ambassadress of GOD's WILL".

Doing the work GOD predestined me to do.

Knowing I am on the right path.

Thank you, dear SPIRIT!

You sure know my heart!

Related material:

GOD's WILL

GOD's WAYS

GOD's WISDOM

The HOLY SPIRIT

BORN AGAIN articles

Image: Clipart Library

HAPPY s.a.d.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:4

King James Version

4 A time to weep, 

and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, 

and a time to dance;

Why "HAPPY s.a.d"?

Are we referring to SAD -- "seasonal affective disorder"?

Or perhaps, we meant something else?

For this article, "s.a.d." stands for "singers and dancers".

We look into some dancers from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood.

Who danced "happy", but actually had sad, troubled lives.

No matter the pain in their lives, they continued to perform.

Had they been born again, they would have lived differently.

Nevertheless, they left us a legacy of their dance, and music skills.

Which comes from GOD anyway.

Most surprising of all, was how Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth danced.

I knew Astaire was a superb dancer.

And I was familiar with the sultry Hayworth.

But their pairing was the most unusual, natural, and vibrant of all.

They looked like a couple of kids just playin' and dancin'.

Unlike other Astaire pairings, which were more formal.

Rita showed there was a happy "child" in her.

Which was fun, gay, free, and childlike.

You can see what I mean from these videos:

Rita Hayworth & Fred Astaire: So Near and Yet So Far

Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Xavier Cugat, Bailando Nace El Amor (1942)

Other fun examples can be found with Charlie Chaplin:

Charlie Chaplin - dancing scene from The Count (1916)

Charlie Chaplin - Nightclub Scene (City Lights)

Let's not forget Gene Kelly's amazing performances:

Singin' in the Rain (Full Song/Dance - '52) - Gene Kelly - Musical Romantic Comedies - 1950s Movies

Singin' in the Rain | Good Mornin' | Warner Bros. Entertainment

Now, for some contemporary dance:

On Happy Feet's itchy feet:

Happy feet- Dance Daddy with your boy

Happy Feet - Dance with Mumble

Happy Feet (10/10) Movie CLIP - Dancing for the Aliens (2006) HD

If penguins can dance, so can galaxy defenders, and "aliens":

Will Smith - Men In Black (Video Version)

As born again, I appreciate dance and music differently.

This time, it's much more fun, and delightful.

All because GOD's SPIRIT is in me now.

He put a childlike spirit in me.

I have a "clown" in my heart.

That's the kind of dance class I'll "conduct".

Nothing formal, studied, or structured.

Nothing vain, or self-absorbed.

But creative, ingenious, and fun.

It's gotta be childlike.

Pure joy, and play.

That you don't even realize you're dancing.

And everyone's having a really great time.

Not thinking if your moves are right.

Or if you measure up.

Or if you're being watched.

Or seen.

No such thing in our dance "classes".

You move, as the SPIRIT of GOD moves you.

For it will always be the right move.

At the moment, it's my writing that dances.

All for GOD's GLORY.

As everything will be.

Related material:

The SONG in your HEART

SPIRIT in us

LYRICS for "Begin the Beguine"

GIFTS from GOD

Related music:

(Imagine dancing to these)

Artie Shaw - Beguin The Beguine ( Cole Porter )

"Where Or When" (Official Video) - Peggy Lee

"Almost Like Being In Love" from Brigadoon

Tequila

Artie Shaw & His Orchestra - The Chronological Classics: 1939 (1998)

Image: Clipart Library

Uplifting PRAISE verses

 

Deuteronomy 6:5

King James Version

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thine heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy might.

How do we love Thee?

Let us count the ways.

In Thee is goodness, and wisdom.

In Thee is love, peace, joy, and truth.

In Thee is magnificence.

And in us, is a simple, childlike heart.

Grateful for everything.

Let us, therefore, praise the LORD GOD:

Psalm 9:1-2

King James Version

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; 

I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: 

I will sing praise to thy name, 

O thou most High.

Psalm 28:7

King James Version

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; 

my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: 

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; 

and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 34:1-3

King James Version

34 I will bless the Lord at all times: 

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: 

the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, 

and let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 63:3-4

King James Version

3 Because thy lovingkindness 

is better than life, 

my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: 

I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Psalm 63:5-7

King James Version

5 My soul shall be satisfied 

as with marrow and fatness; 

and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

6 When I remember thee upon my bed, 

and meditate on thee in the night watches.

7 Because thou hast been my help, 

therefore in the shadow of thy wings 

will I rejoice.

Psalm 71:8

King James Version

8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise 

and with thy honour all the day.

Psalm 103:1

King James Version

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul: 

and all that is within me, 

bless his holy name.

Psalm 103:2-5

King James Version

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, 

and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; 

who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness 

and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; 

so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 105:1-3

King James Version

105 O give thanks unto the Lord; 

call upon his name: 

make known his deeds among the people.

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: 

talk ye of all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name: 

let the heart of them rejoice

that seek the Lord.

Psalm 108:1-2

King James Version

108 O God, my heart is fixed; 

I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

2 Awake, psaltery and harp: 

I myself will awake early.

Psalm 108:3-5

King James Version

3 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: 

and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: 

and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: 

and thy glory above all the earth;

Psalm 139:14

King James Version

14 I will praise thee; 

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: 

marvellous are thy works; 

and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 145:1-2

King James Version

145 I will extol thee, my God, O king; 

and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

2 Every day will I bless thee; 

and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:3-5

King James Version

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; 

and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, 

and shall declare thy mighty acts.

5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, 

and of thy wondrous works.

Psalm 150:6

King James Version

6 Let every thing that hath breath 

praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Isaiah 12:1

King James Version

12 And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, 

I will praise thee: 

though thou wast angry with me, 

thine anger is turned away, 

and thou comfortedst me.

Isaiah 12:2

King James Version

2 Behold, God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and not be afraid: 

for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; 

he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:3-4

King James Version

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water 

out of the wells of salvation.

4 And in that day shall ye say, 

Praise the Lord, 

call upon his name, 

declare his doings among the people, 

make mention that his name is exalted.

Isaiah 12:5

King James Version

5 Sing unto the Lord; 

for he hath done excellent things: 

this is known in all the earth.

Isaiah 25:1

King James Version

25 O Lord, thou art my God; 

I will exalt thee, 

I will praise thy name; 

for thou hast done wonderful things; 

thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Jeremiah 17:14

King James Version

14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; 

save me, and I shall be saved: 

for thou art my praise.

Acts 2:46-47

King James Version

46 And they, 

continuing daily with one accord in the temple, 

and breaking bread from house to house, 

did eat their meat with gladness 

and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, 

and having favour with all the people. 

And the Lord added to the church daily 

such as should be saved.

Ephesians 1:3-4

King James Version

3 Blessed be the God and Father 

of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings 

in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him 

before the foundation of the world, 

that we should be holy and without blame 

before him in love:

Colossians 3:16

King James Version

16 Let the word of Christ 

dwell in you richly in all wisdom; 

teaching and admonishing one another 

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Revelation 5:11-12

King James Version

11 And I beheld, and I heard 

the voice of many angels round about the throne 

and the beasts and the elders: 

and the number of them was ten thousand 

times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, 

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, 

and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, 

and glory, and blessing.

Revelation 5:13

King James Version

13 And every creature 

which is in heaven, 

and on the earth, 

and under the earth, 

and such as are in the sea, 

and all that are in them, heard I saying, 

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, 

be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, 

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Related material:

The MAGNIFICENCE and MAJESTY of GOD

Verses from: Daily Verses

Image: Clipart Library