A GOOD LAUGH

                                       

      "A time to laugh."  Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NLT) 

I love laughter. One of the joys of my life is to mess with people, kid them. joke with them and get then to laugh or at least smile. One of the things I do when on a doctor visit is to ask him when he enters the room "How can I help you today?  "How are you feeling?"  He usually laughs and I am sure wonders how he can help this ole man with one foot on a banana peel and the other on a grave. 

One of the many things I love about being in our family gatherings is that it is always party time. That is, a time to laugh and just enjoy each other. Laughter is a very delightful part of our sharing together. Laughter even to the point of tears. 

So, now I just want to share some verses on laughter and how important it is to our life, health and relationships with God and each other.

The healing of laughter. Stress may kill, but laughter will help heal you. It is personal, practical, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and affects the whole person, body, soul and spirit. It is a key to good health and happy living. It is a laughing matter. No joke!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine..."  Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) 

Job 8:21 (NLT) 

21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

The sharing of laughter. Such fun to enjoy the life of others in which God is doing miracles things. 

Genesis 21:6-7 (NLT) 

6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. 7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!” 

Psalm 113:9 (NLT) 

9 He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD! 

Luke 15:8-10 (NLT) 

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 

9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” 

The benefits of laughter.

Proverbs 15:13 (NLT) 

"A glad heart makes a happy face;" 

The contentment of laughter - The joy of simply being satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 (ESV) 

24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy...." 

Philippians 4:11 (ESV) 

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

The restoration of laughter. Happy days are here again in renewed relationships.

Luke 15:8-10 (NLT) 

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 

9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” 

Luke 15:32 (NLT) 

32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” 

Romans 12:15 (NLT) 

"Be happy with those who are happy....." 

The celebration of laughter. Enjoying God's gracious provision.

Psalm 126:2-3 (NLT) 

2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” 3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! 

The justice of laughter. The foolishness of sinful humanity in their attempt to defeat God is laughable. 

Psalm 2:1-4 (NLT) 

1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 

Psalm 37:12-13 (NLT) 

12 The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. 13 But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming. 

Psalm 73:20 (NLT) 

20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

The hope of laughter. The best is yet to be based on God's promise.

Luke 6:21 (NLT) 

"....God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh." 

Jeremiah 33:11 (NLT) 

11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD....."  

The confidence of laughter - Working faith of a capable wife.

Proverbs 31:10 (NLT) 

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) 

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. 

Proverbs 31:29-31 (NLT) 

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. 

The eternal joy of laughter. Heaven is a happy place. Yes, filled with laughter and joy!!!

1 Peter 1:8 (NLT) 

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 

Hebrews 12:22 (NLT) 

22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.

These are just a few verses on laughter and joy in living in fellowship with the Lord and each other. 

Psalm 16:11 (NLT) 

11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

 

Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) 

10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. 

It is not "let the party begin."  It is "let the party continue," daily in our life and laughter with the Lord, and all who will join us.

Psalm 23:6 (NLT) 

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live (and laugh) in the house of the LORD forever.