Yesterday, I lay across my bed reflecting on what had been a few pretty difficult days. I wasn’t thinking about the challenges as much as I was so thankful that I felt God’s peaceful presence through it all. I did something I often do when doing HeartWork. I made myself smile!
In the science of Neuro Linguistics, it is thought that there is a clear link between physical expressions and emotional states. When we’re happy, we often smile. So, our brain links smiling and happiness. Along the line of this continuum, it would mean we should be able to reverse the process. If happiness produces smiles, then smiles can produce the feeling of happiness. It always works for me!
As I lay there smiling, a pleasant memory arose in my mind. It was back in the 80s, and my youth pastor and I were on a mission trip to the Philippines. He is a very talented singer-songwriter who sang in our little jungle crusade.
In my heart, I could see and hear him singing a chorus from John 16:33, “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.” At that moment, all of the challenges of the previous days melted away as the lovingkindness of God flooded my soul! I found myself in an ocean of calming peace and joy.
In our Ultimate Impact Group, I’ve been talking about the difference between ceremony and ritual. God ordained many ceremonies, all of which involved faith. Standing before God when we sing, bowing to pray, closing our eyes when we worship, and an endless list of other meaningful “actions.” Ceremonies are celebrations. They are the expression of feelings or recognition.
Rituals, on the other hand, are sequences of activities involving gestures, words, and actions. They are more of an incantation or formula. They are dead works designed to move God. But they are meaningless because there is no faith involved.
When I smiled, my nervous system kicked in and caused me to feel happy and thankful. It was exactly what I needed to remind me to engage my heart. The outcome was a spiritual experience where I was able to connect with God in my heart! I encourage you to enact those things that have moved you to peace and joy in the past. When the natural part of your being (nervous system) kicks in, let it propel you into experiencing the peace and joy of the Lord Jesus.
Here’s the thing about having “good cheer,” it’s not something you have to get; it’s something you get to choose. Jesus is not going to overcome the world; He overcame the world when He rose from the grave. You overcame with Him because you were in Him. Since you are in Him, you only have to awaken, remind yourself, stir up your heart to what is yours, and choose to live in it!
In our times of deepest sorrow, greatest fears, or crippling pain, we are one decision away from good cheer, which actually relates to courage. Take whatever step you can to connect to what you have in Christ Jesus! Every step of faith activates even more faith, faith takes hold of grace, and grace explodes into a supernatural capacity to manifest our true identity in Jesus.
In the upcoming months, I feel that we must continue to be very strategic in our efforts to develop disciples across the globe. A time will come in the not-too-distant future when the only effective way to minister to people around the world will be through person-to-person interaction.
We are continuing to update our School of Ministry classes as well as creating new, more relevant programs.
Thank you for your continued financial support, which makes all this possible. Together we are
… changing the way the world sees God!
Blessings,
Jim
P.S. Please enjoy the following Heart Physics® testimony as well as a few comments from some of our recent CyberChurch broadcasts. You are helping us reach the world with the love of God. Thank you!
I want to take a minute and thank you for encouraging me to go through the Heart Physics® program. This time I went after it with my whole heart and the peace and clarity I’ve been walking in has been at a new level. The ability to stay calm and confident has improved the stress at my job and home. I have been able to draw from a new awareness of God’s love and acceptance of me that helps me speak up when I need to and not cower in fear of others.
The experience is comparable to having a river full of floating logs that are blocking clear passage of any boats. Heart Physics® helped to clear away the clutter in my heart which opened passage issues I hadn’t dealt with and allowed me to “see” with my spirit more clearly who I am in Christ.
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- Excellent…. To know God… not to know of Him but really know him… this is beautiful! Thanks for your teachings that open my heart to the author of love. My heart leaps with joy!
- Such a powerful message. Thank you!
- 24:00 min – “My greatest need is to give love.” ❤️
- Very powerful and revealing and transformational…. I receive this truth in JESUS name…Thank you.
- I am so glad I decided to listen to these teachings again. So healthy, so commonsensical.. I love the Word of God.
- ❤️❤️❤️What I am hearing is the greatest love story…how He loves us..through His Son Jesus…
- Wonderful message again, Dr. Jim. I love how you always deliver truthful wisdom in love.