For Heaven's Sake Celebrate!

God told me it was stress that brought on my heart attack, along with a family genetic disposition and excessive inflammation in my body. He told me “For Heaven’s sake, celebrate!" Celebration is the antidote to stress. If you have ideas you can share with me on what a lifestyle of celebration and Sabbath rest looks like and ways you have found to live this lifestyle, please post them as comments at the end of this blog, or email them to me at Mark@cluonline.com. Since I am overcoming workaholism, Type A Personality plus my German background (and perhaps even my evangelical background), which says, "Work hard!" I sure can use all the help I can get.

So what does the Bible teach about celebration?

The word "celebrate" shows up around 40 times in the Bible. The meaning of the Hebrew word, châgag (Strong’s number H2287) is "to hold a feast, hold a festival, make pilgrimage, celebrate, dance, stagger." God called the three annual feasts to Jerusalem and the Sabbath, celebrations. So make sure these religious events in your life are celebrations. The meaning of the Greek word, euphrainō (Strong’s number G2165) is "to gladden, make joyful, to be merry, to rejoice in, to be delighted with a thing."

Jesus often tells me: "I’ve already won the victory. I am all powerful and I love you and am working everything out for good in your life (Romans 8:28), so give thanks (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).” Celebrating is an attitude of gratitude. I enjoy life. I have fun as I walk through life.

All of heaven celebrates before God’s throne (Rev. 19). When I celebrate I release heaven on earth.

One thing that moves me into celebration is looking and seeing Jesus at my side (Acts 2:25) He is never stressed. Generally He is laughing (exactly as in this picture). Jesus constantly tells me to lighten up and smile. He says, "I've got this, so relax." It brings to mind what the Bible says "A merry heart does good like medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). I practice living with a smile on my face!

Lord, show me the gift! Always ask, “Lord, what is the gift you desire to produce in my life through this experience, trial, tribulation?” He tells us and we embrace the developing gift, speaking it over ourselves. We then gaze ONLY upon the gift, which is the joy set before you, and not upon the pain (Hebrews 12:2).

A hurt is healed when you can see and celebrate the gift God has produced in your life through the experience.

**Twelve Exchanges Jesus provided to us at Calvary**

At Calvary, Jesus provided twelve exchanges/blessing for us (Above downloadable screensaver FREE here) Jesus purchased these through His tremendous sacrifice. I choose to see myself living in these exchanges/victories and speak them as my personal, present-tense reality. The Bible says, "Whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him" (Mark 11:23,24).

How can I give thanks? Have you seen this hell hole I’m in? Well, Paul and Silas were in a deep dungeon and they sang praises, which unleashed God’s miraculous provision to them (Acts 16:25,26).

How can I give thanks? The government is so evil: Well, was Jesus focused on the evil of the Roman government or did He say, “You have no authority unless my Father gives it to you (Jn 19:11; Rom. 13:1)? Since God is King of kings and Lord of lords, I pray for God's government to be released through my national leaders.

How can I give thanks? I prayed and nothing happened: Well, then pray again. Elijah did. He prayed seven times in a row and his miracle was released (1 Kings 18:41-46). We are encouraged to pray like Elijah did (James 5:16,17) and while praying seven times, ask, "Lord, are there any specific instructions you desire to give me?"

There is so much fear, anger, dishonor, discouragement and hopelessness everywhere you look. Let the Church be a shining light of people who live in celebration because we believe in an almighty God who loves us and is working all things out for good!

For heaven’s sake, celebrate! Satan was defeated at Calvary! God is quite convinced that He has no challengers. "I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God… there is no one besides Me" (Isaiah 45:5-7). So I don’t need to re-empower satan, God's defeated foe, by putting a misplaced faith in him thus allowing him to wreak havoc in my life. I simply bind demons and cast them away. I celebrate God’s rulership and receive God’s mercy and grace. Try out A Healing Prayer Encounter - With Music. I have utilized this every morning for weeks and experienced healing.

Celebration turns on my healing genes as it switches off inflammatory genes. Gratitude provides me heart coherence.

Celebration occurs every time I re-affirm that Jesus has already won the battle I am facing. I check with Him, see how He is responding, and say “Yes, Lord” and respond to His lead (Jn. 5:19,20,30).

Prayer: Lord, I choose to turn away from stress, self-effort and the strivings of my flesh. I choose to celebrate the truth: You rule, You love me unconditionally, and You are working all things out for good for me. I affirm the twelve exchanges You have provided for me at Calvary and I speak them as my personal, present-tense reality. Thank you, Lord, for these amazing gifts!