Friday, February 23, 2024

Does Jesus Bring Joy to Your Heart?

 Prayer – Lord, You bring joy to my very heart, life, and soul whenever I reflect on Your love…and the peace that You bring to us. What would life be like without You? Even when life dishes out unbelievable stress—You are the one who calms the storm. Thank you. Please continue to bring joy to our hearts with good news. 

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Proverbs 15:30 NLT

 

Meditate. Is your heart “healthy?”

 

Good news makes for good health…a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Both are good phrases. Take a deep breath in…a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Exhale slowly…good news makes for good health. I’ve been reading a wonderful book, “Breath as Prayer” by Jennifer Tucker that encourages praying scripture in a different way—breathing the words of God as you inhale and exhale. Deep breathing is known to calm anxiety and that is good for heart health…for the health of the whole body, soul, and mind.

 

Generally, Christians think of Good News in relation to the Gospel of Jesus Christ—that He was born, taught twelve disciples and thousands of followers how to live according to God’s way while Himself living a sinless life, He was crucified, died, buried, and rose from the grave. Then fifty days later He ascended into heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will one day judge the living and the dead, rule peacefully for a thousand years on earth, and then ultimately reign for eternity in Heaven. That is who Jesus is—our Lord and Savior. King of kings, Lord of lords.

 

Any good news makes you feel good. Think about the last time you had good news. A new baby in the family…a good report card…an answered prayer for healing, an effectively written story…a walk on sunny day…or a call from a long-lost friend or relative. You don’t have to win the lottery for it to be good news and a good day. Any really good news elevates your immune system and gives you good health.

 

Joy to the world in the form of a cheerful look. Even a smile from someone you know and love, or from a complete stranger can give you joy…anytime of the year, not just at Christmas time. When was the last time you intentionally smiled at a stranger and encouraged them? If they return your smile, you know you’ve brought them joy. Jesus' love has flowed through you to them. Jesus has brought them joy—has He brought joy to your heart?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. - Psalm 13:5 NKJV


Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

One of the best diets recommended for a healthy heart is the DASH diet which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This diet is a healthy-eating plan designed to help prevent or treat high blood pressure, known clinically as hypertension. It also may help lower cholesterol linked to heart disease, called low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. High blood pressure and high LDL are known causes of heart disease and strokes.

 

The DASH diet is low in salt and high in vegetables and fruits, as well as including daily servings of whole grains, lean meats, oils, and nuts. No doubt about it…it’s a healthy diet. You can get specifics just by Googling DASH. I found that the Mayo Clinic site is a good reliable site that gives details on following the DASH diet, maximizing important nutrients, and specifics about limiting sodium. Good health begins with a good diet. The choice is yours.

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted. 

New King James Version © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Harper Collins Publisher. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

New Living Translation (NLT) copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

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