Laughing Together

One of my favorite preachers is Jesse Duplantis. Pastor John Hagee once introduced this evangelist from Louisiana as “the Apostle of Joy.” A few weeks ago I purchased a download of “A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine, Volume 3”, a video that contains 16 of Jesse’s funniest stories. I bought this video specifically to hear Jesse imitating a monkey while poking fun at evolutionary theory, something I’ve seen him do live a couple times before.

Last night I started watching the video again in my bedroom but then decided to share it with the men I’m staying with in Alabama. As the four of us watched the “Ragin' Cajun” while relaxing in the living room, I noticed I laughed a lot more than when I watched it the first time by myself. As I pondered why this happened, a couple Scriptures came to my mind. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” It also says in Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”

We all need time to ourselves and to be alone with God. But we also need to connect with other believers on a regular basis. Some Christians make the mistake of quit going to church just because another believer mistreated them. It’s time for God’s people to grow up! The body of Christ can only function to its fullest when we are in fellowship with one another. That includes having fun and laughing together.

“greatly desiring to see you…that I may be filled with joy.”

- 2 Timothy 1:4