For Heaven's Sake Celebrate!

Mark Virkler's picture

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 [email protected].  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!


Cardiac Event Series

  1. How Could I Have Been So Wrong?
  2.  Biblical Truths Related to Heart Disease
  3. Causes of Heart Disease: Inflammation, Oxidation, Sugar and Stress 
  4. Drugs, Nutrition and the Lord 
  5. Is Stress The Number One Cause Of Heart Attacks?
  6. Ever So SLOWLY Learning About Blood Pressure
  7. Common Denominators of Great Diets
  8. God Says I’m Healed Yet Symptoms Persist
  9. Symptoms Go into Remission as I Speak to My Body
  10. Does Heart Surgery Cause the Heart to Pick Up A Spirit of Fear  
  11. Must I Work Hard To Be Successful?
  12. Which of The 10 Commandments Can You Break And No One Raises An Eyebrow?
  13. Experience Rest By Learning How To Delegate 
  14. Living In Rest Requires Living At Peace With Myself and Others 
  15. For Heaven’s Sake, Celebrate!
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4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 305 Pages | Retail: $16.99

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond?


Price: $14.95

Dialogue with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 296 Pages

This top seller for 30 years from Bridge Logos provides a narrative, right-brain presentation of the principles of how to hear God's voice. Especially enjoyable for personal use, it makes a great gift for introducing a loved one to the voice of God. This book teaches the four keys to hearing God's voice in readable style, and also devotes two entire chapters to moving samples of people's journaling (i.e. their two-way dialogue with God).

Price: $17.95
Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

9 Books | 10 CDs | 10 DVDs | Save Over 20%

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond? When things don't seem to be going your way and your prayers aren't answered the way you had hoped, wouldn't it be great to hear Him tell you where He is in the midst of it, and what He is working out in your life? Are you ever just a little bit jealous of others who say with such confidence, "The Lord said...."?

Price: $175.00

How to Hear God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 317 Pages

We recommend that you order the newest revision of this book titled 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. It includes 95% of the content of How to Hear God's Voice but is reorganized so it fits perfectly with the 10 DVDs on this subject by Mark Virkler. In addition, it gets you started using the four keys earlier in the book and gives you more journaling samples and exercises. Since we have removed the large margins, it is a smaller and less expensive book.

Price: $24.95

Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 320 Pages

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

Price: $19.95

Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Mastery - Group Coaching

A group coaching experience with Mark Virkler

Because I could not find a Spirit-anointed teacher/coach, I spent ten extremely frustrating years seeking to hear God’s voice!!! Suggestions offered did not help me, things like: “You just know that you know. It is a still small voice. He speaks from your heart.” No one could give me the answer I needed which was: Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, recognizing His voice as spontaneous, flowing thoughts and writing down His flow as it is coming. Test what you have written after the flow is done, NOT while it is occurring.

Price: $1,200.00

Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 146 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

Price: $10.95
Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook Cover

Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 92 Pages

A newer book has been released that accompanies this workbook: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural", with almost a million views just on YouTube).


Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $11.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 292 Pages

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

It is always fun to be on the winning team. Well look what God has done with Charity's new dreams teaching. It has taken off like a rocket with a live TV interview on Cornerstone Network and her Sid Roth interview which has almost a million views on YouTube!

Price: $16.99

Everyday Angels

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Joe Brock 289 Pages

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $16.99

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