Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Explanation: This verse underscores the profound connection between our emotional and spiritual well-being and our physical health. The Bible teaches us that our emotions—particularly our inner state of peace or distress—can directly affect our physical health. For instance, the body’s immune system can be weakened by stress or despair, whereas joy and peace can promote healing. Proverbs 17:22 highlights the reality that a crushed spirit, stemming from sorrow, discouragement, or hopelessness, can “dry up the bones,” meaning it can lead to physical deterioration. However, a joyful, cheerful heart acts like “good medicine,” offering healing and vitality.
This isn’t just a metaphorical idea; modern science has confirmed that emotional well-being impacts physical health. Theologically, this points to the truth that God created us as whole beings—body, soul, and spirit—and they are interwoven. When one part suffers, the whole is affected.
How do we cultivate a cheerful heart?
By living according to God’s promises in His Word.Scripture is full of promises from God to His people. Jesus frequently encourages us to “take heart” or “be of good cheer” in times of trouble. For example, in John 16:33, Jesus says,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This promise not only assures us that challenges will come, but also that we can find peace and joy in Christ, knowing that He has overcome everything. Theologically, this speaks to the hope Christians have in the victory of Christ over sin, death, and all the troubles of the world. Jesus has secured peace for us, and this peace transcends our circumstances. By choosing to focus on His promises, we choose joy.
Similarly, in Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This passage reminds us that peace is a gift from God when we bring our concerns before Him in prayer. His peace guards our hearts, making us resilient to emotional distress.
Jeremiah 30:17 reinforces this, where God promises,
Jeremiah 30:17, “or I will restore health to you and heal your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘because they called you an outcast, saying, ‘This is Zion; no one seeks her.’”
This promise not only speaks of physical healing but also the emotional restoration that comes when God’s people return to Him. God is not only concerned with our physical health but also with the restoration of our entire being—body, mind, and spirit.
In Jeremiah 30:18-19, God assures His people:
Jeremiah 30:18-19,”Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring back the captives of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city shall be rebuilt upon its own mound, and the palace shall remain according to its own plan. Then out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.”
This passage points to God’s redemptive work—not only in physical restoration but also in bringing joy and peace to His people. He promises to rebuild, restore, and multiply them, with their hearts overflowing with gratitude and joy.
By embracing fellowship with others.Fellowship with other believers is a powerful way to nurture a cheerful heart. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are commanded:
Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
God designed the body of Christ to work together, encouraging and strengthening one another in faith. There is immense power in community, especially when we gather to share our burdens, pray for one another, and remind each other of God’s promises.
Paul, in his ministry, often relied on the support and encouragement of fellow believers. Acts 28:15 records how, when Paul was greeted by the believers in Rome
Acts 28:15, “When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”
The fellowship of believers gave Paul renewed strength and courage to continue his mission. This shows that community and mutual encouragement can have a profound impact on our spiritual and emotional well-being.
Theologically, this is a reflection of the Church as the Body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role in supporting the others. As 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 reminds us:
“There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
When we are united in Christ, we strengthen each other, and this unity contributes to our spiritual health and joy.
By focusing on God’s promises and actively engaging in Christian fellowship, we can cultivate a cheerful heart that brings healing to both our spirit and our body. Through these means, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience His peace, which transcends all understanding.
May the Lord bless you.
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The holy angels in heaven, who give glory to God day and night, are excellent teachers of praise and our heavenly choir. They have been placed before us to teach us how to worship and sing to God at heavenly standards. They may not instruct us on how to preach, but when it comes to praise, they have lessons for us.
Lesson One: They Cover Themselves
The angels of praise (the Seraphim and Cherubim) use much of their wings to cover themselves from head to foot when standing before God to give Him glory.
Isaiah 6:1-2 (NIV) “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.”
Isaiah 6:1-2 (NIV)
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.”
This shows that before presenting praise to the Creator of heaven and earth, the first requirement is modesty.
But today, many stand before God in worship and praise with exposed chests, bare backs, uncovered thighs, and even immodestly exposed bodies and women with uncovered heads.
The question is: Who taught them this? Who taught them to worship and praise half-naked? Was it the holy angels of God? The clear answer is no they were taught by Satan. And the one receiving that kind of praise is not the God of heaven but the devil of this world and of the pit.
Lesson Two: They Preach Holiness
The angels of praise in heaven the Seraphim and Cherubim are heard calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy.”
Notice this: they were not declaring to God that He is holy (as if He needed to be informed). No! They were proclaiming to one another, reminding themselves and others that the Lord is holy, and therefore everyone must remain in holiness because God is holy and cannot dwell in impurity.
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)
“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
This is the unending song of the angels in heaven day and night:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
And this must also be the song of the saints on earth. Not because God needs the information
He is already holy and will remain so forever but because we need to remind ourselves that God is holy, and therefore we must continually pursue holiness. This is the kind of praise that pleases God!
Not singing while living double lives. Not worshiping while committing adultery, idolatry, or other sins.
For the Word of God says:
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Songs or sermons that do not proclaim holiness are nothing but the devil’s slogans, which bring satanic rewards. You don’t have to be a witch to belong to Satan; simply singing for him is enough to make you his. Preaching and praising while living in sin makes you the devil’s servant.
If you have the gift of singing, stop treating it like entertainment or a career brand. The work of God is not a label or brand—it is a ministry. Do not model yourself after worldly artists branded by Satan to carry out his will. Instead, pray for them to be saved rather than imitate them.
If you choose to sing to the Holy One above
Wear proper clothing!
Preach holiness!
Live in holiness!
May the Lord help us!
Maranatha!
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Answer: Let’s go back to the Scripture…
John 12:3–5 “Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’”
John 12:3–5
“Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,
‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’”
“Nard” comes from a small plant known scientifically as Nardostachys. This plant produces small pink flowers (see picture above) and tiny black fruits. From these, an essential oil nard oil is extracted. It was used in making natural medicines and very costly perfumes, more expensive than most others.
Perfume made from nard was considered extremely precious in biblical times, and it still remains expensive today because of the difficulty in sourcing the plant.
Nardostachys grows in the Himalayan mountain ranges, particularly in Nepal, parts of India, and China. It grows at elevations between 3,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level (5,000 meters is close to the height of Mount Kilimanjaro). Because it grows only in such high and limited areas, it is very rare, which explains why nard ointment was so valuable.
From this, we understand that the ointment Mary used to anoint the Lord had been imported from far away (outside Israel) and was extremely costly. The value three hundred denarii was roughly equivalent to about six million Tanzanian shillings today.
Other passages that mention nard include Song of Solomon 1:12 and Song of Solomon 4:13–14.
To learn more about what we can gain from the woman breaking her alabaster jar and pouring it on the Lord’s head, see here: “She broke the jar and poured it on His head.”
Answer: Let us go back to the text.
Song of Songs 2:9 “My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.”
Song of Songs 2:9
“My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.”
The word lattice refers to a large window in an upper story. These were different from the small, ordinary windows in ground level houses.
An example of such a window is the one from which King Ahaziah fell and was injured:
2 Kings 1:2 “Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, ‘Go and consult Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.’”
2 Kings 1:2
“Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, ‘Go and consult Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.’”
Another example is the window through which Queen Jezebel looked out before being thrown down by the eunuchs:
2 Kings 9:30–33 “Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, ‘Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?’ He looked up at the window and called out, ‘Who is on my side? Who?’ Two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ‘Throw her down!’ Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.”
2 Kings 9:30–33
“Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she put on eye makeup, arranged her hair and looked out of a window.
As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, ‘Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?’
He looked up at the window and called out, ‘Who is on my side? Who?’ Two or three eunuchs looked down at him.
‘Throw her down!’ Jehu said. So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered the wall and the horses as they trampled her underfoot.”
You may also compare this with the word “shubaka” as used in Proverbs 7:6.
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(The Teachings of Jesus)
The Book of Matthew is one of the four Gospels. There are many lessons to learn from it, but in this teaching we will look at the most important ones that will help you in your reading and understanding of Scripture.
Apart from the events and miracles that Jesus performed, we also know that the Lord taught. And it is in His teachings that we find the heart of discipleship.
In His ministry, His teachings can be divided into two parts:
In this study, we shall focus on the five major sermons recorded in the Book of Matthew.
Before looking at them in detail, let us understand what the word “sermon” means. A sermon is a teaching or discourse given by Jesus on a particular subject — a continuous talk by the Lord to emphasize a specific truth.
Now, let’s look at the message of each sermon.
(The Character and Conduct of a Christian) — Matthew 5–7
This was the time when Jesus went up the mountain, and His disciples followed Him. There He began to teach them many things.
The main focus of this sermon was to teach the right conduct of a Christian — a life that pleases God.
He began by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and continued with “Blessed are the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” and so on.
He also taught about:
These are teachings that every believer should read and meditate on daily.
The reason is this — these were not just words Jesus spoke; they were the very life He lived. Before He even began His public ministry, His life already reflected what He taught.
So, if we desire to walk like Christ, we must practice what is written in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. It is not enough to sing, “I want to be like You, Lord,” if we do not live as He lived.
(Matthew 10)
In this sermon, Jesus called His disciples and began to instruct them on how to preach when He would send them out.
He told them about:
If you are a worker in the vineyard of God, this sermon will strengthen you in perseverance and obedience. Every believer is called to make disciples.
Therefore, study this chapter carefully — it will equip you to serve faithfully as a messenger of Christ.
(Matthew 13)
This sermon reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus used parables to explain these truths.
Whenever the Bible mentions the Kingdom of Heaven, it points to Jesus Himself and His redemptive work on earth (Luke 4:18–19).
In this chapter, Jesus gave seven major parables, including:
Each parable reveals the greatness and value of the Kingdom of God.
For example, a person who finds the Kingdom of Heaven becomes like one who finds a precious treasure or a pearl of great value — willing to give up everything else for it.
If you study these parables carefully, you will see the worth of following Christ, and you will desire to hold firmly to the Kingdom of God above all else.
(Matthew 18)
This sermon focuses on how believers — the Church — should relate to one another.
It emphasizes:
Jesus illustrated this by telling the story of a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost.
He also taught about forgiving “seventy times seven” and told the parable of the servant who was forgiven a great debt but refused to forgive another who owed him little.
This sermon also gives instructions on church discipline and the proper way to correct a fellow believer.
As you read it, you will understand the spirit of brotherly love and unity that God desires in His Church.
(Matthew 24)
This sermon is about the events of the last days and the return of Jesus Christ.
Jesus explained the signs of the end — moral decay, false prophets, wars, natural disasters, and great tribulation.
He warned about deception and urged His followers to stay alert and ready, saying:
“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42
This sermon is especially important today, because we are living in the last of the last days. Many of the signs Jesus spoke about have already been fulfilled.
Ask yourself — Am I ready for His coming?
When you understand these five sermons, you will gain a deep knowledge of the message of Matthew’s Gospel. Read them repeatedly and meditate on them — they are the foundation of a believer’s life.
There was a reason the Lord chose to speak these teachings at length — because they are the core of discipleship.
May the Lord bless you as you study and live by His Word.
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(Amos 5:23)
“Take away from Me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your harps.” — Amos 5:23
The answer is No! Our God delights in songs of praise. The Bible says:
“But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” — Psalm 22:3
So, if God delights in praise, why does He say, “Take away from Me the noise of your songs”? It is because not all songs are pleasing to Him. There are songs that, though they sound beautiful to human ears, are mere noise before God.
Let us see the types of songs that become noise to the Lord.
These are songs sung loudly and passionately, yet the life of the singer does not reflect what they sing. Their speech, dressing, behavior, and secret life contradict the words of the song.
When such a person stands before God to sing songs of worship—whether the song is their own or someone else’s—it becomes noise before the Lord. Such singing is sin, because God looks beyond the voice—He looks at the heart and the life behind the song.
There are songs that sound so similar to those of the world that, when someone hears them, they immediately associate them with a worldly tune they once heard elsewhere.
Songs of that kind are noise and even an abomination before God. Examples include songs that use beats from reggae, rap, pop, taarab, or other secular styles.
The Scripture calls such music “songs of foolishness.”
“That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David.” — Amos 6:5
As believers, we should never use worldly rhythms to sing to our holy God.
Worldly artists are those who sing about and glorify the things of this present world—and the world lies under the influence of Satan.
When someone joins such artists, who are used to praising the world or the devil, and gives them lyrics to sing for God, the result is noise and defilement before the Lord.
It does not matter how beautiful the song sounds, how inspiring the lyrics are, or how often God’s name is mentioned — if the singers themselves are not walking in the Spirit, that song does not bear fruit before God.
Songs that glorify God are those that carry the testimony of the Word—from the singer’s own life, to the lyrics, and even the melody. When such songs are sung, they exalt God and bless those who hear them.
May the Lord help us to offer Him songs that are pure, holy, and pleasing before His throne. May our worship rise as a sweet aroma before Him — not as noise, but as true praise from a sanctified heart.
Amen.
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