JOY! Magazine January 1, 2016

Earl Nightingale was an American radio personality and author. In one of his books he tells about a strength test in which people were asked to squeeze a dynamometer (a machine that tests the power of your grip) as hard as they could. After that first squeeze had been measured, they were put under hypnosis and told they were very strong. When asked to grip the machine again, their scores averaged 40% better. Their physical strength did not increase under hypnosis. But their ability to use that strength did. It wasn’t the hypnosis that did it, but their belief about themselves. Believe it and you will achieve it When we are led to believe we are stronger, we react accordingly. There is a sense in which we all go through…

A Romantic New Year’s Day Story A married couple had been out shopping for most of the day. Suddenly the wife realised that her husband had disappeared. Somewhat irate, she called her husband’s cellphone and demanded,“Where are you?” Husband:“Darling, do you remember that little jewellery shop where you saw that beautiful diamond necklace and totally fell in love with it, but I didn’t have the money at that time and I said‘Darling it’ll be yours one day’?” Wife, tremulously:“Yes, I do remember that my love.” Husband:“Well, I’m in the sports shop next to that shop.” Ode To January ‘Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the dessert I’d taste At the holiday parties had gone…

We loved learning more about JOY! Your magazine is such a blessing; we thoroughly enjoyed the 100th edition. The infographic on JOY’s history was very interesting. Well done to all the staff and to the editor. Keep up the great work. Devon and Kate A partner in God’s Kingdom On behalf of our founders Apostle Theo and Dr Beverley Wolmarans, it is our great pleasure and honour to take this opportunity of congratulating JOY! Magazine for this great communication tool that informs, educates and teaches spiritual truths, as well as being a resource full of information. As a church, we consistently use your magazine to reach the unreachable and to build the brand of Christian Family Church International, not just in South Africa, but worldwide. JOY! Magazine has played a…

At the 45 th  annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in January 2015, executive chairman Klaus Schwab said that 2015 was “a year of destiny for humankind”. While Mr Schwab was referring to growing extremism and shifting global relations, his statement can also apply to the global spiritual climate. 2015 was indeed a year of much happening on the global stage, impacting the Kingdom of God in multiple ways. The following five events were key global turning points with multiple spiritual repercussions: 21 Christians beheaded On the 15th of February, Islamic State (IS) extremists released a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians on a beach in Libya. While the brutality drew much shock and condemnation, it was the response of Egyptian Christians that made the biggest…

While some in Spain fear the wave of Syrian refugees will bring the influence of radical Islam into the country, one Spanish ministry is eagerly welcoming them, revealing that those fleeing war and poverty often embrace Christianity with open arms. Additionally, Salafism, an Islamic extremist movement based on restoring the original traditions of Islam, has increased its presence. Thus, as refugees arrive, Spain’s Islamic centres also will be eager to welcome them. The ministry director is therefore urging churches to be on the frontlines greeting refugees with the Gospel. For info: www.christianaid.org…

I SIS has been targeting deaf Muslims with messages aimed at recruiting them to serve in its ranks. In response, the Deaf Bible Society (DBS) is stepping up to combat that challenge by giving deaf Muslims a video with an evangelistic message in one of the 20 different Middle Eastern sign languages. J.R. Bucklew, from DBS, said “the ISIS video seemed to offer prosperity and joy, but it actually offered false hope.”…