BIBLE REFERENCE: "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance." Proverbs 15:13 ENCOURAGING WORD:
What is a smile? Someone once wrote: "A smile costs nothing but creates much good. It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away. It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever. No one is so rich that he can get along without it. No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it. It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and nature's best anecdote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen. “If you come across someone that doesn't have a smile, give them yours. It is quite amazing how a smile can change the atmosphere of any situation. When you are walking down the street and you come across an individual, don't be afraid to look them in the eye and give them a smile, you might have just made their day! A smile is free, and to be quite frank, it is much easier to smile than to frown. Imagine, if everybody had a smile on their face, how much nicer things would be.
Friends, there is so much hate in this world, and I don't believe that is going to get better this side of heaven, but if you can bring happiness to even one person throughout the day, you've accomplished a great thing. The simple things in life mean so much if we just apply them to our daily walk with the Lord! Remember, if you are in Christ, you should be a shining light unto the world. Let your smile shine bright! I feel the reason for so much unhappiness in this world is because so many have fallen away from the true Word of God and don’t feel the joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Those interested in the signs of the end times often take note of a warning given by Paul to the Thessalonians, speaking about the return of Jesus Christ to earth. He writes, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The falling away refers to the departing of the true Word of God, which is happening in our world today at an unprecedented pace. If you are hearing anything other than the following doctrine, then you are being greatly deceived. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” This is the gospel summed up in one paragraph.
If you are a born-again Christian, it is your duty to be a shining light unto an unbelieving world. You need to share your smile with people even during hard times. Let them know that there is so much more to our existence than what we are going through in this world. We need to share the following verse with people that feel they have no hope, Romans 8:18; “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” If you smile at someone and they happen to ask you, “why are you so happy’ this is the perfect opportunity for you to share with them the love of Jesus Christ that dwells within you. We, as Christians, will go through some very troubled times during our walk with the Lord, but those times are actually the best opportunities that we have to share the Gospel with those watching how we react to what we are going through. If we grumble and complain about our circumstances, what kind of a witness is that? I know people that call themselves Christians that could never bring me to the Lord based on how they act and carry themselves on a daily basis. But thank God, through The Holy Spirit I have come to know the Lord on a personal level and believe me, there is no greater feeling than one can have than to know the Lord, Jesus Christ personally. Each one of us who serve the Lord should be focused on bringing as many people as we can to Jesus Christ. If we aren't good at talking, then let your actions speak for you. Remember, actions speak much louder than words.
I have come to a point in my life, sadly, where words mean almost nothing anymore. The one word that has absolutely no meaning is the word "Christian" If someone tells me that they are a Christian, all they are saying is that they believe in God. Belief in God does not save you, let me share this one verse with you that validates want I just said. James 2"19; says this, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" See, the problem with this is every religion believes in a god, but there is only one God and His name is Jesus Christ. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and haven't become born again then you are lost and heading to an eternity of torment forever. If you believe anything else, you are doomed.
Let me give you this last bet of advise, when you get dressed this morning, don't forget to put on a smile. Wear a smile all day because of the inner joy that only Jesus can bring to your heart. If you don't feel an inner joy, then ask for one! Here is a promise from God in the Scriptures, Matthew 7:7; “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Do you believe?
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