Monthly Archives: December 2023

A Christmas Word–Part 1??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

15 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Blood of Jesus cleanses us, By His Grace, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Creation, Creator, Creator of ALL, Cross, JESUS, Jesus In Genesis!, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all

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A Christmas Word–Part 1???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #166

I’d like to spend some time today thinking about the only true ‘reason for the season’, and that my friends is JESUS!  No, He wasn’t born on December 25th, but it is the date chosen to honor our Lord’s birth—the long-awaited coming of The Messiah to Redeem mankind; for all who will believe.  So let’s back up a bit and do a short review of why we need Jesus!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

Why do we need this gift, you might ask; well that’s a good question, and we’ll briefly consider the answer—it’s the reason we trust The Word of God—it gives us the ‘whole truth’.  And that begins in Eden with the first man and woman (And yes, God created them “male and female”, read the account!).  We won’t go into the whole story but just some portions of Genesis 1, 2 and 3; and yes, my friends, I believe the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; I believe that we were/are are created in “the image of God….”!  Let’s dig in.

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

“Forasmuch as ye know that

ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

Why was/is man perishing?  It’s because of sin—it’s the disease; we all have it, we can’t cure it, only Jesus can, how did we get in this shape?  Our first parents failed the test, but in God’s love and mercy HE already had a plan in place to redeem us; He knew we would fail, and He created us anyway—a concept that is beyond my comprehension (and yes, I believe in the Genesis account of creation in six literal days).

“In the beginning

God created

the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“And God said,

Let us make man in our image,

after our likeness:

and let them have dominion

over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air,

and over the cattle,

and over all the earth,

and over every creeping thing

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man

in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female

created he them.”  Genesis 1:26-27

Genesis 2 goes on to fill in some more of the details for us and sets the stage for us to understand.

“And the LORD God formed man

of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.

8 And the LORD God planted a garden

eastward in Eden;

and there he put the man

whom he had formed…

…16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying,

Of every tree of the garden

thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge

of good and evil,

thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest thereof

thou shalt surely die.”   Portions of Genesis 2:7-17

The saddest part of this account to me, is that we failed to believe God, at the prompting of Satan, the great “father of lies” (see John 8:44); how sad that we’re still falling for the same old lies!  But we did eat, and we did die spiritually on the spot, and physically later, and still do! It’s why Jesus so boldly and powerfully reminds us:

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd

giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

Jesus came to give us back the life with God that Satan stole, tricked, and deceived our first parents out of.  How much have we been tricked out of by this ‘liar of liars’? There is a price to pay, and we pay it every day, except as we walk “in the Spirit” with our Lord (See Galatians 5:16 & 25)!  But back to Genesis, He’s our Lord not only because He came, but because God promised HIS coming from before the beginning!

“And I will put enmity

between thee and the woman,

and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Genesis 3:15

Jesus IS the great restorer!  Our great and good Redeemer!  Our soon-coming KING!  This is why I celebrate HIS birth!  How about you?

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done,

that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord

by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is, God with us.”   Matthew 1:21-23

Amen and Amen!!!

We Can Know Truth!!! Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

13 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, the Lamb of God, The Love of God, The New Covenant, They that sow in tears...., This is the Way, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trust God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Truth is True, Turn to God's Word, Uncertainty--God HAS the answer, Wait upon the Lord

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We Can Know Truth!!!  Do You? A Word from THE WORD!!! #165

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

 signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again—the babe in the manger was born to die for our sin.  I pray that you know HIM; and if you know HIM, if you have been “born … of God” then you have received The indwelling Holy Spirit of God/Christ Jesus!  He was promised to those who belong to Jesus, to lead us into truth, to direct us, to help us know which way to go!  HE is the conduit of the New Covenant.  Isaiah alluded to it, and Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied of the coming of this New Covenant, God IN us!

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make

with the house of Israel;

After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts,

and write it in their hearts;

and will be their God,

and they shall be my people.”  Jeremiah 31:33

Ezekiel received the same message from God and presented it a bit differently, partly because Jeremiah’s message was before the Babylonian captivity of Israel, and Ezekiel’s was after/during the captivity.  In fact Ezekiel wrote from Babylon.

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you,

and ye shall be clean:

from all your filthiness,

and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26 A new heart also

will I give you,

and a new spirit

will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27 And I will put my spirit within you,

 and cause you to walk in my statutes,

and ye shall keep my judgments,

and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27

Jesus’ birth, life among men, His death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of sinful man brought this New Covenant into reality! He promised His disciples this very thing before His death before He was “lifted up from the earth”!  Let’s consider the promises of Jesus and ponder them as we focus on His coming—without forgetting the goal of His coming was to pay for sin!  Jesus also promised HE would return to complete HIS work!  Jesus knew what was coming, and at the end He told His disciples some important things so that when He fulfilled them, they would remember what He said, and know WHO and WHAT HE was/is/ever shall be—the Son of God, The Redeemer of all who will come to HIM, for He truly was, as John the Baptizer said, “The Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world”!  Have you let Him ‘take away’ your sin?

“I speak not of you all:

I know whom I have chosen:

but that the scripture may be fulfilled,

He that eateth bread with me

hath lifted up his heel against me.

19 Now I tell you before it come,

that, when it is come to pass,

ye may believe that I am he.

20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that receiveth whomsoever I send

receiveth me;

and he that receiveth me

receiveth him that sent me.”  John 13:18-20

Jesus went on in this last short time before He faced the cross, that His followers might understand what awaited them—yes, suffering, persecution, toil, and grief, but also “the joy of The Lord” in a new way, as they would have the gift of The Holy Spirit within, to teach, to guide and to help them remember what HE had said and done!

“But this cometh to pass,

that the word might be fulfilled

that is written in their law,

They hated me without a cause.

26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  John 15:25-27

While Jesus had given them the facts, The Holy Spirit would empower and enable them to share them with perfect assurance and confidence in The Lamb—their Lord—their King—their Redeemer—Jesus, The King of the Jews (and of all who come to Him in repentance of sin, and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that sin!)!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth,

is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you…

…. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

That ye shall weep and lament,

but the world shall rejoice:

and ye shall be sorrowful,

but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,

because her hour is come:

but as soon as she is delivered of the child,

she remembereth no more the anguish,

for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow:

but I will see you again,

and your heart shall rejoice,

and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father

in my name,

he will give it you.”  Portions of John 16:8-23

So, my friends, do YOU know truth?  JESUS IS truth; and will impart HIS Spirit to those who are His own! And in closing, a few words from Paul to the believers at Rome, reminding them whose they are and how they got there!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us…

…. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

 we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Portions of Romans 5:1-11

(I encourage you to read all of this amazing chapter –all of this amazing book-for it is full of truth!)

So, will you take time during this celebration of The Redeemer and be sure you know HIM; and if you don’t you can by faith in HIS atoning death for you.  If you do know HIM, don’t miss the joy of knowing HIS truth through the work of HIS Holy Spirit leading you into HIS WORD!!!  It’s why we’re here!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Amen and Amen!!!

The Manger>The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #164

11 Monday Dec 2023

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Ponderings, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., The manger leads to the cross, The Manger To The Cross, The Mind Of Christ, The Only Name That Matters, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, What's The Word?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who are YOU following?

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The Manger>The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #164

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled

which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,

saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child,

and shall bring forth a son,

and they shall call his name Emmanuel,

which being interpreted is, God with us.”               Matthew 1:21-23

Without the cross the manger is, in and of itself, rather insignificant; it’s the story of a baby born in strange and difficult circumstances, but when we consider the truth that Jesus was born to die for our sin, it changes everything!  Jesus then stands out in history as the only ‘God-Man-Savior’ who came that we might have life; even as the angel told Joseph, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”!  Amen, what an amazing gift from God—the greatest gift of all—a “Savior which is Christ The Lord”!

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not:

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born

this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:10-12

The most amazing ‘birth announcement’ in history, Jesus’ birth was proclaimed by angels, unto the lowliest of men, shepherds who were tending their sheep; and the announcement was totally amazing, so much so that they were ‘scared to death’, but found out it was ‘life’ that was being shared with them, for the birth being announced, was Jesus’, The Son of God, “THE way, the truth and THE LIFE” for all who would believe and receive His saving grace!  And just FYI, Jesus wasn’t “born in a manger”, He was simply “placed” in the manger, His cradle, so to speak.

“And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them

in the inn.”  Luke 2:7

Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, or laid in a golden cradle, or surrounded with people of note; rather he came amongst the lowliest of people, but people who loved God, believed what HE revealed to them, and acted upon it in faith and obedience!  We are faced with the same choice today.  We can believe and receive the God-Man-Savior, or we can reject Him; we can say we believe, we can go to church, we can do good deeds before men, but are we truly walking in the faith, hope and love of The Savior?  Are we willing to ‘leave the sheep’ and pursue the New Born King’?  Are we willing to stand in faithful service to our King Jesus, and do what He bids, go where He sends, serve the lowly as He did?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  For what’s the point, yes, the nativity story is an amazing gift from God, but the real gift was and is that Jesus came to die for you and me; to die for our sin.  Have you seen “your sin” and come to Jesus in repentance and faith to be forgiven of your sin; or are you playing games with God and putting on a show before men?  God knows!  So do you if you really search your heart!  Jesus said it better than I can:

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them,

They that be whole

need not a physician,

but they that are sick.

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth,

I will have mercy,

and not sacrifice:

for I am not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance.”  Matthew 9:13

Ponder these things, as you go through your day, and don’t lose sight of the truth that the “manger” points to the cross; and without the cross we have no hope.

“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them,

Whosoever will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me. 35

For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it;

but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake

and the gospel’s,

the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words

in this adulterous and sinful generation;

of him also

shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he cometh

in the glory of his Father                 with the holy angels.”   Mark 8:34-38

Jesus is coming again, and it won’t be in a manger, or on a cross again—He’s coming in “the glory of his Father with the holy angels”!  Are you ready?  Don’t celebrate the manger without the cross.  Jesus came to save you and me, my friend.  Don’t miss the cross, it is our only eternal hope!

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

He died for you and me—don’t miss it!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Way To Celebrate??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #163

08 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Father's Love, Before the foundation of the world, Behold the Lamb of God, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Follow Jesus, Follow The Star?, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Redeemed By HIS Blood, Redemption Through HIS Blood, Remember, Repentance, Running The Race!, Salvation, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Broad or Narrow Way?

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The Way To Celebrate??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #163

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

I know it’s not very popular today to stand by the truth that Jesus IS the only way to God—to heaven—to have eternal life!  It’s why Jesus came, and the story was ‘the story’ from “before the foundation of the world”!  The question is, “What will you do with this baby born in a barn, laid in a manger, the One who walked this earth with sinful men, yet remained sinless and walked to Calvary to pay for your sin and mine!”  What will you do with Him?  Leave Him in the manger?  Or bow before Him as your Lord and Savior?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”   John 17:24

Angels proclaimed the truth to Zacharias, to Mary, to Joseph, to shepherds—the good news that The Savior has come.

“And, behold,

thou shalt conceive in thy womb,

and bring forth a son,

and shalt call his name JESUS.

 32 He shall be great,

and shall be called the Son of the Highest:

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne

of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”   Luke 1:31-33

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

“And the angel said unto them,

Fear not:

for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day

in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10-11

Great news for all people, yet Jesus reminded us that there is even a greater part of that good news—when we come to HIM for this salvation, HE will not only “save his people from their sins...” but even the angels rejoice at the redemption promised to Adam and Eve, and to us.  All because this tiny baby was headed to Calvary to pay for our sin and restore us to HIS kingdom.  All this planned before “the foundation of the world”!

God knew we would fail, yet He had already provided for our restoration and salvation from the promised penalty of sin—death—a Savior was on the way!

“Father, I will that they also,

whom thou hast given me,

be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory,

which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me

before the foundation of the world.”   John 17:24

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

Peter also reminds us that our hope isn’t in a manger, or stars, or miraculous events, but in the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  It’s HIS way or no way!

“And if ye call on the Father,

who without respect of persons

judgeth according to every man’s work,

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:17-21

So, I pray that you know HIM, and will “walk worthy” of His grace, His love, and the blood that HE spilled ‘on purpose’ for you and me.  I pray that you will truly remember to celebrate JESUS!  If angels rejoice, we have even more cause!

“Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke15:10

While the angels do rejoice when a sinner repents, remember, Jesus warned us that repentance is necessary for all.  May we take heed to the truths of God’s Word and repent, receive and believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice that the ‘babe in the manger’ came to be!  May you draw near to Jesus and celebrate His blessings of love, grace, and salvation!

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:5

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.”  Matthew 16:24

May this lost world see us following JESUS!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

Smiles Help! Are You Smiling? A Word from THE WORD!!! #162

06 Wednesday Dec 2023

Posted by in A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abundant Life In Jesus, Changed Lives, Check Your Knees???, Joy, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy of The Lord!, Joy To The World?, Smile if you love Jesus!, SMILE!!! Jesus loves YOU!!, Smiling is contagious, Spread a smile, Spread the GOOD news!

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Smiles Help!!  Are You Smiling? A Word from THE WORD!!! #162

Just a few words this morning to hopefully brighten your day.  Joy and laughter are good for the soul, and many are weary and tired, rushed and stressed with work, home, shopping, spending money—or trying to come up with the money to spend!  These are perilous times and scripture told us they would come, but don’t lose heart—our God reigns and Jesus is coming soon!

“And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

Praise our God,

all ye his servants,

and ye that fear him,

both small and great.

6 And I heard

as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”   Revelation 19:5-6

Oh, Hallelujah sings my soul—as I sit here listening to Handel’s Messiah singing the Hallelujah Chorus, one of my favorite pieces of music—and I am smiling.  How about you.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22

I pray that you will find the “joy of the Lord” and smile, through your tears if necessary.  I was trying to encourage a friend recently who is carrying a heavy load of caring for an aging parent in the throes of dementia and heart problems; now not to give away any personal secrets but part of our conversation may help you see that sometimes, lightening the spirit with laughter and light-hearted banter can help.  Our texting conversation was something like this:

       “me:  take one step at a time….

         My friend: can I crawl?

        Me:  not unless you’re wearing knee pads…

My friend:  sending a meme of a woman on the floor rolling up into a carpet…

Me: rolling is fine, but you better watch those corners, they’ll get you….”

No great words of wisdom, or spiritual depth, just a friend trying to make another friend smile in the midst of her tears.  Smiling is ok!  Smiling is good for the soul, the spirit, and the face—especially for those looking at it, and it’s often contagious!

“A merry heart

maketh a cheerful countenance:

but by sorrow of the heart

the spirit is broken.”  Proverbs 15:13

“All the days of the afflicted

are evil:

but he that is of a merry heart

hath a continual feast.

16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure

and trouble therewith.”  Proverbs 15:15-16

Money is nice to have, and friends (real friends) are a delight to the soul, and an encouragement to the downhearted, but I’ve learned that you can’t buy love or friendship, but you can nurture and cultivate both, or you can give up and go without—but that is a most dreary way to live.  I’ve known people like that, and I just smile and say, “Have a blessed day!”—and while it sometimes evokes a smile—and sometimes not so much—but either way, I know I’ve spread a little love, cheer, and kindness.  You never know what that little clerk may be facing, or that teller, or that service person on the phone may be worried about; so spread a little cheer with a smile on your face, in your voice and everywhere you go.  It costs little and can do so much good.

Nehemiah was one who stepped up to help his people rebuild out of chaos, and that under circumstances of great stress and fear, but as they gathered to hear The Word of The Lord, their hearts were sad, yet Nehemiah encouraged them to rejoice in what they had heard from God; rather than sorrow, he called them to rejoice, share what they had with those who had none and to, in my paraphrase, “put on a smile, rejoice in the Lord and spread it around”!  Won’t you do the same, especially as we celebrate the gift of our Redeemer’s birth—HE who came to die in our place, so that we could live!

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd

giveth his life for the sheep.”  John 10:10-11

And that my friends, is something to smile about.  Spread the love of Jesus, smile at the world and don’t be ashamed to wish others a “Merry CHRISTmas”!  Blessings on your day!

With a great big smile!

Amen and Amen!!!