2/13/15

From Gary... Smile!!!


In a world that is so full of troubles- Smile every day. Why? For a couple of reasons: 1 It just feels good! 2. Because God has blessed us. I know, sometimes it doesn't feel that way, with so much visible evil about us. Nevertheless, WE ARE BLESSED.  Please read the following...

1 Peter, Chapter 1 (WEB)
 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,  5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials,  7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—  8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—  9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,  11 searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.  12 To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. 

Having problems- rejoice, because you are BLESSED!!! No one ever said it is easy to be a Christian, but no matter what- Smile!!! Smile when you are having problems, suffering- no matter what!!! OK, right about now you are probably thinking I am a little bit crazy to say such things, but remember that there are all sorts of smiles, including the one that knows something that others don't.  Besides...