BE A GOOD EGG AND SMILE

John 16:33 NKJV These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

You may be having a great week, or you may be having a challenging week, but what we could all probably do with is an infusion of joy.😊 Jesus warned us we would have difficulties but He never left us on a downer, He then went on to say, “But cheer up, I’ve overcome the world.” 

He was saying it’s ok to put a smile on our faces, regardless of what is going on, because He’s made us to be overcomers whether we feel like it or not. He was reminding us that His joy is our strength to face the day, to deal with the difficulties. 

A smile releases all good chemicals into our brains that lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. Smiling is healthy! So smile by faith!😊 When we smile we use roughly 26 muscles, but when we frown we use about 52 muscles so don’t wear yourself out - smile!😊 Why can we smile? Because Jesus has already won the victory over the devil, over every principality and power and that includes the victory over the doom and glooms, over whatever the enemy is whispering in our ears.

Who are we choosing to listen to today? When we feel lost, when we don’t know which way to turn, can I encourage you to turn to the Word of God and let Him minister His joy to your heart. Google the joy scriptures, shift your focus to the fruit of joy that’s in your spirit, to remember God loves you, He’s for you and He’s with you.😊

Let’s listen to the words of Jesus in John 14:1 & 27, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus said twice to not let our hearts be troubled, because He was giving us His own peace which gives us joy. We have a lot going for us! 

God never asks us to do something we aren’t capable of doing, so let’s cheer up today. Let’s put a smile on our faces by faith, let’s not let our hearts be troubled but let’s remember who holds us in the palm of His powerful and loving hands - and cheer up.😊 

We’re on the winning side, there are glories to come we know nothing about, victories to be celebrated already written in our book. So keep smiling because we do have a lot to smile about in Jesus.😊 Amen.

P.S. Someone just sent me this, “I may be hanging by a thread right now, but that thread is attached to the hem of His garment. I’m gonna be all right.” And you are too.😊

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

GRACE AND PEACE

2 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Did you catch that? Grace and peace! Would you like some grace and peace that you can’t buy or earn today? God is offering it freely to each one of us for the taking and receiving, but if we don’t take it by faith we won’t walk in it.😊

It’s like if I give you a birthday present but if you don’t take it when I offer it to you, then you will never enjoy it. We read God’s words but tend to gloss over them sometimes, and they float over our heads and remain in the ether because we don’t mix them with faith and benefit from them.

God’s grace includes His enabling strength, His blessings and favour throughout our day in every situation that we walk into, whether it’s an opportunity for a bargain in a shop, a job interview, or a difficult conversation with someone. If we’ve received and thanked God for His grace and His favour, then we can enjoy it and expect it to open doors for us, to help us overcome tricky situations. God says His grace is more than enough for whatever comes each day. I think we’d all like some of that!😊

How about some heaven sent peace? Could you do with a dose of peace right now? Peace is knowing we’re right first of all with God Himself, that He accepts and approves us because we’re in Jesus, that’s the foundation for our peace. 

Peace is trusting God to work things out when we don’t know how, to trust He has a way where we can’t see one, to know He has our back and He’s watching over us. Peace is resting in the One who holds the stars in place, who brings the sun up each morning. Peace is knowing God is looking after us and He’s with us, no matter what! It’s knowing when our thoughts are in turmoil we can stop and receive yet more of His peace. Would you like some today? God is giving it to us all but we have to receive it.😊

Lord, we lift our hands out in faith to You to thank You for your grace and peace today. We receive them so gladly and we’re so grateful for them. In Jesus name. Amen.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash