YOU WILL SMILE AGAIN!

When things are going well for us, we are all laughter and songs. But alas, life isn't always like that. Sometimes, we pass through gloomy seasons when our faces seem boarded up and forbidding. It may be a time of bereavement or other kind of loss, it could be sickness, aggravating relationships or financial trouble.

Whatever it is, I want you to know that the Lord Jesus is there with you and will pull you through one way or another. Those difficult times afford us great opportunities to draw closer to God, through Jesus, and grow our faith. He knows what it is like to suffer pain or have darkness descend on you. Remember His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane till He was crucified on Calvary (Matthew 26:36-56; 27:1 & 2, 11-50). He sure wasn't smiling then.

But one thing about trials and difficulties is that they are only for a season. So Jesus went from Gethsemane to trial before the Sanhedrin and Pilate to the cross at Calvary. He went through indescribable agony but then He was laid in the tomb and before His disciples knew it, He had risen on resurrection morning!  (Matthew 27:57-60; 28:1-10) The tears, the travailing were all gone. He had risen with an immortal body and before long, He ascended in glory to take His proper place at the right hand of God the Father (Mark 16:19).

In your own case too, as the Bible assures, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). It may not be clear how long the night will be or how relief will come but it surely will. So, hold on to God and know that however bitter this moment is, sweetness will overtake it. However dark the night is, the day is coming. However bad your situation is now, joy is on the way and you will smile again.

But you can do something proactive. Even before the situation changes, you can in faith begin to see it as what you have prayed it to be in accordance with the word of God. You can envision yourself as the victor because you are in Christ Jesus who is Master over all things. 

"9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -  Philippians 2:9-11

Whether through life or death, your situation is win-win in Christ Jesus. This is the heritage of everyone who has accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and Apostle Paul expressed it so well when he declared:

"20. ... Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:20-21

Bearing that in mind, you can begin to lighten up your face. Crack a smile now and then. It will get easier with practice and you might even hear laughter bubbling up from within you in time.

Yes, my brother, my sister, you will smile again. And you don't have to wait till your prayers are answered. Begin now if you can but whatever the case, the clouds will lift and your joy will return. YES, YOU WILL SMILE AGAIN!

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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
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If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, do pray this short prayer:

PRAYER FOR SALVATION
Almighty God, I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me. I receive the work Jesus did for me by shedding His blood for my sins. Write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life and send your Spirit to live in my heart and teach me your word. I receive the grace to live a life that honours you henceforth in Jesus' name. Amen.

Now, you are born again. Join a Bible-believing group of believers to help you learn, through studying the word of God and prayer, how to live and practise your faith. You are blessed in Jesus' name.

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WE WERE LIKE THEM THAT DREAM

"1. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among tvhhe heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." - Psalm 126:1-3 

This scripture was the testimony of the Israelites who had been carried away captive to Babylon when the Lord brought them back to their homeland. They could hardly believe that they were finally home and were overwhelmed with joy.

But captivity is not only when people are forced into exile. One can be captive to sin, sickness, indebtedness, abuse (toxic relationships), etc. The condition may be so bad the victim hardly sees any room for escape. But if you're a child of God caught in any debilitating situation, the same God who set the Israelites free from bondage in Babylon and brought them home can make you taste freedom again. 

He can defeat the stranglehold of sin in your life. He can help you sleep peacefully again though your body has been tortured by pain. He can bring you out of debt into having enough and surplus. He can keep you safe from the abuser who has been tormenting you. Whatever, the case, God Almighty can handle it. 

This is why He sent His dear Son, Jesus, to pay for your freedom through His death on the cross. The problem may have been in your family for ages but Jesus has fully paid to end it.

"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" - 1 Peter 1:18-19. 

Believe that God has taken care of the problem through our Lord Jesus and that you will soon testify like the Israelites:

"1. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.  2. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy ..."  - Psalm 126:1 & 2 (ESV)

Amen in Jesus' name.

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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.

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GIVING BRINGS UNPARALLELED JOY!

I can't count how many times I've felt like I was on cloud nine, just singing one song after another and dancing. You might feel I must have received a windfall. On the contrary, I'd just blessed someone and the joy was like God overshadowing me with His presence as a result. Remember what the Bible says, "... in thy presence, there is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

No wonder the Lord Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35 There are many more benefits from giving, like receiving and having our prayers answered. These scriptures show some of them.

"God loveth a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." - Ecclesiastes 11:1 

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." - Psalm 41:1-3

But the benefit that thrills me most is the opening of the fountain of joy within us. Do you want to be happy like you've never been before? Do something nice for someone today, especially for a person who is very needy and who likely can't pay you back, ever. 

I know that God loves us all unconditionally. But if you want to have a strong witness of it, if you want to live with that conviction everyday, the conviction that God is excited about you, lend a helping to the destitute today. And do it again and again till it becomes your lifestyle. And your joy will know no bounds. Amen in Jesus' name.

All scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

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You are blessed in Jesus' name.