The JOY of JESUS

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,

But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.”

- Proverbs 15:13 (NASB)

This week one of my friends sent me an email that included a short devotion entitled, “Sparkling!” Since that just happens to be part of our message at PEACE, LOVE and SPARKLE every Friday, I wanted to share with you the opening paragraph.

“As I was waiting to checkout I glanced at one of the magazines on the rack, I noticed it had a female celebrity wearing a gem studded gown worth four times as much as my friendly cashier could make in a year. When I looked at it, however, I couldn’t help but think that nothing on that dress sparkled as brightly or shined as beautifully as the cashier’s joyful smile.” (excerpt taken from “Sparkling!” by Joseph J. Mazzella)

What a wonderful compliment ... but it actually means so much more.

Do you remember this childhood song?

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.

f you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

A SMILE is an outward expression of an inward emotion. And that inward emotion is JOY. Our JOY comes from knowing the LORD. And our love of the LORD fills our heart with JOY (inward emotion) and is expressed with a SMILE (outward expression).

Okay, are you dizzy yet? Whether you noticed it or not, we just went in a complete circle.

As Christians we have so much to be thankful for. I once heard someone say that “heart smiles” erupt on our faces and give us a special radiance that comes from the joy in our heart.

Does your face reflect the spiritual condition of your heart?

Here are some reminders from scripture:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.”

- Proverbs 31:25

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

- Habakkuk 3:18

“Laughter does the heart good like a medicine

but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

- Proverbs 17:22

It’s Friday, so if you are happy, let your face show it
– aka Sparkle.

Our smile can be a wonderful testimony to our faith. Let your confidence in Christ – your joy, happiness and peace, shine through.

Remember, you may be the only Christ someone will ever see.

Praying that your weekend will be filled with JOY and lots of SMILES!
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Simply Smile!

“A smile is the beginning of peace.”

– Mother Teresa

I can’t believe that I am seriously posting the picture above for the whole world to see ... but today I found smiles, joy and peace while reminiscing.

It all started when some of my high school friends posted old photos of our high school football team on FaceBook. Oh the memories ... Friday night football games, performing with the marching band during half time (thus the majorette picture above), post-game bonfires, bus rides home from away games, and of course, teenage sleepovers (hair in rollers and dippity doo) ... ahhh, those where the days.  ‘smile’

This weekend my granddaughter went to a homecoming dance and today she downloaded some of the pics ... the memories continued.... and so did the ‘smiles.’

I must confess that all the smiles not only made my cheeks hurt, but filled me with a spirit of peace. Realizing the change in my mood, I got to thinking about the benefits of smiling. There are so many reasons to smile. Smiling makes perfect strangers respond to us in positive, encouraging ways and opens the door for comfortable conversations.

Smiles also:

• change our mood – and can even change the mood of others around us
• improve our confidence
• help us stay positive
• make us more approachable
• are contagious

Studies have shown that smiles can be good for our health in the following ways:

• can lighten our spirits
• relieve anxiety and stress – lower blood pressure
• increase our immune system
• lift the face and make a person look younger

The final (and best) reason to smile can be found in the scripture: "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit" (Proverbs 15:13).

If you seem to be having trouble finding your smile lately, try this little exercise. Using a pen and paper, draw a line down the middle of the page from top to bottom. On the left hand side, list things that rob you of peace and happiness. On the right hand side, list things that make you smile. At the top of the list on the left write THESE THINGS WILL NOT STEAL MY PEACE... and at the top of the list on the right, write I WILL CHOOSE TO SMILE TODAY.

Understanding what makes us frown or smile, and remembering that we have a choice, will bring peace to our lives. This week take pleasure in the little things. Remember what made you smile when you were younger and allow the memories to bring a smile to your face!

Smile and the whole world smiles with you!
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“Sweet peace is crowned with smiles.

– Henry Vaughan