A deacon was asked by his pastor to meet a guest speaker at the local airport. He stood patiently waiting and looking at each traveler as they claimed their luggage and then left the airport. But he was not comfortable in approaching any of them and asking, “Are you the one who is scheduled to speak at the First Baptist Church?”
Finally, he noticed a gentleman who was wearing a dark blue suit, red tie and carrying a briefcase. Ah, he thought, that’s our guest.
Approaching him he asked, “Pardon me, Sir, but are you the minister who is to speak at the First Baptist Church tomorrow?”
“No,” came the reply. “It’s my indigestion that makes me look like I’m sick.”
How sad it is that people associate gloom and doom with godliness and not happiness and gladness. If there is anything that should separate the born again from those who do not know Christ as Savior, it is the sign of joy! We who have been released from the power of sin and the grip of Satan ought to always have a smile on our faces and happiness in our hearts.
“I might have been a minister myself,” confessed Oliver Wendell Holmes, “for all I know, if a certain clergyman had not looked and talked like an undertaker.”
God’s Word does not say, “Be careful not to smile. The world is in terrible shape. The end will soon be here.” Instead, it cries out loudly, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship Him with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.” Let’s be joyful!
Prayer: Father, if we have not found a reason to be filled with “joyful songs,” please open our eyes to see Your goodness, be happy, and smile! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1-2
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