Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images from Bobby McFerrin singing his hit song … Don’t Worry, Be Happy … Happily singing of a philosophy that Christians need to adopt more than we do in life because of the life we live to glorify our Lord and His promises for our eternal future.
Highlight Verse[s]: Colossians 3:23-24 [NKJV] … 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
… When we “work” (or just live), if we do it for the Lord, why wouldn’t it involve happiness (i.e., blessedness)
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Highlight Passage [context]: Colossians 3:18-24 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to live the hearty/fulfilled life Christ has called us to live.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ “BE-ATTITUDES” … all of which begin with contract “Blessed are,” which is the Greek term, which can also be translated “Happy are.” … But do our lives as Christians reflect happiness to the world (see also Matthew 5:16 - where Jesus commands, “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. ..."
Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
… Jesus has given us all the power we need to be His witnesses in this world.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, used a personality illustration of how we Christians should live EVERYWHERE we are serving others or sharing our witness of God’s eternal hope. The ODB author wrote: Going to the grocery store isn’t something I particularly enjoy. It’s just a mundane part of life—something that has to be done.
But there is one part of this task I’ve unexpectedly come to look forward to: checking out in Fred’s lane. Fred, you see, turns checkout into show time. He’s amazingly fast, always has a big smile [see photo], and even dances (and sometimes sings!) as he acrobatically flips (unbreakable) purchases into a plastic bag. Fred clearly enjoys a job that could be seen as one of the most tedious around. And for just a moment, his cheerful spirit brightens the lives of people in his checkout lane.
And if you’ve heard Bobby McFerrin’s old hit song, linked above, and meditated on the scriptures above, I don’t think the point of today’s ODB entry, as well as my personal blog here, are much of a mystery, are they?
But I’m afraid (or rather “concerned”) that many, many folks, who think of themselves as “christians,” find it difficult to smile on the job, or live happily at home with family, … or witness their faith joyfully anywhere, for that matter. Think about it!! … If we’re out there doing what it says in Col. 3:23-24 or we’re REALLY shining the light of Christ (as charged in Matt. 5:16) into the world as we witness our faith [as He commanded in Acts. 1:8], do others see us, as Bobby Mac sings, … trying to “BE HAPPY!”
So, let’s all make it a point to smile today and even try our best to make someone else smile. And if they don’t seem to want to reflect our smiles back at us, let’s ask them if we can pray for them in some way to help them find more happiness. Yeah, … let’s all do all we can to be Matt. 5:1-12 Christians today.
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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for giving us all the best reason in the world to BE HAPPY.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, King Jesus, … O Lord, help me help someone smile today. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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