The Power of a Smile

Proverbs 15:30  A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. (NIV)

Smiling. Have you ever noticed that it is contagious. Even the most hardened person can many times be softened with a smile. I was recently having a conversation at the gym. Basically, we were talking about body building and how some people just look mean and tough because of their physique. One of the little guys said, "man if I could just get to 200 lbs I'd feel good. Then maybe people would think I was tough." He laughed at himself and said that it wouldn't work because he is always smiling. And it's true, he is always smiling. That conversation made me think about how much I smile. I must admit that smiling is something I have had to train myself to do. I get in my own little world (lost in my own thoughts) and realize that I might look like I'm frowning or mad. In reality I am not upset but other people don't know what I am thinking. So I have determined to try and make myself smile more. Like anything else, it can become a habit that will develop into character. I can't think of a better character trait to have than to be known as someone who is always smiling. Can you?

Blessings,

Sullivan Jones 

What is Faith?

Hebrews 11: 6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Faith is what gives us the courage to obey God even when we don't understand him. Perhaps you have a dream to do something for him but don't know how it will work out. Maybe it involves finances you don't have or talents and abilities you are not skilled in. The good news is, if God spoke it to your heart, he has the details worked out but he only shows us one step at a time.  Sure it takes courage to step out on faith. But our faith is THE GOD. The God who created the universe and formed man from the dust of the ground. He is the God of angel armies who has never lost a battle. This isn't just any God we are believing in but we are trusting in the great I AM. Perhaps you don't feel like you have enough faith to believe God for what you need? Well, allow me to ask you a question. Are you trying to have faith in your faith or in God. Your faith will never be big enough but God is always enough. If God has spoken to you, just leave the details to him. He has it all worked out. 

Living by Faith,

Rev. Sullivan Jones 

Abundant Life

I Corinthians 15:45 - So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 

I Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Did you know that we are all destined to die? That's right. And its all because of one man's sin. It may not seem fair but we are all under the curse of sin and death because of one man and woman and their wrong choices. But that isn't the end of the story. There is a way to trade this curse of death for the blessing of life. How? By being born again in Jesus Christ. 

The first Adam (the one in Eden) was made a living being. He was alive but because of his sin he took death unto himself and passed death on to his descendants. (That's you and me.) The second Adam is Jesus Christ. He not only was made a living being but a life-giving spirit. The difference between the first and second Adam is this. While the first Adam traded life for death the second Adam gave his life to conquer death. The first Adam was alive but once he lost life he could not regain it. He was destined to die. But the second Adam gave his life and shed his blood to conquer death once and for all. So even though all must die because of Adam's sin, in Jesus Christ all can be made a alive because of his righteousness. Jesus Christ not only has life himself but he has the power and authority to grant eternal life to others. That is why he is a LIFE-GIVING spirit. 

Do you feel like the curse of sin and death is on your life? Nothing seem to go right? You've made all the wrong choices? Perhaps you've been diagnosed with a terrible disease or know someone who has. You can find life in Jesus for he is a life-giving spirit. He came that we could have life, and not just any life, but life more abundantly (John 10:10). All the life you need is available in Jesus.

For as many as received him to them gave he power to become the children of God. John 1:12.

Living Abundantly,

Sullivan Jones