Good morning joy-filled ones!

Did you know that God talks about our countenance in the Scriptures fifty-three times? Things like, the glory of Moses’ countenance in 2 Corinthians 3:7; how Jesus’ countenance was like lightening from Matthew 28:3, and that a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance from Proverbs 15:13.

When we hear the word, “Rejoice”, we think of singing praises to God. And while that includes that, the word “rejoice” means to brighten up, to put a smile on your face, and to be cheerful.

When you go through the day with a smile on your face, you ARE rejoicing!

When you have a cheerful countenance, you are giving God praise.

You may have a lot coming against you ~ I am not making light of any circumstances, but Jesus said in John 16:33,

• In life, you will have difficulty…(but here’s the answer): BE OF GOOD CHEER…

This means we have to brighten up, even when we do not feel like it! Sometimes, we have to smile by faith.

When everything says you should be depressed, discouraged, and worried, I encourage you not to be moved by what you see ~ Only be moved by what you KNOW! Know that this is the day that the Lord has made. Choose to live this day in the joy of the Lord!

See, when we smile, it sends a message to our bodies that everything is alright.

The key here is you cannot wait to see how you feel to decide whether or not you are going to express your joy; you have to smile FIRST, then the joy will come!

When you smile, chemicals are released in your body to help you feel better! It is hard to smile and think negative thoughts at the same time! It is hard to be cheerful and friendly and stay in a bad mood!

It has been documented that “Smiling tricks your body into feeling well.” That is the way God created us! When we smile, it helps determine our mood. When you brighten up and have a cheerful countenance, it is telling your body – Everything is okay! You are going to have more joy, more strength, more energy, and a better attitude.

You have heard the saying, “Fake it ’til you make it!” It may be a faith smile, but if you keep at it, God will turn it into a real smile!

Our report should be, “I am too blessed to be stressed!” “My future is so bright, I need sunglasses!” One person said, “If I was going any better, I would be twins!” LOL!

Hebrews 1:9 says when you honor God with you life, by loving what is right and hating what is wrong, then God will anoint you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else. I realize this is referring to Jesus (it is a quote from Psalm 45:7), but He lives in us. Colossians 1:27 says,

• Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NLT) says,

• The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and tempted to lose your enthusiasm, you have got to dig your heels in and say, “Father, I am doing my best to honor You, so I KNOW You have anointed me with the oil of joy! I may not feel like it, but I am going to put a smile on my face; I am going to have a spring in my step; I am going to brighten up and enjoy this day!”

When you make a decision to cheer up and to have a happy countenance, you will feel the oil of joy kick in! You will not have to smile by faith anymore ~ you will be smiling because of God’s goodness. You will smile because God is turning things in your favor.

So, I exhort you today to get in a habit of smiling! It takes 62 muscles to frown and only 26 muscles to smile!

The Scripture declares in Psalm 16:11,

• In God’s presence is fullness of JOY!

Stay connected with God’s presence today and every day! Start smiling on purpose! Your smile is an incredible asset ~ Make sure you are using it!

My question to you today is: “Are you using your smile?” “Are you expressing your joy?” You do not realize the power of a smile!

Family, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Turn that switch on with a smile! 2 Corinthians 3:2 says that we are supposed to be living epistles known and read by all men. That means: They might not read the Bible, but they are reading our lives. They may not be listening to what we have to say, but they are watching how we live!

I always try to keep my joy on display. Studies tell us that people only remember about 10% of what we say, but what they always remember is how they felt when you were around.

See, we can say the right thing with the wrong attitude, and they will still remember the negative. But when you are happy, friendly, and have a smile on your face, that is what makes an impact on people.

Pastors and ministers of the gospel, people might not remember your whole sermon, but what they will remember is the joy on your faces and the love they feel when they are in your presence.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” That means, we represent God down here on this earth! If we are going to represent God properly, we should do it with a smile, with joy, and with enthusiasm. I am asking you today to let your joy be seen! Smile and the feelings will follow!

Displaying my joy today,

Lisa Gordon

Jesus City Church