{"id":29536,"date":"2021-01-13T03:30:35","date_gmt":"2021-01-13T11:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=29536"},"modified":"2021-01-11T21:37:38","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T05:37:38","slug":"january-13-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2021\/01\/13\/january-13-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"January 13, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00a0\u201cLooking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.\u201d <\/em>Hebrew 12:2<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Looking for His Smile<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where are my eyes looking? I often ask myself this, especially when I find that I\u2019m being negative or complaining. When I allow myself to whine or be angry, it seems to build and affect my outlook and attitude in everything. Am I chasing an argument that doesn\u2019t really matter, that ends up destructive to my faith and others? I need to make the decision to seek His pleasure and smile.<\/p>\n

When I was a little girl, I would look for my mom\u2019s smile for approval and encouragement. I believe Jesus is always watching us, and when we look hard to seek His will and peace, I believe we also will see His smile.<\/p>\n

We can know that \u201cThe LORD\u2019s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing Love\u201d <\/em>(Psalm 147:11).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u201cDo not fear little flock, for it is your Father\u2019s good pleasure to give you the kingdom\u201d <\/em>(Luke 12:32).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>We have His pleasure and smile when we turn to Him.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been purposing my days to look for His smile. Not only am I blessed by His presence in my quiet time, when He speaks to my heart and soul, but have been realizing His smile throughout the day: in the cloudy, threatening-rain sky that became clear on my walk with a friend; the lights turning green when I was late leaving for an appointment and I didn\u2019t have to speed. And the smile on my baby granddaughter\u2019s face that lights up the room.<\/p>\n

We can be confident and free to live in His will because of His great love for us. \u201cSee how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that\u2019s what we are!\u201d <\/em>(1 John 3:1 NLT).<\/p>\n

We know Jesus is our example of how He desired to please the Father in all things, even laying down His life for our salvation as in Hebrews 12:2: \u201c\u2026for the joy set before Him, He endured\u2026.\u201d <\/em>We can confidently look also for that pleasure, and press on looking unto Jesus.<\/p>\n

As we begin this new year we can choose to be thankful for the Lord\u2019s blessings daily and look for His smile. It may be in a sunrise or sunset, the clouds settling artistically on the foothills, an unexpected call from a friend or the knowledge of His continued presence. I\u2019m praying the simple touches from God will bless you and cause you to continue to look for His smile.<\/p>\n

Dear <\/em>Lord Jesus, thank You that You delight in Your children and it pleases You greatly when we respond gratefully to Your blessings. I pray that we notice Your guidance and Your pleasure this year and that it spills over to others. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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