The Lord's Face Shines on You

During my time with God this morning I was reading about how much God wants us to know the immensity of His love for us and I couldn't help but smile thinking about how He smiles at me.

Our God smiles at you... did you know that?
His face shines upon you! He delights in you!!
Isn't that remarkable?
The Lord of Glory is the Lifter of your head so when you look up...
there He is... smiling down on you!
What amazing grace!

In Ephesians 3, the Apostle Paul is praying that we would be able to know... not just with our brains... but with our hearts... how long and wide and deep and high God's love for us really is. But that isn't always easy, is it? Sometimes, if you're like me, your thoughts and emotions can get caught up in what others think or say or feel about you... or bogged down by life's circumstances... past, present or future! So if you're feeling downcast today... may I encourage you to take a moment to refocus... turn away from the thoughts that are not from God and look up into His wonderful face... maybe even pick up your Bible and read Ephesians chapter 3:14-22 and be reminded that God's heart for you is huge and when you see His smile... it will make you smile... just like it did me! And when we smile... He is glorified... and we are blessed.

Heavenly Father,
I pray for my friend that You will fill her with the joy of the Lord as she considers the truth that Your face shines upon her and Your smile envelops her. May she be reminded that Your grace is sufficient for whatever concerns her today. And may she delight in You as much as You delight in her... in Christ... Amen.