Three Smiles

Yesterday I saw many smiles, but there’s a wonderful connection with three of them.

The first one was found on my wife’s face as she entered the door of our home.  She had just returned from Panera Bread.  Over breakfast and coffee, Denise was able to answer questions and give biblical solutions to a mom crying out for help.  How awesome to be able to share truth and practical wisdom from the Word of God!  How blessed to see a dear mom ready and willing to learn and apply what she had been taught!  My wife was beaming because discipleship, although hard at times, is so rewarding!!

The second smile was found on the faces of many pictured on a post card we received from Spain.  There, gathered for their “Pastor & Youth Meeting,” were eighteen precious souls learning how to address difficult ethical issues in their daily lives.  The biggest smile is found on the face of our missionary friend and pastor.  Knowing his passion for discipleship, no wonder he is smiling from ear-to-ear!  What a delight to train hungry young people how to make biblical decisions in this humanistic, unethical world!!  Wow!!

The third smile was on my face as I left the church foyer in the late afternoon.  What a blessing to meet with a young man wanting to be the spiritual leader of his home.  How awesome to watch the Lord direct our conversation, to give hope, and to see fear and worry confronted with Truth!  The Word works, and discipleship is a rich blessing!!

Have you been smiling this week?  Is it due to the power of God’s Word being transferred into the life of someone?  Don’t misunderstand, mentoring is hard work, but it is rewarding work because the Word of God is always profitable (2 Timothy 3:16).

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-19)

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)