Smiles

Last night we had such a great time at the Matthew West concert here in Las Vegas!

Thanks to all who dropped by the SOS Booth to chat.

There's nothing quite like connecting face to face with you guys!

It's pretty obvious many are dealing with challenging times.

I hope we can be an encouragement to you in some way.

I know I was encouraged by a few conversations I had last night.

I spoke with a Christ follower who does some street preaching here in Las Vegas.

He's had to deal with a lot of opposition and spiritual attack this year.

He smiles through the pain.

Being bold for Christ can sometimes make you feel like you're walking around with a target on your back.

Or a sign that says... "kick me".

And yet he continues to run the race with his eyes on Jesus who said...

John 15:18-20 (ESV) 18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."

Another guy who works for a ministry told me that he's being laid off from his job in a couple of months. He's having a hard time finding work.

HE was smiling too.

"The Lord has something exciting for me I just know it!" he told me.

I believe him because he believes Jesus:

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV) 31 "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

A woman who is disabled won tickets through our on air giveaway.

She's a retired school teacher who impacted many children's lives in the public schools here.

When school officials wouldn't allow her to host a Bible Club on campus, she just moved the meeting to a public park next door.

Once a week after school she would lead a fun, age appropriate Bible study for kids.

She started with one child.

When she retired, 75 kids on average would attend.

She had to retire for health reasons.

She lives by herself.

She still misses those classes.

She smiles.

"God is so good. He has a new ministry in mind for me now. I can't wait to see what it is!"

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

And then there was this truly inspirational couple from Pahrump, Nevada.

What great folks!

The husband has been out of work for about 14 months now.

Add two more smiles to the list, by the way.

They've tapped out their 401k to survive.

At first, they were beside themselves for having to take money out of the account.

But now, they see the wisdom of God in it.

The past 14 months they have spent tons of time together and it's made all the difference in their marriage.

"Just think," she says. "Given the economy and the stock market, we figure that money would have been gone anyway. We got to invest it in something truly special."

They wouldn't have traded this precious time with each other for a million dollar retirement fund.

Really.

"The best 14 months of our lives" the husband says.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflecting on these snapshots of faith in real life, I can't help it.

I find a smile sneaking up on me too.

Do you?