Today's Devotion
Monday, December 8, 2003


"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
(Habakkuk 3:18)


Today's Thought

How many times have we heard people say that they don't want to make a true
commitment to the Lord because they don't want to ruin all their fun in
life? This seems to be a mindset these days as lovers of pleasure continue
to run from the only true Joy that mankind has ever known!

The world needs to see Christians smile! They need to see that we enjoy life
to the very fullest! Our countenance needs to reflect the Joy of our
salvation, the Peace that floods our soul, and the Happiness that only total
surrender to the King of kings can bring.

When was the last time you rejoiced in the Lord . . . truly rejoiced
unashamedly before Him? In the workplace, at school, at the grocery, at the
gym, even at the doctor's office . . . all these places and more are
acceptable locations for outbursts of JOY! Lyrics from a popular song from a
few years ago said, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel . . . the Gospel of
Jesus Christ!" We all sang along, with heart-felt commitment and
determination, yet when floods of joy overwhelm us we don't easily let it
show on our faces! Why? Could it be that we really are ashamed?

Take a few moments today and ask yourself how the world sees you. Do they
see you as depressed, unhappy, lacking joy and meaning to life? If so, ask
the Lord to help you release that Joy down in your soul for the whole world
to see and let it shine . . . you may be the only light that someone will
ever see that leads them to the foot of the cross! Go ahead . . . joy in the
God of your salvation! He's worth it, for sure!


Today's Prayer

Father, I am truly grateful for all you have done for me. The joy you have
given me is overwhelming at times; help me not to hold it in any longer, but
to let it show . . . let the whole world know that You are the source of
true Joy! Father, from the depth of my heart I rejoice in You, the God of my
salvation! I make a decision today to let my countenance tell the story of
Your wondrous love and redeeming blood which bought my freedom from sin and
death! Lord, how I rejoice in just knowing You! What a privilege!
Hallelujah!


Have a blessed day!

Jan Ross
rross@...

 "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a
doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of
wickedness." (Psalm 84:10)