"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
-Philippians 4:4

This Is The Day

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118: 24) When is the last time that you awoke in the morning with this verse on your mind? 'Hey, it is great to be awake and alive. This is the day the Lord has made so lets rejoice and be glad in it!' Just imagine how life could be if we all started our days with this attitude. Like Mary prayed as she contemplated the blessing of carrying the Savior within her womb, "...My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant..." (Luke 1: 46-48) Imagine what life could be like if we could approach each day, each circumstance that comes our way, and turn it into a celebration of God.

Why rejoice some may ask? With all the 'bad' in our world, in our lives? Take some time and read the book of Job. If there is anyone that understands what it is like to live through 'bad' times it is Job. But even in the midst of tragedy that filled his life, Job knew where his hope lay. "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." (Job 19: 25) That redemption that Job discovered is there for us today. "...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1: 12-14) Praise God for the redemption and forgiveness that we can find in Him. This is the day! Rejoice, and live today as a celebration to God! May you begin each day with praises to God. "Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!" (Psalm 66: 1-2) Amen!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with jewels."
-Isaiah 61: 10

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