"Instead of their shame MY people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting 'JOY' will be theirs."  Isaiah 61:7

Today, being Monday, the first busy day of your week, we pray that you get your 'JOY' ON and praise the LORD with us, the whole week long!

Instead of their disgrace - Suffering from humiliation and the loss of self esteem in the area of personal and family honor is extremely devastating! Disgrace brands people without mercy. Disgrace keeps your head lowered in public and your eyes always looking at your feet, unable to see and appreciate the world around you for fear that someone will notice you and remember your personal disgrace.

From early childhood you feel disgrace when caught in sin.  When your hands are in the cookie jar and your parent walks in on you, your head immediately looks down to the floor. When you get caught telling a small lie at home or school, your heads bow and your eyes look at your feet. This reaction continues through life for it is impossible to keep your head looking up and your gaze in the eyes of others when you feel personal disgrace.

It is impossible to live your entire life without feeling disgrace over some issue in your life.  How you live and behave is critical to your emotional, physical and spiritual life.  Remember your MIGHTY SAVIOR and HIS gifts of forgiveness and grace.  JESUS' death finished, paid for and ruined the power held against you because of your past sins, you no longer have to live in disgrace. 

Lift up your head, look others in the eyes and proclaim; "I am forgiven and free to live in the everlasting 'JOY' of the LORD!"  Today and everyday, live your life in the 'JOY' of the LORD!