Leading The Way - Devotional for January 1
January 1, 2026
Salvation Brings Joy
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
Read Philippians 1:6.
Do you live as though God has written your name in the Book of Life with a pencil? One day, you’re in, but the next, you blow it, and your name is erased? My friend, when God writes your name in the Book of Life, He doesn’t write with pencil. He writes with the indelible blood of Jesus, who promised that those who trust in Him “shall never perish” (John 10:28). No one can snatch you from His hand.
When God saves you, He saves you eternally. It’s not up to you. It’s up to Him, and He alone is able. This Truth gave Paul tremendous joy as he wrote to the Philippians from prison. He wanted them to experience this same unquenchable joy, too. So he pointed them to its source, Jesus Christ, saying: “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
Salvation and joy are a package deal. Salvation brings joy because we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:38-39). And at the same time, salvation establishes the Holy Spirit in our heart, from whom bursts forth inexpressible joy (see Galatians 5:22-23).
Today, rest in Christ’s redeeming blood shed for you and experience the overwhelming, incomprehensible, glorious joy of the Lord.
Prayer: Father, I praise You for Your grace. I take joy in my salvation secured through the perfect blood of Christ. May this joy permeate every aspect of my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:4-6).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon It’s Contagious . . . Pass It On!, Part 1: LISTEN NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
