Ever feel like you lack direction? Ever feel the lack of joy? Ever feel like you could use something to keep you going and keep you happy?

My mom just sent me this scripture for the day:

PSALMS 16:11

As I meditated on this verse, I realized three extremely important things:

1.  Nothing else and no one else can show me anything of lasting value or lasting direction for my life or for the lives of those around me except for God. I can look in books, ask counselors, talk to friends, purchase the right curriculum, but ultimately it is God alone who will show me the path of life. Not just the path of MY life, but THE path of life itself. The reason I am here. The very reason I exist. The very place where God dwells. It's NOT all about me; it's all about HIM! "You will show me the path of life..." If I am lacking direction, I have probably left the presence of God and have begun to walk in my own understanding.

2. Nothing else and no one else can bring me joy, save God. I can look for joy in many things, but will only find it in One thing. One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the presence of the LORD. Only His presence will bring true and lasting joy. I can look for joy in the presence of material wealth, or the presence of physical healing or the presence of family and friend relationships. I may hope for joy in dreams fulfilled or just in the presence of the lack of chaos. But I will never find fullness of joy unless I am in HIS presence. It's not about the things in this life that have to come to me in order to bring joy. It's not about the things in this life that have to leave me in order to have joy. In fact, it's not about me or this life at all. It's all about me in the presence of God and the presence of GOD in me! "In your presence is fullness of joy..."

3. I seek pleasures away from the right hand of God. I am prone to wander. I think I will find pleasure in earthly things or earthly people. I think I will find pleasure in time to myself and by myself. I think I will find pleasure in things for myself. I will never find pleasure unless I am at the right hand of God. Look to your heart's left - who is there? Who or what are you meditating on? If it is not God, then where did you go? Get back to the right hand of God. Stay close to His side. A wandering heart will never find pleasure, only pain and loneliness and confusion. Wander right back to the right hand of God. That's where Jesus sits, you know. If you are there, Jesus is there also. And we can sit in the heavenlies with Him. How do we sit in the heavenlies when we are of this earth and on this earth? We fix our hearts, souls and minds on Him. We love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind. All day long. "At your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

When we dwell in the presence of God, we are close enough to hear Him whisper His direction for life, we find our dreams and pleasures fulfilled in Him, and we are filled with all the fulness of JOY!

Don't you want to join me there today?

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Posted by vibrantfaith

yes, I will join you ! I am learning about worshipping when I feel like complaining! Psalm 3 and 4, David was in the worst of circumstances and if any have an excuse for being down, he sure did. It is helpful to note this psalm was written when David was hiding from his son Absolom in a cave!
He focuses on his identity in God! He worships! He ministers! He rests! This is such a great example to me. David did not shut his problems out, but chose rather to lift God above them. I loved your devotional on the email about depression. I have fought depression because of a chemical imbalance for several years. The biggest thing God has taught me through this is that I don't have to listen to every voice in my head. My feelings tell me things that I can have victory over as I cast them down as "vain imaginations."
I also received wonderful encouragement from the book by John and Staci Elderidge called Captivating. I highly recommend this if you have not read it! Also: I have a friend that is teaching it to the ladies of her church http://www.foothill-roseville.org/
In my last comment on your blog, I think I forgot to tell you that I was raised in Citrus Heights and that our church that my Dad started is in Roseville, Roseville Community Church just a small church but it is still there after all these 40+ years!
I come back to Roseville every year or two to visit when on furlough. maybe we could meet someday.
May the God of all comfort be with you in a special way today.
Blessings to you and your family.
Julie

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Posted by Anonymous

Thank you for your post. Very timely.

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Posted by proudmommaof3

I just wanted to let you know that you were an inspriation to me last spring. I had just subscribed to TOS and sae that you just had your 6 or 7 baby. Don't remember how many. But I saw that you also suffer from extrem morning sickness, which I do to and was just beginning my third pregnancy at that time and boy was I sick. I wanted to write and ask you how you survived all your pregnancy's for one and how you home school on top of it. I tried nearly everything. Red rasberry tea. I heard you should clean out your liver before your pregnant but it was to late to do that. On top of that we had a ome birth so there was no going to the doctor to get I.V.s. But I made it and we have a beatiful baby girl named Shyahna Joy. And what a Joy she is. DeLyssa Stop by and visit me some time.

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Posted by trinaleah

I whole heartedly agree that God is the only one who can show us which direction to go. I am always on a journey with Him, and He is good and merciful to me. I love reading how others love and are inspired by Him. I am sure you are blessed for it!

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Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

YES!! Blessings to you for always speaking the truth.

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Posted by proudmommaof3

Thank you for coming and visiting my blog. Thank you for all your info, too. We will just have to keep searching for a cure to morning sickness. Something has to work. DeLyssa

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Posted by AiBoon

Hi. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational post. May I share a song with you?

Blessings,
Ai Boon


L1/2006 The presence of the Lord is with me
4.5.2006, 4:17 a.m.
Ref: Psalm 18:1-2

For Yumiko

The presence of the Lord is with me,
He sends me with His love,
He fills me with His grace and His power,
He sends me with His love,
To you my friend, to you my friend,
To you my friend, to you my friend.

The presence of the Lord is with me,
He sends me with His peace,
He fills me with His grace and His power,
He sends me with His peace,
To you my friend, to you my friend,
To you my friend, to you my friend.

The presence of the Lord is with me,
He sends me with His joy,
He fills me with His grace and His power,
He sends me with His joy,
To you my friend, to you my friend,
To you my friend, to you my friend.

Thank You Lord.

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Posted by MrsDugger

Hello, I don't know if you remember me or not :) Anyway, I found your blog by accident! Nice post! :)

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Posted by IFBPreachersWife

What a blessing to read this post and SO TRUE! I think I need to hook the 'ol laptop up to the printer and print that out.

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Posted by kindredspiritMom

After reading your article on the company blog I just had to come and visit. I so appreciate your heart and your willingness to share what the Lord is teaching you. He's been bringing me through the same lessons ~ joy in Him, focusing on His ability and stability and not my own. So glad to meet you in the blogosphere.
Blessings,
Michele

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Posted by devdoordeborah

Thank you, Aiboon for the beautiful song. The LORD certainly has gifted you - and it's a double blessing to see you using that gift for His glory alone!

I am so blessed to have so many friends here - thank you all for coming over here and leaving me a comment. I may not get back to everyone due to the sheer busyness of life - but I am so blessed by you all - it's like getting a little present everytime someone stops by.

Love to you all!

Deborah

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Posted by Alvin

thank you for this wonderful message. i really needed it and thanks to it now i feel much better, relax and no stress.

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