From lamenting to joy....
Yesterday was lamenting, expressing sorrow, mourning ....
Today, enjoying life.....
There is a mighty journey between them....
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
—Psalm 37:4
But each have a place in our lives...am I always lamenting, mourning, sorrowful.....or am I always joyful, delighted..no, I am usually somewhere in between....
For some their cup is always half empty...negatively rules their lives, they live in Murphy's law...no matter what happens, it is bound to be wrong...or turn out wrong....they are always planning for a catastrophe .....even when they are being blessed...
For others, their cup is always half full or abundantly running over...they find something positive in most things...something good should happen even in the worst of times...
Tears and joy..sorrow and laughter...God is in the midst of it all ....desiring to delight us..desiring for us to delight in Him..even through the laments, the enjoyment of life in all of its Ups and downs, joys and sorrows, ever changing changes...thankful in all things....
Thank YOU for Yourself...the times of mourning, the times of joy ...help me to delight in You...not just to receive the desires of my heart, but for the pure joy of Yourself....ever moving closer in relationship.....
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| How To Enjoy Life |
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| A daily devotion for February 12th |
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| From your friends at RayStedman.org |
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| Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19). |
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Enjoyment does not come from possessions or riches; nor does it come from companionship, popularity, and fame; or from the approval and admiration of others. Enjoyment comes by knowing the living God and taking everything from His hand with thanksgiving, whether it is pain or pleasure. That is the gift of God, and that is the lesson of this great book
Notice how the chapter closes: He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart (Ecclesiastes 5:20). Have you ever met people like that? They have lived a full life, but they never talk about the past. Some people live in the past.
William Randolph Hearst, who amassed one of the great fortunes of our time, ended his days amidst all the opulence and splendor of the castle that he built in southern California, sitting in a basement, playing over and over again the movies of his paramour from Hollywood in an effort to eke out a degree of enjoyment from the past.
When people discover the richness of life that God has provided, they do not think of the past or even talk about it. They do not talk about the future, either, because they are so richly involved with the savor of life right now.
How good it is to know the living God, to know that He controls what comes into your life. He expects you to make choices; Scripture always encourages that. But rejoice in the wisdom of a Father's heart and richly enjoy what is handed you day-by-day; that is the secret of life. Such a one seldom reflects on the days of his life because God will keep him occupied with gladness of heart.
Yes, Lord. It is so good to know You and be given the freedom to enjoy all that You provide for me day by day.
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| Life Application |
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| True enjoyment in life comes from a specific knowledge which results in constant thanksgiving. What is a great lesson and gift of God that enables us to enjoy life? |
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| Related Message |
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| For more on this portion of Scripture read the message: |
| Why does God allow This? |
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| Copyright © 2014 Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book The Power of His Presence: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman, compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet. |
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