DRAWING NEAR
October 20
Living a Joyous Life
"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Ps.
19:8).
Knowing your life is on the right track is a source of great joy.
What brings you joy? Your answer will reveal much about your
priorities and the direction your life is heading spiritually.
The psalmist wrote, "How blessed [happy] is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor
sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the
Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like
a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in
its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he
prospers" (Ps. 1:1-3).
That psalmist knew that true joy and happiness come from knowing God
and abiding in His Word. That was David's confidence when he wrote,
"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart" (Ps. 19:8).
"Precepts" in that verse speaks of divine principles and guidelines
for character and conduct. God created you and knows how you must
live to give glory to Him. And He revealed in His Word every precept
you must know to do so.
Every divine precept is "right." It shows you the path that is right
and true. What a wonderful confidence that is! While many around you
may be discouraged or despondent because of their lack of direction
and purpose, God's Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your
path (Ps. 119:105). It guides you through the difficult mazes of life
and gives your life eternal significance. Don't live simply for your
own pleasures. Your life has a high and holy purpose, and each day
can be filled with joy as you see that purpose unfold.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Ask God to help you be mindful of your eternal purpose today and
every day. Ask Him to direct you to someone who needs Christ and is
sensing a lack of purpose in his or her life.
For Further Study:
Read Colossians 3:1-4.
How did Paul describe Christ? What should be the focus of your
thinking? Are you heeding Paul's exhortation?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Colossians 3:1-4
3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear
with Him in glory.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
http://www.gty.org/Gospel/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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