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Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence.

Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your 
presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures 
forevermore.  

Psalm 16:11 (NIV) You make known to me the path of life; you 
will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at 
your right hand. 

Joy comes from being in God's presence. True joy is far deeper 
than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. 
Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but 
joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. As 
we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we 
understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base 
your life on circumstances, but on God. [Life Application SB] 

   Maybe you think God is mainly interested in getting you to 
follow instructions. Perhaps you expect Him to focus on your 
productivity. Or maybe you are more aware of His inward emphasis - on 
conforming you to the image of His Son. After all, God is very clear in His 
Word about our obedience and fruitfulness, and even more so about our 
character. No one can argue that these are not biblical themes. But 
according to this verse, there's an even higher destination for us: 
pleasure.  
   If that's hard to believe, it's because of our own sense of 
unworthiness on top of two thousand years of church teaching about austerity 
and deprivation and mortifying the flesh. In most Christian circles, 
pleasure is a bad word. But what do we think obedience and fruitfulness 
and conformity to Christ are all about? Do we believe that God's 
ultimate goal for us is changed behavior or a reshaped character? Those 
are simply pathways to something much greater. They lead to joy in 
our relationship with God, fulfillment in everything He created us 
to be, satisfaction in our deepest desires, and glory - that is, 
God's relentless goodness. His goal for us, as one translation puts 
it, is "pleasures evermore." God is leading us toward having a 
really good time.  
   That's why He shows each of us "the way of life," why He 
speaks to us and gives us direction. He isn't opposed to our pleasure; 
He's actually helping us toward the most thorough and lasting way to 
experience it. What often seems like stern resistance to our desires is 
really God's way of redirecting us into more fulfilling ones. Every 
time His words seem difficult, they are offering an accelerated 
pathway into His joy instead. God really is on our side!  
   Lord, I long for the eternal pleasures at Your right hand. I 
know many of them begin now, and I want to experience them fully. 
Please honor my attentiveness to Your words by giving me strong tastes 
of those pleasures in this age. [The One Year Hearing His Voice 
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] 

   Keep your eyes on Me, not only for direction but also for 
empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping you for the 
task. That is why it's so important to seek My will in everything you 
do. There are many burned-out Christians who think more is always 
better, who deem it unspiritual to say no.   
   In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me - 
enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous [burdensome] task but a 
delightful privilege. I will show you the path of Life; in My Presence is 
fullness of Joy; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore.  (Psa. 
141:8; 16:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

   Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the 
path I have prepared for you. This is the most efficient way to stay 
on track; it is also the most enjoyable way. Men tend to multiply 
duties in their observance of religion. This practice enables them to 
give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire 
the most--their hearts. Rules can be observed mechanically. Once 
they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and 
almost no thought. These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of 
security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.  
   What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that 
thrills to the Joy of My Presence! I created mankind to glorify Me and 
enjoy Me forever. I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by 
living close to Me. (Deu. 6:5; Col. 3:23; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Calling by 
Sarah Young] 

   You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you 
will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your 
goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters 
when you give them this power over you.  
   If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First 
Love. Your serving Me is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional 
Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you 
up into intimate relationship with Me. The Joy of living in My 
Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous 
Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me. (Mat. 6:24; Rev. 2:4; 
Eph. 3:16, 17; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

   There is an open road ahead of you - all the way to heaven. I 
am your traveling Companion, and I know every twist and turn of 
your path. You see problems and limitations impeding your progress no 
matter which direction you look. But your vision is ever so limited. 
All I ask of you is to take the next small step - refusing to give 
up, refusing to stop trusting Me.  
   Your life is truly a faith-walk, and I am absolutely 
faithful! Though your understanding will fail you, I never will. The 
challenge before you is to stop focusing on your problems and limitations 
- and to believe that the way ahead really is an open road, in 
spite of how it looks.  
   I am the Way to the Father in heaven. Remember how much I had 
to suffer in order to open up the path of Life for you. No one else 
will ever have to endure what I went through. When you are 
struggling, simply take the next step and thank Me for clearing the way 
before you - all the way to heaven.(1Co. 10:13; 2Co. 5:7; John 14:6; 
Psa. 16:11) [Jesus Today by Sarah Young] 

As you turn your attention to Me, feel the Light of My Presence 
shining upon you. Open your mind and heart to receive My heavenly smile 
of approval. Let My gold-tinged Love wash over you and soak into 
the depths of your being. As you are increasingly filled with My 
Being, you experience joyous union with Me: I in you, and you in Me. 
Your Joy-in-Me and My Joy-in-you become intertwined and inseparable. 
I suffuse your soul with Joy in My Presence; at My right hand 
there are pleasures forevermore. (John 17:20-23; Psa. 16:11) [Jesus 
Calling by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141027-2150.html

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110120-1211.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video] 

Seeking God Video Clip: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657