Abiding TV

1 Kings 11:1-13
Carefully camouflaged landmines are deadly weapons of war—if a soldier unwittingly steps on one, he or she will suffer serious injury or death. What is true in a physical battle is also true in the spiritual battles we face. Treacherous spiritual landmines are scattered in the path of every believer; they can cause major damage if we’re unsuspecting and tread on them.

One such hidden danger is compromise. King Solomon is a tragic example of a man who was hurt by this spiritual landmine. God equipped him with surpassing wisdom to rule Israel and gave him the task of building the temple. Yet despite these blessings, his heart began to drift from the Lord. He followed his own desires and married many foreign women, who led him into idolatry. His heart didn’t become divided suddenly; the problem developed through a slow process of bad choices that violated God’s commands.

Too often we think that one small step away from God isn’t so bad—after all, we can always turn back. But Satan is just waiting for you to take that first step. As soon as you do, he gains a foothold in your life and will redouble his efforts to draw you farther along the path of disobedience. From that point on, each successive step becomes easier. In short order, you begin rationalizing that “this really isn’t sin.”

Compromise endangers in ways you may not realize. It breaks fellowship with God, and because you’ve ignored the Holy Spirit, your strength to resist temptation is weakened. Since unbelievers are quick to see hypocrisy in Christians, it also ruins your witness. Refuse to take that first step.

Bible in One Year: Zechariah 11-14

"…stand and see the salvation of the Lord…"(2 Chronicles 20:17, NASB)

TODAY'S WORD:
So many people today run from anything that’s hard. They run from their problems. They run from responsibility. They run from people they don’t like. They run from the past. They run from anything that makes them uncomfortable. Instead of facing the issues and dealing with them, they just take the easy way out and go down the path of least resistance. But if you’re going to live in victory the way God intends, you have to learn how to face your challenges head on.

Notice today’s verse doesn’t say, “Keep running until you see the salvation of the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Bury your head in the sand until God delivers you.” No, God wants us to stand strong, set our faces like a flint, and fight the good fight of faith. And the good news is that you don’t have to do it in your own strength! He’s equipped you with His supernatural power to overcome every obstacle.

Make the decision today to stand strong and face the challenges in your life. Be bold and dare to conquer! As you stand in faith, you will see the salvation, the deliverance of Almighty God in every area of your life!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father in heaven, search my heart. Show me any area in my life where I may be hiding. I choose today to stand in faith and invite You to move mightily on my behalf in Jesus’ name. Amen.

To another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit.— 1 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

 “God has a perfect plan for your life!” We’ve all heard that phrase, but I don’t think many of us really believe it. Maybe it’s the word “perfect” that troubles us. Nobody is perfect, and the idea of being perfect just adds pressure and stress to our lives.

Perfection seems impossible. And guess what? It is!

God’s plan isn’t perfect because we’re perfect. The plan is perfect because God is the One who designed it. The perfection comes from Him, and He alone is perfect. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He has designed and set into action a plan specifically engineered for our lives.

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 that God saved us and started a good work in us, and His work in us will come to full completion.

As we think about God at work in us, we must remind ourselves that as imperfect as we are, God is perfection. Nothing we can ever do will be good enough to satisfy God’s perfection. Only Jesus, the Perfect One, is good enough. And because we are in Christ, God’s perfect plan is possible for us!

Genesis 12:7
Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

I don’t know about you, but I am not satisfied with just knowing that I am righteous by faith. I also want to get to know the One who made me righteous. I want to have an intimate relationship with my Savior!

Abraham was such a man. He was righteous by faith, but he also had a close walk with God and was blessed by God in all things. (Genesis 24:1) His nephew Lot, on the other hand, although righteous too (2 Peter 2:7–8), had no heart for God. He ended up losing a lot when Sodom, the city he dwelt in, was destroyed along with Gomorrah. He was saved by the skin of his teeth!

My friend, do you want to be a Christian like Lot, righteous but always finding yourself in trouble, or do you want to be a righteous-and-blessed Christian like Abraham? Then, like Abraham, have a heart for God.

From place to place, Abraham would build an altar to the Lord. And in between altars, he grew very rich! (Genesis 13:2) There is no biblical record, however, of Lot ever building an altar to the Lord.

What is an “altar” in today’s context? It is a place where you know that you have a close relationship with God. For example, when my late father was in the hospital, I was worried and did not know what to do. I remember driving down the road and crying. After a while, I just threw my cares to the Lord. When I reached the hospital, I just laid my hands on my father and said, “Be healed in Jesus’ name.” And he was healed!

Till today, I can remember the place where I had cast my cares to the Lord and leaned on His love for me. That is my “altar”. And it is not the only one.

We have got to have this kind of relationship with God, one full of “altars” that remind us of His love, goodness and faithfulness. Let’s not live the Christian life like Lot, saved by the skin of our teeth. Let’s walk closely with God as Abraham did, and be richly blessed in every area of our lives!

Thought For The Day

Choose to have an intimate relationship with the One who made you righteous.

October 1, 2017

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:35-36 NKJV).

So you’ve made the decision to believe and act on what the Word of God says about your situation. You’ve prayed in faith, believing you’ve received the promised outcome, but you don’t yet have it.

This is where determination comes in.

The Greek word for determination means, “a firmness of purpose.” It also means “to give definite aim or direction; an unwavering resolution,” and “to set a boundary.” In other words, it’s time to become determined, to set a boundary, and then not compromise. Stay with the unwavering decision that you will agree with the Word and be made completely whole in every area of your life.

Either the Word of God is true or it isn’t. Either God can be trusted or He can’t. Well, the Word of God is true and He can be trusted—so why waiver?

Make a firm resolution in your heart and mind that you are not going to compromise. Decide that you are not going to be moved by what you see, feel, or hear. Make the determination right now that the only thing that is going to move you is God, and you will see the wholeness that is yours in Jesus Christ.

Confession: Father, I am determined to do Your will and live according to Your Word. My trust is in You alone, and I refuse to be moved by anything else. I hold on to my confidence, knowing that in due season I will receive all that You have promised me.

Author: Jerry Savelle

3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Are you having a bad day? I mean, a really bad day? Are you ready for the rain to stop pouring down on your parade? Look up! Your help comes from your Redeemer, the Light of the World! If you can’t think of anything else to do, or the exact words to pray, just begin to PRAISE: Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Read through the Psalms and listen to the words of David, which repeat over and over that we are to praise the Lord, in good times and bad. As you praise Him, you will feel His anointing wash over you like a tidal wave of blessing. Joy unspeakable will flood your soul. You will feel overwhelming peace in your spirit. The exhaustion in your heart, soul, mind, and body will disappear as you invite Jesus to be the Lord and Master of your situation. Just the mention of His name will defeat any enemy you are facing.

Today you can prosper in all things; you can have peace of mind and health in your body. Begin by praising Him, and know that He is right beside you every step of the way!

Source - Daily Truth Devotional

Beloved. You always have an audience before the King. I always take up your case, My Child, for I am the Righteous Judge and you have the Advocate dwelling within your heart. The Son of God came not to condemn the world, but to save it. Forever, the Blood of the Lamb stands at your defense. The devil is the accuser of the brethren.

But fear not, My Love. When the devil comes to exploit the poor and crush the needy in court, I take up your case and I will exact life for life. The thief comes but to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to give you LIFE and life abundantly. You have been declared innocent of all charges. I have decreed that you are not cursed but BLESSED! Forever, My Judgment shall stand. It has been decided, declared, decreed and sealed forever.

No one, be they man or demon or Satan himself can reverse this, My Child. ALL the handwriting of ordinances that stood against you has been nailed to My Cross. You no longer stand on your own, Dear One. My courts are a place of rest for you. For I have declared that your debt is "paid in full." The Judge has decreed," It is finished." Who shall accuse you now, Beloved? Who shall condemn My Bride? No one. For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and your Savior is ever interceding for you.

Therefore come boldly to My Throne of Grace, and you will obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. My ears are always open to your cries, My Child. Come before Me in Spirit and in truth. Be not afraid. Be confident in My Love for you. My courts are a place of joy and freedom for you. You are always welcomed into My Presence with open Arms.

...Proverbs 22:22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

...Esther 8: .. for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

...Colossians 2:14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

...Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

...Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

...Romans 8:33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit (John 15:1-2 AMPC)

I saiah 32:15 says, “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.” The Spirit has been poured upon us from on high. Now, He lives in us. You don’t need to struggle to be successful, fruitful or productive. Your life, your ministry or your home may look like a desert; your finances may be below zero; what you need is a new mindset. Start thinking success. Think increase. Think growth, expansion, fruitfulness and productivity, because it’s God’s will for you.

You might even say, “But my life is already so fruitful; no dryness, everything is working out fine”; there’s a greater glory: Your fruitful field can become a forest! You can be more productive spiritually, materially, financially, academically, etc. You can reach and win more people with the Gospel.

That’s the life God wants you to live, where you’re constantly increasing in relevance, fruitful and productive in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). Jesus said, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8). Our fruitful and productive lives glorify God. It’s one of the evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

He brings in that grace that affects your life and causes things to grow, increase, and expand.

PRAYER Dear Father, I rejoice for the presence of your Spirit in my life, and the grace which causes the wilderness to be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field to become a forest. I’m persistently productive in every area of my life: in my job, in my finances, in my academics, and in the Gospel. I walk worthy of you always, pleasing you in all things, producing fruits and works of righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Ephesians 6:10-24
Isaiah 31-32

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 2:12 - 25
1 Kings 6

FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 13:6-9
John 15:16
John 15:4-5  

Do you sometimes feel like your camp has run out of provisions? Lacking faith, the assured confidence that things will always be OK. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Mark 3:25).

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13). I believe in this season we are still being asked to give up a few things. To prune and cut away all which is not bearing fruit. For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns....A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. Four out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:43-45). Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). A surrendered life and a forgiving heart, will help you bear much fruit.

But a spirit of lack and property, will contaminate what God is trying to do. He is never trying to get something from you, but trying to get something to you. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). Lift up your voice to God, make your petitions known.

May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners and the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your request (Psalm 20:5)....
Tammy Lang Jensen

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:15

Great things happen when you continually confess the mercy of God. Faith rises up on the inside of you. The reality that God loves you begins to sing through your spirit.

What's more, it brings honor to your Father when you believe His Word and magnify His love and mercy. You honor Him when you speak of His goodness and lovingkindness, when you talk about Him as your Father of love who does only good. It blesses Him when you praise Him as the great God of the universe who is eager to bless and who even gave His own Son because He so loved the world.

David was a man after God's own heart. He knew how to praise his God. Until you have the Word dwelling in you richly so that you can speak psalms and praises out of your own spirit, use the praises of David to magnify God. Speak them or sing them out loud to the Father.

Put His words continually on your lips. You will soon begin to experience the thrill and the joy of realizing that God is indeed "rich in mercy" because of His great love with which He loved us. Your faith will rise to new heights and your Father will be blessed! And you will be blessed.

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 89:1-18

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword . . .
—Hebrews 4:12

How do we overcome the devil in everyday life? First, we need to recognize that the devil is a defeated foe. The Son of God came to undo the work of the devil. The crucifixion of Christ, which looked like a mighty victory for Satan, turned out to be a great triumph for God, because it was on the cross that Jesus took your sins and my sins. God laid our sins on Christ, so that when our Lord bowed His head and said, “It is finished,” He was referring to the plan of redemption and salvation. Then . . . we are to resist the devil. If we resist him, Scripture says, he will flee from us. Jesus overcame the devil not by argument but simply by quoting Scripture. That is why it is so important to learn and memorize Scripture passages.

Are you struggling with temptation? Read this story about how to defeat it.

Prayer for the day
Thank You, heavenly Father, for the protection of Your Word as I face everyday temptations.

“Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel” (Daniel 1:9 NLT).

God uses humble people. When Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar he wouldn’t eat Babylonian food, the young Hebrew could have acted with defiance and vitriol.

Instead, Daniel chose to act with respect. When he couldn’t do what the king asked him to do, he simply said so. It’s against my values. It’s morally wrong for me to do so. He displayed great tact with authority and showed great humility in the process.

Daniel realized that God had allowed this pagan leader to have authority over him. He knew King Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t a God-fearing man, but he also knew God allowed him to be his boss.

Some of you have bad bosses, too. Understand this, though: God has allowed them in your life. At some point in your life, you’ll have a time when a bad boss will ask you to do something unethical or immoral. You’ll need to know how to make a respectful appeal.

Daniel provides us with a great model.

The Bible says of Daniel, “He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods” (Daniel 1:8b NLT).

Daniel didn’t demand. He didn’t rebel. He sought permission. He asked, “Can I be exempted from this?”

The Bible says, “Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel” (Daniel 1:9 NLT).

The world urges us to show bluster when we’re wronged. God urges us to show respect.

And we can always know that God is looking out for our best interests.

Talk It Over

What’s your first response when you’ve been unfairly treated? How has this changed over the years?
Why is it difficult to respond respectfully to unfairness?
What’s the best example you’ve ever seen of someone responding to an unfair situation with respect and humility?
Give hope, prayer, and enc

Matthew 25:14-30

In the parable of the talents, the master gave three servants an assignment to carry out in his absence, along with the resources to accomplish it. Upon his return, he asked for an accounting of what they’d done.

From this parable, we can deduce several principles about the Christian life. First, God has chosen us to be His servants. Second, He has prepared work for us to do, and He supplies the assets and abilities we’ll need to achieve it. Some of His work is applicable to all believers—such as loving Him through service, showing love to others, and making disciples. Other aspects are specific to the individual, utilizing each one’s unique talents and skills. Finally, the Lord blesses all who obey Him. Pleased by the obedience of the first two servants, the master in the parable recompensed them accordingly. We, too, are promised a heavenly reward for our faithful service.

Being a good steward of what God has entrusted to us is a serious matter. He wants us to invest in His kingdom plan rather than overcommitting time to earthly matters or overspending on the pursuit of pleasure. You might wonder about the third servant, who did nothing with his talent and was cast out of his master’s presence. This cannot happen to believers, for we are permanently adopted into God’s family. But the Lord will hold us accountable.

Through Jesus Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). With His help, we can move past our self-centered ways to carry out God’s plan. Do you long to obey the Lord above all else? Are you prepared to stand before Him and give account for your life?

Bible in One Year: Zechariah 6-10

Philippians 3:13–14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you living a life of regrets thinking, “If only…”? “If only I had that college education…If only I had married the right girl…If only I had taken up the other job…If only I had not made that stupid mistake…”

Is your past robbing you of the joy of today? Then forget your past!

You might say, “But Pastor Prince, you do not know what I have done in the past!”

Consider Paul. If the devil had anything to bring against Paul, it would be reminders of how he had persecuted the early church and caused the deaths of many, including Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Paul had done horrendous things that were hard for him to forget. But he had such a revelation of God’s awesome forgiveness that he could say, “forgetting those things which are behind…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.

Beloved, God has forgiven you of all your sins. He has completely forgiven you and declared, “Your sins and lawless deeds, I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)

Like Paul, you can forget your past, the wrongs you have done and the hurts you have caused others or been through yourself. God can take the tears of yesterday and transform them into the miracles of tomorrow. He can restore to you in all abundance what you have lost. He can cause all things, even the painful events of your past, to work together for your good. (Romans 8:28)

God’s Word says, “The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8) His glory will cover your past. Wherever you go, His glory covers your past. It is no longer the same past that you know of because His glory has descended on it. Your past is past. It has been wiped out. It is gone! So don’t let your past rob you of today’s joy any longer!

Thought For The Day

When the trumpet sounds, we who are alive will put on new bodies like Jesus'!

September 30, 2017

For by grace you have been saved [blessed, healed, delivered, made whole] through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV, 

The biblical definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” It is something you didn’t earn; it is the gift of God. So when you see the word grace in your Bible, you can accurately interchange it with the word favor.

God’s grace, His unmerited favor, is simply God giving you something you don’t deserve. The Bible says, “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5 NKJV). Simply put:

Grace makes a way for God to bless you in life—regardless of your merits.
Grace will give you what you did not earn.
Grace will qualify you for what you do not qualify for.
Grace will give you what you do not deserve.
Have you ever wondered why some believers are more blessed than others? Is it because of their spiritual performance, the hours spent reading the Word, praying, and fasting? No! They are blessed because they actually believe God has justified them. And they’ve received His grace, knowing that grace will give them what they don’t deserve.

Confession: Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have been saved by the grace of God. I did not earn this grace. It is a precious gift that has given me what I don’t deserve: God’s favor, blessing, health, and wholeness—spirit, soul, and body.

Author: Jerry Savelle

Psalm 29:11—The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Living By God’s Principles Produces Love, Joy and Peace
Part Two—
Get rid of grudges everyday.

Ephesians 4:26 says if you’re angry, don’t sin by nursing a grudge.  “Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.”  Get over it quickly, for when you are angry, you give foothold to the devil.

Spend some time every day getting to be more intimate with your spouse, your children your parents your brothers or sisters, because family harmony is essential to your mental and spiritual health.  Unresolved family conflicts will destroy you!

Spend some time each week with committed Christians who are full of the spirit.

Proverbs 13:20 says, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:  but a companion of fools will be destroyed.”  Get with people of like precious faith and fellowship with them.  When you run with a group of lounge lizards, you’ll be a lounge lizard.  When you associate with crooks, you’ll be a crook.  You want to be depressed?  Go in business with a crook.  You don’ have friends?  The Bible says that if you want friends, you must show yourself friendly Proverbs 18:24.

Go to work on something that brings personal satisfaction to you.

The three faces of happiness are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Do something nice for a special person every week.

“Give and it shall be given unto you”  Luke 6:38.  What do you want other people to give to you?  Then give that to them.  It can by your time, it can be your love, it can be flowers, it can be a card, or it can be a bowl of red beans, but give something special on a regular basis.  You’ll find that by giving your life away, you’ll find it.

Source:  12 Sunday Mornings—Volume 2

Daily Living

For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.— Philippians 2:9-11 (AMP)

Weak or strong? If you had to pick one of those words to describe yourself, which one would it be? I think most of us would probably say, “weak.” But did you know that we don’t have to remain defeated by our weaknesses?

The only way to overcome your weakness is to rely on God’s strength. To do that, you have to stop focusing on your weaknesses. You cannot look at everything you are not. You must look at everything God is. Focus on His strength and all He is willing to do for you.

The weaknesses of the world are not your inheritance. Jesus did not come to earth, die on the cross, and rise again on the third day for you to be weak and defeated. He went through all that to give you an inheritance—authority in this life—and His strength to rule over your circumstances.

In any area where you stumble, God is ready and willing to provide you with His strength. So the next time you find yourself confronted by your weakness, remember and declare that when you are weak, He is strong!

"Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you."(Ecclesiastes 11:1, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD:"Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you."
(Ecclesiastes 11:1, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD:
God has a system that is based on the principle of sowing and reaping. In other words, what you pour out to others will come back to you in increased measure. When you give generously, a generous harvest will return to you. When you help others succeed, you will find abundant success on your path, too.

Are you helping others succeed? Are you helping others get ahead? There are some people in your life who hold the keys for you to reach your full potential. These are people that God has placed in your life for you to help along. The higher they rise up, the higher you will rise up, too. When you give generously of your time, talents and resources, you are setting yourself up for greater success. People will come across your path that will help you grow and reach your full potential.

Do your part to step out and sow the seed. Be on the lookout for ways you can help others. As you give of yourself to help others grow, you’ll see increase in return. You’ll see success and live the abundant life He has prepared for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father in heaven, I open my whole heart You. I invite You to use me to be a blessing in the lives of others. Show me where to invest my time, talents and resources for Your glory. Thank You for the harvest that is coming back to me in Jesus’ name. Amen.. 

In a vision, I saw the Bride of Christ sitting on the bank of a river, weeping great tears,and grieving in her heart about all that was happening around her. And then I heard this:

"Beloved. Why so downhearted, My Warrior Bride? You have come to the banks of My River and wept tears of sadness. You are grieved in your heart because you feel that you have missed My fullness in your life. You lament at what is happening around you. You have "hung up your harp upon the willows" and instead of praise there is only mourning. You feel you are not in the River of Life and death is all there is ahead of you. Oh no, My Love.

Listen not to the voice of hopelessness. Listen to the Voice of Truth. I have rescued you from the clutches of the enemy. You have not missed it. I have brought you here for such a time as this. Yes, it is a strange land. You are in the world, but not of it. There are many meeting you here. You have not missed it but you are right in the center of My Will for your life. You are IN the River. It is flowing. The banks shall overflow with My abundance. Get ready, My Love. A tidal Wave of Glory is coming. Get out your "harp of 10 strings" because I am putting a new song in your mouth! Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

...Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.2 We hanged our HARPS upon the willows in the midst thereof...4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

...Psalm 40:3 He put a NEW song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him.

...Psalm 144:9 I will sing a NEW song to You, O God; Upon a HARP of TEN strings I will sing praises to You.

...TEN: in the Bible, 10 is a completed course of time or completeness in divine order. It is the symbol of "matter in harmony." TEN is a complete and perfect number, as is 3, 7 and 12. It is made up of 4, the number of the physical creation, and 6, the number of man. As such, it signifies testimony, law, responsibility and the COMPLETENESS of order.

...Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will COMPLETE it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12 AMPC).

The Spirit of God is showing us something we need to live a victorious life in Christ consistently in the scripture above. He noted that though there’s tribulation all around us, we should be constant, that is, consistent, in prayer.

 Some think that prayer is all about telling God your problems, hoping He’ll do something about them. That’s a wrong perception on the subject of prayer. The purpose for prayer is primarily fellowship or communion with the Father. That communion helps to build love and make it stronger.

Hence, for you to grow and strengthen your love for Him, you have to learn to pray more. In prayer, you hear what the Spirit has to say and receive direction and instructions from Him that’ll put you over every day.

Jesus took prayer seriously while He was on earth, because He understood the importance of fellowship with the Father. The Bible says “…in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35). The moment you relate to prayer with this understanding your life will become richer and you’ll be more productive in the things you do

You need that continual fellowship and flow with the Spirit to function effectively. Learn to commune more frequently with the Lord, and watch your life grow tremendously.

PRAYER

Dear Father, thank you for the divine transformation and transfiguration that I experience through prayer; your glory fills my life; your love thrills my soul; how I love to worship in your presence! Thank you for the blessings and privilege to fellowship with you through prayer, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Memorise: Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1st Corinthians 10:6

Read: 1st Corinthians 10:1-12 (KJV)
10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Bible in one year: 
Romans 1-3,
Daniel 1,

Hymn: 
Sing hymn 9

Message:
As we run the race that is set before us on the straight and narrow way to Heaven, it is possible to slip and fall. You should however note that falling or making mistakes along the way does not signify that an end has come to your life, ministry or destiny. There is no depth you sink to that the mercy of God cannot draw you out of. Open Heaven 30 September 2017: Saturday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Don’t be the guinea pig.  If you genuinely ask God for forgiveness and mercy, His grace will surely lift you up. If you are still down in sin, it is time to come up into righteousness. Are you in a situation where it appears all hope of you ever rising again is lost? No matter where you are, God’s touch of mercy at this very moment and come up again in Jesus’ Name!

There are ways to handle mistakes. One way is to learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not become the guinea pig. A Nigerian proverb says, “The one who falls into a pit is a lesson to others following from behind. ”You can scream after seeing that fellow fall into the pit, but make sure you don’t end up in it yourself. Today’s reading tells us that the children of Israel who disobeyed God and were overthrown in the wilderness are lessons to us who are now on our way to the Promise Land of Heaven, it says we should not lust after evil things, because the Israelites did so and became causalities in the wilderness. It also says the reason why we should not serve other gods and commit fornication is that 23,000 of those Israelites who did the same perished in one day. It further says we should not tempt Christ like the Israelites did and died of snake bites. It even warns us of the dangers of murmuring, which some of us do very often. The Israelites murmured and were destroyed. When you see the pit your predecessors have fallen into, a wise follower will tread a lot more carefully to avoid ending up where they ended.

If you learn from the mistakes of others, you will not fall where they fall, and you will not perish where they perished; but if you fail to learn, you too will soon become a signpost that tells other not to follow the path you followed. How ironic it is for someone who was aware of the pitfalls that consumed others to end up in the same pit. This is what happens to those who never take warnings seriously. Are you like that? Do you say “it doesn’t matter “Yes, it does!

Prayer Point
Father, let me never be a guinea pig. Make me an excellent example for others to follow.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.

I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land...—Psalm 143:6

Not long ago I visited the dean of a great American university. We looked out the window of his office and watched hundreds of students walking to their classes. I asked the dean, “What is the greatest problem at this university?” He thought a moment and answered, “Emptiness.” So many people today are bored, lonely, searching for something. You can see it in their faces.

One girl home from college told her wealthy father, “Father, I want something but I don’t know what it is.” That’s true of many people; we want something to meet the deepest problems of our lives, but we haven’t found it. David said, “I have found it. I shall not want.” The Apostle Paul expressed it, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

You don’t have to give up on life, to throw up your hands and cry, “It’s no use.” . . . You can have God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s happiness, God’s security; and yours can become the most thrilling life in the world.

Know the peace that a relationship with Christ can bring.

Franklin Graham shares his story of once running from God.

Prayer for the day
Lord Jesus, You quench the thirst and longing of my soul. Praise Your blessed name.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.Matthew 9:36

Compassion. That’s the one thing people need more than anything else in this world. They need someone to reach out to them with the compassion of God.

Compassion is a deep yearning that responds to the needs of people. It’s much deeper than sympathy. Sympathy can just sit around feeling sorry for people. Compassion has to do something for them.

Compassion is what motivates God, and Jesus’ life on earth was a picture of that compassion in action. His whole ministry was driven by it. It was compassion that caused Him to multiply the loaves and fishes, heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead. It was compassion that compelled Him to go to the Cross. And it’s that same compassion that He now longs to pour out through you.

That’s a staggering thought, isn’t it?

It’s staggering to realize that we believers are the only body Jesus has on this earth now. His healing must flow through our hands and our faith. His compassion must move us to provide for the hungry. It must compel us to cast out demons and set the captives free.

“But, Brother Copeland, I don’t have that kind of compassion!”

Yes, you do. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside you, you do—because He is that kind of love! You simply need to activate it.

How? Just like Jesus did when He walked the earth. Through prayer and fellowship with the Father. Look through the Gospels and notice how much time Jesus spent alone with the Father. That time activated the compassion of God within Him. It caused Him to feel what God feels about the suffering of mankind. It stirred Him so much that whenever He encountered a need, He met it by the power of God.

Follow His example. Spend time in fellowship with your Father. Meditate on His compassion until it rises up strong on the inside of you. Stir it up until the desire to see others set free becomes paramount in your thinking.

Jesus has sent you to reach out and touch a love-starved world with His compassion.

If you don’t do it, who will?

Scripture Reading:
Mark 6:32-46

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11). 

Timing is so very important, when delivering a word from heaven. There are seasons for everything, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

You know the saying, four months between planting and harvest. But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life (John 4:35-36). Then he said to his disciples, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). God needs to know that he can depend on me and you. That all will be revealed in its appointment time.

And until then, we will be about the Father's business. Joyously awaiting further instruction, waiting for him to place a demand on us. Lining up like Saints and Warriors, taking to the battlefield. Armed with sickle, and with sword. Ready for harvest, ready for battle, ready to defend and shield. Bringing God's children home to the Father. Deployed on a rescue mission, to save their eternal soul. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:26).

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). Let not another day pass you by, without telling someone about the love of Jesus. People are dying and going to hell every day because they never knew their Savior. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: (Hosea 4:6)....
Tammy Lang Jensen