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Just as I designed the giraffe with a long neck to reach the leaves on the tallest trees. Enabling him to get to what sustains him.

So I have design mankind to kneel and pray and have access to Me. As you welcome and give place to the Holy Spirit. The Father will welcome and give place to you. It is all about access to Him who sustains us.

In the same way the spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26). The Spirit's presence is shown in someway in each person for the good of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). I hear the Lord saying, turn around when you hear a whisper!

The Holy Spirit is quiet and gentle. Easily grieved and quenched by our words and actions. And, behold, the Lord pass by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and break in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19:11-12).

Have you heard the quietness of the Lord today? Have you felt the gentle pressure of his hand. The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and he delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the one who holds his hand (Psalm 37:23-24). Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25). You have to fully appreciate the work, that is at work in you. Allowing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to have their way with you.

Oh Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you our Potter; and all of us are the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8). Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:21). By the grace given you, do not think of yourself more highly then you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3); and walk humbly with your God. But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires.

As the Scriptures say, God opposes the proud but favors the humble (James 4:6). So remember today: walk quietly, humbly, and sober, and let the Holy Spirit have his way....
Tammy Lang Jensen

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

No matter the crises or circumstances you face in life, God’s will is that you always maintain an attitude of thankfulness. He says in all things, give thanks, because He knows that you could never be disadvantaged. All things are working together for your good as the Scriptures declare (Romans 8:28).

True Christianity is living by faith in God’s Word, where you’re forever grateful and giving glory to God, not for what you expect Him to do, but for all He’s already done. You’ve come to realize that there’s nothing He hasn’t done for you yet. He’s given you all things and has made you like Himself. This understanding should make you glorify Him every day, everywhere and at all times.

Someone may ask, “Am I supposed to give thanks for challenges and problems?” The scripture didn’t say to give thanks “for” all circumstances; rather, it says we should give thanks “in” all circumstances. In other words, give thanks, no matter the situation. It doesn’t matter what happens in your life or around you, give thanks to God, knowing He’s already given you the victory.

You have to understand that Christ in you makes you triumphant always, in all circumstances. So, when He says for us to give thanks in all things, it’s with this consciousness. The Bible says, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). A lifestyle of gratitude activates the blessings and graces of God in your life.

James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” He didn’t say, “Cry to God to save you out of divers temptations.” That’s because there’s nothing in this life that can successfully stand against you. Everything that exists, both living and non-living, are working and cooperating for your victory. This is why you should always be full of joy, giving thanks to the Lord.

PRAYER Blessed Father, you’re so gracious and kind! I give you praise for your presence in my life, and for your mighty hand of blessing that rests upon me. I can never be defeated or disadvantaged, because Christ in me means I’m triumphant always, and in all circumstances. Blessed be God!

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Philippians 2:1-18
Isaiah 35-37

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 3:9-21
1 Kings 8

FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 8:35-39
Psalm 107:1
1 Corinthians 10:13 GNT

Memorise:That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6

Read: Galatians 5:16-21 (KJV)
5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Bible in one year: 
Romans 9-10,
Daniel 2:31-45,

Hymn:
Sing hymn 6

Message:
As Christians who are Heaven-bound, the works of the flesh are things we should watch out for, so that they do not bring our soul into damnation. We must do all we can to cherish the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). If we continue to stir up the fruit of the Spirit in our lives daily, it will be difficult for the flesh to have dominion over us. On a daily basis, our thoughts, words and actions must be guided by this scripture which says:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8

If you give your heart to these words, it would be difficult for the flesh to have rule over your mind, and consequently, the works of the flesh will not find expression in your life.

 Such sins as hatred toward others, envy for what is happening in other people’s lives, pride and arrogance will not have a hold on you because you are walking in the Spirit of God.

All those who engage in the works of the flesh have no place in the kingdom of God. If you want to please God, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust for materialism, all of which do not allow the word of God to find its rightful place in the hearts of men, will have to go. God commands us to run the Christian race with patience (Hebrews 12:1). There are many who have turned sin into sport. They believe that they are very smart and cannot fall victim of sin. This was the same thinking that Adam and Eve had when they allowed the voice of the serpent to override God’s instructions for their lives (Genesis 3:1-6). Samson also had an idea of the destiny he was meant to fulfil on earth, but he gambled with the anointing of God his life and died with his enemies (Judges 16:28-30). These examples are there for us to learn from and be wise. As a child of God, you have to drop those weights of sin that easily drag you down. Don’t allow the works of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the mundane things of life to deny you of God’s plan of your life. The moment you decide not to walk in the Spirit, you have resolved in your heart to be independent of God, and from that moment, the real life in you dies! This is a deadly path to take. No one who took this path has ever had a good story to tell, but that will not be your lot in Jesus’ Name. You have to be watchful, prayerful and engage in spiritual discipline from time to time, so as not to fall prey to the wiles of the devil manifested through the works of the flesh.

Key Point
The flesh profits nothing, but the Spirit gives life.

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.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness.Ephesians 4:17-19

There's a subtle strategy Satan uses to take control of our lives. The Bible calls it lasciviousness and it means "to have no restraint."

Lasciviousness has been preached as being extreme immorality, but it doesn't start out that way. It begins with just a few seemingly innocent thoughts. Then those thoughts grow and grow until they begin to produce serious sin.

One afternoon as a 9-year-old boy, for example, I just yielded to the desire to curse. I knew better, but I did it anyway. I had a relative who was so good at West Texas cussin' that I thought he invented it. I was impressed and I wanted to try it.

When I let go of all restraint and began to say those curse words, something evil moved in on my thinking that seriously affected me for some 20 years. A law was set in motion. As a result, my flesh gradually became boss over my entire being.

Don't let Satan use the strategy of lasciviousness on you. Make up your mind and heart today to obey God in the little things. Avoid big failures by walking in His Spirit one small step at a time. Major victories will eventually be yours.

Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 4:22-31

He reveals profound mysteries beyond man's understanding. He knows all hidden things, for he is light . . .—Daniel 2:22 (TLB)

The fact of the matter is that science and faith complement each other, and there is no conflict between true science and true religion. Together they give the best foundation for wholesome faith and courage for daily living. When Galileo, the father of modern science, discovered that the earth revolved, instead of the sun moving around the earth, certain religious leaders were greatly disturbed, for they held another theory. But eventually they were reconciled.

Since that day we have happily found that true science is compatible with a deep religious faith. So Christianity is what we might term: supra-scientific. There are highways beyond science that lead to truth. Christ Jesus was the Master of spiritual truth, and He imparts these truths to us-as we work out a working relationship with Him.

Are your beliefs rooted in Jesus?

Find more answers on science and religion.

Prayer for the day
Thank You, Father, for the revelation of Your love when You gave Your beloved Son to die for me. Nothing science will ever discover will surpass this divine miracle!

“Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper” (Proverbs 19:8 GNT).

Many people spend their younger years getting an education. Hopefully, that commitment to education continues. We should all become lifelong learners.

The Bible says a lot about the importance of getting an education and continuing to learn. In fact, we’re told to love God with our minds (see Luke 10:27).

How do you love God with your mind? By using it, developing it, and not wasting it. The Bible says it this way: “Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper” (Proverbs 19:8 GNT).

Do you want to be successful in life? The Bible says to learn and then apply what you’ve learned.

In almost every country in the world, it’s not an accident that Christians were responsible for starting the first school and the first hospital. We believe God doesn’t just care about your soul. He cares about your mind and your body, too.

You may not have had the opportunity to get a formal education, but there are still many ways you can learn. Getting an education can be a good investment of your time and your money — an investment in yourself.

But let’s be clear about this. Your education doesn’t end with school, and school isn’t the only place where we learn and get educated. To be successful, you’ll need to learn the rest of your life.

And you also have to be careful. You need to guard your mind. You need to learn the right stuff.

Proverbs 4:13 says, “Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life — guard it well” (GNT).

Over the next few days in these devotionals, I’ll share some specific biblical wisdom about what it takes to guard what you put into your mind — whether you’re in high school, college, or an adult who is continuing to learn.

Talk It Over

How have you benefited from the truths, ideas, and principles you’ve learned in life?
How has your commitment to lifelong learning produced rewarding experiences?
How have you drawn closer to Jesus by loving God with your mind and by guarding your mind?

"…those who hope in me will not be disappointed."(Isaiah 49:23, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:
What a powerful promise we have from Almighty God! When we put our hope in Him, we will never be disappointed. Of course, that doesn’t mean that things will always go our way. There may be temporary disappointments, but we will never be permanently disappointed. Somewhere down the road, God will cause it to all work out for our good. With God on your side, you will always end in victory!

Are you carrying frustration, worry or aggravation about something? That’s usually a clear sign that your hope is in the wrong place. If you hope in circumstances, it will deplete you of joy and peace. But when you turn those circumstances over to God, when you refuse to worry, when you refuse to allow the temporary things of this world to dictate your happiness, that’s when God can do a work in your life. When you trust in Him, He will make your crooked places straight; He will cause you to mount up with wings like the eagle.

Today, choose to put your hope in the Father; you won’t be disappointed. Trust Him because He is faithful. Find rest for your soul in knowing that He is good, and He has good things in store for your future!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, today I give You every frustration, every aggravation, every difficulty. I release total control into Your loving and able hands. Speak to my heart and give me Your peace. Show me Your love as I place my hope in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
— Psalm 34:1

We all know that we should be grateful for our many blessings. God tells us in His Word to be thankful, and we know from our own experience that once we seriously start praising God, our burdens and troubles seem to weigh less heavily on our shoulders.

David said, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psalm 34:1,19 AMPC).

That’s the power of thankfulness. Not only does it help set us free, but as we pause to give thanks to God for the blessings we enjoy in our lives, we actually begin to find more blessings—even more to be thankful for!

I encourage you to take time to practice being thankful. There is so much for us to be grateful for, and we need to focus on it—every single day. Keep in mind the admonition of the psalmist, "Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!" (Psalm 100:4).

Philippians 3:13—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.

The story of Israel and their Exodus from Egypt is a classic study of human nature and how people respond to change.  Look very closely and you will find yourself!

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud.  All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assemble said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt!  Or in this desert!  Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?  Our wives and children will be taken as plunder.  Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?  And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt” Numbers 14:14. 

The Exodus is a classic story of how people respond to change. The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt.  They had been beaten with whips like animals.  They had been abused, starved and worked beyond endurance.  They were living in shacks, dressed in rags.  The Egyptians had taken their male babies and drowned them in the Nile River.  Do you see a need for change here?  The children of Israel prayed one prayer for 400 years.  “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, send us a deliverer.  Set us free from Pharaoh.”  There was a great need for change, and a great desire for a change.  But with change comes challenge.  And challenge comes the ability to overcome in Christ Jesus:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Source:  12 Sunday Mornings—Volume 2

Daily Living

Proverbs 2:1-22
Although the temptation to compromise threatens every believer, we don’t have to give in to it. If we’re aware of the danger and understand the downward progression and consequences, we can remain vigilant and stay on track.

The first step in learning how to avoid compromise is understanding why we find it so tempting. When others pressure us to take part in what we know God has forbidden, giving in becomes easy because we don’t want to feel rejected. But anyone who’s committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). At other times, in an effort to avoid conflict, we may consent to activities that violate our conscience—then seeking peace at any price can result in disobedience.

The temptation to compromise, however, doesn’t always originate with others; we can be carried away by our own desires. Many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography, and others are motivated to give in because of greed. If you alter details on your income tax or take a few things home from the office, you’ve stepped over the line of obedience to the Lord. Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.

In order to stand firm against compromise, it is important to seek wisdom in Scripture and let it set the standard for your conduct. If you begin each day with God in His Word, He will guide your way. Then when the Holy Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens a door for Satan.

Bible in One Year: Malachi 1-4

Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!

Have you ever realized that God was never known as “Father” until Jesus came to earth and revealed Him as such? In His prayer to His Father, Jesus said, “And I have declared to them Your Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26) What name was Jesus referring to? It was the name “Father”. If there was anything close to Jesus’ heart, it was to introduce God as “Father” to us.

In the Bible, Jesus said, “Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6:31–32) Once, He said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Jesus wants you to always have this image of God in your mind—that He is your Abba, Father. Why? Because He wants you to know that there is nothing more important or too insignificant for the Father when it comes to His children.

Imagine a father playing with his five-year-old son, when he notices a splinter embedded in his little boy’s thumb. The concerned father asks, “When did you get this?”

“A few days ago,” the boy answers.

“Why didn’t you tell Daddy about it?”

“I thought you were too busy and that I shouldn’t bother you.”

If you were that father, wouldn’t it break your heart to hear your child say this to you?

A splinter in one’s thumb may be a small thing, but there is nothing too small when it concerns your child because if it affects him, it affects you too. Now, no matter how old you are today, you are still God’s child, so don’t think that your problem is too small for God. If it is important to you, it is important to your Father too. Beloved, always remember that He is your Abba, Father!

Thought For The Day

If it is important to you, it is important to your Abba, Father!

October 2, 2017

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11 NKJV).

Knowing God as your loving heavenly Father is essential if you want to enjoy your walk with Him and fulfill all the wonderful plans He has for your life.

Your Father is for you: He is behind you every step of the way.

Your Father is always motivated by His love for you. When it seems He is spoiling your fun, He is actually protecting you from something that will harm you.

Your Father wants you to succeed at all you set your hand to do. He will show you how to be successful; He will encourage you to keep going and to never quit.

Your Father will pick you up when you fail or fall. He will bind your wounds and set you on your feet again.

Your Father wants the absolute best for you in all you do. He is disappointed when you settle for less than what you could have.

Your Father delights to have you come and talk to Him. He loves to share His wisdom with you; He loves to counsel you and show you the way.

Regardless of how you may have once viewed God, the Word says He is the perfect Father. Will you let Him be a Father to you?

Confession: Father, I receive You as my loving heavenly Abba (Daddy), and I take my place as Your precious child. I trust in the truth that everything You do for me is motivated by love. I believe You are good, and everything you give me is good.

Author: Jerry Savelle