{"id":180,"date":"2023-08-23T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/?p=180"},"modified":"2023-07-22T07:38:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T11:38:52","slug":"choose-the-spacious-place-walking-freely-in-everlasting-guidance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/2023\/08\/23\/choose-the-spacious-place-walking-freely-in-everlasting-guidance\/","title":{"rendered":"Choose the Spacious Place: Walking Freely In Everlasting Guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Weekly Devotional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This devotional is part of a series of weekly devotionals posted each Wednesday and correlates to the Bible Reading Plan of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This month, the devotionals are all about <strong><em>Freedom<strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Don&#8217;t forget to check out a FREE downloadable bookmark at the end of the page!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">For the related Bible Reading Plan of the month that goes along with this devotional, click below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Monthly Bible Reading Plan<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Aug_devo_-wk4_post-image-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-181\" width=\"509\" height=\"489\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Today&#8217;s verse is Psalm 119:45, &#8220;I will walk freely in an open place because I study Your precepts.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Guidance to Live Freely and Blessed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Many people, Christians and non-believers alike, are afraid that life becomes restricted and boring once you start following Christ and the commands for Christian living found in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">However, that is far from the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">A quick scan through the books of Psalms and Proverbs will tell us how blessed and happy one can live when God\u2019s precepts are followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">When we follow God\u2019s guidance and His godly way of living, we will never be shaken (Psalm 15:5). His words of guidance to us aren\u2019t in any way to hinder us, but allows us to live freely and in His peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1553473325-500fb138f9e7?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mzl8fHRpZ2h0cm9wZXxlbnwwfHwwfHx8MA%3D%3D&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=600&amp;q=60\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"375\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Desire to Study God&#8217;s Word and The Fruit It Brings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">In the preceding verse (v. 44), the psalmist states that he will keep God\u2019s law continually, forever and ever, even to the point of writing God&#8217;s Word &#8220;on [his] heart\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">When we make it our intention and desire to study God\u2019s precepts, the fruit produced in our lives will be one of walking in obedience to God and keeping His law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This fruit of obedience in turn produces the fruits of freedom and liberty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Walking Freely or Walking on the Tightrope of Sin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">This is what it means to walk in an open place &#8211; to walk freely, unburdened, and unencumbered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">By following in obedience to God\u2019s Word, we can enter into and daily walk in all He\u2019s called us to, without fear or shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">On the contrary, living in sin and unrighteousness is confining and puts us in a tight spot when things go sour because of our wrong choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Sin corners us, is constrictive, and brings tightness to our souls. It make us weary and worn out when we continue to walk in sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Walking in sin enslaves us, but walking in God\u2019s righteousness produces a life lived with peace and with a lightness of heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1561740890-37f9921eb9cb?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8cm9wZSUyMHRpZ2h0cm9hcHxlbnwwfHwwfHx8MA%3D%3D&amp;auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=600&amp;q=60\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">The Word Brings Life and Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">The Bible also tells us that God\u2019s Word is life to those who find it and even brings health to one\u2019s whole body (Proverbs 4:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">He also promises to reveal the path of life to us and counsel us (Psalm 16:11).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">When we study God\u2019s Word, we\u2019re not only learning how to walk in the open places He sets before us, in the pathway of righteousness, but we&#8217;re also enabling our bodies and minds to be full of life, free to walk abundantly in God&#8217;s grace and mercy, and free from walking in the guilt and shame sin brings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Aug_devo_-wk4_post-image2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-183\" width=\"460\" height=\"379\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Walk in the Open Places Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">Let\u2019s set our minds to passionately and diligently study God\u2019s Word, apply His precepts in obedience, and enjoy the wide open space of freedom He brings us to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px\">And when He reveals the path of life to us, let\u2019s trust His guidance and let Him lead us to the pleasant places He sets before us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:25px\">Click below to download a FREE printable bookmark!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YGz2u778WqXnuOoxoEPIledZCf63drez\/view?usp=drive_link\">Download Bookmark<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Aug_devo_-wk4-freebie-341x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-182\" width=\"163\" height=\"502\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Choose the Spacious Place. Walk Freely. This devotional is part of a series of weekly devotionals posted each Wednesday and correlates to the Bible Reading Plan of the month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"sidebar-2","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","footnotes":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"off","ocean_gallery_id":[]},"categories":[7,13,15],"tags":[16,52,25,63,64,54,61,66,65,62,21],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo.png",1640,924,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-300x169.png",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-768x433.png",768,433,true],"large":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-1024x577.png",1024,577,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-1536x865.png",1536,865,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo.png",1640,924,false],"ocean-thumb-m":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-600x600.png",600,600,true],"ocean-thumb-ml":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-800x450.png",800,450,true],"ocean-thumb-l":["https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Featured-image-Weekly-Devo-1200x700.png",1200,700,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"ellagrace.blog","author_link":"https:\/\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the Spacious Place. Walk Freely. This devotional is part of a series of weekly devotionals posted each Wednesday and correlates to the Bible Reading Plan of the month","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=180"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":193,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180\/revisions\/193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}