tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65037303986395833232024-03-05T06:00:46.812-06:00Floodgates of Heaven DevotionsInspiring People to Put Their Hope in the Word of God!Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-90721343841392035082021-10-08T15:20:00.000-05:002021-10-08T15:20:08.710-05:00New Beginnings<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps+87-88%2C+Rom+13&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 87-88, Romans 13</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 87:5 <i>And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God Almighty has chosen for Himself mount Zion in which and from which to glorify His name and His fame throughout the earth! So significant is this location to Him that in verse one, it is referred to as “His foundation…”. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Much is to be said about foundational works in the earth. In fact, specifically looking at mount Zion, we know that King David took it when it was known as the strong hold of an enemy who boasted of its impenetrability (see 2 Sam. 5:6). But as my Bible so eloquently states, “Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion…”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Could it be that David’s passion for God’s heart may have influenced God’s decision in selecting mount Zion as His foundational location for His works in the earth? I’m simply asking the question. One thing is sure; foundations, birth places, first happenings, breakthroughs, etc. all have one thing in common… they are noteworthy for both God and mankind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Who doesn’t commemorate such occasions? In most all significant relationships, moves, decisions, etc., we often cherish the beginnings of all such meaningful happenings in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I said all that to say this; just as this principle is illustrated in the heart and mind of God in our passage, so you should anticipate seeing God’s Divine hand involved in the new things of your life. Learn to look for the significance of what new works God is beginning for you, as they will inevitably lead to some of the most impactful, memorable, and life-altering days of your life. Who knows; the new place in which you find yourself may be, in the mind of God, YOUR “mount Zion”! Trust Him!</span></p><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-9728686960851018162021-10-08T15:19:00.002-05:002021-10-08T15:19:56.291-05:00When Weeping Turns to Winning<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+84-86%2C+Romans+12&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 84-86, Romans 12</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 84:5-6 <i>Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The psalmist seems to be saying that when the strength upon which we rely comes from our Lord, it is only then that we are blessed. Furthermore, when “the ways” (that is, the HIGH ways of life which are elevated above the trenches and ditches of sin) are in our hearts, they too are a source of blessing. So take heed, traveler, how you travel, and with whom you travel! Your blessing relies upon both! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, let us look at verse six. Remember that it is a continuation of the state of blessedness in which we find ourselves after having traveled the high ways with our Lord in verse five. Watch it now, “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well…” In other words, those who are blessed make the valley of Baca (that is, the valley of weeping) a well! Even the valley becomes “higher ground” for those who are blessed by God. But it is not enough here to simply say that we ARE blessed, but the text implies that we BLESS the valleys we walk through. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Do you understand the significance of this passage? You who ARE blessed are also a BLESSING, because God’s blessings are too big for you to absorb all for yourself. You are not meant to simply absorb; you are meant to overflow, so that even your tears make well springs of blessings. Nothing that God blesses shall ever be cursed! So as you walk through your valley of weeping, one day you will see that what looked like pain in the rain shall soon be seen as showers in the sunshine.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What is my assurance? Why, just look at the remaining portion of verse six. “The rain also filleth the pools.” This implies Heaven’s aid in the filling of the wells you dug while in your valley, so that the valley which was meant for harm becomes a harbor of God’s richest blessings. Glory! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">~ Pastor Gary Caudill</span></p><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-69182798248614864942021-03-03T14:01:00.002-06:002021-03-03T14:01:15.827-06:00Are the poor...OUR responsibility?<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+81-83%2C+Romans+11%3A19-36&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 81-83, Romans 11:19-36</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 82:4-5 <i>Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Because “the foundations of the earth are out of course”, or shaken, or you might say out of order…the wicked rise to power and crush those standing in their way or subservient to them. The most tragic manifestation of this kind of suppression is the poor and needy among us. In a perfect world, the rich would always help the poor; in a sinful world, the rich often purposely use, suppress, and in some cases, discard the poor. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's my point; we are commanded to DELIVER the poor and needy. We are commanded to rid them out of the hand of the wicked. We are told that the poor “know not” and that they will not understand. We are told that, if they are not delivered, they will walk on in darkness. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our culture often thinks about the poor as if that’s their problem or someone else’s problem, but here, God instructs His people essentially to have pity on the poor and needy. If we don’t, they will go right on to their own demise.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps you are as challenged with this thought as I am. We often want people to “help themselves”, but God tells us to help those who cannot help themselves! If God tells us to deliver them, then that means, if we do not deliver them, they won’t be delivered…by themselves, or anyone else. This is a God-given assignment. This places the responsibility on God’s people to do something about it. So may we pray today and every day that we will learn to have compassion on those who are less fortunate than us, instead of trying to criticize or compete with them!</span></p><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-12436099429954446932021-01-01T19:03:00.000-06:002021-01-01T19:03:02.081-06:00The Kingdom Within<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWkpxFZDKLcnEe-_s-URLrkBW2d5BGGea2TbaGlPEzi36tuIbOIyvHR7tvBEMf5zpVvMqyRfiYZ8bgWHvrPfidZrMKqHJzoSjWGRqygj3OC9ncXbaid9RX2Nx_no24O0gojUe59eAqOM/s200/Photo+Jan+01%252C+7+00+14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWkpxFZDKLcnEe-_s-URLrkBW2d5BGGea2TbaGlPEzi36tuIbOIyvHR7tvBEMf5zpVvMqyRfiYZ8bgWHvrPfidZrMKqHJzoSjWGRqygj3OC9ncXbaid9RX2Nx_no24O0gojUe59eAqOM/s0/Photo+Jan+01%252C+7+00+14+PM.png" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+79-80%2C+Romans+11%3A1-18&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 79-80, Romans 11:1-18</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Romans 11:7 <i>What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What exactly is it that those of us who have received Christ by faith have obtained, the which Israel “hath not obtained”? Consider the following scriptures: Speaking of Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, it was said in Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Then verse 13 says of the multitudes following him, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Who could agree with me that it would appear they were looking for not JUST a city, but a Kingdom? Dear reader, I propose to you that, in fact, Abraham and his descendants were looking for the Kingdom of God while here on Earth. Not convinced? Consider this; when John the Baptist came to introduce Jesus Christ to His people Israel, he preached “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Furthermore, Jesus picked right up where John left off, preaching the exact same message; “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus further explained in Luke 17, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” You see, Israel was looking for a brick and mortar, Earthly kingdom with a King sitting on the Earthly throne, not realizing that God’s Kingdom is delivered inwardly, then manifested outwardly through faith and obedience to His Word!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s my final thoughts on this; we have within us the very Kingdom of God, if we have received Christ as Savior. In short, it is now our time to seek God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness through faith and obedience, so that HIS will is done on Earth as in Heaven! We have all of Heaven’s authority and resources at our disposal; so let’s build!</span></p><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-32291200351492966532020-12-19T09:54:00.003-06:002020-12-19T09:54:37.937-06:00A Prince Picked from the Sheep Pens!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj625QIBXk18OzKgm7N2lOvbzBb19N6i4qrZHNTOMolLgI9kLFwCO9g5RG5CtPSapiqu6AKsg9MnLoQ0bPNRAmlpSn0ZZZHgyUt8hyphenhyphen572sSSlkU1e7ZD7Xf60K4wjhxyu3xKif6gdO2t_E/s200/shepherdandsheepfold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj625QIBXk18OzKgm7N2lOvbzBb19N6i4qrZHNTOMolLgI9kLFwCO9g5RG5CtPSapiqu6AKsg9MnLoQ0bPNRAmlpSn0ZZZHgyUt8hyphenhyphen572sSSlkU1e7ZD7Xf60K4wjhxyu3xKif6gdO2t_E/s0/shepherdandsheepfold.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">Today’s Reading:</b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+77-78%2C+Romans+10&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 77-78, Romans 10</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 78:70 <i>He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What a glorious site we behold here; a prince picked from the sheep pens! Look with me at his low estate. A servant; a slave, if you will. A subject and a worshipper of God Jehovah, who finds himself serving in the lowest places for the Most High God! David made God his Lord, and God made David His servant! They had a unique relationship; a rare find among the children of men, in that David would do ANYTHING for his Lord, and in process of time would discover that his God would have done almost ANYTHING for him (see 2 Sam. 12:8 & Psalm 2:8)! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What made this dynamic union between God and man possible? The key, I believe, is found in the first two words; “He chose…” This means that God not only elected or picked David out for Himself, but it also means that God “chose for” David; that is, He chose David’s destiny for him. You see, we love God because He FIRST loved (or you might say chose) us! Think of that! The God of Heaven picking you out of the crowd to save YOU! And make no doubt but that He desires that you be saved and serving Him, for it is just as personal to Him as it is to you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Furthermore, it is not just enough to be chosen, or spoken for, but there must at some point come the time where he who has been chosen is also sent for. Hence, the Bible says that God “took him” from the sheepfolds. That is, He “fetched” or “snatched” or “took away” David from his lowly estate. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Isn’t this just like our Lord Jesus, who made himself a little lower than the angels, and became a servant Himself, so that He could come after us and “snatch” us from our sinful state? “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunjghill; that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. (Ps. 113:7-8)” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Know this; He has chosen you, and He is coming for you, wherever you are! There is a place in His Kingdom palace with your name on it!!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-58595528691501886522020-07-05T19:07:00.001-05:002020-07-05T19:12:23.287-05:00Ask God to Respect His Own Covenant!<div><font size="5"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOQ3JOjxJkPc36MbDSPlDwXADLmghcvg3zhRiF8hy28uPOnZcv9mJTvU2XasVisAkOAp6tFUe88-m3SzRsh1qcVoHNpRC1SPRJ81HyCbi24CQA5-tNZCdrHBvcLZfygYUs6uJJYh70Ts/s200/Photo+Jul+05%252C+7+05+24+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOQ3JOjxJkPc36MbDSPlDwXADLmghcvg3zhRiF8hy28uPOnZcv9mJTvU2XasVisAkOAp6tFUe88-m3SzRsh1qcVoHNpRC1SPRJ81HyCbi24CQA5-tNZCdrHBvcLZfygYUs6uJJYh70Ts/s0/Photo+Jul+05%252C+7+05+24+PM.png" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="5"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="5"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+74-76%2C+Romans+9%3A16-33&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 74-76, Romans 9:16-33</a></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 74:20 <i>Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.</i></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">In this passage, David is praying to God about the spiritual state of his beloved nation. The sanctuary, once magnificent and glorious, lay waste, as the enemies came in and destroyed what once was held as a national treasure. David heard and saw first hand the devastating effects that sin had brought into his homeland, and how it gave way to the power of the enemy to destroy what at one point was the epicenter of Jewish culture and life. </font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">There is even now a striking parallel between what David was concerned about, and what we as Americans are concerned about today. A nation once built upon Judeo-Christian values, has essentially seen the “burning down” of what once was the epicenter of American culture and life; namely, the church. What houses of worship have not been literally burned down, in many cases, have been burned down in practice and principle.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">Will we like David see what a great loss this is to our nation, and ask God to remember His covenant that He has made with His people? David is asking God to ACT against the enemies who have blasphemed His name and profaned His holy temple. Furthermore, he points out in our text that the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">In short, he is saying to God that unless HE moves, the darkness will continue to prevail over the light. And yet, David’s only hope (and ours too) is that God will “have respect” (or look to and consider) unto His covenant (aka His Word). David says to God in verse 22, “Arise, O God, plead thine own cause…”</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">Dear friends, let us declare God’s promises of answering our prayers, and then hold Him to His word. If not for our sake, for His own He will move to do mighty things among us, because He cannot lie!</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-33931379315700103252020-07-05T01:05:00.001-05:002020-07-05T01:05:47.246-05:00Kings with the Poor<div><font size="5"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90M9GUP34oGQeUkJvZBt-t8ISelArRR80wrkCJ8biuS9cdRqHxwSHGYO_GclrlNMSAvl_5IwGDPl_2bZoJKiQ1E6Iq1xNspOlrH8Fu0GmaPNgtSAHRX3ScGol0-IzRNEJfB7hlfQNJJM/s200/Photo+Jul+05%252C+1+01+00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90M9GUP34oGQeUkJvZBt-t8ISelArRR80wrkCJ8biuS9cdRqHxwSHGYO_GclrlNMSAvl_5IwGDPl_2bZoJKiQ1E6Iq1xNspOlrH8Fu0GmaPNgtSAHRX3ScGol0-IzRNEJfB7hlfQNJJM/s0/Photo+Jul+05%252C+1+01+00+AM.png" /></a></div></font></div><div><font size="5"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="5"><b>Today’s Reading: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+72-73%2C+Romans+9%3A1-15&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 72-73, Romans 9:1-15</a></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 72:4 <i>He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.</i></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">King David is praying prophetically for the future reign of his son Solomon. In so doing, he is asking God to give his son the ability to judge righteously in the land. After asking God to give his son righteousness, he then exclaims in prayer what the results of that righteousness will produce; “He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.” </font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">David understands that to judge righteously is to judge rightly. That is, to be equal in the enforcement of the law, and in the benefits of citizenship. Here in America, we may call it liberty and justice for all. Regardless, the point is this; righteous judgment gives everyone a voice in society, but makes a special point not to neglect the most vulnerable among us.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">What business does a KING have with the POOR of the people? Of what benefit is there in helping those who cannot help the king? If truth be known, many governments, dictators, kings, & princes throughout world history have focused their energies on increasing their own strength and power by building alliances with other strong leaders, and by suppressing the weak to keep them weak.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">But look at THIS King, praying for his son to judge with the righteousness of God. Where did King David learn what righteous judgement looked like? Why, from the heart of God…of course! </font></div><div><font size="5"> </font></div><div><font size="5">And it is to this end that we are reminded of just how strong and powerful our God (King of Kings and Lord of Lords) is, to humble Himself to the poorest of the poor, and the lowest of the low, not to increase His own strength (for He is already all powerful), but to lift us up and to bless us with His greatness! Oh the wonder of His Majesty!</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-80309952534874111252020-07-03T18:34:00.005-05:002020-07-03T18:50:15.464-05:00"Forever Faith" & "Perpetual Praise"<br /><font size="5"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmCArsmdPFrcnD4Y00jSp1vSuCVySG6FVrNpOVB9iAcEY0f3uWcsUu7QbbBu6y35Dgf7rHGqKnR0g-HhAoostuUhGBdIEXueqRjSw4_We4p67EUpkSkfJtCeIzBBEMwPOmmcWgOkuzBc/s200/Photo+Jul+03%252C+6+47+58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmCArsmdPFrcnD4Y00jSp1vSuCVySG6FVrNpOVB9iAcEY0f3uWcsUu7QbbBu6y35Dgf7rHGqKnR0g-HhAoostuUhGBdIEXueqRjSw4_We4p67EUpkSkfJtCeIzBBEMwPOmmcWgOkuzBc/s0/Photo+Jul+03%252C+6+47+58+PM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><br /></b></font><div><b style="font-size: x-large;">Today’s Reading:</b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+70-71%2C+Romans+8%3A22-39&version=KJV" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Psalm 70-71, Romans 8:22-39 </a></div><div><font size="5"><br /><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 71:14 <i>But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. </i><br /><br />David’s warfare mode was a “Forever Faith” and a “Perpetual Praise”! In spite of the fact that he was getting older and feeling more vulnerable to the elements of war, he chose to never let his hope or his praise die. <br /><br />David was trained that these were his true weapons and his true strength. If you read verses 13-18, you will see more of this context, and you will see where he said in verse 16, “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD…” In fact, David had most always gone in the strength of his God, even when he was young; and yet, when old age started talking to him, he had to remind himself of that very truth. <br /><br />Oh, what a wonder it is to know that according to 2 Cor. 4:16, though this outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed (to be changed into a new kind of life, given new strength and vigor) day by day. May this serve as a reminder to all of us that our true strength is not in our flesh, but in our spirit. When we realize this, we can then focus most of our energy on feeding our inner man, who can serve the strength we need to overcome any obstacle or enemy standing in our way. <br /><br />I would like to encourage each of you to not allow the ever-changing and ever-eroding external conditions around you cause you to lose faith or stop praising God for His greatness and His goodness. You can be more feeble that you’ve ever been in your life externally, circumstantially, and physically, but if you go into “Forever Faith” and “Perpetual Praise” mode, you will never be disappointed with the results of God’s response in coming to your aid. <br /><br />That’s why we must learn that spiritual warfare can only be fought and won in the spiritual realm. Remember that our weapons are not carnal (fleshly, physical, tangible, weak), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds! So, in short, you can believe and praise your way through any season in life that creates chaos and destruction around you!</font><br /><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span>copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-81240809552267428182020-04-16T05:00:00.000-05:002020-07-03T18:22:24.077-05:00Serve God at your OWN risk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TU7xmKJozCQJ6DbWzSBWcXtyrB0uy-hgdQZa0W6OnfP_0SjNEDmrEa2TWBT1BP1GwOUC1VEp0Eu6-A5PMoe95N54NaVOWzDgEllcSO_XllNjMdQ32mvsvlT5iYbfaT6VHGGEroYNS8M/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TU7xmKJozCQJ6DbWzSBWcXtyrB0uy-hgdQZa0W6OnfP_0SjNEDmrEa2TWBT1BP1GwOUC1VEp0Eu6-A5PMoe95N54NaVOWzDgEllcSO_XllNjMdQ32mvsvlT5iYbfaT6VHGGEroYNS8M/" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+68-69%2C+Romans+8%3A1-21&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 68-69, Romans 8:1-21</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b>Psalm 69:6 <i>Let not them that wait on the, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">It would appear that David suffered reproach because of his zeal for The Lord, so much so that he would not wish it upon others who might follow The Lord at his lead. Perhaps he is hoping that the reproach he suffers for Christ will shield those who follow his leadership in spiritual matters. </font><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps he hopes that his suffering will be enough for him and them both. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If so, this would not be surprising, coming from a leader. In fact, all great leaders seek to pay great prices to pioneer a better way for generations to come. They are called pioneers for a reason; for no one else before them stepped up and dared accomplish what they accomplished, nor were they willing to take the same risks, and pay the same costs in order to achieve what it is that they are trying to achieve. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It is in this spirit, I believe, that David hopes that he is paving the way for his followers, and not simply introducing them to a way of life that leads them to bearing his burden of reproach with him. Now, how great a reproach is this? Among other things, we are sure that it alienated him from his own family according to verse eight. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Because he was willing to go places with God no one else in his family was willing to go, he found himself somewhat isolated relationally. As a king, he may have been surrounded by many people, but in this respect, he was alone as it related to the fellowship of his blood kin. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t get me wrong; David was as tough as they come, and he was not afraid of blood. However, the silent pain of rejection among those of your own household are often the deepest wounds a man can endure. He simply would not wish this price upon anyone else who might dare to be as zealous for The Lord as he himself. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And yet, too numerous to count are those who, after the example of David, decided also to follow hard after God. Too numerous to count are those who, like David, COMPLETELY understand what his is talking about in his prayer. Having said that, the bottom line is, if one is to pay the price, it needs to be his or her choice for themselves, with full disclosure going in, and not just as a result of someone else’s decisions. In short, we need to count the cost first, THEN go if we dare!</span></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-79085885847281544302020-04-15T05:00:00.000-05:002020-04-15T05:00:08.182-05:00Who needs a boat?!?<div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OFRMwqg2U36IcNPm3k_bAFFDyWId2xa3OXXFZB2n3dCxgqMnH6tYq-jGLmh4LftbStmyUYCOCWHccTL8YtHeq4FW5dYcT7qgjDQwA9UdG_hLSQNqAhPDijJq1TXSLPqFd-U50TXRYFQ/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OFRMwqg2U36IcNPm3k_bAFFDyWId2xa3OXXFZB2n3dCxgqMnH6tYq-jGLmh4LftbStmyUYCOCWHccTL8YtHeq4FW5dYcT7qgjDQwA9UdG_hLSQNqAhPDijJq1TXSLPqFd-U50TXRYFQ/" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+66-67%2C+Romans+7&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 66-67, Romans 7</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 66:6 <i>He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Who needs a boat? Seriously, when you have God on your side, He truly is all you really need. Ordinary circumstances would have demanded ships by which the children of Israel would attempt to cross the Red Sea. However, there were simply too many Israelites (some estimate as many as 2.5 million), and so even if boats were available, they would be neither big enough or numerous enough to get them all across in time to save them from Pharaoh’s army. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">In this particular incident, thinking one would need a boat would be a dramatic understatement of the hour. Which leads me to think; how many times do we with finite minds assess our troubles, then come to God with men’s recommendations on what we THINK we need to see us through? </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Could it be that one of the reasons God has not given us our “boat”, is because He knows that our thinking is too small for the task? Maybe…just MAYBE…God thinks bigger than us…ya think? Here’s an idea; instead of trying to downsize God to our level of ingenuity, let us come to Him and simply talk to Him about our troubles that are too big for us, and let HIM do the thinking and the planning on how to overcome. After all, He JUST MIGHT have a solution that requires only HIS supernatural intervention!! </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">When Israel could not see a way out of their dilemma, Moses commanded them to “Stand still, and see the salvation of The Lord!” In other words, stop dead in your tracks, zip your lips, stand back, and watch God do what God does! So often God allows God-sized problems into our lives only to train us to learn by default to simply trust Him to see us through. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">It is when we learn how to trust Him, knowing that nothing is too hard for Him, that He makes a way where there is no way. In this instance, He “turned the sea into dry land”. He parted the Red Sea with the blast of His nostril, and Israel walked across on dry ground. They literally went through the flood on foot! </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">What was supposed to overcome them, they overcame! What naturally was to destroy them, bowed down to the commandment of God the Father and made way for His children. And what was the end result? “There did we rejoice in him.” Friend, let God lead you through your trouble to the other side, where rejoicing awaits!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-85437469665356352602020-04-14T05:00:00.002-05:002020-04-14T05:00:04.974-05:00Prepared to Praise!!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF-TwgmQtf3Rl0LapV_UqQH_THYepdI3uLqUY0ZeMQfm5UlV8IcFtxdw3BFA4hn3zPZg2KxRV28ZGzxc_T3bODP6klxGLfNYOhrLR7bNmUKdH7ndFBIT5H4a-2jH4PFolOgyBEma4ayw/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF-TwgmQtf3Rl0LapV_UqQH_THYepdI3uLqUY0ZeMQfm5UlV8IcFtxdw3BFA4hn3zPZg2KxRV28ZGzxc_T3bODP6klxGLfNYOhrLR7bNmUKdH7ndFBIT5H4a-2jH4PFolOgyBEma4ayw/" /></a></div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+63-65%2C+Romans+6&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 63-65, Romans 6</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 65:1 <i>Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Sion, also known as Zion, was at one time a stronghold of the enemies of Israel. In fact, it was such a stronghold that it was said that it was impossible to conquer at one point by many. However, King David set his heart upon this stronghold, and with the help of his mighty men, overcame Mount Zion, which afterward was first referred to as the City of David, and later was known as the Temple Mount. </font><span style="font-size: large;">It was in this land or region that King David set up his throne, and where in the Temple they offered up sacrifices in praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">David was a man after God’s own heart. When he praised God, he held nothing back! In his prayer to God here in verse one, it is as if he is saying to God, “Upon Your arrival into our city, you shall be greeted and exalted with praises!” Many times David relied upon God to “show up” in battle to assist him in conquering his enemies. As was his custom, he would offer up praises to God for what He had done to help David win his battles. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">That said, what I want to focus on today is David’s eager anticipation of God’s arrival. Today, theologically, we know that we do not wait for God to perform prior to our praising Him. We offer praise to Him because He is worthy of our praise, regardless of whether or not He may or may not answer prayers specific to our asking. However, there is something to be said of ANTICIPATING God to “show up” on the scene! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I do not believe that David was depriving God of His worthy praise at all. Instead, he was simply illustrating both his faith in the fact that he knew God would soon “arrive” to his city in a time of need, and his willingness to simply let God know in advance that when He arrived, He would be greeted with praise! That is, He would not be disappointed with His welcome. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">How about you and I? Are we in a constant state of readiness and in a posture of praise while we eagerly anticipate the timing of His arrival so that we can release our praises unto Him with all of our might? Or, like the nine lepers who were healed and did not return to give thanks, do we receive His entrance only to forget to offer so much as a thank you for His goodness, faithfulness, and presence in our lives? May we ALWAYS be PREPARED to PRAISE The Lord!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-86635111963340800662020-04-13T05:00:00.000-05:002020-04-13T05:00:02.489-05:00Flying the Flag of Truth!<div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjbbE34PQFOmPi-vP4vqgxv2T3aHK2XjOU4oVkwL6clt8HQHsRKA_bCMY7TIlwhAj2VblRoKOutq7r6Vpdeggl9CM-LFXDGYmFiv4jM-O1LwZKGmh5auC2gxlt8tNNMzMMNvQxUsqiIs/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjbbE34PQFOmPi-vP4vqgxv2T3aHK2XjOU4oVkwL6clt8HQHsRKA_bCMY7TIlwhAj2VblRoKOutq7r6Vpdeggl9CM-LFXDGYmFiv4jM-O1LwZKGmh5auC2gxlt8tNNMzMMNvQxUsqiIs/" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+60-62%2C+Romans+5&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 60-62, Romans 5</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 60:4 <i>Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Any time you see the word “Selah”, it likely indicates a pause or suspension in the musical construct of the original Psalm for the purpose of emphasizing or accenting its meaning. By doing so, the music is designed to lift up or exalt the truth being presented therein. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Having said that, look with me at what the Psalmist is emphasizing by instruction of the Holy Spirit in our selected text today. “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” I love this passage, and particularly this verse, because banners are designed to STAND OUT against a vastly contrasting backdrop for sake of grabbing the attention of the onlookers. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">The backdrop of Psalm 60 starts out in verse one speaking of how God had cast off His people, and scattered them because He was displeased with them. It said in verse two that He had made the earth to tremble, broken it, and that it was shaking and in need of healing. In verse three, it said that God had shown His people hard things, and had made them to drink the wine of astonishment. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Essentially, you might say that God had put His people in time out because of their mis-behavior and had undoubtedly gotten their attention to the degree that they were beginning to pray and ask Him to heal them again. It is with THIS backdrop that those who feared God were given a banner, “that it may be displayed because of the truth.” </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">In other words, God allowed the Earth around His people to get very dark and surreal, in order that those who had the TRUTH (the answers as to what was happening, why it was happening, and what could be done in proper response) could lift their banners of truth. </font><span style="font-size: large;">Then the contrast of the banner against the backdrop of the darkness would be so vastly different that the banner would be seen clearly by all looking to it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Does this sound familiar to you today? The world in which we live is growing ever darker around us, seemingly by the day. However, those that fear The Lord, have the TRUTH to declare to the world!! And what is that banner? Solomon said that “his banner over me was love.” The TRUTH is, the only hope for this world is found in the Love of God shed abroad through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Wave His banner high today!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-67560352785825166552020-04-12T05:00:00.001-05:002020-04-12T05:00:08.452-05:00Rewards for the Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6e-80cFETMBe2IsgOVXY0Z9n_RMWknd0CA_ueDuj9WUq_Yl-uXrNAkVz-XFf3v2aAYdTT4P71qvBcZ0yKJjbziPpDY51J7nVSC01q-K8lbgNdStgOyY8TOJiV1m0o6kRCEyOjq7t1EU/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6e-80cFETMBe2IsgOVXY0Z9n_RMWknd0CA_ueDuj9WUq_Yl-uXrNAkVz-XFf3v2aAYdTT4P71qvBcZ0yKJjbziPpDY51J7nVSC01q-K8lbgNdStgOyY8TOJiV1m0o6kRCEyOjq7t1EU/" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+57-59%2C+Romans+4&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 57-59, Romans 4</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 58:11 <i>So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">TRULY there is a reward for the righteous! Here, the word “reward” means fruit, produce, and/or offspring. There are two things about this reward that we need to be sure we understand from our text. First, it most certainly WILL come to the righteous! And second, our great Judge is doing His judging “in the earth”. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Why is this significant? It is significant because we need not think that ALL of God’s judgements are reserved for the eternal realm after which our work on Earth is done. Do you see this? Our judge, who judges justly and righteously, ensures that “in the earth” the righteous receive a reward. That is, we do not need only expect rewards in Heaven, for if we did not have graces and mercies on this side of Heaven, we would be of all people most miserable. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">But look at His graciousness, to watch over the affairs of His people, and to reserve rewards for the here and now along our journey to sustain us and to bless us on our journey homeward! For who could survive this veil of tears without His mercies which are new every day? </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Does He not “reward” you as you serve Him? Does He not give you strength; sustain you; give you peace; provide for you; protect you; employ you in His services, and reward you accordingly? Don’t get me wrong; in this world we shall have tribulation, but to that Jesus simply said that we should be of good cheer, because He had already overcome the world. This means that the difficulties of this life will not prevail over the overcoming power of Christ in us, Who is the hope of our glory! </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Glory to God, He daily loadeth us with benefits! The things we will receive in Heaven will be for use in the eternal, but thanks be to God which giveth us victory in the here and now! For we need that overcoming power NOW, and not then when it’s all made better by crossing over. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">I hope you hear this word loud and clear; God plans to reward your service to Him so as to bless you and sustain you in your journey, right here and right now. The burdens may be tough, but our God is tougher! The mountains may be high, but our God is higher! The waters may be deep, but our God walks on water! And the more we understand His rewards program, we understand that in Him dwells all the rewards we need!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-29388280783209322812020-04-11T05:00:00.010-05:002020-04-11T05:00:01.999-05:00Hurry up, God!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_p2oQb6Rsyj9_hFYLIqa8gizW3xgZdC36D9AeiGn0uPBRhsiIACbmoN6dAeEO9zYFKFxqgGDV1wkD7QVTqeBwylGEeqOICQITN7rc2gne-ImUAWzZyjA3rYDyNSgZ2rZdXGvDfr89aw/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_p2oQb6Rsyj9_hFYLIqa8gizW3xgZdC36D9AeiGn0uPBRhsiIACbmoN6dAeEO9zYFKFxqgGDV1wkD7QVTqeBwylGEeqOICQITN7rc2gne-ImUAWzZyjA3rYDyNSgZ2rZdXGvDfr89aw/" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+54-56%2C+Romans+3&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 54-56, Romans 3</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b>Psalm 55:8 <i> I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Not one of us would prefer the windy storms and the tempests over blue skies and sunny days, for we see not the value of the storm; we see only the destruction. But were it not for destruction close by, we would not soon be close by our Savior for refuge! </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">I have quoted him before, but it is worth repeating; Charles Spurgeon once said something to this effect, “I have learned to kiss the wave that thrusts me against the Rock of Ages!” Psalm 107:23-24 says, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.” </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">“Why?” might you ask, “Why must we face the storms of life which bring such destruction?” My dear friend, according to the scriptures, it is because the Lord has something He wants us to see that we would never see anywhere else! Think not of the storm as a force that has come to destroy, but rather a force that has been sent to open your eyes to the wonderous works of God. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">For in the storm you will learn of His might! You will learn of His faithfulness! You will learn of His promises! You will learn of His steadfastness! You will learn of His glory! You will learn of His wisdom! You will learn of His comfort! You will learn of His peace that passes all understanding! In fact, there will be far more you will learn of Him IN the storm, than you will ever learn in smooth sailing. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Faith that is not tested is faith that is not reliable. Our Father uses the trials of this life to purge us of the impurities of the heart, mind and soul which would otherwise blind us to His power and glory. Many times we find ourselves as King David, wishing to hasten the process along. We wish, as it were, to hasten our escape from the windy storm and tempest. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">However, we must learn as Job did, that our times are in the hands of our Lord! He will calm the storm, rest assured! Only know that He knows when best to do so. If we learn to trust Him when we have absolutely no clue why or how this storm could EVER bring ANYTHING good, that is when we begin to see the kind of faith that moves mountains! Perhaps the Divine objective, more than anything, is to learn that we don’t need perfect conditions in order to be safe; we need only Him! Meditate on this!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-59517090480157011112020-04-10T05:00:00.003-05:002020-04-10T05:00:06.806-05:00Freedom in Christ<div><font size="4"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA0cCpjvf9Z-EqmSbrTJl7A9FMnvT94SLgDEJ881vaBfNIZWu81KCTYiOBR4S4ld9S2jx2Yizgt36AX4M_ufCI3NHjwn5J7ZUJ0SAHstD5DbnhxIB7hxK_5L06bv5eP7a1nBxtUzqx7A/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA0cCpjvf9Z-EqmSbrTJl7A9FMnvT94SLgDEJ881vaBfNIZWu81KCTYiOBR4S4ld9S2jx2Yizgt36AX4M_ufCI3NHjwn5J7ZUJ0SAHstD5DbnhxIB7hxK_5L06bv5eP7a1nBxtUzqx7A/" /></a></div><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51-53%2C+Romans+2&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 51-53, Romans 2</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 51:12-13 <i>Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Upon what grounds shall we teach transgressors of the ways of The Lord? Upon what character traits of the Almighty shall sinners be converted unto Him? It is, in verse one, His ability to restore the JOY of His salvation, and to uphold us with His FREE spirit! So we see restoration, joy, salvation, and freedom. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">What, in this list of God’s “ways” is there NOT to be desired? Is it not the heart cry of every single human being to have that which was lost restored to them? Is not every person crying out for a Savior to save them from their seemingly permanent condition of hopelessness? Are we not starving for joy in an otherwise dark and gloomy world around us? Do we not wish above all else to enjoy freedom in its truest sense? </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">I would give the answers to all of these questions a resounding YES! Even so, I now hope to focus in on one specific word in these “ways” of The Lord that have profound depth, meaning, and implications; and that is the word “free”. The Psalmist prays, “…uphold me with thy free spirit.” Now, looking more deeply into the Hebrew dictionary, the original word from which we get our translation “free” means NOBILITY. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Webster defines nobility rather exhaustively to include, but not be limited to, the following meanings; “greatness, grandeur, antiquity of family; descent from noble ancestors; distinction by blood, usually joined with riches, and persons collectively who enjoy rank above commoners.” Looking at these meanings, can you now see why I’m so excited to point this out? David is literally praying that he will be upheld by God’s free (aka noble, great, distinct by blood) spirit. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Friends, when we are forgiven of our sins and washed in the blood of Jesus, we become heirs and joint heirs with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We rise above the common place of sin in which He found us. We are no longer slaves or peasants to sin and shame; we are, in fact, nobility. And it is in THIS spirit of FREEDOM that we are to be UPHELD! Having said that, one can then truly understand, based upon THIS knowledge, that we can then and only then be able to “teach transgressors thy ways” and see sinners converted to Christ!!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-1561669262460983722020-04-09T05:00:00.012-05:002020-04-09T05:00:14.077-05:00Chained to the Gospel!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqdEKUxCA4lkT4lz2cIdPbjLdgcxkyD43aE55BrgfFvaiZhPti7TSM9I8lFS0VfNpBCNtoKpC2L83DBBAiuB7tLA8GNxZbRFXOR-gBDHbqFvCvyEgCO0fXWlj6eOZKBLdcHXGFhD7Uhg/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqdEKUxCA4lkT4lz2cIdPbjLdgcxkyD43aE55BrgfFvaiZhPti7TSM9I8lFS0VfNpBCNtoKpC2L83DBBAiuB7tLA8GNxZbRFXOR-gBDHbqFvCvyEgCO0fXWlj6eOZKBLdcHXGFhD7Uhg/" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reading: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+49-50%2C+Romans+1&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 49-50, Romans 1</a></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Romans 1:1 <i>Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.</i></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">The apostle Paul sets for all Gospel preachers, in essence, the foundational principles upon which our ministries should be built. Namely, we are servants, we are called, and we are separated! Allow me to look at these one at a time. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">First, what does it mean to be a servant of Jesus Christ? Simply put, it is to be a slave, or to be one who is devoted to Christ to the disregard of his or her own interests. Furthermore, it means “one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men”. In other words, it is offering to Christ the same surrender that Christ offered to His Father in the garden, when He said, “Not my will, but Thine be done!” </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">Now, as to being called; you may indeed find one who is serving, who is not necessarily called to be a preacher. However, you will never find one who is called, who is not also a servant of Jesus Christ. You say you are called? Then how do you serve Christ? May it never be beneath us to humble ourselves as a servant to Christ in any manner in which He may lead us to serve. </font><span style="font-size: large;">For to be called is to be divinely selected and appointed. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This means that Christ calls the shots for the Gospel preacher! He calls, and He gives the orders! He says what to say, what not to say, where to go, where not to go, what to do, and what not to do. It would do us well as preachers of the Gospel to learn to discern the voice of God, and in so doing, learn to simply follow His orders; otherwise, we are not living up to the calling we claim to have. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And lastly, let us look at what it means to be separated. It means to be marked off from others by boundaries, so as to be limited and separated to that for which we are called. It means to be appointed and set apart for the specific purpose of preaching the Gospel message. In fact, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:4 that “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">To me, these three words, when woven together so tightly in verse one of Romans, leaves literally no grounds for the preacher of the Gospel to do his own will. May God help us to day to learn what it means to live a completely sold out life to Jesus our Lord! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="clear: both;">----------------------------------------------</div></div></div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">----------------------------------------------</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">---</div><div style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-36430073236320871052020-04-08T05:00:00.001-05:002020-04-08T05:00:08.191-05:00Protectors of Earth!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qhPqtET770-khSs0nMkGP-h8P5KX455ka7-kiaEGQxP10nZrht6azx9o-WtruP9e_-svAvHeDqLqk3WhZqx4v0p6gihOdoM7rA2ZujKzcde9REFZsb-MLsd-vcqvQWaSqEmIjI2p4ZY/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+10+47+20+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qhPqtET770-khSs0nMkGP-h8P5KX455ka7-kiaEGQxP10nZrht6azx9o-WtruP9e_-svAvHeDqLqk3WhZqx4v0p6gihOdoM7rA2ZujKzcde9REFZsb-MLsd-vcqvQWaSqEmIjI2p4ZY/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+10+47+20+AM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46-48%2C+Acts+28&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 46-48, Acts 28</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 47:9 <i>The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After verse seven tells us that God is the King of all the earth, and after verse eight tells us that God reigns over the heathen, then we are told in verse nine that the people of the God of Abraham are the PRINCES of the people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It says of them that they are GATHERED TOGETHER. Then, it tells us the reason WHY; “…for the SHIELDS of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Get this. God, as King, OWNS the SHIELDS of the Earth. The word shield comes from the Hebrew word maw-gane, which means figuratively a PROTECTOR.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you seeing this? God the King, who owns the PROTECTORS of the Earth, in so protecting the Earth from evils, causes His princes (the people of the God of Abraham; aka people of faith; aka people who trust Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior) to gather together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To fully grasp this, you must see the significance of God’s purpose in gathering His princes together for a meeting. The purpose is two-fold; first, that The King would be greatly exalted, and second, that the Earth which He reigns over to be protected from the forces of evil.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear followers of Christ, we are God’s princes in the Earth, we are His praisers in the Earth, and we are His protectors of the Earth! But we cannot work together to protect the world from evil if we do not gather together for that cause.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">How supportive are you of the efforts of our King to rally His troops to defend the Earth against all enemies foreign and domestic? The truth is, we are in a battle for the soul of mankind and the future of the Earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As once was said, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Can you honestly sit alone and quiet while the heathen of the Earth rebel against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to whom they will bow both knees?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Can’t you get about your King’s business, get together with other princes of His, and begin again to declare His truth to combat the lies propagated by unthinkable evils which seek to rob us of everything we hold dear and precious?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When will we say enough is enough? May God arise, may His princes arise, and may His enemies be scattered! May we gather, praise our King, and protect Earth from evil!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
---</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-15168323370919175342020-04-07T05:00:00.001-05:002020-04-07T05:00:08.939-05:00The Kingly lineage lives on!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ_tzN4y8Yo-QmPYnbwX5h9TX4ngqDtouGb0pwyW9W0mmZ4OPWnnpowhSc-sdTX2SpM2yq27KcOfkAzERkzk0bSyQhPY1wWrzBBuCRFr833cUivoeEi2dwcwIqYl8TOknBlabkbhayGI/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+9+27+59+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ_tzN4y8Yo-QmPYnbwX5h9TX4ngqDtouGb0pwyW9W0mmZ4OPWnnpowhSc-sdTX2SpM2yq27KcOfkAzERkzk0bSyQhPY1wWrzBBuCRFr833cUivoeEi2dwcwIqYl8TOknBlabkbhayGI/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+9+27+59+AM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+43-45%2C+Acts+27%3A27-44&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 43-45, Acts 27:27-44</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 45:16 <i>Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here, I believe this to be a type and foreshadowing of the Bride of Christ, also known as the church. Thus, here is given for us a prophetic declaration that from the house and lineage of David will reign in future generations princes in all the earth. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We know this not to be limited solely to the physical lineage of David’s natural bloodline, but also (and more assuredly) the household of faith, to include all who place their faith in Christ Jesus thereby becoming children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is in this light that we come to understand the significance of the great commission of Jesus, which is to make disciples of all men. Those who operate in His command as their King are His subjects living and abiding under His rule and His reign in His kingdom here on Earth. This Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom. One day, it will dominate the literal as well as the spiritual, but until then, we are as John the Baptist, preparing the way of the King. We cry at midnight, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet him!” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As we introduce others to Christ, and as they accept Him by faith, they too become sons of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. We are then expected to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and assume the authority given to us in His name to tread upon the serpents of the devil’s spiritually wicked domain, and pull down the strongholds which seek to impede the spreading of His spiritual domain in the Earth. At this very moment, in fact, there is what I would like to call “Kingdom Representation” in all four corners of the Earth, or in other words, “princes in all the earth” as the text states. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">May we be found as His church making disciples of all men, and commissioning them to operate as the princes they are born to be so that His Kingdom reaches every person breathing the breath of life. And may we never forget who we are, nor Whom we serve. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In this materialistic world, it might be easy to soon forget our spiritual heritage, but let us be all the more diligent to always remember that we are on the King’s business, and should live accordingly. And may we expect the lineage to live on as God raises up future princes from the very ones we know as our children!</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
---</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-1734004324077242022020-04-06T05:00:00.001-05:002020-04-06T05:00:02.362-05:00A Preacher's Defense!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1OHEZAgX5cy1eDFDqhxtVP1BTTDuffDHZuW3p2lQYtTNODB9ma3NSriZ0IDibQEa0UGvka8vFg5NC-5eslRiMDQ0JV70Cwh_PwsT8Yg1b93XiiOpAD6W9EKSw6yY4ydQgX7nRCv8U4A/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+8+55+17+AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1OHEZAgX5cy1eDFDqhxtVP1BTTDuffDHZuW3p2lQYtTNODB9ma3NSriZ0IDibQEa0UGvka8vFg5NC-5eslRiMDQ0JV70Cwh_PwsT8Yg1b93XiiOpAD6W9EKSw6yY4ydQgX7nRCv8U4A/s1600/Photo+Mar+14%252C+8+55+17+AM.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+40-42%2C+Acts+27%3A1-26&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 40-42, Acts 27:1-26</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 40:9 <i>I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The defense of the preacher is the very truth for which he finds himself attacked! In this prayer for help, the Psalmist David is reminding The Lord of the days in which he represented the cause of righteousness as he preached in the great congregation. In essence, he is saying to Our Lord, “I defended Your Word, and now I ask you to defend me!” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As he finds himself surrounded not only by those who seek to destroy him (v. 14), but also by his own sins which cause him to lose heart (v. 12), he remembers that his hope and his help is not only in WHAT he preached, but in WHO he preached! The meaning for the word righteousness in this text is not only “justice or rightness” which are principles of law, but also “of Davidic king, Messiah”, which is the Person of grace and truth, Jesus Christ (see John 1:17)! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Knowing that the law was weak through the flesh, and that he is guilty before a Holy God by the demands of the law, David appeals not to the justice of God, but to the mercy of God (v. 11)! David was essentially declaring to God that his faith was in the righteousness of GOD, which he preached, and not in his own right standing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">David did not think that his good deeds would amount to righteousness, but that God’s grace and mercy would not allow Him to be merciless to one who had trust in His righteousness to be his own. Simply put, David threw himself at the mercy of the Just One, and found what he needed. He wasn’t appealing to the letter of the law which kills, but to the Spirit of God, which gives life (see 2 Cor. 3:6). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You might say that David found the benefits of God’s grace before the dispensation of Grace had ever begun. If you will remember, God said he found one who was after His own heart when he found David. And what did David find when he sought the heart of God? Did he find justice? The Law? Holiness? Sure did! But is that all? Not even close! He found grace, love, joy, forgiveness, mercy, gentleness, peace, provisions, power, and the list could go on and on! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I close with this. Preaching and trusting Christ may get yourself into trouble with men, but it will also get you into mercy, grace, and preserving power with God Almighty (v. 11)! </span><br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i></div><div style="margin: 0px;">
<i><a href="https://goo.gl/tAJeJP" target="_blank">Follow by Email</a></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
---</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: black;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-53306393066785751302019-07-25T07:00:00.000-05:002019-07-25T07:00:05.051-05:00Dodging Destruction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUGUochdgPNVWS_T5eK4dQ-soyT-qoylpI0CO_xsNYswK9BFezOJutSVoP_3lMdTzGtPDVAFb0y_RtDtUmCifhhLjqN2wwsojaqd2y4RtuNd7dlriZ_yclc98mgrImF3HNAT_KmwgTtg/s1600/Photo+Jun+19%252C+1+37+31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUGUochdgPNVWS_T5eK4dQ-soyT-qoylpI0CO_xsNYswK9BFezOJutSVoP_3lMdTzGtPDVAFb0y_RtDtUmCifhhLjqN2wwsojaqd2y4RtuNd7dlriZ_yclc98mgrImF3HNAT_KmwgTtg/s1600/Photo+Jun+19%252C+1+37+31+AM.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37-39%2C+Acts+26&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 37-39, Acts 26</a> <br /><br /><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 39:13 <i>O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. </i><br /><br />Today, I am writing to someone in ministry whose strength is spent up! You’ve gone as far as you can go. You know that unless The Lord restores your soul, you are done. </span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If that is you, then make this verse your prayer today, dear friend. As the Psalmist prayed, ask our Heavenly Father to recover your strength before you come to your end, whatever that may look like. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can tell you this; Jesus cares very much to aid and assist you in your recovery as you continue to seek strength with which to serve Him. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a few days ago, perhaps you may have read the following verse in your reading with us in Psalm 34:19, which says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” This reminds us that, though the frequency of battles come regularly, and the duration of the battles often last a good long while, yet regardless of their length or frequency, there is not a single instance where the Lord will not deliver us! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, as we pray our desperate prayers begging God to spare us, God has already given us a promise that He plans to do just that. Dear reader, do not let satan get an advantage over you by convincing you that it is over for you, because if you have not yet been delivered, then that simply means God will not rest until you are! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stand on His promise of deliverance, and await His majestic intervention. It is just a matter of time before He makes good on His promise by allowing to manifest in time what has already been spoken from eternity. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Your strength may indeed be small, but His strength remains steadfast for ever and ever. You will soon find that the best thing that can ever happen to you is for you to lose all of YOUR strength. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We often feel like we are at a disadvantage when our strength fails us, but if the truth be known, in God’s Kingdom we are at the disadvantage when it is OUR strength that we rely upon. In other words, you are in the best shape ever, spiritually speaking, when you are totally dependent upon the Lord to see you through. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It may not even FEEL like it, but rest assured that His strength will carry you through ESPECIALLY during the times that your faith is so tried that you can’t even sense His presence at work in your life. Keep trusting Him all the way through your trouble.</span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 206 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
---<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a><br />
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-58904489590499528172019-04-23T22:26:00.001-05:002019-04-23T22:26:58.218-05:00Blessings Birthed by Burdens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE4Jq4h40db95LJv0NdpdPJDmqq-N3ffuwsInBsH6lFwr9zh4Tk8M8zu7QG9-gaZeoWHpBYrQ_3yMMqGLy_u6fGeVE7ovhd_UMFo_p3alzTRDGeJUqUVqVBYgRRGQQzsC4dLEWXv5p3w/s1600/blessings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE4Jq4h40db95LJv0NdpdPJDmqq-N3ffuwsInBsH6lFwr9zh4Tk8M8zu7QG9-gaZeoWHpBYrQ_3yMMqGLy_u6fGeVE7ovhd_UMFo_p3alzTRDGeJUqUVqVBYgRRGQQzsC4dLEWXv5p3w/s1600/blessings.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+33-34%2C+Acts+24&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 33-34, Acts 24</a><br /><br /><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Acts 24:27b <i>…Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.</i><br /><br /> What do you do when the pain of serving God comes as a consequence of another man’s pleasure? What reward is this? That a servant is rewarded suffering for sacrifice, abandonment for allegiance, and jail time for preaching the liberating Gospel? </span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, but before you rush to judgement, know this; the death blows of your enemy are not your reward. It is the lie of the enemy to ask and taunt you while in your chains, “Where is your God now? Is this how He pays?” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you’re not careful, you will mistakenly classify your suffering as your reward. It may very well be a reward, but make no mistake about it; this reward is not from your Heavenly Father! Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (see 1 Cor. 2:9)! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You may have heard of the old missionary couple who had been working in Africa for years and who had returned to New York to retire. As they returned, they discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-gaming hunting expeditions. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">No one paid any attention to the missionaries. They watch the fanfare that accompanied the President’s entourage, and as the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service to God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us?” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Later that night the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly.” His wife replied, “Why don’t you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?” “The Lord settled it with me”, he said. “I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said; “But you’re not home yet.” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dear child of God, it’s not over until God says it’s over. Press on, it won’t be very long and we’ll all be home, entering into the joy of our Lord!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 204 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
---<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-60220773739695450592018-11-24T11:17:00.000-06:002018-11-24T11:17:06.824-06:00How to get DELIVERED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2oHGAmZRSPiW0mR1UjyeGPlIjulDpVE0DCY2WLsAVOZdDtApk3Ef6PmzfEdEhLxiVyFS-JFXVBVn5ePioOATMvV2rE3QMJcWFfxOpbrERVYrqItxtYv1KV46fyPuuH3lWMm9wdyIcGc/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2oHGAmZRSPiW0mR1UjyeGPlIjulDpVE0DCY2WLsAVOZdDtApk3Ef6PmzfEdEhLxiVyFS-JFXVBVn5ePioOATMvV2rE3QMJcWFfxOpbrERVYrqItxtYv1KV46fyPuuH3lWMm9wdyIcGc/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Today’s Reading: </b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+31-32%2C+Acts+23%3A16-35&version=KJV" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Psalm 31-32, Acts 23:16-35</a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 31:1 <i>In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Lord is righteous to deliver such as put their trust in Him! Moreover, The Lord would be unrighteous NOT to do so. For you see, His compensation for trust IS deliverance! </span><span style="font-size: large;">How often has our Lord promised in His precious Word that those who put their trust in Him shall not be ashamed? Let us consider just a few by way of reinforcement. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 2:12b says, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” And then 1 Chron. 5:20 says, “And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are dozens if not hundreds more, but how many times does our Lord have to promise deliverance for those who put their trust in Him before we believe it? He need only say it once, but in His grace He repeats this principle over and over throughout the entire Bible. In fact, I’d dare say this is the overwhelming theme of redemption itself, and that’s what the Bible is ALL about! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, with that established, let me point out the mechanism by which He will deliver us. In our text, the Psalmist prays, “Deliver me IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS!” (emphasis mine). You see, David knew that were the Lord to deliver him according to his (King David’s) own righteousness, it just wasn’t going to happen. He also knew enough to know that with God, faith is imputed (counted) for righteousness (see James 2:23). This means that even when we are guilty, if we will come to God with repentant faith, He will transfer His own righteousness to our account, and give us the deliverance that only He would or could deserve. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, here is the good news; Child of God, quit pouting over your sins. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Quit just accepting your miserable state, assuming that God is and will continue to punish you because you deserve it. Do you realize that whatever trouble your sin has led you into, His righteousness can lead you out of? I cannot tell you HOW He does it, but I can assure you that He does, because He said so Himself! Lean on HIS righteousness to deliver you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 203 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
---<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-8177420302235266792018-11-23T11:21:00.000-06:002018-11-23T11:21:50.547-06:00Each Flame has a Name!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszjzNfc0j1WW6gmXq9QMMq-NAV2nFdU2OcuCaaLC0SaLEHfg2iXpkyXJNwxx1bSm4L38qNI0or9Kn8sNCgaLR9XtKWgQNwLL9SlMANylCJ1mufRYutL4RNoeReHYir9d7hAWJTKbfNj8/s1600/fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszjzNfc0j1WW6gmXq9QMMq-NAV2nFdU2OcuCaaLC0SaLEHfg2iXpkyXJNwxx1bSm4L38qNI0or9Kn8sNCgaLR9XtKWgQNwLL9SlMANylCJ1mufRYutL4RNoeReHYir9d7hAWJTKbfNj8/s1600/fire.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+29-30%2C+Acts+23%3A1-15&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 29-30, Acts 23:1-15</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection: </b> Psalm 29:7 <i>The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Every flame has a name! Consider Psalm 104:4, which says of our Lord, “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:” We see here multiple ministers ablaze as from one fire, namely The Lord. That is, these ministers are as the flames which split off the same fire to conduct each their own displays of God’s power and glory. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Just as a fire splits off into multiple flames which gives it its spreading and all-consuming capabilities by which to touch everything in its path, even so God through the power of the Holy Spirit can raise up ministers in like fashion. Ministers which burn from the same source, The Holy Spirit, but who have their unique audiences and assignments to which they are called. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Do not fault the brother who is not bent in the same fashion as you in ministry if he burns from the same source! Are there not many facets to Christ’s Kingdom which need to be addressed. Do not certain people have stronger gifts in particular areas than others? Do not we find that each flaming minister has his own overall emphasis of ministry uniquely his, but uniformly Biblical none the less? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We are indeed to preach the whole councel of God. I believe that simply means that whatever God has counseled you to preach, THAT you preach, and leave NOTHING He said out! You see, if each of us focused on our gifting and callings, then God would see to it that the church as a whole is addressed as it should be. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Think of it this way; He has other people for that which you are not uniquely gifted or called to address, but which needs to be addressed. That’s HIS business. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We see another reference of this concept in Acts 2, verses 2-3, which states, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;">The word cloven means to divide or to part or to partition thoroughly. Just as God divided the gift of tongues on the day of Pentecost and gave each flame their name (aka assignment), and as each language group was specifically addressed as The Spirit distributed the flames, even so are we to allow God’s voice to put us right where He wants us, and leave the rest to Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 202 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
---<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-87535698221779159322018-11-23T01:09:00.002-06:002018-11-23T01:12:45.897-06:00Waiting on God's Response!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK9yopfzvDpVLmdsjrBFnMIhgnu7HwrLuQ3tJtZei4D30EjCcD244pykCgUUCZBUI6dGSvyGEMm_e4VIThj_FrSHYNCmIarZbVif2xV3Hbll0e9NstUXyDol0XszQJE0f-Z3J9jiAoH0/s1600/8787-ea_ask_listens+you+need+God+knows+you+ask+God+listens+you+believe+God+works.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK9yopfzvDpVLmdsjrBFnMIhgnu7HwrLuQ3tJtZei4D30EjCcD244pykCgUUCZBUI6dGSvyGEMm_e4VIThj_FrSHYNCmIarZbVif2xV3Hbll0e9NstUXyDol0XszQJE0f-Z3J9jiAoH0/s1600/8787-ea_ask_listens+you+need+God+knows+you+ask+God+listens+you+believe+God+works.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26-28%2C+Acts+22&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 26-28, Acts 22</a> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b></span><br />
<div>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Today’s Reflection:</b><span style="font-size: large;"> Psalm 28:1 </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. </i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Psalmist is not simply praying to his Lord, but also expecting a reply. It is not enough that we simply send up prayers, but also with them we should send up urgent expectations for our Lord’s timely response. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is not the prayer of demand which offends our Lord, but the prayer which has no demands for response at all that offends Him. And to the Psalmist, the anticipated response of God to him is as precious as the oxygen in his lungs. In fact, he implies that for God to not respond with His voice would render him as good as dead, so to speak. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Question; how often do we pray with little patience to endure the waiting room of the Divine for His life-sustaining response? Are we in such a hurry that we only have time to speak TO God, but not enough time to wait patiently FOR His voice? Do we so put God in a rush that, unless He answers us in our time allotted, we simply stop listening for His response and move on to the next prayer as if the previous were not heard? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What does it say of our faith to give up on a prayer simply because we have not yet heard God’s response? Is God’s silence a clear indication that He has nothing to say on the matter? Or could it be that His silence is a means by which He strains our prayers of their impurities such as doubt, insincerity, vain repetition, and impure motives? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps God responds most often to the prayers to which we commit ourselves in unwavering faith for Him to respond. After all, it is to the cry of the desperate that Our Lord most readily responds. But if we come to him in religious form for the simple sake of checking our prayer off our daily task list so we can move on to our next item of things to do, then He may be silent more often that we wish or sometimes even notice. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">God forbid that we reduce our prayer life to such a rushed, frenzied, and mechanical routine that we do all the talking and take not the time to wait for His voice. Don’t get me wrong; there are times that a prayer is of necessity offered in haste, and a speedy response needed. In these times, God is able and often does respond as He is needed. However, I find through personal experience that the richest prayer life is known by waiting for His voice! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 201 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
---<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503730398639583323.post-39566051072128651002018-08-01T06:45:00.001-05:002018-08-01T06:45:20.196-05:00Power to Choose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ05unGCRRAAxgvGrVyoBPI6a1KNLX9zeJZs__4IqU_XFYodw6RqkQnA3hq5p-o20YfP47fs0v9FUfEqmzPCnevBXkfuly9FsQysZ84T3S7ZZ5E8mR1x_3I6cZP83JnOg-W2R-7RXK9lM/s1600/Choices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ05unGCRRAAxgvGrVyoBPI6a1KNLX9zeJZs__4IqU_XFYodw6RqkQnA3hq5p-o20YfP47fs0v9FUfEqmzPCnevBXkfuly9FsQysZ84T3S7ZZ5E8mR1x_3I6cZP83JnOg-W2R-7RXK9lM/s1600/Choices.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reading:</b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23-25%2C+Acts+21%3A18-40&version=KJV" target="_blank">Psalm 23-25, Acts 21:18-40</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Today’s Reflection:</b> Psalm 25:12 <i>What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Often when we think of making decisions which we hope will please The Lord, we get caught up in indecisiveness. No doubt we mean well, but please know that The Lord teaches those who make choices with which to move forward, not those who are indecisive. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I do realize that there are times that our Lord may specifically instruct us to “stand still” and watch Him work. However, also note that those are the exceptions and not the rule. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">IN (as you are going) all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths (Prov. 3:6). A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps (Prov. 16:9). And again in our text, “Him shall he teach IN THE WAY that he shall choose.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, “stand still” moments seem to be the exception, and “in the way” or in other words, God teaching us AS WE’RE GOING seems to be the rule. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I said all of that to say this, which will be a shock to some; God gives you the freedom to choose. Has it ever occurred to you that as life moves on while you walk with God, that there will be many times that you have more than one good choice that you can choose from? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For example, you can be praying about what career path to choose with which to provide for your family, and as far as you can tell, you have more than one option, neither of which would violate your conscience or get you in trouble with The Lord morally speaking. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You fear The Lord and do not want to do anything to offend Him or sin against Him, and so you’ve already narrowed your options down to just a handful of choices, and you still have to make a choice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is in these moments that we need to be careful not to allow indecisiveness to hinder us from moving forward with confidence that God will bless us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the text one more time; What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that HE shall choose. In other words, as long as all of your options fall within the guidelines of fearing (morally reverencing) the Lord, then God will become your teacher in whichever path YOU choose. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let that sink in! God is big enough to bless more than one path, any path, or EVERY path that is based on reverencing Him. So, make YOUR choice, then watch HIM teach!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/2018/06/unloading-burdens-in-unlikely-places.html" target="_blank">< Last Devotion</a> | <a href="https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=TheWayOfTheCrossBaptistChurch&loc=en_US" target="_blank">Next Devotion ></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
----------------------------------------------</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Floodgates of Heaven</i><br />
<i>Volume 2</i><br />
<i>Entry 200 of 365</i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium;">copyright © by Gary D. Caudill</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tjIbUnjBJrPaYXYvDGFDEdJ0hWHQipvNjU5F4Uz2dXwaoAu7Z60jcqPDVMADrNhAdx5cjAkBwv2Mwal5deid8uyth263AnoO_86vZ-O208OJ_76YQ-LkqpZiyiWYwuDGZOb5aRR5ovA/s1600/Photo+May+11%252C+6+52+45+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tjIbUnjBJrPaYXYvDGFDEdJ0hWHQipvNjU5F4Uz2dXwaoAu7Z60jcqPDVMADrNhAdx5cjAkBwv2Mwal5deid8uyth263AnoO_86vZ-O208OJ_76YQ-LkqpZiyiWYwuDGZOb5aRR5ovA/s1600/Photo+May+11%252C+6+52+45+AM.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/the-formula-21-challenge.html" target="_blank">Click Here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
---<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/" target="_blank">Home</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/meet-author.html" target="_blank">Meet Bro. Gary</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/preaching.html" target="_blank">Preaching</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/our-beliefs.html" target="_blank">Our Beliefs</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/why-king-james-bible.html" target="_blank">Why the KJV?</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/get-365-days.html" target="_blank">Give Inspiration</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/go-green-for-god.html" target="_blank">Donate</a> | <a href="http://www.floodgatesofheaven.org/p/contact.html" target="_blank">Contact</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Floodgates of Heavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00667040649313088570noreply@blogger.com