Living Fountains

Daily Devotion

Rendering to whom it belongs

May 7, 2011 at 10:56 am · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


 

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

We all have had our moments of wondering when our good deeds will; bring and end to the calamity we so often face. Sometimes we blame our spiritual position or even God when it doesn’t happen as quickly as we think it should. Some of us even use our spiritual position as an excuse to the calamity. Woe is me. This thinking somehow even has an influence on how we view the returning of the Lord. We think we can’t wait, until his return so we can be removed from our calamity. This is what I call a sleeping on the job mentality. God will bring us through calamity by teaching us how to change our habits and those things that created the calamity in the first place. We do however need to learn how to separate what is Caesars and what is Gods. It is not just taxes we must look at here. It is the things that we subject ourselves too, that are important to see. If we subject ourselves to things of this world or If we subject our selves to things of God; we may need to understand that to whom we are subjected too there will be at some time a visitation and accountability. We know we are and will be subjected to both. Where we make our mistakes are, we allowed the world and its influences to dictate and interpret the things of God. Mostly this is displayed in a word called “compromise” Many of us have these calamities in our lives because we subjected our selves to them from the start. Example of compromise: If I build a house in a floodplain and I know that some day the flood will come; do I; 1. Simply rely on the house itself to withstand the floods by believing God will protect it and therefore I do not need to show due diligence, or 2. Do I work diligently to assure that the Levies and floodwalls around my house are built and maintained for the day that the flood will come. The truth regarding this is: when the flood comes and my house is washed away. I hopefully will awake to the fact that it was dumb to build in a floodplain from the start. Get my Drift. LOL… Our decisions need to be thought out while we are yet awake not while we are sleeping. It is not always God that brings the calamity; it is us. The good thing is when we have done all that we know to do with diligence lined up with truth we can stand under the judgment without guilt or shame because we were not sleeping on the job. God says render to him what is his. We need to be diligent in searching out what is Gods, and that I will leave to you… We don’t know the hour of the Masters return so we must remain as the servant in charge of the work. Spiritually it is no different. We all must continue to do the work so when the master returns he finds the diligence of the servants are well maintained. The things of God are worth staying awake for” trust me”. So render to the world the things of the world and to God the things that are Gods and know the consequences of both. Stay awake!!!!! Just a thought…

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Lead me in Preference and Conviction

May 3, 2011 at 8:10 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


Chapter 1 - Decision making

Psalms 31

3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

I know many of us at one point or another face a decision process relying on direction from the Lord. What I have found in experience is that in any decision we should always make our main focus to be that no matter where we are or where we go in life, Jesus is our rock and our fortress and in him we will do according to his word. When we line our lives and our faith up with this, it will establish assurance and a confidence that “therefore for thy names sake lead me and guide me”. For me there are two elements of decision making. One is based on preference and the other is based on conviction. We all want to hear and know the will of God. So often we get an idea to do something and then seek to get Gods approval when it really doesn’t matter one way or another with God. This is preference. On the other hand God will inspire or provoke in us the idea to do something for him, this is conviction and this is where we begin to question. Why do we question? Because it wasn’t our idea? Hum? Oh to be free from mans supremacy, LOL I think the real question we face is; how do I know the difference between my idea and Gods idea. We need to understand that we can on our own, make decisions based on preference without the manipulating techniques. It makes it all the easier when we know we are abiding in him and he is abiding in us. This is the same as we abide in his word and his word abides in us. It is always wise to entrust God in everything we do. When we make a decision then we entrust and ask God “for thy name sake lead me and guide me”. I know some individuals that can’t make their own decision due to the fact they rely on others or on signs and wonders. The fact is we walk by faith and “not by sight”. However man will apply this as we walk by faith and “by sight”. When Jesus is the Lord of our life we can boldly walk in the fact that where we go he is present. I often wondered why some people want God or others to approve of their decision. I think it’s because if it is a bad decision they have someone to blame it on. LOL   When we have a conviction there is no option. Our preference doesn’t matter anymore. What is common is; that it usually takes us by surprise in a time that’s not convenient or at a time when we have our own agenda outlined. Even though we have a strong conviction to do something we start to look at our environment and all the things we find as a sense of security, etc. We start to question; Lord I have a great job or business established and friendly relationships and you use me here, everything is great so why would you want me to leave here. In either situation whether by preference or conviction there is one thing to make sure of and that is that we don’t confuse the two. If we have a preference to do something and it doesn’t compromise our walk with God then we are probably ok to decide one way or the other. However if we are convicted of an idea then nothing else matters, we must obey. If we must test our ideas then test the idea by being honest with our-self. Checking motives can help; such as asking ourselves; am I trying to escape or avoid a work in progress in my current position? Motives and imagination all get subjected to the test. Our position and daily walk with God is of utmost to have dedication and surrender to his word. Spending time with him on that daily basis will begin to establish the ear in which to hear. The answer is in you. Be honest and make the right decision that fits best and aligned with your walk with God. Just a thought…

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I Know / I Can

May 3, 2011 at 7:50 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


How much time do we spend thinking and saying “I don’t know what to do” Lord. It seems that all is going crazy in the home, the work place, the church, the world, etc. Constantly we are in a muck of confusion and be-wilderness. We are always in prayer for God to give us the direction in which to fix these things and we are forever looking for resolution in which we can overcome problems. Today I would like to make a recommendation. Rather than focusing on what we don’t know or can’t do; let’s focus on the things we “know and can do”. Many of our trials are there to galvanize us and create in us the ability to withstand the next test. So as Christians we should anticipate the test will come. What we can know and can do is equip ourselves with the knowledge and truth of Gods word. John 8 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. What we “know and can do”, is establish in our hearts and minds that Gods word is my direction and in all things I will glorify God who is in control of my life. It is easier to take charge of the things we know and can do” rather than waste time focusing on the things we have already determined as “I don’t know or can’t do”. We often hear I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Have you ever stood against something and totally been overcome or overwhelmed by it, thus later asking God why didn’t I overcome? The breakdown here is the process of strengthening. This happens when the test in which the strengthening comes, may not have been completed or adhered too in the time of preparation. I am careful when I say; that “continuing in my word is application not education”. The testing is for application and it is there that we gain strength to overcome by obtaining the truth of our identity and position of being one with Jesus; “his disciples” or better yet “disciplined” ones. So let us focus on what we know and can do, so when the trials come we are not so much focused on the doubt or fear of the unknown but more in tune with our confidence and identity in knowing we have been trained and disciplined by God to withstand and turn every obstacle into a place of greater application of truth and freedom. Just a thought….

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Love and be not deceived

May 1, 2011 at 2:46 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


The Bible

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 The lord has spoken and yet we dismiss his word. The Lord has delivered and yet we return to our place of captivity. The Lord has loved and yet we continue to show ill toward each other. Is it not enough that the world will hate us? Is it not enough that the wicked seek to kill the righteous? Is it not enough that our traditions and theologies have corrupted our sight of the living God? I say this by spirit of our Lord; Stop devouring each other in harshness and discouragement. Rather build each other up in the doctrine of which brings eternal life and love toward one another. It is written, that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth? Yet we seek the council of man to resolve the things of the spirit. Listen and take hold of this truth. Do we not believe? Knowledge puffs up and yet we seek more and more only to give a daily dose to our brethren. Be not as those who serve in the buildings built by the hands of man, only to show their own glory and pride. Where is the word hidden in our heart rather than stored up in our mind. Don’t we know that one word spoken by God is more powerful than millions spoken by men? We must humble ourselves in the sight of God not man’s approval.  Do we not understand that we are the temple of God and he will establish his kingdom within us, and not in this world? I say we must submit ourselves to God and his righteousness. Stop complaining and murmuring toward each other for it is also written that even though we have all these gifts; what good are they if we have not love. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth, but that which is good, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God but be ye kind to one another. We are as sheep being lead to the slaughter and I would say the Great Shepherd hear’s our cries and he is standing in the midst of the flock beckoning us to change direction. We should be careful not to be lead into false doctrine and theologies that corrupt the word of truth. Be not conceited in our own eyes thinking man may not see; for surely the Lord see’s and know the intent of our hearts. Pride produces covetousness, even of our own works and creation. Therefore I say, set not your hearts on those things that cause us to stumble and fall when God swings his sickle. Surely he will plow and re-plow our steps from one glory to another, each time emptying us out of our ways. Religion will cause a covering up, God will cause an un-covering. For those of us who have fallen on the rock we understand that as we received our own reward; God will take away that reward, and establish us in his council and his footsteps in the chambers of his kingdom not ours. We have need of repentance in order to obtain mercy from the Lord as we walk in love one to another. My days are numbered by God and my work is outlined by the life Jesus lived. There is no greater love than which we lay down our lives for each other. The more we see ourselves in relation to his death; the greater it will impact those around us in his powerful resurrection. Selah… Just a thought…
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To do list

April 25, 2011 at 6:45 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


Romans 12

Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants–what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. Our bodies have many parts, but these parts don’t all do the same thing. In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other. God in his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully. Love sincerely. Hate evil. Hold on to what is good. Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other. Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord. Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually. Share what you have with God’s people who are in need. Be hospitable. Bless those who persecute you. Bless them, and don’t curse them. Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are. Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord. But, If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.

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This is the day

April 20, 2011 at 6:41 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


When people, things and yes even ourselves let us down, and we become short of fullness; remember this is the day the Lord has made. We should consider our ways and find what God is revealing in our disappointments. Haggai spoke of how we spend more time building our own homes and yet the dwelling place of God seems to be forgotten and left desolate. So today bring the material and the things that can be used to build up the Temple of God “your spirit”. I believe we will find that disappointments and shortfalls will begin to turnaround because we turned around. Just a thought.

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The tall pines

April 17, 2011 at 7:44 pm · Filed under Bible Devotions, Just a thought, Uncategorized


Leaves of Utah mountain trees changing color d...

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As I was lying under the tall pines I began to think about Gods creation; and these words came to my mind. The trees in the fields will clap their hands. All of a sudden I released myself in praise and it was as if I was rejoicing with the…… trees. The wind all of a sudden began to blow through the trees and it whispered through the valley. It was beautiful and magnificant. I pondered on the idea that even though all the trees seemed to look alike they were all different, not one tree was identical. We as individuals may all seem alike but we are unique and different, each having our own quality of character, etc. Today let us join together and release what we are individually. In what God has so graciously created us into. Remember this “God dances on the tree tops that worship him”. Just a thought.

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