Floodgates of Heaven Devotionals

Some guidelines can be drawn which will help us to know when to give and when not to give. Read more....

2011-10-10T19:10:00.001-05:00

Today’s Reading: Matthew 25

Today’s Reflection: Matthew25:8-9 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lampsare gone out. But the wise answered,saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buyfor yourselves.

Thereis great wisdom for the giving heart in this text. Often we are taught when TO give, but seldomare we taught when NOT to give; there needs to be balance. Some guidelines can be drawn which will helpus to know when to give and when not to give. First, let us consider the fact that the ones asking for assistance werefoolish. We know that they were foolish becausethey set out on a journey, and didn’t even think about the fact that when theygot down the road, they would eventually run out of oil and need more. We then conclude that they had absolutely noplans whatsoever. Secondly, let usconsider how quickly and easily it was for them to ask others to give of theirown much-needed oil to help compensate for their own ignorance. We know then that these foolish virgins wereselfish and inconsiderate, assuming that others would just fix theirmistakes. I once heard it said, “Yourlack of planning is not my emergency.” Isay, “Amen!” The third thing I wish topoint out is that they under-estimated what it was going to take to make thejourney. Thinking that the wise wouldhave enough to go around for everyone, they were startled when the wiseanswered thus, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:” In life, and especially in ministry, we willcome across those who make no plans, who are selfish, who are inconsiderate,and who have no clue how much it would actually take to go around. If the giving heart is not careful, he willgive until he has nothing left, and the one he gave will still be empty-handedbecause of their foolishness, and the fact that they never learn. Therefore, it is imperative that we properlymanage the resources that God has blessed us with, using wisdom every step ofthe way. If not, what God has blessed uswith will run out, and then we’ll be trying to blame God for not supplying,when in fact we were the guilty party, not using the wisdom He gave us to do thingsright. So, before you give, make surethat it is not going into a bag with holes in it!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

Let’s be caught feeding the flock of God when He returns! Read more....

2011-10-09T23:25:00.004-05:00

Today’s Reading: Matthew 24

Today’s Reflection: Matthew24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made rulerover his household, to give them meat in due season?

It is important for those of us who are ministers of the Gospel to be ready at all times to give meat to the household of faith. When Christ asked Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”, Peter answered, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”, then Jesus said in response, “Feed my lambs.” (see John 21:15). Jesus wasn’t referencing literal food here, but was referring to the meat of the Word of God. In Matt. 4:4, Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” He also said in John 4:34, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” And what was the work of Christ? He was to become the broken bread of life which was to be passed around for all who would partake of Him. He even taught us in John 6:55, “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” This, of course, was in reference to the spiritual significance of the cross and what it would provide for fallen man. Therefore, since it is Christ who is in fact the very bread of life, and since Christ was the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us, it goes without saying that the meat which we are to offer to the household of faith is the pure, undefiled Word of God. When we make much of Jesus through His Word, then we are truly giving God’s little lambs something that will surely nourish them and strengthen them for the journey. It is when we get away from Christ and His Word that we begin to starve out the sheep. I want to point out that although a shepherd is involved in protecting, guiding, comforting, and even rescuing the sheep, the one thing he does for the sheep above all else is feed them. Every aspect of the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is essential, but if we do not feed the sheep enough, nothing else we do for them will matter, as they will not live very long under such neglect. We can love, protect, guide, comfort, rescue, and even sheer the sheep, but if we do not feed them, they will die. Jesus says then in Matt. 24:46, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Let’s be caught feeding the flock of God when He returns!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

May God help us to finish our course. Read more....

2011-10-09T18:05:00.004-05:00

Today’s Reading: Mark 13

Today’s Reflection: Mark13:34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left hishouse, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, andcommanded the porter to watch.

We are reminded of theresponsibilities which have been entrusted unto us by our Lord. He has indeed given us authority to operatein the gifts and callings of our work here on earth. Unfortunately, too many Christians sit aroundand wait for a light from Heaven and a voice out of the clouds to move them toaction, when we have already been commissioned by the Holy Scriptures. God has given us everything we need to do Hisblessed will; let us not be found neglecting the work of our Lord when He comesin power and great glory. What gifts hasour Lord bestowed upon you? What is theSpirit of God urging you to do for the cause of Christ? What is it that He has placed upon this writer’sheart to urge you with even more confirmation to do? Do it! Do not waste another moment! Thefields are already ripe unto harvest; our Lord is just looking for workers togo bring in the harvest now! It mattersnot at what season of your life you enter into the work of the Lord; whatmatters is that you do so without further hesitation. Every minute passing by is one minute closerto the end of the harvest, and what is done will be done. May God help us to finish our course. May God help us to keep the faith. May God help us to win every soul which wecould have won to Christ in our lifetime from this point on. We do not have time to waste. Our Lord expressed urgency in our text whenin verse 33 He said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Do not assume that you have plenty of timesimply because our Lord has not returned yet. The truth is, He could come at any moment! Are you doing your part in the work of theLord? Again, our selected verse says,“…the Son of man…gave…to every man his work…” What is your work? Do you evenknow it? If not, what is hindering youfrom finding out? If you lack wisdom,ask God, and He will give it to you. Seek Him, and you shall find Him! Our prayer today should be, “Lord, what would thou have me to do?” Our actions then should follow when at onceHe reveals His will. Do something forGod!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

Any time the grace of God is misconstrued, nothing is left but mean-spirited, man-made dogma. Read more....

2011-10-08T23:00:00.002-05:00

Today’s Reading: Matthew 23, Luke 20-21

Today’s Reflection: Matt. 23:15 Woeunto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land tomake one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child ofhell than yourselves.

My, my, look at whatkind of preaching our Lord Jesus delivered! The most challenging messages Jesus ever preached during His earthlyministry were those addressed to the religious people of his day. Here, he specifically deals with those whoseek to make to themselves clones. Hementions that their disciples are twofold more the child of hell thanthemselves. This is very stronglanguage, intended to make a very strong point. The point is this; when a religious system of beliefs based uponman-made traditions is propagated as Gospel truth when in fact it is not, whathappens with each new generation of followers is that they get worse andworse. Have you ever noticed in our dayjust how vicious a newly-trained legalistic person can be? When someone has only been exposed tograceless, heartless, legalistic personalities, they generally end up doing oneof two things. Either they forsake thoseteachings altogether when they have had their fill of them, or else they soadopt that mentality that they do in excess what their teachers did inmoderation. Any time the grace of God ismisconstrued, nothing is left but mean-spirited, man-made dogma. The truth is, God’s grace needs noimprovement. It is when we decide thatGod needs our help that His grace is misconstrued. That is why with each new convert of legalismcomes a double-portion of hell. Why doesJesus teach this so strongly? Here’swhy; the grace of God, bought and paid for by His own blood, shall not affordto be tainted by another pointless effort made by fallen man. We shall be saved by grace alone, or we shallnot be saved at all. If it could havebeen done without grace, then Christ will have died in vain. God will share His glory with no one,especially a self-righteous fake glory mustered up by sinful man. God’s glory is fully revealed through thecomplete work of Calvary. It is there and there alone that we receiveHis grace, as there is absolutely nothing we can do to either earn or keepourselves saved. Any other Gospel is notthe Gospel at all. Friend, be sure thatyou have fully trusted in Christ and Him alone!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

What God asks of us is neither grievous nor unreasonable! Read more....

2011-10-08T16:48:00.002-05:00

Today’s Reading: Matthew 22, Mark 12

Today’s Reflection: Matt. 22:5 Butthey made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to hismerchandise:

Nothing can be of moreimportance than being attentive to that which God has set in order. Here, many made light of the wedding whichtheir king had arranged, and decided that they had better things to do. In like manner, I wonder how guilty thisgeneration is of doing the same. We areliving in the dispensation of grace, whereby the church has been commissionedto go out into the highways and hedges to compel those which are lost to comein; yet, many are too tied up in the affairs of this life to participate in theeffort. We can get so involved intemporal things that we neglect what is most important. I think the key phrase in our text whichshows us where they went wrong is this, “…and went their ways…” It is when we go our own way and do our ownthing that we miss out on what God is doing. You see, if we will acknowledge God in all of our ways, then He willsurely direct our paths (see Prov. 3:5-6). That means that He will enable us not only to make provisions for ourfamilies, but also to accomplish the work of the ministry at the sametime. There needs to be a balance. If we get so caught up in “making provisions”that we turn our attention to business alone, then God’s will isneglected. We need to be able to seekthe Lord and allow Him to show us HIS will for our lives, so that our businessdoes not interfere nor hinder His from being accomplished. Do we have to be SO busy that we can’t evenattend the wedding? Really, sometimes weact as if God expects too much of us, do we not? 1 Jn 5:3 says, “For this is the love of God,that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” In other words, God is not going to ask us todo something that, with His help, we cannot do. Considering all our Lord has done for us, we are taught in Rom. 12:1, “Ibeseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourbodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonableservice.” What God asks of us is neithergrievous nor unreasonable! We can livebalanced lives, ensuring that not only our personal affairs are taken care ofso far as tangibles are concerned, but also ensuring that we live out God’swill and purpose for our lives. Go notyour own way!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

Allow me to suggest that the biggest mountains that we face are not those standing in front of us, but those standing inside of us! Read more....

2011-10-08T10:05:00.001-05:00

Today’s Reading: Mark 11, John 12

Today’s Reflection: Mark 11:23 Forverily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thouremoved, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, butshall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shallhave whatsoever he saith.r;

There is something verypowerful about verbalizing your faith. Even Jesus taught that it is out of the abundance of the heart that themouth speaks. People say what theybelieve. If you want to know what theyreally think, just listen to them talk for a little while, and you will have itfigured out! In our text verse, it isapparent that Jesus is putting emphasis on the verbalization of our faith, forHe says “…whosoever shall say unto this mountain…” and again “…he shallhave whatsoever he saith.” Whythen is it important to speak to our mountains? It is because God knows that if we reallybelieved, we would not hesitate to say so. God help us to stop pretending to believe Him, when in fact we are ofsuch doubt that we hesitate to say it just in case it doesn’t happen. Do you “pray it safe”? God is looking for some bold, tenacious,full-of-the-Holy-Ghost prayer warriors that will believe Him so much that theywould not be afraid to verbalize what they are believing God for! Now, when you vocalize your faith, the textonly suggests that there are two parties within listening distance; yourmountain, and yourself. I ask you thisquestion; who needs the convincing, the mountain, or the one speaking to themountain? Allow me to suggest that thebiggest mountains that we face are not those standing in front of us, but thosestanding inside of us! If we can get ourfaith to roll off of our lips, then our faith is genuinely authenticated. For instance, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth…Thatif thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believein thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (

Rom.

10:8-9). Again, “So then faith cometh byhearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17). Sometimes you have to talk to the mountainloud enough to hear yourself in order to rebuke the doubt inside of you! Today, speak to the mountain inside of you,and the mountain in front of you will go away!

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copyright ©2010 by Gary D. Caudill

Today’s Reflection: Luke 19:43-44 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall ….keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee… because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Read more....

2011-10-07T23:45:00.001-05:00

Today’s Reading: Luke 18:15-19:48

Oh that God would open our eyes to our time of visitation in this generation! Jesus said that it is a wicked and adulterous generation who seeks after signs. I believe that is the downfall of our generation today. We have on our hands a people who do not pay attention to the obvious clues around them; rather, they listen for a voice in the sky, or a sign from Heaven, or something of that nature. The problem with that frame of mind is this; the just shall live by faith, not by sight! To always be looking for a sign is to say in essence, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” This cannot please God, because it is not of faith. Today, God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth, and who will simply take Him at His Word! When will His Word be good enough? I heard a great man of God say long ago, “Many are still listening for a voice when they already have a verse.” It will be a sad day when many stand before God accusing Him of not being there for them, or for not speaking to them, just to find out He was there the whole time, but that they were too pre-occupied to notice. Furthermore, there is a cancer eating the church alive today; it is the cancer of procrastination. Jesus spoke of it in John 4:35, when He said, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Too many are still waiting for the “right” time to surrender to God. Too many are still thinking that “one day” they will get around to serving God. Sadly, for many, that “one day” will never come. Seriously, what if we miss our time? What if this generation becomes so pre-occupied with the notion that it will all get better one day that we fail to take any action to ensure that it does? Are we not called to action? I dare say we are! God is moving, and God is still speaking, but are we listening and obeying? I hope this will not be the final words of our generation as found in Jeremiah 8:20, which says, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Friend, if not now, when?

Floodgates of Heaven Devotionals

Some guidelines can be drawn which will help us to know when to give and when not to give. Read more....

Let’s be caught feeding the flock of God when He returns! Read more....

May God help us to finish our course. Read more....

Any time the grace of God is misconstrued, nothing is left but mean-spirited, man-made dogma. Read more....

What God asks of us is neither grievous nor unreasonable! Read more....

Allow me to suggest that the biggest mountains that we face are not those standing in front of us, but those standing inside of us! Read more....

Today’s Reflection: Luke 19:43-44 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall ….keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee… because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Read more....

Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; ......

Mark 10:21a Then Jesus beholding him loved him… Read more....

John 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Read more....

Let us now consider what to do when God is not there for us! Read more....

Does our personal money management have any bearing on our ability to serve in ministry? Read more....

Let us minister not where men take note, but where God takes note. Read more....

Where does our doubtful mind come from? Read more....

Christ gives us a three-fold approach to ensuring answered prayer. Read more....

The greatest men of God are not those polished and refined by our educational systems and man-built colleges, but those tried in the fires of adversity who have come out on the other side as pure as gold. Read more....

Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32). Learn more....

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth (see Prov. 27:2)! Read more....

God does not give us a ministry of the Word without the power to go with it. Read more....

Are we operating under and in the authority of Jesus Christ, or are we just under the spell of man-made religion? Read more...

Between man’s self-destructive sinful nature and the influences of the demonic realm, it is no wonder this world is so chaotic. Read more....

God allows us to be participants in His handy-work; however, He does not allow us to be master minds behind it all. Read more....

How many will visit a church this coming Sunday and then leave just as spiritually hungry as they came? Read more....

Here is a word of caution; if you look right through others, know assuredly that they also see right through you! People know when you don’t really care. Read more....

There is coming a day that you will be on the other side of your trouble. Read more....

What matters more than what you hear, is how you hear what you hear. Read more....

Do not miss the whole point like these Pharisees did; check your heart for a pulse today! Read more....

Can it be true? Will God indeed hold back on some, while letting others in on great truths? Read more....

Do not think that God’s Sovereignty has no place for man’s free will and persuasive faith. It is the marriage of both that yields God’s ultimate plan. Read more....

Anyone with experience should know that an intimate relationship cannot be complete or fulfilling by letter alone. Read more...

All you have to do to create enemies is the right thing! Read more....

There are more important things to worry about than trying to keep the brethren convinced that you are abiding by their rules. Read more....

We must get so hungry for the power of God that we get past ourselves! Read more....

When the Divine call of God is upon your life, it creates a hunger and a thirst which can be satisfied only by the fulfillment of that call. Read more....

Perhaps God’s greatest works in the world today are those which have gone ignored, unrecognized, and even criticized by organized religion and traditions of men. Read more....

Although we know that Romans 8:28 is in the Bible, sometimes we still struggle with the “why” of it all, do we not? Read more....

When Divine purpose is at work, devilish propaganda is brought to naught. Read more....

Today, I want to write about when “it shall be” becomes “and so it was”! Read more....

I am glad that God didn’t just leave me in the dark! Read more....

This will bless your socks off!! Read more....

There are many today that do not feel as if a Minister should be well taken care of from a financial stand point. However...

Oh my, what have we hear; an attentive people? Hmmm, that’s strange. You don’t see that much anymore! Read more....

If the Christian could just learn how to put the devil and his mouthpieces on ignore, his journey with God would become so much clearer! Read more....

Never measure the success of your ministry only by the results which are visible to you; if you do this, you will often get discouraged. Read more....

Ezra 10:2b …yet now there is hope… Read more...

Thank God for the notice He has served to the devil today that it’s not over yet! Read more....

Don’t try to march to the beat of some dead religious drum; follow the leading of the Spirit of God! Read more....

IT’S STILL THE BLOOD that saves mankind from their sins! Read more....

Do not question the path God has chosen for you; only question your progress! Read more....

The blessing does not come from seed stored, but from seed sown! Read more....

May our generation become known as the generation that TOOK IT BACK!! Read more....

My generation needs to see a spirit of revival fire rise back up in those who have gone before us, who can tell us with certainty that hope still exists, and who can inspire us to lead future generations to that hope. Read more....

The vision never comes without the wait! Read more....

If we will stay humble, then the sky is the limit to what God can do for us. Read more....

Fight to believe God, and rest by your sleeping lions! Read more....

We do not need to think of our present-day battle as an unnecessary evil; rather, we should look at it as a stepping stone to victory! Read more....

Do not buy into the lie that “America is too far gone to have revival again!” Read more....

I’m afraid that too many of us are more worried about being comfortable than we are being conformable. Read more....

Need a blessing? Then go bless the man of God! Read more....

Some think they will go to Hell if they don’t dress a certain way, or attend a certain church, or forget to read their Bible twice a day, or the list could go on and on. Read more....

What happens to us at salvation changes the way God sees us, but all too often does not change the way we still see ourselves. Read more....

Have you made your preparations to meet God? Read more....

What looks like ruin in our eyes, looks like a construction zone in God’s eyes! Read more....

Legalism goes against everything that the grace of God stands for. Legalism and Grace can not co-exist. Read more....

Will you hang around long enough to taste the grapes that you have planted? If you do, you will get the first cluster! Read more....

Unfortunately, many are under the impression that their pastors never have a problem. Let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth! Read more....

Every pastor must decide whether he wants to be a politician or a preacher, but he cannot be both. Read more...

America's future...what do you think? Read more....

Ever wonder why the devil is always trying to shut you up? Read more....

Do you give life with your tongue, or do you drain life with it?

Give us not false prophets, but give us true men of God! Read more....

God's forgiveness is readily available, no matter how far you've gone!....

It is staggering to think of those who have chosen both to live without Christ, AND to expect Him to come to their rescue when in need, all at the same time. Read more...

Day 239 - May God deliver His men today from becoming so result-oriented that we become someone we are not, in order to try to make someone else become something they are not.....

Day 238 - Read about God's gold standard!......

Day 237 - Imagine the hungry cries of those dear precious children; “Mama, I’m hungry! Mama, do you have anything to eat? Mama, my tummy hurts!” Read more....

Day 236 - What better state of vulnerability could the church be found, than in a state of perpetual sleep? Read more...

Day 235 - Why is it that the prodigal son must spend all he has before coming to himself? Read more....

Day 234 - Perhaps the greatest thieves of what could have been and what is yet to be are doubt and fear. Read more....