Some devotions from my favorite devotional

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Living Water
For my people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water
Jeremiah 2:13

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There should never be "dry spells" in the Christian life, God said that he would be like an artesian well in the life of a believer. Artesian wells bubbled forth with a cold, fresh, never-ending supply of water from the depths of the earth, quenching any thirst and always satisfying. This is the picture of refreshment that belongs to the person in whom the Holy Spirit resides.

Have you ever heard people say they are experiencing a dry spell in their Christian life? What are they saying? Are they saying that the Lord ran out of water? It should never cross your mind that the fountain of living waters residing within you should ever be reduced to a trickle. You don't need to run all over the country trying to find resources of spiritual refreshment. Conferences, retreats, and books can all bring encouragement; but if you are a Christian, the source of living water already resides within you.

Have you exchanged the living fountain for man-made cisterns that cannot hold water? Why would you exchange an artesian well for a broken water tank? Artesian well do not dry up. Broken cisterns do. If you are experiencing spiritual dryness right now, it is because you have been attempting to find your source of spiritual refreshment from man-made sources, which will fail you every time? Jesus extended an invitation to you when he said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). Have you been refreshed by the living water only Jesus can provide?

The Condition of the Heart
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who,
having heard the word with a noble and good heart,
keep it and bear it with patience.
Luke 8:15

At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response to God's Word (Luke 8:5-18). If your heart is like the trampled ground, hardened by the sin and bitterness and unforgiveness, you will be unable to accept a message from God. Though you hear the words of the message, you will remain unchanged. If you hear it like the shallow soil on top of a rock, you will accept God's Word in you mind, but the truth will not penetrate your heart to make a difference in your actions. A heart like thorny soil is a life that is distracted by the cares of the world; the pursuit of earthy pleasures prevents God's Word from taking hold and producing righteousness. The heart that is like good soil receives a word from God, applies it, and brings forth fruit in due time. This is the heart that Jesus desires in us, for the fruit will be a Christlike life.

Any time you hear a word from God, whether through Bible reading, prayer, or worship, the way you respond will depend on how you have cultivated your heart (Hosea 10:12). How do you develop a heart that is like good soil? Repent of any bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness that is hardening your heart. Meditate on God's Word until it enters deep into your heart and not just your mind. When you read or hear a word from God, apply it to your life and let God bring His word into reality in your life (Galatians 6:9). Protect your lifestyle. See that you don't devote all of your energy to worldly concerns, rather than to pursuing your relationship with God. the condition of your heart will vary, depending on how you cultivate it. If it was receptive to a word from God yesterday, this does not guarantee it is receptive today. Daily prepare your heart for the word God has for you!

Some notes from MapleStar on this devotion :: It's very tough to not be affected by the ways of the world, such as judging other people, I know that's the biggest problem in my life. When I find myself judging someone else, I try to assume the best in them, remember that if you're judging someone that you don't know incredibly personally, there's probably something missing from context. you can't judge someone by their clothes, because they could actually be a really cool person! If someone seems like they're being particularly mean to you, there could be something happening in their life that's hurting them. I also try to think of how my actions are affecting others, to try my best that I don't offend them (but of course there are times when I blow up, lol). If you have no idea what this devotion is talking about as far as all the soils go, that's fine, it's referring to a parable. See the thread about parables to find this one.

Extra scriptures from this devotion ::

"Sow for yourselves
righteousness;
Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till He comes and rains
righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12

"And let us not grow weary while
doing good, for in due season we
shall reap if we do not loose heart."
Galatians 6:9


As for Me
and My House

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And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for
yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods
which your fathers served that were on the other side of the
River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.
But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15[/center]

Serving God was not Joshua's only option. He could have adopted the religious beliefs and practices of his family heritage in the pagan land of Egypt. He could have accepted the idolatrous religion of his neighbors in the region where he now lived. These options probably looked like easier choices than worshiping God. But Joshua has witnessed God's faithfulness (Joshua 23:14). He was convinced that his Lord was the only true God and that serving Him would bring victory and blessing.

Joshua decided to serve God alone. He was determined to teach his entire household to honor his Lord as well. He had trusted God for victory on the battlefield, and he knew that God could also give him spiritual victory in his home.

You, too, must decide who you will serve. an assortment of popular religions clamors for your allegiance. If you come from a Christian heritage, you may decide to embrace the faith of your parents and grandparents. If you did not grow up in a Christian home, you can decide, as Joshua did, to reject your heritage of unbelief and begin a generation that serves the Lord.

If you set your mind wholeheartedly on serving God, your example will bring a tremendous blessing to your family. If you place your confidence in God, those around you will witness your faith, and they may decide to trust Him too. Choose, as Joshua did, to serve God unashamedly with all your heart, and then watch to see how god blesses your family.

Extra scriptures for this devotion ::

"'Behold, this day I am going
the way of all the earth. And you
know in all your hearts and in all
your souls that not one thing has
failed of all the good things which
the Lord your God spoke concerning
you. All have come to pass for you;
not one word of them has failed....'"
Joshua 23:14

[wishcloud]

I like those. :3