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Posted by
Dion Todd February 19, 2017 -
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Devotional
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For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites were in charge of killing the Passovers for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Yahweh. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover other than the way it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, 'May the good Yahweh pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his fathers, even if they aren't clean according to the purification of the sanctuary.' Yahweh listened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 2 Chronicles 30:17 WEB
The people had broken God's law concerning the passover and were now in sin. In the past, many had died for less than this. They ate the passover while they were unclean because they had not cleansed themselves as the law required. Hezekiah prayed for them and the Lord heard him, then healed the people. In this scripture, the prayer of one man who was living right, made the difference between life and death, between judgement or a pardon from God, for the other people who were not.
In Ezekiel 22:30 God sought a man to stand in the gap so that He would not have to destroy the land, but He found none. Abraham interceded with God in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord agreed to spare the city if only ten righteous people were found in it, because Abraham asked Him (Genesis 18:23). James said that there are times that we have not, because we do not ask (James 4:2).
Never cease to pray for the lost. Though they may seem so far away from the Lord, nothing is impossible for God. In my experience I have seen that those fighting against God the hardest, are the fish that are already on the hook and struggling to get away. They can suddenly come to Jesus and be the most the most zealous among us. You may be the only one that is standing in the gap for that person. Your intercession may be the difference between judgement, or mercy. Your prayer today may be the one that God hears for them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, put those on my heart that I should pray for. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and give me the right words. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
This was/is an awesome message today. I woke up with people on my mind This morning at 3 am, and my prayers early this morning were for the homeless. At 3:30 am, I asked God to be with those homeless who were dying at that very moment. I asked him to send himself, show himself, to meet the needs of these people, to find them homes, bring them clothes, food, blankets. I asked the Lord to get our Vets, men and women, who have lost much, off the streets who have fought to keep our homeland free. My heart feels for the homeless, there are many whose stories show that living on the streets was not a choice for them, yes, there are scammers that stand on the side of the road with signs, and when I see them, I ask God to send the mission van at the right moment. It is hard to think of people not being honest, but we live in a dishonest world wanting only what they can get. But the Lord knows the hearts of all people. God pears in the darkness, he knows who is willing to come to Him. Remember all the people who Jesus touched over his ministry, the lonely, the downtrodden, the forsaken, the poor, the blind, the leaper, the underdog, He still reaches out to these people today. Your heart shows what it truely cares about when it prays for others. Our churchs are no longer reaching out like they should, and to those who have been in a church a long time are being shunned for something their son did.
I visit our Dollar Tree often. There is an assisted manager in there named Nina, ( please keep her in prayer). She is well over 60, lost her husband in a terrable accident, she lives alone, her home is in need of repair. She has to drive almost an hour to get to this dollar tree, and she has to be in at 5 am to stock shelves.She tried to retired, but was stopped becasue of government details. She has an autisic grandson. Over the time I have been out of work, we have become friends, she takes time to talk with us when we come in. Over the Thanksgivieng/christmas holiday, when God blessed us, ( not all blessings are for us to keep, but for us to be messengers and helpers to others) we looked for ways to bless others. Food items we could not use from the food pantry, we put aside in boxs. The Lord had given us such an outpouring of blessings we had to share, and Nina came to mind. I was given a $50.00 gift card, that I knew in my heart, I had to give this to Nina. So Just before Thanksgiving, Asher and I packed up the food box, I wrapped the gift card, I also found many items, like christian books, and other items( I had set aside for the right person, all christian stuff) that I put into a little gift bag. The day Asher and I brought this to her, I wanted to make sure she had the gift card right away. I though maybe she needed gas etc. When we walked in, she was standing right there, I said I want to talk to you, and she looked surprised, so I went over to her, and said, I want to give you something, and I handed her the gift card of which she opened right then. Tears flowed down like a waterfall, and we hugged after I had given her a tissue. I said, I know you have had a tough year, and she said yes I have. I said we also have food items in the car for you we want to put them in your car. It was well after Thanksgiving when we saw her again, that little act of kindess reflected GOd's presence when she said to me, her children asked her , Mom, where did you get this money, she said, from God. You see, they did not have any thing extra to buy for Thanksgiving. Nina bought the turkey and a few other items, the items in the food box like a bag of white potatos and canned vegtables, all were a part of making up that dinner, and the whole family got a chance to see God in that one act of kindness. Nina is a CHrisitan. We have had many a conversation. When we walk into the store, she yells out, my two angels are here. She has told this story to many a people, but it was for her grown children whom I really beleieve, needed to belive again.
Anyway, I said all that to say, the other day, we were in the DT, and Nina made sure to talk with us before we left the store. It seems her son got into some trouble, was shot by a police officer, and is now parlaized.Nina Goes to a church that is all family people. When they found out what happend with her son, they visibaly shunned her. Her heart was so broken, she has been going to that church for many years, has done and been involved in many ways in that chruch. We gave her our full attention as she told us the story. She is looking for another church, but is so saddened by this reaction and rejection. Since Asher and I have had experence in this on our own journey, we were able to let her know we do indeed understand. She thanked us for listening, and we said anytime.
When you think you are not doing much for Jesus, look again, all it takes is a leading from God, to someone like Nina to change the world for one person at a time. We keep telling her, it is not us, it is God who helped her, but she still makes an announcment each time we walk in the DT that her angels are here.
I have not shared this story with anyone since that time, it was not my story but Gods, but with todays message, I felt like this was the place to share it. We always make time to talk with Nina when we go to the DT. She seeks us out, and we chat a few minutes. These are the people who need the most. Those who have been on a very long hard journey, like Asher and I have, need others to care about them, to pray for them, to help in someway, even if it is only to spend some time with them. Nina lives to far away for me to vist her, and she does not know how to work a computer so we can't stay in contact that way. All we can do, is give our time, our love, and care to her when we see her, Jesus can do a lot in just a few minutes of your time when you reach out to others.
Thank you for Pastor Dion for your wonderful message. Leslie
What a wonderful story!! Thanks for sharing! >i<
Your very welcome
AMEN!!!
Thank you for the beautiful testimony, Leslie! I am so sorry that your friend was rejected like that by her church :(. Praying for her and her son <3!
You are very welcome, I am glad I was able to share it here.
Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful testimony. You are Nina's angels indeed.
Thank you Deng for reading it.
Thank you, Pastor Dion... there are some on my heart, even though they have hurt my family badly, who need someone to stand in the gap for them. Some came to Christ a few years ago, but turned away when things got too "real" with Him. They need Jesus, as we all do, but they resist. Your message today confirms what God has revealed the past few days; that even though we are sinners and require grace, when we choose the Cross, it makes us FLAWLESS.. We can then approach the Throne of the Most High to intercede for others. Yep, I hear my Lord, and I'm so thankful He uses this ministry to speak to me. Much love to you guys, and thank you for this awesome message of "get off your butt and step in!"
Great to hear from you, Karen!
Father, I lift up Karen and her family to you, and pray that you bless them, bring them peace and void the works of the enemy trying to tear them apart. Please send your Holy Spirit to comfort, teach and join them as one family, in the name of Jesus, amen <3!
Amen
amen
Amen. We need to have a heart for the lost and always lift them up in prayer for salvation.
interesting!! Hum I take pride that My base is in Him.. I'm running a race right next to the next.. When I realy shine, do some out standing things-I certainly claim the Lord influencing it!!!!
God does hear me, and wants to use me to reach others with the gospel.
Amen,I pray daily for so many family and friends who are lost. I will never give up!
Amen.Thank you Pastor Todd for this devotion and this prayer.The timing has been perfect reading this today.So many people I know do not want to know about Jesus Christ.They went to Sunday school now grown up don't want to know.So heartbreaking.Heavenly Father I desire to stand in the gap and seek you and your righteousness to pray for the lost.Speak to me and help me in the right words to pray and speak to them.That you will be lifted up and Glorified.In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen
Amen, thank you Pastor Dion for sharing the word of the Lord with us this morning.
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. <3 Lord, help me to say the right prayers for many. Amen. <3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, put those on my heart that I should pray for. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and give me the right words. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3
I've been praying for 30 years for my 9ex0 husband to know the Lord, and I won't stop until the miracle happens.
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, put those on my heart that I should pray for. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and give me the right words. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!
Amen
Thanks Pst. Dion Todd for sharing this message, it is remarkable to at times to look away from ourselves when we pray and intercede for others. God can through that act of kindness be very merciful towards us and his people. After all, the bible says that the prayers of a righteous man availathe much. Let's all imbibe the good spirit of praying for others. We know that God made us to know him, love him and serve him till eternity.
Praise God! Good morning! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, put those on my heart that I should pray for. Speak to me in a way that I understand, and give me the right words. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen.