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  • 19 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Riddle: Grace or Works

  • For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:26 ESV

    Growing up on a farm with two brothers and ten step-siblings, I got to see first-hand those who were pleasing to their parents, and those who were not. The parents could ask one child to do something and they would. This pleased them and there would sometimes be a reward for the child. The child was then happy. Other children when simply asked to come home after work, would somehow land in jail. This hurt the parents, the child got no reward and was then sad. The parents loved all of the children whether they obeyed their wishes or not and they were all a part of the family, but there was joy and a reward for those that were obedient.

    God loves each of us and we should respond to that by doing good. When we do, there will be a reward. We gain joy, fulfillment, and self-worth by doing good as well as the favor of God on our life. His love is free and you cannot earn it, but your life can be pleasing to Him, or not. Abel was pleasing to God, Cain was not (Gen 4:4). Ask, Action, Reward, when God asks you to do something, and you take action, there will be a reward. Do not shuffle this order.

    If God asks you to do something and you sit down on a log, He will sit right beside you until you get up. I have sat on that log for years at a time. You are not alone, but you are not doing what He asked you, so you go nowhere. Sitting on that log is free, but obedience will cost you your selfish ways. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. Take that risk to be free and do what you love, but season everything with prayer first. Whatever you do, get off that log.


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18 comments
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Joan Joseph
Joan Joseph Thank you Pastor Todd, I needed to hear that this morning. 
March 16, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Thank you pastor Todd for this message I know how it feels not to be rewarded by my parent . I was in that shoes many years ago.  But is God's grace and mercy brought me through
March 16, 2015
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Sonya Stanley
Sonya Stanley Well spoken word for the day....thanks Pastor Todd
March 16, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield That's exactly what I told my dad, when he demanded to know why I haven't thrown my ex husband out on the street! I just told my father, "Because he is still the father of my kids. Because we loved each other once. And, if the tables were turned, Bob would let me stay indefinitely if I was destitute! I found that doing random acts of kindness displaces my feelings of self-pity and I feel GREAT watching my neighbor's eyes light up 100 watts when she sees the chicken dinner I took to her house.I made my other neighbor an afghan last week.I'm shipping all the yarn I can't use to a fellow "Yarnie" in Illinois.It costs so little to brighten other people's lives; I learned that when I was still employed as an RN.Sometimes, all they needed was an extra blanket at night! Thank you, Dion, for such an enlightening devotion today! Now I feel great! My pity party is OVER!
March 16, 2015
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Cynthia Nortey
Cynthia Nortey Amen...Thanks Pastor for His word.
March 16, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady I too have been guilty of sitting on a log. He gave me a gift of writing and I listened to my self-doubt , until the constant pressure of not fulfilling what God wanted me to do forced me to begin what He created me to do. I started writing with a passion. Writing for my God and with His blessing I finished my trilogy, The Lands of Nod. I'm now writing a new novel The Tales of the Wimpet King. I  am tithing 10% of my profits and now I feel I am at peace with myself, doing what He always intended. No more sitting on a log!
March 16, 2015
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Cat Jewell
Cat Jewell My heart always desires to do the will of God but my mind will argue or try to justify why I shouldn't...But I end up doing it because I desire to please Him. If I don't I make myself miserable. I have learned that and still am learning that. God may ask us to do silly things like someone else's dishes and I know that if we do it we will have peace like a river. God may ask us to be the only one in the home to do the dishes, vacuum, mop the floor, clean tbd bathrooms etc, but I'm learning He's preparing me for something, as well as teaching me servanthood and humility. Does it hurt YES especially when you feel like the only one who cares about cleanliness, and your the only one who desires a clean home to live in. That everybody is lazy around you. But I'll still ask God what is the lesson Lord, what are you teaching me?
March 16, 2015
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Carmen McCall
Carmen McCall No more sitting on the log for me.  Time to be about my Father's business!  Thanks for the confirmation provided by this devotional this morning. 
March 16, 2015
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Linda Porter
Linda Porter I love this post.  I printed it out to share with my son.  He sometimes can be a little selfish.  It's a nice reminder.
March 16, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen!... 
March 16, 2015
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Kelli Lane
Kelli Lane Amen!!!
March 16, 2015
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Jessie Spriggs
Jessie Spriggs Amen
March 16, 2015
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Tonya Callaway
Tonya Callaway Amen. 
March 16, 2015
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Joseph Lynch
Joseph Lynch Amen
March 17, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
Allie Ponzo I like it a lot.
March 17, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!
March 17, 2015
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Stephanie Drake
Stephanie Drake Amen!
March 17, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you!
March 23, 2015