Dion Todd

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  • The Greatest Commandment
    5 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?' Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is...
  • Do You Hear What I Hear
    Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 'How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Tell them, As I live, says Yahweh, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you' N...
  • Stay Here
    Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Elijah said to him, Elisha, please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to Jericho. He said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. So they came to Jericho. 2 Kings 2:4 WEBElisha had worked serving the prophet Elijah for several years when he suddenly asked him to stay behind. E...
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The Thorn

  • Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd March 29, 2015 - Filed in Devotional - 12,597 views

    So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:7 ESV

    Paul the converted Christian hunter wrote a lot of the New Testament, but had a thorn in the flesh. He does not say what it was. It may have been lust, or a critical spirit, or headaches. Whatever it was, it bothered him and he wanted to be free of it. He asked the Lord three times to take it away but the Lord told him My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Paul continued to minister with the thorn still there.

    The grace of God is like oil that smooths the gears of life. It makes things fall into place and can make you be at the right place, at the right time, saying the right things and knowing all the right answers. When the Lord herded me into my own computer repair business, it seemed like they almost fixed themselves. Often when I touched them, they suddenly started working correctly.

    Grace can make things seem easy, but when the grace lifts, things become difficult and it can be a sign to move on. Later, when the Lord decided to put me into ministry, the computer business dried completely up and became a living nightmare. It seemed like trivial things like burning a disk could take half a day, where it used to take five minutes. The grace was gone and it was time to move on.

    Having problems and thorns will not stop God from using you. If you are walking with something today that will not leave, and you cry out to the Lord repeatedly, but still it is there, dont give up. Know that His grace is sufficient to get you through this day, and He will still use the imperfect and weak to show His power, with all their flaws, just as He continued to use Paul.


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31 person like this
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander What a Blessing this message is to me. May  God continue to use you mighty Pastor Todd
March 29, 2015
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Rosemary Sambrano
Rosemary Sambrano Amen! Thank you for such an awesome message Pastor Dion Todd!
March 29, 2015
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Lucas Napo
Lucas Napo A     M     E     N
March 29, 2015
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Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins Amen! That word seems to be right on time for me, Thank you Pastor!!!
March 29, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield In my blog yesterday, I wrote how I really believe God doesn't want us to be too happy or comfortable HERE on earth, for if that were to be so, we wouldn't want to seek the everlasting joy in HEAVEN! Yes, I also have thorns--too many to mention, but they are physical problems that create chronic pain for me on a daily basis.But God will never abandon me, and I've learned to live with my thorns, even if I detest them! Blessings to all, including Pastor Todd! Its Palm Sunday!
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
kylie dempsey Amen....I want to be cured of addiction so I don't have to attend 12 step meetings....but it hasn't happened yet...I'm cured of self hatred and awful thinking....but still have an addictive nature...ah well. I'm where He wants me.
March 29, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen thank you Father for the word today it is so right for me today. I know I must keep moving to get where you want me to go. Glory Glory
March 29, 2015
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Sheri Stewart
Sheri Stewart "beginning in Grace, feeling it, living within it, gave me strength. i knew no matter what, i was safe within HIS Grace..."-from Nautilus: A Message of Faith
March 29, 2015
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Cat Jewell
Cat Jewell This is a fitly word and is like apples of gold in settings of silver for me. I have a messenger of Satan who torments me daily. But God uses it to keep me from getting puffed up. I used to get many revelations from the Lord but they are so far and inbetween now that it is hurtful. But I will still yet praise God for He knows what is right..so my friends never allow pride to take the place of only God's glory belongs...:)
March 29, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Thank you pastor Dion for the words God gave you today. This is just what I needed to here. I know God uses us no matter what our circumstances are. What joy it is to see God work, and yes He does work through us.I am so thankful that I am a treasure to God. He created me to be just that. Don't give up because God has a awesome life for you on this earth, and I can't wait to meet Him face to face.
March 29, 2015
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Andy Morthole
Andy Morthole I, too, have this addictive nature. I have ADD and a touch of OCD along with being a recovering Christian alcoholic. The thorn is large but I need the "Thorn of Humility" to keep my self-righteous ego at bay. Focusing on my morning meditation and prayer keeps me ballanced. I have AA to thank for showing me the correct steps to use in my personal life so keep working the steps til it becomes your natural daily course. Blessings and peace Kylie. 
March 29, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen
March 29, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen This world NOT OUR home we are going passing through this world. Can't wait to meet our Heavenly Father. 
March 29, 2015
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Joseph Lynch
Joseph Lynch Beautiful encouraging words thank you Lord for every word and blessing 
March 29, 2015
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Mary Rivera
Mary Rivera Thank You Lord , Amen!  
March 29, 2015
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Sylvia Froese
Sylvia Froese Thank you pastor for this reminder! You are right. If I didn't have this thorn I might think I didn't need the Lord to make me complete. Many times I have asked to take the thorn away and it never goes away. Thank you pastor. We can be wounded healers and help others when we have been there too.
March 29, 2015
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Irene Burgon
Irene Burgon These words will help me with the thorns I carry today and I will pray to the Lord to remove them and help me move on.
March 29, 2015
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Leslie McLea
Leslie McLea Awesome !
March 29, 2015
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Debbie Thompson
Debbie Thompson I heard a preacher discussing this very thing once. He said "if you have been given a thorn or thorns in the flesh don't just sit around and sulk. Take that/those thorns and make them into a crown and wear it in honor of Jesus." I have never forgotten those words and I think how appropriate that I do this as I also pick up my cross, crucify my flesh daily, and follow Him. God never promised being a Christian would be easy...just worth it!!
March 29, 2015
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Barbara Mango
Barbara Mango Encouraging and uplifting to all of us who are dealing with our own set of "thorns" and in this world, who isn't?
March 29, 2015
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Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello The way I feel at this moment,as Job said,"Though He slay me,I will praise the Lord".
March 29, 2015
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Felix Shaadu
Felix Shaadu God knows the end from the beginning. We only need to have faith in Him and let his perfect will prevail. But when confused leave it at His feet- he does care! We treasure Pastor Dion may you continue to receive fresh oil, may your ministry grow from strength to strength- Amen.
March 29, 2015
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geneva miller
geneva miller I so love this, it is much needed....thank you Pastor Todd....;-)
March 29, 2015
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Pam bartow
Pam bartow This was just what I needed today thank you
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
kylie dempsey AA is brilliant isn't it? Food is my main addiction. I attend FA. This is where I met the real Jesus, through one of my sponsors. Thank God, He watched my back so alcoholism never had a real chance of grabbing me...Blessings right back to you Andy!
March 29, 2015
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Jeanie Fleming
Jeanie Fleming I live with joy and hope each day and will continue no matter what because I know my Savior.  Thank you, Dion, for your thoughtful words of encouragement.
March 29, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
Melissa-Peter Busse I too have had my issues with addiction and destructive behavior. I wouldn't even know how many times I have literally cried out to the Lord, wrestled with Him over this. I am now in Celebrate Recovery. A 12 step program with only Jesus Christ as our Higher Power. I love Jesus and thank Him for His ways :)
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
kylie dempsey Love what the pastor told you Debbie :-)  I will remember that next time I complain about my thorn. Lol
March 29, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you for the beautiful message!
March 29, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery I will share short and simple comments compared to what I have been saying.  Pastor Todd, you are right:  the right place, the right time, the right things, and the right answers.  Praise God for keeping me right from wrong in Jesus' name, Amen
March 29, 2015
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Diane Casey
Diane Casey This devotional is uplifting to me, thank you for this encouragement.
March 29, 2015
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Ruth Martin
Ruth Martin I have not been online much in a while and my cell phone was not letting me pull these up, so I am playing catch up today! Pastor Todd, you are such a Blessing to me. Thank you so much, once again, for sharing with those of us that have no other way of getting the Word in such a personal way.
March 29, 2015
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Roland Phillips
Roland Phillips I think the thorn was his failing eyesight.............
March 29, 2015
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Vicki Stone
Vicki Stone We have a Wonderful Father in Heaven who can see where we cannot, He will always do what is needed for our good, My Father told me once a long time ago when I was very fearful of a certain thing, He gave me strength and Grace to over come it and then he said, Nothing is as bad as it seems! Amen!!!
March 29, 2015
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Jessie Spriggs
Jessie Spriggs This message touch me in many ways. Thank you Pastor Todd
March 29, 2015
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Sylvia Froese
Sylvia Froese Pastor, I was looking up the verse in 2 Corinthians you mentioned. I found it in verse 9 Instead of verse 59. I think you made a typo. What a wonderful verse it is. So uplifting to hear about Paul's struggles and how he was able to do so much good despite all his hardship.
March 30, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Thank God for His amazing grace!
March 30, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd It was supposed to read  2 Cor 12:7-9 but it dropped the - and made it 79. Thanks for noticing :)
March 30, 2015
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Sonya Stanley
Sonya Stanley So good to hear!!!
March 30, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler This that you wrote Pastor clicked deeply in me.  As I read it I experienced the Holy Spirit's presence explaining words of an experience of a ministry I was in with women in prison.  Explaining grace as oil that smooths the gears of life just ran across my heart & spirit.  The experience was all that you described it to be and the ending of grace over that time for me is as you said....just dried up & closed up.  It really was quite an experience of God's hand involved all the way.  As this experience and some others it just as though I knew Him in a different type of intimacy even though He is intimate.  A song I haven't come across lately said these words...I want to sit at your feet ..drink from the cup in your hand..lean back against You and feel Your heart beat..this love that I feel is more than I can stand it's OVERWHELMING......there were other words all sung so reverently with heart devotion it was ongoing within me helping me find words to say than I could ever speak just feel deeply.  As said when I know not what I want to say He understands which would suffice.  When words do come yet from someone else God is also using it knocks my heart off it 's feet.  I needed to hear all you said today for the human part of me wonders before The Lord of current thorns(my body) what is yet usable.  I then try to put together a list of what I currently see of use I am.  His love is Overwhelming!  Thank you for these devotions.
March 31, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Love the description of putting thorns into a crown.
March 31, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Yes the thorns keep me too....where else could I go with them. Thank you for it is also a good reminder.
March 31, 2015
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Liesel aka Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle Thank you LORD, for your amazing GRACE!!!
March 31, 2015
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Mikki Von Hollen
Mikki Von Hollen This message is very appropriate in my life.  Indeed His ways are not our ways and we are not always supposed to understand.  That's where faith comes in.  But I am not a patient person so I struggle to be patient and wait for things to get better.  I am trying to learn to take one day at a time and be thankful for the blessings of that day.  Thank you Pastor.
April 1, 2015