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Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its se... -
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16'22 WEB.While travelin...
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When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8...
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The Fish Hotel
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Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me. But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:13 ESV
The Lord told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, but instead Jonah set out for Tarshish, which was in the opposite direction. After he boarded a ship, they sailed into the ocean and were caught up in a terrible storm. The sailors threw Jonah overboard in order to save themselves, and after spending three days and nights inside of a custom fish hotel, Jonah was happy to go to Nineveh.
One of my teachers once saw a used car that he really wanted to buy. While at the dealership he prayed about it and felt that the Lord said, "No." He walked around the lot and called his wife to pray with her, and she said that she did not feel right about it either. After walking around the lot again, he decided that he really just wanted that particular car. He went to the car and prayed about it again and heard very clearly, "Yes! You NEED this car."
So he bought it and happily started home, but on the way the engine oil light came on. He stopped at a service station and filled it up with oil and resumed his trip, but soon the light came on again. To shorten this up, the car ended up sitting in his driveway with a blown engine while he made payments on it for the next two years.
If you try and twist Gods arm to give you what you want, you just might get it. Listen to the Lord the first time and avoid the fish hotel experience. He knows what is best.
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Evan Force
I have stepped out and done things even though I've clearly heard the Lord say "no". It never works out.
March 30, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you pastor for the beautiful message! Found it quite interesting!
March 30, 2015
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Valerie King
Amen on this message today.
March 30, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
What a wonderful message to start the week off!!! Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!
March 30, 2015
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kylie dempsey
Yes....I've done this with bad relationships...not listened to His voice and stubbornly gone on ahead....not good....I listen now...lol.
March 30, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Thank you pastor for this word today it is so filling to me. It tells me to keep reading gods word and know you are loved Hallelujah Praise ye the Lord.
March 30, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Awesome message Thank you Pastor Todd
March 30, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
So true! I tried for months to avoid my potential husband, as I was already engaged at the time to another man! But God had other plans, even though my parents did not approve--LOL. And, to this very day, my ex has been the bane of their existence! Thanks as always, Pastor Todd! God bless everyone here today--let's pray it's a better week for all.
March 30, 2015
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Martin Snyder
Many times in life we go against the admonition, "don't stick a fork in the toaster" and we suffer the consequences, but in the end we learn not to stick a fork in the toaster.
March 30, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Good Morning... THANK YOU for the warning.
I have heard Grandma say, "heed the warning." No is No...Yes is Yes. Really simple.
March 30, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Father, please give me the ear to hear Your First response. AMEN
March 30, 2015
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Reinhard Blefgen
Amen
March 30, 2015
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Cheryl Cole
So true...Amen...listen to the voice of God...Pray & trust in His word...
March 30, 2015
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geneva miller
I love this, a prime example of how we as humans of flesh, do just that very thing......
March 30, 2015
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Loriann Riley
I love this pastor Todd. That's true some time we ask God for things but God gives us the warning but we ignore that little voice inside of us . Thank you for this message amen
March 30, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Amen
March 30, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Yes that's true I had my share of bad relationships now am trusting God with my life and every move I made
March 30, 2015
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Suzi Dennis
I send your daily word to my son who is in jail. He has given his life to Christ and is hungry for the Word. so many of your daily meditations are just what he needs. God Bless you in this ministry.
March 30, 2015
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Edwin McGee
This may be picky and it takes nothing away from the Truth of this devotion, but I don't believe Jonah was "happy to go to Ninevah." I think he was still reluctant and as much says so to the Lord at the end when he complains that the Lord turned away his wrath and judgment on people that Jonah believed deserved punishment. He says, "This is why I didn't want to come! I was afraid you were going to save them."
March 30, 2015
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Matt Burgos
great post. Some times we dont listen to the messages being sent to us. Thanks
March 30, 2015
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Sonya Stanley
Awesome thought for today. ...thanks Pastor Todd. Please pray for my only son, he is 12yrs. Old amd having surgery on Thursday. God bless
March 30, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
This is so true, Some times God give us our wants, and it will never work. He promices to meet our needs. I pray that I will always know the difference between my wants and my needs. If my heart is in the right place, God will lead me to the right place. Like Jonah you can't get away from God. I pray that I will be still and listen to Gods voice and obey. God says to cry out to Him and wait for His answer.
March 30, 2015
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Carol Pady
Amen!
March 30, 2015
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Nell Neathery
I do not have a car. I have thought about asking God for one, but I keep thinking about the car payment, the gas, the repairs, and the insurance. Instead, I am joyous to have 2 feet and am able to walk just like Jesus did in this safe and beautiful area of my town in which I live. I don't like to twist God's arm. I love to have God's arms wrapped around me with his great love, and I am joyous He sent his only Son to die for us. God's gifts and promises are all I really need. Thank you, Pastor Todd
March 30, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Oh yes He does...
March 30, 2015
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Linda Leeke
trying to hard to listen and do what He wants... need prayers for His way to be clear...
March 30, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
I bought a new used car with God's help about a month ago. I spent a year praying and asking how to do it on my single mom income. It took a long time of building faith too. I had asked previously a few men to help me just look at my old car to fix it. No man would help.It made me angry. Finally I just started to think. Maybe this is God's way of showing me that I need a newer car so I prayed really hard for that. I had one man agreed to give me advice on how to research cars for myself. I didn't think I could buy a newer car. But I kept praying. I did the hard research. I learned about engine types (4 and 6 cylinders) then about traction control AWD and FWD. Then I went with a girlfriend for a test drive. I found a car. It was so nice and seemed too fancy for me. But I knew I wanted a safe car. In the end God made it happen. He provided for me and gave me more than I ever expected. I spent 2-3 weeks thanking him each time I sat in my new car and thinking... (see next comment for part 2)
March 30, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
(part 2) I can't believe you provided this fancy car for me. It is a 4 year old Toyota Venza. The cup holders glow blue at night. I am so thankful and praise God for providing this car for me and making it so it was exactly what I could afford with a loan from the bank. We can sometimes forget about the small in physical size provisions God has given us, but when they are large sized like this, they are hard to forget. All provisions small or large should not be forgotten of course. This was a lesson for me in being thankful and prayer. God might not always provide beyond my expectations like this and I am ok with that. I will never forget this what he did and what I learned through this experience. He even had me get emotional support from my remarried ex-husband to help me in the end as I went to the dealership to make the deal. scary stuff for a single mom. But I did it with God's help. God is amazing! I wanted to share this story and hope it inspires others that impossible things are possible with God.
March 30, 2015
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Dion Todd
I believe that when given the choice of the fish, or Nineveh that it was an easy choice for Jonah. But yes, if you want to talk about his mood, He was not portrayed as happy anywhere in the book. In fact he complained a lot. :)
March 30, 2015
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Albert Chau
Buying an used car is scary. Anything can happen. Only God knows what's best for us. I went through nightmarish times with my own used car experiences.
March 30, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
praying for you sister. groping around in the dark to find his way he wants us to go is hard.
March 30, 2015
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Rosemary Sambrano
Amen! What an awesome message! Just what I needed to hear! We need to listen to what GOD tells us even in the small things! Thank you Pastor Dion Todd!
March 30, 2015
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Kevin Cosse
We may have all heard it said 'be careful what you ask for, ...you might get it'. Yet we should not be afraid to ask God for stuff after FIRST seeking His counsel. Trying to 'go it alone' very often leads to failure. :)
March 30, 2015
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Italy Primus
Thanks for today's devotion. I am learning to pray and wait for the Lord's direction
March 30, 2015
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Virginia Turner
I love the story of Jonah. He did not want to minister to the people of Nineveh for his own reason. But the Lord made it happen anyway. I want to do what the Lord wants me to do, but need a good Christian friend or friends to work with who would be interested in doing the same kind of Christian ministry. It truly is very difficult to go it alone. I keep praying for the Lord to show me what He wants me to do on a daily basis, one step at a time..... but am very limited financially at this time..... and pray He will provide all that is needed as time goes on, one step at a time. I am always OPEN to the Lord's Will.
March 30, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! Lord, help me to be sensitive and obedient to the leading of Your Holy Spirit.
March 31, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
My husband & I enjoyed the car story with great laughs....just great lessons we learn
March 31, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
Funny how we twist things, must really listen to God first.
April 1, 2015
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BECKY SULLIVAN
needed this
April 2, 2015
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Virginia Turner
I find that it is better to try and fail, than to never try at all. I've been through it! Seeking God first and waiting for His leading is far better. Then stepping out in faith with an open heart and trusting Him for guidance and right choices in serving Him is the way to go. For me, it does take a lot of focused prayer and desire to succeed.
April 9, 2015