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The Pack of Nails
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And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Deut. 8:2 ESV
It was a hot day in the summer and I was helping an elder at our church fix the roof on his house. At noon, we went to the hardware store for more supplies and a neighbor's boy about 4 years old rode along with us. While we gathered what we needed, the boy imitated us and picked up a tiny pack of nails without us noticing. We paid the bill and drove back to the house, not knowing that the little boy had walked out with his own pack of nails.
When we arrived at the house, the elder saw that small pack of nails the boy had in his hand and in a near panic said, We didnt pay for those!, so we jumped back in the truck and drove the five miles back to the hardware store to return that fifty cent pack of nails. It was not the nails that worried him, it was that he was being tested and he would not trade his character for a fifty cent pack of nails.
God will use little tests like this to prove character or faithfulness. Often in life you will be tested to see what you are really made of. Do not trade your integrity for a shortcut. Turn the test into a testimony and dont fall for it. Who you are when no one is looking, is who you really are.
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Rosemary Sambrano
Amen! Wow, what an awesome message! I've had tests like this before! Thank YOU JESUS that I've passed the ones that have come! LORD JESUS help me to keep myself right in YOUR eyes at all times! In JESUS name I pray! Thank you Pastor Dion Todd for such a great message! May GOD continue to use you in this ministry!
April 1, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Amen!!
April 1, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Amen I have had many tests some I have passed and others I am still working on. I want to be like Jesus.
April 1, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Good morning, I am not the person I want to be, but I thank God I am not what used to be! I am a work in progress!
April 1, 2015
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Rich Morgan
It is good to see these as tests - too often we think that we will be passing the shop next week and sort it out then, but forget.
April 1, 2015
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Jenifer Titus
My God, I woke up thinking about an incident, and this post just covered it, thank you God, In the last two days I had a few christians yes, God speaking saved people tell me, I should lie to get something, they were very serious because they did it to receive the same thing that I want to receive, and I'm wondering how can someone like this sleep with themselves, where's integrity, but most of all, is do they really love God.
April 1, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Amen SO True Thanks For The Reminder
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Pastor Todd, that is so funny--my son did the same thing when he was about 4--I mistakenly took him along with me to the fabric store (no place for a toddler!) and he swiped a marker--when I found it my then husband and I decided to make Robbie bring it back and apologize to the store manager.Sadly, the manager turned out to be a rather young woman who didn't even care. We were hoping for a different outcome regarding the store, but boy was my son scared! He never shoplifted again!
April 1, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Good morning... Amen Amen Amen
Keep Self in check.
April 1, 2015
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Nell Neathery
40 years..wow! it has been 40 years since my high school graduation, and I have never been to a reunion...there will be one in October. I left home in 1975 to attend college and only was able to complete 1 year and 3 months. There have been many tests, trials, tribulations, troubles, and toils. I started believing in "Footprints in the Sand." 40 years seems little compared to being 58 years old! At the present time, I have been on a 40 day fast, and it will be completed Easter Sunday. And I am reading a 40 day devotional for transformation. I will not trade my integrity for a shortcut. Jesus "traded" 3 nails for me. Praise God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in Jesus' name, Amen
April 1, 2015
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Carol Pady
These words are so true! God knows who we are and what we will say or do before we do it or say it. We cannot hide from God. He knows what is in our hearts. That is why even after adultery and murder God said David's heart was that of a man after God, a man seeking God. He knew David loved Him!
April 1, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you pastor for the reminder!
April 1, 2015
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Albert Chau
I think Jesus did say if we are faithful in small task, then bigger ones will be given. Most people want fame and wealth, but can they be trusted with it? I would not even trust myself due to my own weakness.
April 1, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
Jenifer, I have, in true intentions not judgmental asked other christians that were doing something plainly against God's will.."how do you justify that as a christian?" and see what God does. If their hearts are not too hardened do to the worlds ways they will be convicted and God will use it. When I was a new christian my new Manager at work who was a christian and his girlfriend at the time were living together and I was stumbled by that and asked him " how do you justify that?"
They were married in a week!! I'll never forget how God used me. BTW, they are still married and this was 25 years ago:)
April 1, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
Amen sister, we all all! Till we go to heaven.
April 1, 2015
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Patti Grove
I stole candy bars when I was in 6th grade. My Dad took me to the drugstore and on a busy Saturday morning apologized to the owner. I was sincerely sorry, and never shoplifted again!
April 1, 2015
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J D Williams
OUR HEARTS CAN DECIEVE US AT TIMES WE MUST BE CAREFUL TO BE LEAD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT....
April 1, 2015
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Sonya Stanley
Today's devotional definitely touched my heart. Thanks Pastor Todd for that awesome reminder.
April 1, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
Sometimes it is easier to see it is a test of caracter... Sometimes it is harder... I'm wondering what you say pastor about living totaly alone and wondering IF Mabe God can send a person who might be right?? Or is it a test like: Will you live for me ONLY or Will you fall for human stuff.... Hard to explain in english... Sometimes I belive that God sent something good but mabe it is not what he wants... And IF we are tested... Is it really God who does it for us? The testing or is it coming from somewhere else??? Just thinking a lot... Mabe thats a trap or Mabe not? Thinking to much is not good and jumping in situations without thinking is not... The balance is not easy always! Praying about it and taking one day at a time...
Thank you for the devotional!
April 1, 2015
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Dion Todd
I think that you answered your own questions. Don't overthink it. You usually realize it was a test when it is over. Pray about everything. The Lord can speak louder if you He wants you to do something else. :)
April 1, 2015
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Dion Todd
Love covers a multitude of sins...
April 1, 2015
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Yolanda Young
May God continue to Bless you all! Thank you for allowing God to use you.
April 1, 2015
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Liesel aka Lisa Wardle
Amen and Amen
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Harris
OMG, this is so true because I have been tested with in the three days so far. And I have to say thank you lord for making a way out of a no way situation. To God be the glory because Satan is really busy and his arm is no joke so there nothing he want try. I do know for a fact.Thank you so much for my second confirmations. I am on the battle field for my lord......
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Pray! Just say all that to God and wait for an answer..He always responds!
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
yes! Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's really God or satan (sorry, the devil does not deserve a capital s!) Just pray and wait.God always answers.
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
I wonder if all little kids can't resist tempting treats.just part of growing up, maybe!
April 1, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
just remember--satan is the father of all lies! God bless you for being strong and wise!
April 1, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
So true & so right!
April 1, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Wow wish i had read this 2wks ago! I failed miserably in a big way for me and I had to humble myself before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and he picked me up and dusted me off Now its a lesson well learned and a testimony to help someone else out someday!! Thank you for your ministry your a Blessed Family!
April 2, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
I know, I always do that :) sometimes it is just hard to be alone in faith, not having people around to talk to but as you see I talk and analyze with myself haha :) thank you for your reply!! :)
April 2, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! Just so.
April 2, 2015
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Wendy Suchon
This happened to me when my daughter was little. I had put in a long day at work and picked up my daughter and stopped at a store to pick up some craft items. When we got home I discovered that she had picked a couple of miniature animals and put them in her pocket. It was a snowy night in Northern Minnesota and all I wanted to do was stay home where it was warm. But I knew what I had to do so we drove back to the store and she returned the items and apologized for taking them. I knew when I got home that night I had done the right thing.
April 7, 2015