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John answered them, 'I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don't know. He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen.' These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day, he saw Jesus... -
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desir...
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He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.' Simon answered him, 'Master, we wor...
The Repetition Competition
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For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:1617 ESV
When I first came to the Lord, I was so ecstatic that I wanted to make up for everything that I had ever done wrong in the past. I enrolled in Bible college and like many others there, I developed a very legalistic view. I fasted for weeks, gave all that I had, tried to memorize the Bible, prayed all day, and listened to the Bible all night. I wanted to earn my salvation and prove that my dedication to the Lord was strong. It soon became a repetition competition.In record time, my attitude turned all of my friends into enemies.
I knew a lot about Jesus, I just did not know Him.I talked a lot about Jesus, but I never talked to Him. I sang a lot about Jesus, but I did not sing to Him. Jesus said that there would be those who called Him, "Lord, Lord", and He would say, I never knew you. That was me.
The Lord eventually broke me down to nothing, and I finally dropped my church face and started to just involve God in my everyday life. I learned to just be myself, relax, and include Him in whatever decision I had to make. Only then did a relationship begin to develop and that became life changing.
Attending church, fasting, praying, giving, reading the Bible, singing, is all good in moderation but do not neglect Him while doing it. Believe me, you can because I have done it. I encourage you to make Jesus a part of your normal life each day. Be a real person, serving God the best you can. When you stumble, repent and get back up. We do not get points for repetition and this walk is not a competition.
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you Pastor for the message! Interesting title! :)
April 12, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
having personal relationship with God has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. live a revelation life, know were you are in Christ Jesus.
April 12, 2015
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Rachael Burke
Thank you pastor, a very good message
April 12, 2015
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Cheryl Wilson
Thank you Jesus; teach and help me to include You in every part of my life. Amen!
April 12, 2015
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Alane Grosz
Jesus, come and walk with me today. Help me make decisions according to your teachings.
April 12, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
This subject would make a fantastic story--perhaps I will write it someday. But I'm quite sure many different versions of this tale have already appeared in print.This "Repetition Competition" is very easy to creep into one's life unaware!
April 12, 2015
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chris Raby
Good morning to all my brothers n sisters through Christ who strengthens us, Thank you PASTOR Todd for giving us another place to meet n encourage one another, every message speaks truth n depth n i am glad to see your message every morning. I am one at times that has done the repetition prayer life, yes we must have a relationship with our brother Jesus in order to cimpletly understand him, we must love him as he loves us, Amen.... may all have a truly blessed day !:)
April 12, 2015
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Carmen McCall
Good morning! This spoke to me so clearly this morning. I am preparing to preach this morning and my sermon touches on this very subject - knowing God - not just going through the motions. Being still in his presence and having intimate conversations and time with him. Thank you so much for sharing this devotional this morning, at this time; God knew exactly what I needed because I've come to know Him.! Be Blessed!
April 12, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
May the Lord speak through you and fill the room with His Holy Spirit.
April 12, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Amen, in Jesus' name we pray!!!
April 12, 2015
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Dion Todd
Flowing in the same Stream :)
April 12, 2015
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Loriann Riley
What a powerful message some of us show our outerwear and not our inner wear. GOD is not looking at what on the outside he is looking at what on the inside some of us are walking around like everything is well. Deep in side we are hurting. GOD wants us to just be our self. Some of us are walking around like every thing is okay. For example : the thing is when you ask someone how are you doing they said OK because they are so ashamed to say that they are not. Thank you God and pastor Todd for this message and reminder amen. They are lots of us walking around saying that they are your friends but you don't even know them .
April 12, 2015
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Cynthia Nortey
Amen
April 12, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Amen, Having a relationship with Christ is where I find peace ,joy, encouragement, love, and I could list so many things that make life real.
April 12, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Amen Amen Amen WOW... this Speaks Volume!!! Thank Yooou
April 12, 2015
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Mary Williams
Very powerful, Amen thank you Pastor Dion...God is Good ♥
April 12, 2015
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Valerie King
Amen, I love my relationship with the Lord.
April 12, 2015
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Joan Joseph
I grew up in a church and was a faithful member for years, but I didn't know the Lord until I went through some hard times. I thank you Lord for those hills I had to climb because it connected my relationship with you. I love you Lord. Thanks Pastor Todd for a heart warming message.
April 12, 2015
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Deng Tembreza
That is totally me. LORD JESUS please help me for my everyday life for every breath I take to thank you for always being there for me. AMEN
April 12, 2015
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Rhoda Mora
Good morning.. For me I try to be consistent in prayer morning , noon and night otherwise I fall off track. Prayer is so powerful!! Thank you Lord for being a part of my everyday.
April 12, 2015
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Carol Pady
It is so easy to get tangled up in works and lose touch with our Savior and our God. Works can be the fruit of the Spirit, but it is a deeper relationship with us that is desired by the Lord. Time spent in worship and praise is far more important than doing good.
April 12, 2015
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Patti Grove
Thank you for this message today! I know scripture, but can't remember where They are found in His word. He doesn't care...He longs to have a relationship with us!
April 12, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
AMEN!!!!!
April 12, 2015
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Martha Rivera
Amen
April 12, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
A relationship with Jesus is very personal and is a wonderful experience! I love my time with God, I take my times and embrace him with every breath of my being and thank him for all that he continues to do for me and for everyone! To the Glory of God the Father!!!! Amen!!! Thank you Jesus!!!
April 12, 2015
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Mike Stephenson
Amen
April 12, 2015
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Fred Abeysundera
When I first started going to church I was hurt by a lot of people who knew a lot about Jesus but did not know him. They almost drove me away from him. But then so much of what Jesus said made sense. Let him without sin throw the first stone, love your neighbour as yourself, turn the other cheek. And I knew pride had no place in God's love.
April 12, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Amen! I don't like negative words or actions, and I don't like neglecting Jesus or loved ones. My faith, too, Pastor Todd has been hindered since I started my closer walk with God. Since then, it has been easier to recognize that I was being hindered and able to stop it once I did so. That's reality for a Christian person!
April 12, 2015
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Vicki Stone
AMEN!!!
April 12, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Amen, I know how you feel, Fred, been there as well. It's a blessing that the Lord calls us through all that.
April 12, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! We need to cultivate a relationship withGod by spending time in His Presence and ministering to Him.
April 13, 2015
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Noraima Crespo
Amen ! That's so true, thank you for sharing this life story.
April 13, 2015
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Dion Todd
That is well written. I had to leave a church in the past after I brought in a friend and they made them feel like a speck of dirt in the middle of white rice. What was worse was that I knew it was all an act because I knew these people in and out of church, and they were no better, just religious. You can know a lot about Jesus and yet not know Him at all.
April 13, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Hallelujah. I needed that and I can tell you, that that was me as well...
April 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Praise God....loving being free & be me in Him!
April 13, 2015
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Charisse English
Amen, this was kinda me I just wanted to know every thing about him. But now I"m learning just keep the communication lines open between you and him and thats what I've been doing I include him in everything I do on a daily basis.
April 13, 2015
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Ruth Martin
Amen!
April 14, 2015
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Beatrice "Raye" Huth
Amen, Thank you for the message!
April 14, 2015
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Rosemary Sambrano
Amen! Thank YOU JESUS for using Pastor Dion Todd to speak to us! Once again Pastor Dion Todd you have brought forth an awesome message! Thank you and GOD continue to use you to speak to us! GOD bless you and your family always!
April 14, 2015