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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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Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don't dash your foot against...
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The Outcasts
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Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. Zephaniah 3:1719 ESV
My brother and I went into the garden once again and picked some bell peppers to eat for breakfast. After my dad left for work, my stepmother would put my brother and I outside, and then bring her children in for breakfast. She kept the cereal in a cabinet with a padlock on it. She had ten children of her own, as well as three stepchildren. Later, when we became old enough to work, she began charging us rent to live there.
We were the outcasts, the unwanted and were constantly reminded that we were nothing and would never amount to anything. When you are treated as trash for so long, you begin to believe it and expect it. I grew up with baggage that would scare many psychiatrists, but my story does not end there.
After all of that mess, God sought me out and turned my life around. It turns out that His heart is for the outcasts. God sees your suffering and what you are going through. God will change your shame into praise. When God gets a hold of your life, no one can stop Him and no one can get in His way. The ones that looked down on you will have to look up in awe at what God has done in your life, just like the half-brothers of Joseph looked up to him.
If you have been an outcast, know that God cares deeply for you. I am amazed how much God cares for the lost, the outcasts, the broken. He will truly leave the ninety-nine behind (Luke 15:4) to seek them out, and when He has found them He rejoices. Know today that if you are down, He will lift you up. When everyone hates you, He will love you. When they put you out, He will take you in. When they say that you will be nothing, He will mold you into something. God has a plan for your life. Give it to Him completely and never look back.
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Lucas Napo
Amen
April 14, 2015
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Leslie McLea
Just AWESOME !!! Thank you
April 14, 2015
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Joan Joseph
Cast all your cares upon the Lord for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). God loves and care for us when no one will. Thank you Lord
April 14, 2015
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chris Raby
Growing up i was a loner, i felt like the outcast n from those memories today im not much of a social butterfly, i pray Jesus show me the way everyday, but i guess i am to far away from Jesus at this point, Lord please show me your will in my life so i can have joy once again, i love you Jesus, AMEN
April 14, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
What a wonderful devotional for today!!! This is the second day in a row that this was meant for me! God went looking for me, found me, rescued me, loves me very deeply as I love him and. . .He will never every leave me or forsake me, I am extremely blessed that I am his child! Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!!
April 14, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Amen, in Jesus' name we pray!
April 14, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Thank you Lord you bless me every day Hallelujah
April 14, 2015
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Treena Williams
Wow! Thank you, Lord I am so unworthy of your love and forgiveness yet you always seem to get the word to me how much you love me.Amen Thank you Pastor Dion for allowing God to use you in such a mighty way!
April 14, 2015
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Paula Andrews
Amen, thank you Jesus
April 14, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Amen, Powerful Ontime Message
April 14, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Amen
April 14, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you Pastor for the beautiful message!
April 14, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Amen
April 14, 2015
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Cynthia Crosby
Thanks for this message. I remembered when I read this how I was homeless and hungry and I asked my mom if I could come home and, She said, "No but here is 99¢ go by a hamburger." Needless to say I did things, not nice things. Not saying because Jesus took all my shame so no need to go there. But if my mom hadn't done that I'm not sure what would have happened but I ended up with a awesome son and Jesus in my heart.
April 14, 2015
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kylie dempsey
This is for my ex-husband...he is almost jealous of my faith in God...my ex doesn't believe in God. A lot of hurt and anger...may Jesus, the Wonderful Shepherd, find my ex...love him...and bring him back to the 99.
April 14, 2015
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Tesha Harris
Amen...
April 14, 2015
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Cheryl Wilson
Thank you Jesus for seeking me out!!
April 14, 2015
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Barbara Mango
I have found this to be very true. Several family members including and mainly my older sister turned against me and caused devastating emotional and financial loss, but God is helping me restore a sense of sanctity to my life. When I was cast out, God held me close and is nurturing me back to health.
April 14, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
At least you can say you had an "evil stepmother"--so to speak; that is an accepted reason to berate a child. But my own parents locked food from me when I had anorexia/bulimia, and believed my sister's lies that I was stealing from HER--NOT TRUE! So, Pastor Todd, I can relate fully to your experience. And I firmly believe God chose me for that same reason--I was an outcast my entire life! After 55 years of torment in one form or another, something is bound to change--and when I did, miraculously--everyone deemed me psychotic.When dealing with mere mortals, you just can't win--LOL!
April 14, 2015
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Cherry Baldwin
From Egypt to paradise. God will turn what others see as trash into treasure. My heart rejoices daily with gratefulness/ never again will I doubt myself. Still a work in process but my faith/focus/ determination keeps me grounded knowing that everyday God's grace and mercy showers on me. Yes many of those who see me now are in awe. Thnx Jesus
April 14, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
I thank you Father God for seaking out Dion Todd and placing him in my path of life. What a blessing to be part of your journey! Amen!
April 14, 2015
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Evan Force
Thank you for sharing this. It is encouraging to see how God can take what the devil meant for destruction and turn it into something amazing!!!
April 14, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
What an encouraging devotion. God loves you so much He would have died just for you. Faith is belief in action, believe this.
April 14, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
GLORY HALLELUJAH!!!! I AM FREED FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE ENEMY BECAUSE GOD CAME AFTER ME!!!! HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!!!!!
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
Trash to Treasure... I like that :)
April 14, 2015
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Albert Chau
Abusive behavior toward others is one of the worst thing in life. I have been through it myself. It brings shame, self doubt and hatred toward oneself and others. Either God brings a person out of this incredible painful situation, or he/she will take matters into his/her own hand and doing regrettable things to oneself and others. Most people who ended up in jail according to statistics went through some sort of abuse emotionally or physically early in life.
April 14, 2015
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Kathy Harris
My, My, MY to god be the glory I am truly amazed at your post for today. Which is confirmation for because I am going threw this with my family and others. It's no matter how are you try the more they treat you with attitude or like they have resent against me.But to Gog be the glory and the first in my life . I have pulled complete away from them because I do not want that negative in my life nor do I need it because my god says that he is the begin and the end over all. And that no matter what I will never be alone because he is my mother and father, my sister and brother. It's really sad that no one can see that I am a blessing for our family, the peace maker. The diamond in the ruff. Because the God in me allows me to forgive and keep turning the other chick. And show love at all times......And I known that I am still a work in progress....
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
True, Albert, especially for younger people, who are much more vulnerable. May the Lord restore all of them!
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Amen, Evan, praise God for that!
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
I pray that the Lord continues to restore you, Barbara!
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Amen, Kylie, it's not too late!
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
I'm so sorry you had to live with that kind of rejection, Cynthia, I pray that the Lord shows you each day how valuable you are!
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Chris, both Dion and I are introverts, so not given to large amounts of socializing either :).
April 14, 2015
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Susan Helms
I am so sorry to hear of your childhood. While I cannot relate to that, I can relate to mental abuse from an ex-husband that I was married to for 15 years. But I praise God in both of our situations in that, he made us stronger and brought us out of our afflictions. He always has a purpose for our lives during the bad and the good times. Look where you are now! You are helping, guiding, loving, and giving yourself over to his will and purpose for life. May he continue to bless you in this life's journey and prepare you for your rewards in heaven.
April 14, 2015
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Carol Pady
Amen! I was not abused as a child but I did suffer abuse from siblings and my ex husband. Some physical and a lot of verbal. I still suffer from low self esteem but God is healing me day by day.
April 14, 2015
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J D Williams
I TO WAS AN OUTCAST I WAS TOLD OVER AND OVER THAT I WAS NOTHING AND WOULD NEVER BE NOTHING BUT GOD HAD A PLAN FOR MY NOTHINGNESS HE TOOK NOTHING AND MADE IT SOMETHING I'AM TRULY GREATFUL AND THANKFUL.......
April 14, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14, 2015
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Alice McDill
Your message brought tears to my eyes so that means it touched my heart. Love this website. First thing I do every morning is read your message. Thanks.
April 14, 2015
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BECKY SULLIVAN
thank you I needed this today. I feel this way every day. I feel this is me. I feel I am the outcast. I feel that I will never be anything. I feel that he has left me for good. And I ask him to take overbut how do you not look back? How do you give to him completely? So afraid. Afraid of the pain the pain I can not get past. The pain of being hurt by very close friends. I am struggling.
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
There is healing to obtain and when you are in the middle of it, that can be hard to see. Just don't give up, keep on praying, be real, it will happen. :)
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
Thank you for reading Alice! :)
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
I don't feel slighted. If the Lord had not pulled me through all of that, I would have little to write about and I am not sure how well I would know Him. When you have no friends, you welcome His presence :)
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
Yes it is! When you are friendless, He will still be your friend.
April 14, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
God has truly done an amazing work in you life Dion and has used it to bless many others!!!
April 14, 2015
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Harold Young
Thank U 4 this encouraging word Pastor Dion. Very inspiring!
April 14, 2015
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Maria Luna
Amen Pastor. With God on our side, their is always something better and good. God bless you!
April 14, 2015
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kylie dempsey
I really feel for him, Sylvia :-( We've had sick kids...one is in an adolescent psychiatric unit as I write this....Jesus has been my Rock...but my poor ex is battling alone (he has a partner)....just proves yet again His yoke is easy and burden light.
April 14, 2015
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kylie dempsey
Pastor Todd, did your step-mum ever get healed and finally convicted by Holy Spirit? My kid's step-mum....especially to my boys....hasn't been the best 'mother' to them :-( My ex choose to stay with her....even after many threats of him leaving her...this has caused big issues between my eldest son and his dad :-(
April 14, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Pastor Todd, did your Dad ever know this woman he married know about what she did or was she that powerful? A book called "The Boy called it" had a alcoholic Dad just looked the other way.
I felt shamed my Dad, teachers, & other power figures. It does take a lot of work,,,years of counseling. Thankful for Jesus! The feeling of I don't fit hang around yet.
April 14, 2015
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Rosemary Sambrano
Amen! Thank YOU JESUS for seeking me and loving me when I was an outcast! What an awesome message! Thank you Pastor Dion Todd!
April 14, 2015
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Patsy Manning
It doesn't have to be a Step-Mom, mine was my real Mom.
April 14, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Hurt people hurt people....
April 14, 2015
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Atooba Abiodun
This is word of encouragement thank you I really enjoying God will continue renew your anointing
April 14, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Thank you Pastor Todd, I needed to read those kind of reassuring words today. I thought my stepfather was strict (and that's the least of it). As your wife posted a song the other day: "This is my story, this is my song: Blessed assurance Jesus is mine." :-)
April 14, 2015
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Patti Grove
Thank you Lord for making us no longer outcasts but joint Aires in Christ Jesus!
April 14, 2015
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Diane Symborski✝
Pastor Dion, I can relate to this that it brings tears to my eyes. There was fve children in my family. One boy and four girls my brother and I got long we would never fight about anything. My three sister's stick together like glue and I am the out cast with the three. My mother knew this and she passed away in 1998 and her one sister still lives. My Aunts daughter is a very devoted christain. She knows what goes on too. She comes to my home to visit me a lot more in winter but we still alway talk. She comes to see me because she said she feel that i'm doing my best to make change in my life and i've made big changes. My sisters and all the other cousins don't like to be around her because she speaks the word of God. I love to sit and listen to her and she'll even sing and get me singing too. I love her she feels more like my sister than my sisters. She my first cousin and we both love the Lord so she is my sister in the Lord. We love it and she even has the same names as my mother. I love her and i'm not a shamed to be around her. My sister don't like it because she's very strong in her faith. I love her and being around her only helps me get sronger in the Lord. Love this reading today. Thank You! Thnak you for all of your reading each and every day. God bless you and your wife for all you do... The work of God that many people don't like to hear well I do. This really hit home today. :-)
April 14, 2015
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Christopher Shannon
Hi, Pastor Dion. I am so sorry you and your brother had to endure and suffer through such horrific conditions. Life as you describe, no child should ever have to face. The person in Christ I have come to know in you is kind and compassionate. Thank you for sharing your life experiences. All who know you are truly blessed in being a friend of yours. Keep doing what you do, as your daily devotionals touch many lives. God bless you and your wonderful wife! Thank you!
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
Thank you Chris. I would have no sermon topics if I had not endured something :)
April 14, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
So sorry your boys are going through that, Kylie :(.
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
It is a long story that I will one day write about, but it will take a book. Mom left before I was one and the welfare department was going to adopt us out unless there was a mom there, so Dad married the first woman he could find and that was her. He was trapped there until I became old enough for him to leave. He worked hard and really his upbringing was no better. He was on his own at 13. I was on my own at 16, so I had it better than he did. :)
April 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
No, she never changed. But I did. I pray that the Lord will protect your children and bring peace through that in the name of Jesus.
April 14, 2015
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Christopher Shannon
You're welcome!!!
April 14, 2015
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kylie dempsey
Thank-you pastor Dion....God is faithful and gives back what was lost. I'll just continue being a lighthouse for Jesus to use and hopefully my boys and ex will be saved :-D
April 14, 2015
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David Fabillaran
Amen! Hallelujah praise the Lord!
April 14, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! INDEED.
April 15, 2015
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Sandra Colby
I like Isaiah40:31
April 17, 2015
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Sandra Colby
how do you log in ????
April 17, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sandra, if you posted a reply here, you are logged in :).
April 17, 2015
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Annette Mowery
This is one that I can relate to. I have been an outcast in my family for the past 28 years since the passing of my mother. I have become used to this and just accept it. When I began going to church again I did not know how to react to the other members of the congregation reaching out to me. It was nice to know that I had others who were not going to judge me.
April 22, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
So sorry you have had to live like that in your past, Annette. We are also seem to be able to relate more to our church family, locally and at RHM, than to our blood families. We are very thankful for our family in Christ!
April 22, 2015