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Love Is A Battlefield

  • And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he answered, Say it, Teacher. A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more? Luke 7:39 ESV

    As Jesus reclined on a low couch at the table, with His head near the table and His feet away from it, a former prostitute crept into the house and stood over His feet. She began to cry and her tears fell on the feet of Jesus. She let her hair down (which women never did in public) and began to wipe His feet with her hair. After this, she kissed His feet and anointed them with very expensive perfume, which the women cherished.

    Simon the Pharisee was disgusted and thought that she should not even be here in his house, and she was certainly not welcome at his table. He said to himself that Jesus was no prophet or He would have known who this woman was who was touching Him.

    Jesus did know, and He told a parable about two debtors who were forgiven of their debt, one five hundred denarii and the other fifty. A denarii was a day's wage for a laborer. He then asked Simon who would love the moneylender more. Simon answered that it was the one who owed more and Jesus told him that he had judged rightly. The moneylender forgave them, then the people loved him.

    Simon felt that he was holy and had no sin because Pharisees kept a long set of rules, while the woman knew she was a sinner and regretted it. Simon saw the woman for what she used to be. Jesus saw who the woman was now. Simon could not see beyond her past, while Jesus forgave her past. How could the religious leaders of the day see things so differently from God? Love was a battlefield.

    It does not matter what you have done in the past; you can be forgiven today. When you come into the Lord's presence, you will find forgiveness, acceptance and love. Religious people and satan have a lot in common. They will keep looking at your past and try to make you feel like trash so they can feel righteous about their own mistakes. Jesus sees who you are now. Lift up your head and know that God loves you no matter what you have done. You are welcome at His table.

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96 comments
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the refreshing message!
May 11, 2015
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Lucas Napo
Lucas Napo Amen. A blessing
May 11, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd Thank you Jesus
May 11, 2015
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Martin Snyder
Martin Snyder Pastor Dion, this is truly an inspiration from God's holy spirit and you have described exactly the scenario that took place in our sin filled, poverty ridden neighborhood church called "New Hope" yesterday. Our pastor had to be out of town with family matters and satan took full advantage of his absence to wage a full-frontal attack in our midst. It was "game on" and I attempted to stand strong in the evil day and remain standing when it was over. Thank you for a message today that speaks to me to validate my battle-ready attitude to fight against the evil that is trying to sabotage the success of our mission.
May 11, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Good morning, thank you God for loving and forgiving me!
May 11, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Thank You Jesus For Loving Me Amen
May 11, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Thank you Lord we all are sinner come and be a disciple of God Hallelujah
May 11, 2015
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Duane Boyle
Duane Boyle Amen! Another great read 
May 11, 2015
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Carletheia Linnen
Carletheia Linnen Glory LORD, thank You Jesus!!! AMEN my brother, Amen!!!
May 11, 2015
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Conchita Bowman
Conchita Bowman Oh what a blessing!!!
May 11, 2015
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Steven Dickison
Steven Dickison Amen awesome words, thank you Jesus!!!!!
May 11, 2015
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Barbara Mango
Barbara Mango It's so important that we know God forgives us. We also have to start forgiving ourselves in order to receive the blessings God has for us.
May 11, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Praise God
May 11, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Oh what a mess we are, it is hard to find a Good Church, They make up their own secondary doctrine, using old testament scripture against people. Jesus said you are born again, a new creature. If God has forgiven us, Who are we to Question and Judge? To me it's like calling God a lair, now imagine how our Sunday school would become very entertaining. The commandment is love one another. God has forgiven and loves us. We must do the same. Love does become a battlefeild,  when you have people that  get something so simple, so wrong.  Trust and believe, it is much harder being a Christian, we are held to a higher standard. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.Be encouraged
May 11, 2015
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Annette Walton
Annette Walton Amen!!!!!  I needed that message this morning.
May 11, 2015
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LaShanda Conyers
LaShanda Conyers Our God is loving and forgiving. To know him is to love him! 
May 11, 2015
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Paul f
Paul f Jesus sees us as we are right now, this instant in time.  The past is the past and is frozen in time.  The past is over with.  We are not to keep reliving it over and over, this will keep us stuck.  No matter how slow I go in growth, I need to move on to better things.  Mistakes and our pasts are over, and forgiven.  I have to forgive me too and move on.  The past is a valuable tool to use, and we can learn from it, not dwell there.  Just the same as our mistakes they teach us a lot too.  For me I have to stay in the right now.  People will throw up the past of others in order to make their lives appear to be better than they actually are.  I don't care to discuss cars much and people try to get me to talk about my car.  I just want to drive it no discuss it and they don't like this.  And latter on this was thrown up to me.  And I got some old boring lecturer focousing onto me so he could leave himself alone.  What I learned is that I am ok with me just the way that I am.  If I find fault with me or others, I am doing God's Job and don't want to do this.  I just accept them as they are struggling, and what some one else thinks or says or does or doesn't do, it not on me.  Hope that I getting healthier in this area.  I cannot please every one and wont do it.  
May 11, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes when we come to know Jesus He  no longer remembers our past, so we need to let go and let God have His way. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes it was a wonderful message. Thank you Jesus 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, we need your divine guidance Jesus. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen. He is worthy to be praised. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen we don't need to beat ourselves up over past sins, they are forgiven , forgotten, never to be remembered by Jesus.
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Judy Cole
Judy Cole Many years ago, I did something I was very ashamed of.  Seemed like every time I prayed, I had to ask the Lord to forgive me.  One day, I guess He had heard it enough.  I heard these words "I forgave you the first time you asked me, now forgive yourself!". You would think I would have learned....but for many years (at least 5years) Satan accused me of my sins.  Again I had done something I had regretted, and there was Satan, whispering in my ear..." Oh God loves you, but he is fed up with you!  He won't use you!  Remember David, God wouldn't allow him to build the temple because of his sins he committed; remember Moses, he wasn't allowed to go into the promised land because he did not obey God when He told Moses to speak to the rock and instead he struck it!". What Satan didn't remind me was that that was the old covenant, not the new covenant!  When God forgives....He forgets!!!!!!  Hallelujah!
May 11, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Amen, another on time message. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen. To God be the glory. Let's praise Him for what He has done, is doing and going to do. God bless you
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes amen, He loves us so and we are blessed. Have a great day
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Me too, Gail, I am so glad I'm forgiven. Praise God
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes we must stand up for Jesus and let out light shine even when the battle wages. God bless you for being that strong person in the battle. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes the message was a true blessing. We are the children of God and He loves us so much. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, we are blessed to be a child of God. He is loving and kind. He loves us so much, He never remembers the past it is gone and forgotten. He see's our true hearts. Praise His Holy Name.
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell I am smiling (:-D reeeaaalllyyy big in my Spirit Rgt Now!!!! My Lord's opinion and Now Is All that matters. HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!!!!!
May 11, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen when satan talks to you, tell him in The Bsme of Jesus go talk to your Heavenly Father, He handles everything for you. Always remember Jesus  will never bring up your past. He loves you, it is forever forgiven and forgotten. 
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt We as Christians are righteous in Gods eyes, We have a very special intimate relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. I do not believe in religion, but I do believe in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
May 11, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady I find it easy to forgive others, yet so difficult to forgive myself! I have struggled with this much of the time, then a devotion appears to remind me that if Jesus says to forgive seventy times seven, I should also forgive myself. Thank you for your timely message!
May 11, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd Now that is a good word...
May 11, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd I wrote this entire message in tears because I had caught a small glimpse of the heart of God, and how wrong we so often get it.  “ They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. ”  (John 16:2–3)
May 11, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Theresa Smith Hallelujah Jesus. Thank you for looking pass my faults.  For casting my sins into the lake of forgiveness never to be held against me or brought up ever. 
May 11, 2015
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Jeff Franklin
Jeff Franklin WHEN THE ENEMY REMINDS YOU OF YOUR PAST, REMIND HIM OF HIS FUTURE.
May 11, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams BEING HUMAN IS NOT AN EASY TASK OUR MINDS ARE CONSTANTLY BEING BOMBARED WITH THE EVIL OFTHIS WORLD OUR ENEMY SATAN WILL CONTINUE TO BRING OUR PAST UP BUT WE MUST BE STEADFAST AND UNMOVEABLE KNOWING THAT NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD.......
May 11, 2015
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Marie Johnson
Marie Johnson Thank You JESUS for This Message and for choosing Pastor Dion as the vessel to deliver it...TO GOD BE THE GLORY. " Religious people and satan have a lot in common. They will keep looking at your past and try to make you feel like trash so they can feel righteous about their own mistakes. Jesus sees who you are now." Pastor Dion, once again this hits a situation in my life. I REALLY WANNA THANK THE LORD...Amen.
May 11, 2015
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Marie Johnson
Marie Johnson Amen!
May 11, 2015
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Reinhard Blefgen
Reinhard Blefgen Amen thank u 
May 11, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield If you view my blog, hookinandpraying.com, you will see that I am not a holy person. But recently, I felt a calling--or whatever--to become a nun. Well, you wouldn't believe the horror my friends and kids expressed at the mere thought of ME-- a 55 year old woman who curses, smokes (plain old Newports, albeit too many) and had an abortion after a rape I can relate to this morning's devotion. Oh, and for the icing on the cake--I even tried cocaine once.Perhaps they are right; I should just go back to nursing and renew my license! Love to all, Kathy
May 11, 2015
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Cheryl Wilson
Cheryl Wilson Amen, thank you Lord for your mercy and grace! 
May 11, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery Speaking of the battlefield:  I have a new magnet to put on my refrigerator in my new apartment:  "Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time."  I go to my knees in prayer.   The thought just came to my mind that my laptop computer rests on my lap, including my knees, so now I don't feel as guilty when I spend time with the Lord on my computer.  Thank you Pastor Todd (I commented after I read your newsletter, but as usual I hit a wrong key and lost it.  I can't imagine someone getting angry about which Bible is read during Bible study as long as it is God's Truth, His Word.  I have several different versions and don't get angry because of it.)  It is well with my soul!
May 11, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin LOL, I like that, So simple, yet so true!
May 11, 2015
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Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke Thank you Lord for you are so good
May 11, 2015
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Gayle Byers
Gayle Byers Thank you for this message today. 
May 11, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Exactly, and what is wonderful , is no one can take the love of God from us
May 11, 2015
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Kathy Harris
Kathy Harris Amen and thank you my brother for allowing the lord to use you to share this with us, because in this day and time not every one has love for their fellow brother or sister no matter what. I have always been a forgiver to everyone whom has done me wrong or even misunderstood me. Because of the love I have from our Lord and savior. My motto is LIFE IS TO SHORT AND TO PRECIOUS TO WASTE. TIME SPENT WAITING ON THE LORD, IS TIME NEVER WASTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 11, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you Pastor Dion it helps alot very very insightfull message, thanx again
May 11, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
Anna Eriksdotter Exactly like this... Right on spot!! So thankful that I am not the only one that see this... The heart of our father is more than anything we can understand. Amen
May 11, 2015
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Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza I am a great sinner and thank you  LORD GOD for forgiving me and making me new again
May 11, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I plan to be there! But what time will the chat start?
May 11, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I so enjoyed this message today. Jesus doesn't remind us of our past because when we become a child of Jesus, the past is forgiven forgotten and thrown away, never to be remembered by Jesus anymore. Don't listen to satan. Jesus loves you.
May 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member The FAAD chat starts at 7:00pm on Thursday. it is awesome.
May 11, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Once we are forgiven we are a child of The King. Born fresh and a new.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, Jesus looks into our hearts, deeper than we can even imagine. He knows our hearts desire to serve and love Him. Our God is an awesome God.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, Yes when Jesus forgives, He forgets. God is good.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a beautiful way to live. Thank you so much for sharing.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, wasn't it awesome. I love knowing Jesus never reminds us of our past. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, God is so good all the time and all the time God is good. Praise Him:)
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Mine too Nell. It is well with my soul. Praise The Lord:)
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Without that amazing grace and His great mercy I don't know what I would do. He no longer knows my past for it is forgiven and forgotten, He knows my future and I am in the Palm of His Hands. Amen.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member May God bless you on whatever journey He leads you too. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, everyday Pastor Dion and Sylvia have amazing words of encouragement for us. Praise The Lord:)
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Amen.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes when Jesus forgives, He forgets and our past is just that The Past. Jesus never remembers it no more.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, when satan tries to throw your past at you, just know it is from satan, because once we are forgiven Jesus can no longer remember, it has been thrown into the sea of forgetfulness never, ever to be remembered no more. Our God is so good.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, love it.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Loved it too.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen. God is good.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, our world is coming to that, sadly. Thank you for your message, it so touch my heart.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I feel the same way, just knowing what Jesus has done for us, is beyond my imagination and I could never Praise Him enough. I am so thankful for His love.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, because God loves us unconditional. He is such a loving and caring God. 
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Jesus has forgiven and forgotten. He loves you so:)
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Amen, one day we will have that perfect peace, no longer will satan bring up our past. Praise The Lord.
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, your beautiful words made me smile, just thinking about you smiling. God bless you:)
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  When we allow God to fix our brokeness, a part of His Heart is healed.
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Jesus changed my road in life...the whole coarse.  He was there wooing me to Jim.  I knew many times He spoke, showed, impressed and was the presence in my room.  As a child & adult.  I accepted Jesus into my heart at 32 years of age.  I was still drinking and in that short time things happened all at once.  I said do you want me to Quit drinking?  After another drunken spell I did.  Later I said even wine....& it was impressed..yes.  I was born in alcoholism & married into it.  Stepping out in this new path I lost friend by friend like flies on sugar.  The alcohol was the center of all my associations.  Including family members.  My continual running anywhere I could go to church, music of special Christian singing or other functions was the path I got filled up on...a refuge in time of trouble.  He was my Savior, my friend, & soon my husband.  I needed Him then as now.
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler PS.  Religious leaders have a lot in common with Satan......great description.  Said it to Charlie and he said yes like not getting divorced.  Our former partners were addicts and ran around.  Our church where we were married were not religious.  My walk grew up in Mennonite a Church and Charlie was a Nazarene grew out of religiousity in the Mennonite church.  
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Like this...thank you!  Like button not working for me so...Blessings to you Kathy
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler I like to every few years read thru a different version too.  Thanks for sharing.  There is sooo much love on this site I love stepping in and soak awhile.  Old song...Fill Me Up..Fill Me Up til I want no more...Fill Me Up Till I overflow(my cup....usually...same thing..I need it).
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Like button isn't working for me sooooo I agree J D.  Blessings!!
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler LOL!!
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Sad for them....
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler He understands.  I feel my tears are His sometimes as His tears are mine.
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler I get that!
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Yes, Relationship seems so hard for others to comprehend.  I believe the veil is still over their eyes.
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Wow...A Big Amen!
May 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler In a poverty ridden neighborhood "New Hope" is needed.  I was in a church as that a long while name was....Hope of the Nations
May 12, 2015