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Hidden in Plain Sight

  • Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:18 ESV

    While sitting in church one morning listening to the speaker drone on, I yawned, searched for the time and wondered how long was left before we could go home. Having served the Lord a couple decades, graduated seminary and been ordained twice, I felt that the speaker had nothing new to say that I had not heard.

    As I was thinking this, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me and He said, Do you really know everything that I am going to say? Is there nothing new that I can show you? Chills ran down my neck and I sat up straight and started paying closer attention. I actually learned a couple of things during the rest of the service. I left church that day like a little dog with his tail between his legs and now I try to pay better attention when the Holy Spirit is using someone. God can be right in front of you, speaking to you, and you can miss Him.

    The religious leaders of the day missed Jesus. When He spoke in His hometown of Nazareth, they tried to kill Him (Luke 4:28). Stephen was so filled with the Holy Spirit that his face shown like that of an angel, and the religious leaders stoned him (Acts 7:15). Religion is always exclusive, while God is inclusive. God so loved the world, while we just love people who are just like us. We can miss God just as easily as they did if are not willing to be teachable and keep an open mind.

    It is easy to become cynical and believe that you are really smart when you have been around religion a long time. You know people for who they were, but God knows who they are and can use anyone. We should know that by now. If someone is sharing something, listen to what they are saying! You might learn something, just like I did.

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Social Sharing

61 comments
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the great message!
May 13, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!  We are never too old to learn new things!!
May 13, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd Your honest amazes me.  Thank you for teaching me.  Glory to God!
May 13, 2015
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Susan P
Susan P Help me to have a humble, teachable spirit, Lord. 
May 13, 2015
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Pam Stauffer
Pam Stauffer Thank God he sees "me" and lovingly guides me to healing....I just need to stay receptive and open...Help me Lord....<3
May 13, 2015
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Cynthia Nortey
Cynthia Nortey Amen
May 13, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield That's the amazing thing about the Bible--you can read it over and over and get new meaning every time! I recall once when the Spirit came over me as I was reading Luke, "..For if the mean use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry..." and I suddenly GOT IT! God works in mysterious ways!
May 13, 2015
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Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins I'm learning not to take things for granted,It is a very hard lesson.
May 13, 2015
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Fred Abeysundera
Fred Abeysundera Pride is a sin we must all be careful to avoid. And yet it is so easy to think that we know it all; that we are smarter than those around us. I too, have been guilty of that and felt the rebuke.
May 13, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Thank you for your reminder Pastor Dion.   I noticed something new in the book of 1 Samuel ,I had read this so many times before and missed it! When our minds are not focused and wander we can read but not conceive,  the same occurs if we don't intently listen.
May 13, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I know there have been times when the Holy Spirit has been talking to me and I was to busy to stop and do what He wanted me to do, then I forget with all my daily things I have to do. I pray that I will stop and listen and then act on it.
May 13, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
Melissa-Peter Busse I ask for bold courage, to stand for the Lord with humility and love
May 13, 2015
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Judy Cole
Judy Cole God can be right in front of you, speaking to you, and you can miss Him!  Thank you, thank you!!!  Thank you Lord for using Brother Dion!  Just what I needed to hear today!  God Bless!
May 13, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy there is always a fresh understanding when you read a scripture or listen to a message over and over again. when spirit of distraction comes it is good to becon the Holy Spirit for help and he will grant understanding.
May 13, 2015
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Mrs. Madeline Williams
Mrs. Madeline Williams amen!!!
May 13, 2015
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Kathy Harris
Kathy Harris Amen, thanks for sharing it is so true and fail to see it or even hear....
May 13, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G Arrgghh "those' sermons can be excruciating! This made me think that when Jesus said come to me like little children, he meant to always show up bright eyed and bushy tailed with an open mind and ready to receive what He wants us to. 
May 13, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams ITS LIKE I HAVE ARRIVED I'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE WELL THE WORD DISCIPLE MEANS THE LEARNED,SO WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE OPENED TO LEARN....
May 13, 2015
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John Worden IV
John Worden IV There is a reason God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth!
May 13, 2015
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Lucille Jordan
Lucille Jordan AMEN!
May 13, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Amen pastor Dion great lesson!!
May 13, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Many times are the people we need or the things we need are right in front of us, then we get that (awe) moment and realize there it was all along. God is good.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Jesus is there all the time. Maybe not in the way we are looking for, but He will open our eyes and hears to see and hear what we need.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I sure know this for myself. I find myself sometimes wanting to say the things I think I should be saying, but God is saying, just listen, I have great things for you.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I know I learn something new everyday, as long as I am willing to hear and obey. I thank Jesus for loving me, to discipline me with that gentle touch from The Master's Hand.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Jesus wants us to come to Him as little children, but in the form of believing and trusting in Him like little children do when they know Mommy and Daddy will take care of their every need. We must trust Him because He loves us so.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, if we want to be a true disciple for Christ, we sometimes must listen more and hear what He has to say to us. He loves us so:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, many times we read and don't understand, but then again we can read or hear that same scripture and its like a light bulb turns on and gives you divine understanding of what God was saying all along.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, many times I have felt God speaking to me through that still small voice and knew it was Him. And then sometimes He comes in like a whirlwind to get my attention, because maybe I failed to listen the first time.LOL:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a beautiful thing to pray for. God bless you:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I am so thankful that Jesus keeps us in check if we are willing to listen and obey. God is good all the time and All the time God is good. God Bless You:):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, sometimes it is hard. We all take things for granted at one time or the other, but this is a learning process for each of us, to be more thankful for our blessings, even when the world may seem to be falling down around us, Jesus is right there. He loves us so much:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Mahlet  Tsegaye
Mahlet Tsegaye Help me God to be ready to listen your voice when you speaks me.
May 13, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I have done the same thing and all of a sudden I read it again or hear it again and then there it is. (I get what you are saying to me Jesus). I Praise Him for this. To open my eyes to see and my ears to hear just what I need, just at that perfect moment. God is good:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen, God is so good. He teaches us many things through others and then sometimes we just have that moment when we have read a scripture or listened to a sermon, that opens our eyes to let us know Jesus is just teaching us more about Him. He loves you:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, He does. He not only see's the outside but the inside and that is what its all about, to allow Jesus to use us for His glory. You speak such wonderful words every day that bless my heart. 
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen,that is a beautiful prayer. May I pray that way too. God bless you:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Amen, the Truth. It so blessed me today, because I do learn something new if I am willing to listen and learn. God bless you:):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, I love how honest and sincere all the teachings are. I love for people to tell me about real life experiences, because it helps me through my life experiences and boy have they been some doozies at times. LOL :):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I am so thankful for what Jesus has helped me learn through Him and putting others into my life that has taught me many things:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, Lissy, I too am so thankful for that message. It lets me know that Jesus is still speaking to me through His word or through others. I am thankful for this ministry. God Bless You. I just love your name Lissy, :):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, i want to be the same way, ready to learn and listen and obey. God bless you:):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Jeanie  Fleming
Jeanie Fleming Dion:  What a wonderful wake up call for the rest of us.  I know there are times I begin to nod off and your post will help me stay alert. God bless you and Sylvia for your work.
May 13, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin LOL...I too feel like this sometimes, not about the message so much as people seem to like to hear themselves rumble on and on......I try to remember we are all flawed. 
May 13, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Amen Amen Amen!!!!!
May 13, 2015
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Valisa Joy
Valisa Joy Sor about the hard drive, but it wasn't meant for this morning it was meant for now because I may not have seen or listened to it then... Amen! I was just discussing this very thing with my husband after work this evening. Praise God for the evening message! 
May 13, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin I always believe things happen as they should. Either God is in control or he is not...I choose to believe he is. 
May 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler No Pastor I haven't graduated in any part of my walk with the Lord.  I think of the word the same it may be a verse I have heard or read many times so I pray help me Lord to see something new or just wake up to particular part that says the same yet is somehow sticking out more than usual. Long ago this verse you mention was key in a big change in my entire life.  After I received it our church at the time wrote a song with this verse.  I was blown when I heard it.  Praising God for showing His self and how it continued to minister to me.
May 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler I remember Corrie ten Boon saying...if you don't understand what you are reading just hang it on a hook & go on
May 13, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery as the saying goes:  "you learn something new every day" and you should see me journals from the last 3 years!!!
May 13, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I so enjoy writing too. I have journals and poetry that I have written over the years and I have began an autobiography of my life experiences, not sure when that will get finished. 
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a beautiful testimony. You have touched my heart. Thank You. :):):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, God is always right on time. :):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, God is truly in control. He can take the bad and turn it into our good.
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praise His Holy Name. :):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, I too am so thankful for the love and care that Pastor Dion and Sylvia put into their ministry. :):)
May 13, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Debra lynn Hubbard
Debra lynn Hubbard What an awesome revalation..... Our lord is all power and in control of all....praise and glory to you lord Jesus
May 14, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen
May 14, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen
May 14, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen,Sometimes reading things over and over again I wondered why at first.Then met a total stranger with an amazing voice singing in the street.Being draw to speak to him found out he believed in Jesus.I was given a message through him conferring what I was being drawn to read in Gods word.So Awesome.Never saw that young man again.
May 29, 2015