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The Preacher

  • The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3 KJV

    "Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood, was shed for me." I remember standing in a Baptist church, a kid about six years old as they sang this hymn. When they did an altar call, several people went forward and I went with them. But they all told told me to go sit back down, because they thought I was too young to be saved. I was not the first child to be turned away by the Lords followers, though He told them to stop doing that a long time ago (Matt 19:13).

    I so wanted to be saved, but I did not qualify. I still remember it vividly forty years later. Maybe I was too young for them, but the Lord did not seem to think so because He followed me home that night. He began to work in my life and prepare me for a future that I did not see, though I did not even think that I was saved until many years later. Looking back, I see His hand on my life.

    When I was around twelve years old and ready to get into trouble, right before school got out for summer, a preacher came to our home one Sunday afternoon. I had worked for his son in the tobacco fields and must have impressed him. The preacher had an odd request. He lived about a half hour away and wanted me to stay with his family for the summer and be his helper. Crazy enough, my dad was ok with it and away I went.

    So I spent the summer with the preacher and his family and worked in the tobacco fields. We would be up every morning before sunrise and still checking the barns at 11PM. Where my family never went to church, I was now in church every week. Over time, the Lord drew my heart to Him. He was never judgmental, accepted me just like I was, and wanted a relationship with me personally. No matter how many times I fell, He always had a plan for me and would pick me back up.

    You do not have to be accepted by anyone on earth. You do not have to change to come to the Lord Jesus, though we all change after we meet Him. You do not have to clean yourself up first, if you could you already would have. You do not have to change the impossible to begin. You can do it with His help. Talk to the Lord today in prayer like you would a friend. Share your day with Him and ask Him for wisdom when making decisions. I can tell you today that the Lord wants a relationship with you right now, right where you are, whether you are eight or eighty.

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35 comments
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you Pastor for the message!
May 16, 2015
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Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer This is a great truth
May 16, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander To God be the Glory for the Message and Messenger
May 16, 2015
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Rich Morgan
Rich Morgan I have never understood why so many churches are bad with kids.  Anyway, this hymn came to my mind - "Just as I am without one plea..."
May 16, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Glory. Hallelujah amen
May 16, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell ;-D Yeeeeessssss Indeed!!!
May 16, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd Pastor, You have such a way with God's words and the message is very powerful, simple, straight forward truth.  Thank you Pastor Dion.  Glory to God
May 16, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams THIS IS SO TRUE WE MUST COME AS WE ARE AND AFTER HE COMES INTO OUR LIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE US  AND MAKE US MORE LIKE OUR LORD.....
May 16, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G You nailed it with this one Rev! Thank you so much for sharing +
May 16, 2015
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Julie Schneider
Julie Schneider I am so happy to hear that someone else felt the call at a very early age....i did too! Although i am hesitant to share this as i have been screamed at by church school leaders that thought i was too young. 
May 16, 2015
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Gloria Nebarez
Gloria Nebarez Thank you Jesus  for this reminder.
May 16, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Thank you pastor Todd for this wonderful  devotional message
May 16, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen!  As a little girl attending Catholic Church which was spoken in Latin, I felt Jesus and I loved Him. I  didn't  meet Him until I was in my early twenties. I  was a broken lost mess living in a world of spousal abuse and addictions, far from God. Here my life began and my relationship with Jesus.
May 16, 2015
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Beatrice "Raye" Huth
Beatrice "Raye" Huth Beautiful; my heat felt overjoyed at the thought; "he accepted me just like I was"; "he always had a plan for me".  
May 16, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen!!! I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior when I was 6 years old In a child way, I knew I wanted to go to heaven when I died. I knew He died for my sin's and rose from the grave to give me eternal life. I did not understand about the Relationship with Christ until I got a little older, when for my self I got into His word and started this relationship. I new He loved me and looking back can see how He worked in my life from the point of my salvation. God makes salvation so simple even a child can under stand Gods love by sending His son to die and be raised for me.
May 16, 2015
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Valerie  King
Valerie King Amen ,To The Preacher. 
May 16, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Beautiful testimony. Isn't it wonderful to know you can come to Jesus at any age.
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, He is an amazing God. He loves us so:):):)
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Isn't it wonderful to know Jesus loves us and is watching out and caring for us, even before we come to really know Him as our Savior. He is so loving. :):):)
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, this was a wonderful devotional to let us know we can come to Jesus at any age. Don't listen to people, listen to the call of God. He has our future in His Hands. Praise The Lord:):):)
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Yolanda Young
Yolanda Young Amen! Praise God for His mercy and loving kindness! Thank you for sharing your testimony. I am so thankful God did not give up on me.
May 16, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin I  have been  reading all the comments, I know this is truth, at 15 I felt that peace in my heart, Yet here comes the devil having me question that peace...what kinda God lets innocent people suffer and be abused, why isn't he protecting us? I am sharing my thoughts so others can see how the devil undermines what God has done. He tempts us, he sends evil upon us, God know this and he allows these things to happen, Now the question is why? I think it's because in knows the end result. He knows the ones who will make the right choice, in the meantime he is giving us a testimony to reach others. Now when you look back, Romans 8:28 makes perfect sense. He has been in your life all along.  Nothing that you suffer in this life will go in vain. It is not about what happens in this world, it's about developing our relationship with God.  Be encourged because God is protecting his chosen people. Just don't let go of his hand.
May 16, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, even in the storms, hold on to Jesus, never let go, He will bring you through. He loves us and He will never forsake His children. We just got to keep the faith and know all things will work out for out good.
May 16, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Yes Ma'am I was a slow learner, I got it now, My prayer is for others to not be discourgaed by the evil in this world....He will re-route when necessary....He said count it all joy....so now I do...Thanks for reading between my words.
May 16, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Jesus said let all the children come unto me....glad you stayed on a farm to see God's love in action.  I relate to experiences as such in city churches yet in country church where I was dropped off I heard about Jesus and saw His pictures on felt board.  Took one home that I carried to new home in city.  It was Jesus knocking at the door.  Never realized till later there was no door knob on the outside of door.  It was a picture of our heart and door knob was inside for me to open door to Him. Such simple basic truth!  I blew away when I got it.  I was high in heaven over it all.  City church had too much big hats & fur coats.  I was scared to go pass them let alone kneel at rail.  I made it there one day and it was a party for me.  Blessings to you and Sylvia!
May 16, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Theresa Smith Amen.
May 16, 2015
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Dianne Freeman
Dianne Freeman Amen!!!
May 16, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy I believe you!
May 16, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you for the Blessing pastor Todd.
May 16, 2015
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Mahlet  Tsegaye
Mahlet Tsegaye Amen!
May 16, 2015
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Ben Curtis
Ben Curtis God Bless you, Pastor Dion!  This is what my soul needed to hear Dear friend.  :)
May 16, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I definitley  relate! I don't feel accepted anywhere, even in my family. They all think I'm crazy! But at 55 years of age, I really don't care any more! Thanks so much! Kathy
May 16, 2015
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Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen
May 16, 2015
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Vicki Stone
Vicki Stone Beautiful Blessing!!
May 17, 2015