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The Beaver Dam

  • Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 ESV

    It was dusk and I was alone in the middle of a swamp called the Beaver Dam. I had ridden my dirt bike over to my cousin's house that day. He stayed about four miles from us through dense woods and swamp, but we had made a path to ride through the beaver dam.

    We were both about ten years old and after playing video games all evening, I realized it was getting dark and I had no headlight, so I started home. Riding through the swamp on a motorcycle at night alone with no lights was scary, but I soon found it could be made much worse.

    There were bears in the area and I could feel one behind me. I kept glancing back into the shadows and would give the bike more throttle each time. Before long I was almost wide open on the muddy, rutted path and forgot all about the canal ditch that I had to cross.

    I hit the far side of that ditch at about fifty mph and launched way into the air. As the bike and I flipped end over end, I was kicking it to get it started. I landed in a huge pile of mud, rolled a few times, and took straight back off. The wheels had never stopped turning. I was so terrified, and my life was flashing before my eyes, but I made it home safely.

    You can make something bad, so much worse than it is. The more that you dwell on it, think about it, talk about it, the more it grows until it will consume you in pure panic. That was the most scared that I have ever been in my life and it was all in my mind. I would have been perfectly safe to have stopped, built a fire, and spent the night camping. Dont let your fears snowball and consume you. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Never allow circumstances to deceive you into believing that God has forgotten you.

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65 comments
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the great message!
May 19, 2015
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Leslie McLea
Leslie McLea Awesome! Sorry, I had to giggle cause all I could picture was how muddy you really were.
May 19, 2015
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Joan Joseph
Joan Joseph Great message, thank you Pastor Todd.
May 19, 2015
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Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan I agree on this Testemony!!
May 19, 2015
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Valerie  King
Valerie King Amen. 
May 19, 2015
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Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins Great Message,Thank you.
May 19, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Amen,  so true, many times I've done this, made a mountain out of molehill! 
May 19, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy great
May 19, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Thank you for yet another Blessed message
May 19, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen
May 19, 2015
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Chad Hale
Chad Hale Keeping faith in the Word. Amen
May 19, 2015
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Rich Morgan
Rich Morgan You are not the only one!
May 19, 2015
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Debra lynn Hubbard
Debra lynn Hubbard What an awesome truth.... Thank you... Blessings to you and yours
May 19, 2015
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Dagmar Berry
Dagmar Berry That is so true!! We have to believe God will never leave us.
May 19, 2015
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Martin Snyder
Martin Snyder Interesting, I have always made it a point to observe the "No Camping" signs in the valley of the shadow of death. Now, I wonder if the signs were a figment of my imagination.
May 19, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Oh MY! That sounds like something that happened to ME recently, when I was exploring the brook behind the Mall near my house. I was looking for coyotes' den, and found it! Problem is, I'm NOT 10--I'm 55 LOL!
May 19, 2015
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Annette Walton
Annette Walton Amen
May 19, 2015
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Cynthia Nortey
Cynthia Nortey The good  God is always with us wherever we go...God bless you Pastor for the word of God. 
May 19, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen
May 19, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady So true. It is not from the Bible but the saying there is nothing to fear but fear alone is very applicable as we lean on God for His protection.
May 19, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen , fear can  enable you. God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, and a sound mind,(can't remember the rest of the verse), but He gives us peace. I have also had times when I have been very fearful, and Just kept asking God to help me and keep me safe. God wants us to trust Him.
May 19, 2015
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Anna Eriksdotter
Anna Eriksdotter Thank you so, so much!!!! I really needed this<3
May 19, 2015
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Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman Pastor, you know the Lord was with you as you didn't get hurt and your bike was not damaged.  God Bless you and continue to watch over you and your family. 
May 19, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams FEAR CAN CAUSE US TO BECOME STAGNENT NOT GROWING  AND MATURING IN OUR FAITH WALK DEAR FATHER HELP US TO KEEP OUR EYES ON YOU AND NOT OUR FEARS BECAUSE FEAR IS OF THE DEVIL.....
May 19, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Theresa Smith So true. So many times I've let naff situations play out in front of my eyes and out was never as bad as I thought it was. 
May 19, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I sure have made a mountain out of a mole hill many times through worry and not trusting. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I sure understand that. If we could only realize Jesus is right there our fear would be gone, but it is hard when you feel like things are so bad, when only to have our eyes open by Jesus to say I was there all the time. God is so good. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, very well said. God bless you.
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, Jesus was in control of that dirt bike and taking care of Pastor Dion, so today he and Sylvia are here blessing us through this wonderful ministry. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I did too Anna. I needed to realize I really need to trust and not to fear, because Jesus is always near. He will never leave us or forsake us, even when we feel like fear is chasing us down.
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I have to help myself everyday to realize all my hope and trust is in Jesus alone. He doesn't make me fear, but when satan tries to bring fear to me, I have to tell him, talk to Jesus He is the one that's taking care of my problems. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes if we could learn to lean on Jesus, He will protect us from any fears satan tries to throw at us.
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Amen, God is so good. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, God is with us at all times. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Jesus is our comfort in the times that satan tries to throw fear at us.  Jesus is our comfort and He will never leave us alone. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, many times we do look for things that aren't really there, but in our minds they are. I have felt that way many times, only to realize Jesus was protecting me and trying to get me not to fear, because the fear was from satan not Him. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, Jesus don't want us to fear even in the valley, because he is with us there and when we come through the valley to the mountain top He is there too. He never, ever leaves us
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member That's right, Jesus will never leave us. We may feel alone sometimes, but we never are. Jesus is always there. God is so good. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, this really hits home for me. Because when that old fear tries to come my way, I just have to give it to Jesus, I have to tell satan get behind me and go talk to Jesus , He is handling all of my worries and fears. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker Oh, I could tell a few tales~ and 95% of them never happened, except in my head!! My mind is my worst enemy, as I worry about things that never happen!! God, however knows what I need and He will provide & protect me!! Thank you for reminding me of this today Pastor Todd!!! I give it up to the Lord!! Amen ~
May 19, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, amen, the word of God is our strength. We must try to keep our faith in Jesus and know He is right there for us all the time. God is good. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, amen, Jesus has us under Hus care. We are never alone, even when we feel we are. Always know Jesus is right there. He loves you so. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, it was another blessed message to me to. It helps me to always remember Jesus is right there. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a blessing to know Jesus is always there even when we feel fear, Jesus doesn't give us fear, but a sound mind to trust and believe in Him for all things. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, amen , I too have done the same things, but I am so thankful Jesus is right there for me. God is so good to,us. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I needed this reminder today.
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes amen, what a great reminder we have nothing to fear as long as we put our trust in Jesus. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen. God is good. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, what a wonderful message to let us know we have nothing to fear. Jesus is taking care of His children. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes it was an awesome message. (I can just imagine in my mind as you read this you giggling). Hope your day is going great. You know laughter is the best medicine. Lol
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, a wonderful message. Jesus loves us so. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Yes, I am so glad for this reminder today too. I needed it very much. God knows exactly what we need when we need it. 
May 19, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Amen Amen Amen!!! He will Never leave me Nor forsake me. HALLELUJAH 
May 19, 2015
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Allie Ponzo
Allie Ponzo Ok, now hold on. Didn't you say there were bears in the area and you felt one behind you? I'de say say that is something to be terrified of in the dark(or the day for that matter). How could you camp in the pitch dark knowing there were bears in the area?  And why I'm I the only one asking this question….Lol.  Are you saying it was all in your mind and there was no bears?  I understand your point and how our minds can deceive us but if that scenario was all true then it was something to be very afraid of and anyone would be.
May 19, 2015
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Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza When fear comes and problems occur I just can not help it bit keep thinking about it and it consumes me but with the HOLY SPIRIT guiding me and with me when I pray i could feel my fears are disintegrating  I pray pray pray always and my faith that LORD GOD is taking care ofeverything 
May 19, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Good point to me, Allie, lol. I dunno, Dion grew up running around in those woods, so maybe it wasn't scary to him most of the time ;).
May 19, 2015
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Susan P
Susan P This devotional has been in my thoughts through out the day. When I've been in situations that looked real bad, how many times have I imagined the worse case scenario? After reading Pilgrim's Progress, an image has often come to mind to help keep an eternal perspective. When Christian encountered the snarling wolves (I think they were wolves.) on either side of the bridge there was very little room for him to pass through. What he ended up finding out, is that they were actually chained and were never going to harm him in spite of how terrifying it looked. We don't see the spiritual battle being waged around us and  without faith, fear in the real or imagined can cripple. One of my favorite verses, "I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."  2Timothy 1 :7. Thank you, Jesus. 
May 19, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd The only bears were in my mind... I grew up in the woods, but being alone in the dark in a swamp will let your fear snowball if you give way to it :)
May 19, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams IT SAYS THAT GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR BUT A SPIRIT OF LOVE,POWER AND A SOUND MIND.....
May 19, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Fear not, only believe.
May 20, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Yes in my mind it can seem to feel like big bears chasing me......thanks Pastor.  Even as a youth you were amazing.  God His hand on you.  Life with purpose!
May 20, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd God's protection is indeed amazing :). We have a nephew who has totaled every car he has ever owned, at least half a dozen, and has walked away every time. We know God must have something special in mind for him :).
May 20, 2015
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Alane Grosz
Alane Grosz As one who has lived in fear, thank you for your message.
May 20, 2015
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Alane Grosz
Alane Grosz This is timely in my life as I deal with the fear.  It is indeed from the devil. Lord, I submit to you.
May 20, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Our imagination is powerful, the reality is never as bad as our thoughts.
May 20, 2015