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The Heart of Stone

  • I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them. Ezekiel 36:25-27 WEB.

    I grew up a bit different than most. My Mom married and divorced nine times, and my Dad three. Everyone I knew, and every home I stayed at, was temporary. One day they were your family, and the next day, your enemy. I don't even remember all their names, and many of them never bothered to learn mine.

    During one family arrangement, I was the youngest of thirteen children. Ten of them were step-siblings who despised the idea of us being there. It was not uncommon to see them as grown men fist fighting in the yard and sometimes in the house. I watched Dad get his shirt ripped off more than once while trying to pull them apart. One of my step-brothers liked to sit in the woods with his rifle scope aimed at Dad's head.

    Early on, I learned to stay out of the way and keep a low profile, but I had my head beat against the wall more than once. I was the least of them all and an outsider. Living like this began when I was one year old, so I grew up thinking that it was normal family behavior. It wasn't.

    By the time I was an adult, I had developed a heart of stone. There were about three people on earth in total that I cared anything about. Yet, I had enough ex-family members to populate a small city. When some of them died, I felt joy. I developed a hard shell where no one could hurt me anymore, and I really had no feelings left for anyone. The downside of this is that when you can no longer feel the pain, you can no longer feel love.

    After I came to know Jesus, He started melting this stony shell of mine little by little. Slowly, I began to care for people. It seemed strange at first. Finally, at about thirty-five, I actually fell in love for the first time. I got married and have lived happily ever since. Now, I cry at the movies. God gave me a new heart.

    There is healing for a heart of stone. God can give you a new one, and you can feel love like we are supposed to. We are created to love God and love one another. The more time you spend with Jesus, the softer your heart will become. He can fix the brokenhearted.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please soften my heart and show me Your love. Remove my heart of stone and give me a new one. Give me a fresh start today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network


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23 comments
  • 0
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Praise the Lord Hallelujah for new heart and understanding and ability to love one another!Amen!
February 3, 2021
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Your story is heart wrenching Pastor. I'm the youngest of 15 children so I can relate. We all need God's grace. Amen

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Thank you for sharing your story with us Pastor.  When I listen to your video teaching every Monday your kind voice and awesome teaching shows the Holy Spirit in your life. I'm one of eight siblings.  Thank you Lord for my online Pastor.  Amen 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Connie Cote
Connie Cote

God Bless you Pastor Dion. I am so sorry you had such a hard childhood. 

 

 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Toddedited: February 3, 2021

The good thing is that I didn't know it was. :)

February 3, 2021
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Amen,thank you Pastor Dion for the daily devotional.Gods blessings to you and Sylvia.

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Goodmorning Everyone 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Good morning, Yvette, and everyone :)!

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Praise God  for  all our blessings 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Praise the Lord of new hearts! Lord, give me a fresh eyes to see You today. In Jesus' name, Amen

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Great encouraging devotional. I'm sorry you went through so much as a child. My family has gone through tough times bc of a stupid decision by my daughter. Thank you God my daughter is all over with that nightmare. We are rebuilding our lives together. Turning to Jesus has helped me endure the sadness in my life. My heart is more aware. Thank you God In the name of Jesus Amen 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME for HE heard and answered your prayers.  PRAISE THE LORD

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for working with me and molding me to be as You wants me to be, with much love and care for others and to live a life according to Your statutes. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. Lord  keep blessing my wife and I in this 53rd wedding anniversary, Amen. 

Pastor, I will always thank you both for helping us to be closer to our Lord, many blessings to you and Sylvia, Amen. 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

Happy Anniversary.!  PRAISE THE LORD

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Happy Anniversary to you, Jose and your dear wife, and many blessings upon you both!!! "Numbers 6:24-26"

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield

I lift up my family,  praying that God softens their hearts and brings them back to Him.

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes my Lord, amen 

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen, dear Pastor!!! How encouraging and what a testimony you have showing the mighty healing power of our Lord and God, praise His holy name!!!

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardleedited: February 3, 2021

Oh Lord my God, please heal and change the hearts of stones of all of my siblings and broken relationships, fill them and seal them with Thy Holy Spirit and draw them to the saving heart of my Lord Jesus, in the name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!!! Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!!!

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

February 3, 2021
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen and Amen 

February 4, 2021