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The Pack of Nails

  • You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 WEB.

    It was summertime. An elder at our church had a leaky spot on his roof, and I was helping him repair it. My dad was a life-long carpenter, and I got to work with him a good bit. So for a while, I became the go-to handyman at our local church. A soft spot had developed on the elder's roof, so we had to replace the plywood and shingles in that area.

    He was a hard-working man in his mid-seventies who had worked at the local grocery store for about thirty years. When noon came, we went to the hardware store for more supplies. A neighbor's boy who was about four years old rode along with us in the truck.

    While we gathered what we needed, the little boy imitated us and picked up his own tiny pack of nails. We paid the bill, got some lunch, and drove back to the house. We hadn't noticed that the neighbor's boy had walked out of the hardware store with his own pack of nails, but no one had paid for them.

    When we arrived back at the house, the elder saw the pack of nails in the little boy's hand, and in a near panic, said, "Oh God, we didn't pay for those!" So we jumped back in his truck and hurriedly drove the five miles back to the hardware store to return that fifty-cent pack of nails.

    I was impressed with his integrity, for it was a hot day, and we still had a lot to do on the roof. I wasn't sure that I would have done the same, at least that quickly. It wasn't even the nails that worried him. After walking with the Lord for decades, he recognized immediately that his character was being tested. He wouldn't compromise his integrity over a small pack of nails.

    One night at church, everyone was praying for the Pastor's wife, who was suffering from stomach cancer. When this grocer reached out to pray for her, something that looked like static electricity shot out of his hands and into her body. She was instantly healed, and the cancer left her body and never returned. He was a simple, honest man with great faith. James told us: "The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective" (James 5:16).

    God will use little tests like this to prove your character or faithfulness. He who can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot (Luke 16:10). Often in life, you will be tested to see what you are really made of, like someone giving you too much change back at the cash register. When this happens, don't trade your integrity for a short-term gain. Turn the test into a testimony, and don't fall for the trap. For who you are when no one is looking is who you really are.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. Please give me the grace to get through this day and to walk in integrity. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide my steps. Help me make the right decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge from group leader, Dianna Wyles: Psalm 25:7 "Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good." ~ 'Days Gone By' or 'Memory Makers' will be the next fun theme as a celebration of Memorial Day. As always, is wide open for some creative interpretation Do you know anyone that has ever served in the armed forces that you would like to share with us? How do you celebrate days gone by and/ or create new memories to celebrate? Inquiring minds want to know :). As always, we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week reflect some beautiful memories. Wishing you all a blessed and safe Memorial day as well as a wonderful week! Here is the link: Creation Photographers


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23 comments
  • 2
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Praise the Lord Hallelujah..... thank you for reminding me to watch out for those little tests! ❤️
June 1, 2021
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Heavenly Father,  Thank You for guiding my path. If i have failed some of your tests, please forgive me. I pray to do better. Amen

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen,  and I too, if I fail your tests, forgive me Lord Jesus.  I want to be a good student for my Heavenly Teacher. 

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Help me to always pass the test Father, Amen!

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen !

June 1, 2021
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Jesus,please fill us with your Holy Spirit and help us to make the right decisions. Amen 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Thank you for drawing my attention to the importance of little tests, Pastor Dion. Thank you, Lord, for growing me!

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

I remember this devotion from long ago and it still brings back small tests that made a difference in my life.  Thank you Pastor for the gentle reminder of how something so small can grow in character. God bless you and sister Sylvia.

 

 

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen  praise God 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Maria Melendez
Maria Melendez

Amen...!!!God bless family in Christ !

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Cristy Herzberg
Cristy Herzberg

Amen 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Honesty is a beautiful trait Amen 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for leading us through this life, that our integrity don't be affected by the snares of the enemy, show us the way Lord, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. Thank You Lord. 

Great devotional testimony Pastor, God bless you both, Amen. 

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen!

June 1, 2021
  • 2
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!!! What would we do, what would I have done if it wasn't for the Lord most high, the sweet communion with Him, and the faithful prayers of so many believing and God-fearing brothers and sisters in the Lord! I believe in prayers with all my heart and soul, it so often is the only life line to hold on to and to wait on the Lord! Thank you so much, Pastor!!

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord 

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

June 1, 2021
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen.

June 1, 2021