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  • 20 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said...
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    Posted by Dion Todd
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  • May 28
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far f...
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  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
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Repentance

  • Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't repent. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.' Matthew 11:20 WEB

    When John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus, he brought a message of repentance. Then when Jesus came, He healed the sick, raised the dead, sought out the lost, and preached repentance. Repentance is changing your ways, a change in your mind, a change in your actions. It is changing your life to line up with God's plan for it.

    When the people heard Peter preach after Jesus ascended, they asked what they needed to do: 'Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:37'38).

    In the book of Revelation, Jesus said: 'As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent' (Revelation 3:19).

    That is what the cross brings, a crossroads in our lives. Jesus said to all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me' (Luke 9:23).

    Repentance involves saying: "I am sorry for that". Though it is not a popular subject today, it is the number one way to take a load off of your shoulders and make things right with God. Simple, but yet difficult because our very nature wants to hide our mistakes, just as the Pharisees. Jesus told them:

    'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness' (Matthew 23:27).

    When you mess up, tell the Lord that you are sorry, and try to do better next time. Forgiveness is there when we ask for it. Keep a short list. In doing so you completely disable the enemy, who is already preparing to use this information against you anyway.

    Prayer: Father I thank You for all that You do for me. Forgive me of the things that I have done and said wrong, wash me and I will be clean. Teach me, and I will understand better. I want more of You in my life Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Happy Monday! The highlighted group of the week is "What''s For Dinner?": This group is a forum for recipes and ideas that are family friendly and the budget conscious as we share some of our family favorites and new recipes that are often requested. We have envisioned this group as something like gathering around the hearth with good friends to talk about food, family and life! If you are interested, you can find "What''s For Dinner?" under the "Groups" link on the site menu. Have a blessed day!

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36 comments
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen. 
December 14, 2015
  • 3
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wylesedited: December 14, 2015 It seems human nature is to hide from our mistakes... very to statement! "  Forgiveness is there when we ask for it. Keep a short list. In doing so you completely disable the enemy, who is already preparing to use this information against you anyway." I really need to remember this! Sometimes I think it's hardest to forgive myself! Even when I feel wronged, I am really angry at myself for not having the proper words to defend myself in a Godly fashion. I feel like I just hand the enemy amunition to use against me half the time! I need to work on these areas! Thank you Pastor for much food for thought today :) Hope you're enjoying this Cali weather... should be nicer for a few days now :)   Pastor's Prayer: Father I thank You for all that You do for me. Forgive me of the things that I have done and said wrong, wash me and I will be clean. Teach me, and I will understand better. I want more of You in my life Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. AMEN!
December 14, 2015
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell One thing I have learned in life is that I can never change what has already happened. I need to learn from it and try not to repeat the same mistakes over and over. If I can do that, then forgiving my self is some what easier.
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, Jim, wonderfully said, thank you so much for sharing, because many times I have faced things that I have felt that I wasn't wrong at, but inside I still felt like it was my fault and I would find it very hard to forgive myself and let go, because Jesus knew the very depths of my heart all the time. He loves us so much and that I am so very very thankful for.
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, may we all want to have this prayer upon our lives, that we will ask for forgiveness when have done wrong, but also that we can forgive ourselves when we think we are at fault, but Jesus knows our hearts and He knows it is the hardest thing for us to forgive ourselves of things that we shouldn't be worrying about at all. Always know Jesus knows our hearts, even when we feel like we have failed, He knows what is deep down inside and He is always right there to hold us up and give us the hope, joy and peace that we need within ourselves. 
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman Your prayers are always just what I need to hear.  Thank you Pastor:)
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 3
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell Repentance, what a simple word, why is it so hard for people to understand? God sees everything, the Bible says nothing is hidden, let the light shine on us Lord!
December 14, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 3
Susan P
Susan Pedited: December 14, 2015 Thank you Lord, that you don't discipline your children out of anger, but out of the great love you have for us. We don't have to hide in fear, but we can come boldly before the throne of grace for forgiveness.
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen, thank You Jesus for Your Grace of forgiveness.
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Norman Glaze Sr
Norman Glaze Sr O Wonderful Lord Jesus. Thank You for Your Cleansing Blood My God and Savior!
December 14, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Tryphena Barnes
Tryphena Barnes Powerful!!! and very encouraging. Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holyghost!!!
December 14, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Deborah (Deb) Harrington
Deborah (Deb) Harrington Amen!
December 14, 2015
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
December 14, 2015
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady There is nothing as important as repentance.  We must seek it daily. Whether we did or said o thought something wrong or we failed to do something right. There is never a day without some degree of failure on our part. Thank God for His provision of daily forgiveness! 
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli You are so right Carol.  
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen, Thank You Jesus for Your forgiving love and for the Grace that You give each of us daily.
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!  I am always asking for forgiveness. In life there can be a bad thought, or say something bad out of frustration, whatever it may be, we just need to repent.
December 14, 2015
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I thank God that He gave me the choice to repent of all my sin's and has forgiven me all my sin's. I love that He wants a relationship with me and wants me to diologe with Him when I fail to act the way I should as a Christian. He reafirms to me that He has forgiven me all of my sin's and remembers them no more. What assurance this is to me and makes me want to serve a God that loves me that much. Christ died once for all for my sin's and lives now to have a awesome relationship with me, it is my choice to except both of these. I pray that I will lissen to His voice and obey it
December 14, 2015
  • 2
Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan I've fallen here keep hum doing it!! I shall be taught! Hid the Bes Teach one thing He for gives takes Us back too teach some more!! I'm learnrning the Hard way and with out a doubt- the Power of Forgiveness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member God bless you.
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank you so much for sharing this amazind devotion and prayer today. It truly blessed me beyond words. Love and prayers to you and Sylvia. 
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Tammy. Hope you and Roy are doing well there!
December 14, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member We are doing pretty good, had some more sickness in our family, but Jesus is bringing us through it all. We miss y'all so much, but I am so happy y'all are having an awesome time. Please tell Syvlia I said hello and I love her and miss her. Love y'all so much and miss y'all bunches, can't wait until y'all are back in the beautiful state of South Carolina. Love and Hugs.
December 14, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I think this is why the 12-Step Programs for addictions work so well; people are expected to make amends to those they have "wronged." I'm Catholic, and when I mess up, I have to do "penance", one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic church. We must remember that we do have a forgiving God, and He wants us to repent!
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen
December 14, 2015
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Iris Parlin
Iris Parlin Amen
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen  
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord  Thank you Pastor Dion for this message on repentance. So important and yet so hard to do at times... I loved the prayer. Thank you and may God bless you and Sylvia heaps...
December 14, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Father forgive me, for I have sinned.  Help me to walk upright before You.
December 15, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.I surrender all to you Lord,search my heart O Lord,an d cleans me for all things I have said or done wrong..Help me Lord to correct my wrong attertuides. Which I confess I sometimes struggle with .In Jesus name I prayer.With thanks giving in my heart I know I can come to you the way I am.,knowing you love me unconditionally .
December 15, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander More & More of Jesus is what I desire
December 15, 2015