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For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:10 WEB.We had scattered pieces all over the table while we worked on assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It was a total mess. This one was mysteriously difficult, for someone had mistakenly... -
God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr...
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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are ...
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The Mechanical Rabbit
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For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind. Ecclesiastes 2:26 WEB
In dog racing, they have a lure called a mechanical rabbit that runs along a rail. At the start of the race, the dogs line up and then chase this rabbit around the track, but no one ever catches it. When the next race comes, the dogs line up again and chase the rabbit. If they were to ever catch it, they would find that it was not nearly as satisfying as they thought.
Many of us line up each day and chase an uncatchable rabbit. Success, money, career, are all well and fine but have to be in balance. God has given His people wisdom, knowledge, and joy and not merely the drudgery of gathering and collecting. If your main focus is on these things, when you finally catch them, then you will be disappointed.
First, delight yourself in the Lord and then He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). Seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness and all of these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Do not fall into the rut of chasing a mechanical rabbit day after day while running past the most important things in your life. When your focus is on the Lord, all these things will be added to you. The things that you desire, will chase you instead of you chasing them.
Prayer: Father, help me to focus on You and grow my relationship. I choose You Lord. Work Your perfect will in my life and give me a clear vision of all that You have for me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
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David and Dianna Wyles
Amen! I was a part of that crowd of mechanical rabbit chasers, always stressed, always running circles, always working for someone elses gain, always feeling worn out! God has given me a measure of grace in this department of my life now. I now spend hours in worship each morning and then a few hours each day in search of that perfect career God has planned for me, one that I will take pleasure and pride in again. Being a preschool teacher use to do it for me but the last few years before I left my job space, I was not feeling like it was my place anymore. God gave me gentle nudges that I flat out ignored... if I had heeded his nudges I would have had so much less strife over leaving. It was time, and I am happier now and learning to put God first again has been the best blessing of all. God has truly blessed me in so many ways since I took that step of faith and trusted God would provide a way for us. He has blessed my marriage, my passions and talents, my provisions, my heart, and much healing has taken place so I no longer look at this world in dispair and hoplessness. I may not have all the finances I need just yet but by the grace of God... it is enough. We may be behind on a few things but we make it and eventually it gets paid. The blessings that have come far out-weigh the stressings that Satan tries to throw my way. I know we are in good hands when we are trusting God for all we need. I know he is blessing us and leading us to our next level of blessings and prosperity in him. Thank you Pastor for all you wonderful reminder to seek God first! It works!
Pastor's Prayer: Father, help me to focus on You and grow my relationship. I choose You Lord. Work Your perfect will in my life and give me a clear vision of all that You have for me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
January 31, 2016
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Elana Phelps
Amen Dianna. My rabbit that I was chasing, was trying to get an abusive husband to change. I thank God for Freedom from abuse. Now I'm learning to live again for God. To God be the glory for all that he has done!
January 31, 2016
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Linda Cella
Amen
January 31, 2016
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Martin Snyder
When I saw the title "The Mechanical Rabbit" it remineded me of something from the early 70's when I first accepted Jesus as my savior. I saw communion by the people who confessed belief with their mouths but their actions told otherwise as a monthly ritual where little mechanical gods were passed out and on the count of three everyone would wind it up and then put it back into storage until the next month when it had to be wound up again.
January 31, 2016
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Brenda Hopkins
what a blessing what a blessing I need to share this I wish people would stop seeking after things and seek after God for he said that the earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof in God we can find everything we need you all have a blessed day
January 31, 2016
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Elana Phelps
Amen!
January 31, 2016
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Cheryl Hepler
This is a great example.... to think we would go so far as to eat thing thing we chase. Yes devour that thing that it becomes a part of us. Now we have completely become that which we have chased & lose ourselves. Lose our soul so to be of worship to this thing. I have those in my life that they talk work, shop ( meaning workshop talk), till unable to relate to family, friends, or more a loss to care of themselves & what it does to them. Soo sad. PS my brother is this & truly blind in his big business world He created. Anger & alcohol have him. Pray for him because in his elder years one can wonder ...will he get it! Your love Lord for him! The last can become first. To continue to not stop prayer whether I will know or not. Abuse unfortunately comes in this picture too. My son reminds me too of same. Another talented person who's Spiritual eyes are not open yet. Blessings Lord of your love to those who have devoured the mechanical Rabbit & can not see it. Question is ..will this Rabbit eat them?
January 31, 2016
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Elana Phelps
Wow, good question. We often seek after obtaining the latest, best gadget. When in the end, moss and rust corrupts it. So many are caught up in this endless race. I will pray for your brother and son. That God will open the eyes of the blind and make their hearts sensitive to Him.
January 31, 2016
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Cheryl Hepler
Thank you Elana! Have not met you as of yet...so welcome to RHM! Blessings to you & yours! Pray you have toured around to all groups to what help you! Cheryl
January 31, 2016
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Christina Ocasio
Such a blessed a word, seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and the desires of our hearts added to us, Lord let us not chase after those things that are not filling to our spirit, but that those things that are needed would chase after us. Thank you Father God for your mercies are new each day, and your grace is sufficient. Amenā¤
January 31, 2016
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Joseph Adams, Jr.
Gracious Father, I thank you this morning for Your Grace, Your Mercy, Your Salvation plan for me and everyone else. I thank You for allowing me to excel in my studies in college, I thank you for loving me in spite of myself, and most of all Father I thank You for being You. Amen.
Pastor Dion, your message this morning is a blessing and it confirms that blessings will chase you. I recently received an email from the college I attend acknowledging my academic achievements and asking me to become a Student Ambassador to newly enrolled students. I had not decided to accept (it's been three days) until this morning's devotion. I thank God for the Word and I thank you for being in place to share it. God bless you and your family in Jesus' Name, Amen.
January 31, 2016
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Gail Selluedited: January 31, 2016
Amen, have worn myself out chasing after someone to love me, carreer, money, etc, all to end up where I started long ago as a child, having a relationship with God. Thank God for Jesus, I now know who loves me and will supply all of my needs! Thank you Lord!
January 31, 2016
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Elana Phelps
Such a wonderful word Pastor Dion!. I just recently had this conversation with my youngest. He wanted to buy a pair of very expensive shoes, with someone's name on it. Why? Because apparently, he was being bullied at school. We talked and prayed about it. In the end, he decided to get a different brand of shoes that he liked. I told him, as well as his Sunday school teacher, that it was more important to please God than others. That it wasn't a good idea to blend in with the bullies in school. Also that it was important for him to make a stand and be himself. Thank you for this word!
January 31, 2016
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Joey Smith
Amen, thank you Pastor Dion for the inspiring words of the Lord on this beautifiul Sunday Morning, it is always a blessing to start the day with words from our Lord and Saviour. Have a blessed and wonderful Sunday.
January 31, 2016
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Dion Todd
Thank you Joey!
January 31, 2016
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Kathy Banfield
This reminds me of when I was 14 and anorexic--I kept thinking, "If only I could get to a certain weight, my life would be perfect.." Well, it didn't work out quite as I thought! Only Jesus can give us what we really need, and if we ask, He will respond!
January 31, 2016
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Carol Pady
Amen! First God and then everything else!
January 31, 2016
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Karen Pasquinelli
Amen!! Put God first.
January 31, 2016
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Valerie King
Amen.
January 31, 2016
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Patricia Walker
Amen!! Such a strong reminder that God is all we need!! He is my Rock, my Saviour, my Companion, my Protector, my Friend, My Everthing!!
January 31, 2016
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Myrna Gonzalez
Amen
January 31, 2016
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Sharon Peterson
Wonderful point. Thank you once again for a clear, refreshing perspective of God's Word. It is always a blessing.
January 31, 2016
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Wesley Paulus
Amen!
January 31, 2016
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Rosemary Marsh
Amen.Father thank you for always being faithful towards us.Even when we have tried to do things on our own.,and we fall short.Thank you Heavenly Father that Jesus came to show us how to live and do your will ,and not how to make a living.Thank you for giving us The Holy Spirit to lead and guide us.Help us to keep on abiding in you,and let your will be done in our lives.In Jesus name I pray.
January 31, 2016
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Schalk de Beer
Yes my Lord Jesus, amen.
January 31, 2016
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Heide Garner
yes I do agree I became mothe to my necies when twenty four then got married hoping get away from mother hood Iwas angery thought God why I,m being punshed just the oppostie God understood my heart to give love those who need mama even if they are not their own so when was being taking taking care of my the boys found out was pregant for most mama this wonder fu news just anther responablity as came out depression and then Audrey was born was lot six months later then went home found myself expecting again was scard hated once again would be alone nineteen months was not what had in mind postrumd came but as went womens conference youth pastor would invit me God show wife mama who later prayer of praying for boy may not been what I got Ihave three precouse blessing and Emily helped me as started talk she mama let,s go outside saw laundry well alright sunshine calling our name as Emily say let,s go see the Ducks I saw dishs that need be done alright maybe they can wait Well as emily seem ed almost potty trained finally Iwas miss have little one at home some how Emily was my jesue made realized house work will always be ther but she was going off to school instead wish time of raising her stated to enjoy what God in mind as scarced my time no longer seemed like job privalge to get see my baby grow my thought on what thought she was baby finally me time hang out with friend with baby chang no longer did think this wish my three was not leave nest make friends.
January 31, 2016
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Linda Rogers
I have been caught in this trap before and it's not where I want to be with my God. Thank you Pastor Dion for this message to remind me to not go to that place again.
January 31, 2016
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Mark Duell
Father, help me to focus on You and grow my relationship. I choose You Lord. Work Your perfect will in my life and give me a clear vision of all that You have for me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen,amen and amen. This is my life long prayer. The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak. Thank you Pastor for the devotional.
February 1, 2016
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Janet Marsh-Lord
Thank you and AMEN.
February 1, 2016
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Colleen Horn
Amen
February 1, 2016
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Lord, Help me to focus on You, and grow closer to You!
February 1, 2016
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Khalilah Horton- Spencer
Good Morning, the scriptures used here are some of my favorites. Be Blessed
February 2, 2016