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Posted by Dion Todd September 15th, 2024 1,218 Views 32 Comments
Which commandment is the greatest of all? Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:28–31 WEB.
When they asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, He told them: "Love God, and Love others." This is first and foremost, but after that, be yourself. Some of the most remarkable people I know are uniquely themselves. They try to be no one else and resist trying to fit into a Christian template someone else formed in their minds. Love God, love others, and be who He created you to be.
God created you with your personality, characteristics, skills, likes, dislikes, wants, and desires. Some people like macaroni and cheese, and some don't. I do. God crafted you with His loving hands to be who you are. You are not a mistake. So don't throw away your uniqueness by trying to be like someone else. You can be a mediocre imitation of them or a wonderful you.
I love electronics and gadgets. I also love the word of God and the stories in the Bible. I have always wanted to bring them together. When I was young, I wanted to go into ministry. But when I tried to follow the typical path, I was like a fish out of water, and I found every door closed. I didn't seem to belong in that type of ministry.
Most of the people I went to bible college with were proud not to own a computer. They were considered taboo then, the devil's dark playground. During this era in the South, many people associated computers with the mark of the beast and the direct work of satan. They couldn't see how it could ever be used for good. I tried to give our pastor one I built, but he said something like: "I've heard bad things about those machines."
The religious people I knew made me feel ashamed of owning one, so I kept my garage full of computer parts a dark secret. At night, I quietly worked on things like creating a digital mp3 version of an audio bible to listen to because my cassette tapes kept getting eaten. Soon I had the Bible in digital form, looping from Genesis to Revelation on a computer in my workshop around the clock. Anytime I walked in, there was a different book from the Bible playing.
The Lord made me the opposite of a technophobe, intentionally and for a purpose. My desk is commonly covered with broken computers. Macs, Linux, Windows, I use all three every day to do what we do here. Accompanied by Virtual machines, iPads, Androids, Chrome books, XU4s, and a Raspberry Pi or two. When my wife Sylvia sees the side of my computer open with a few extra hard drives hanging out of it, she thinks nothing of it. That is my comfort zone.
When the Lord finally pushed us into ministry, it was through an online church running on computers, which fits who we are. I am no longer a fish out of the water, and my peers would feel out of place if they were forced to be me. We are all created differently to fulfill a purpose that others cannot. So be yourself, and if you are not, it's never too late to get started.
No matter what you have done in the past, you can be forgiven. No matter how badly you have broken it, it can be repaired. No matter how far away you have drifted, the Lord is waiting for your return. God loves you, and He still has a plan and a purpose for your life. So don't look down on yourself because you don't seem to fit inside a mold that someone else created. Their clothes were never meant for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please lead me into all that You have for me. Help me find the place where I belong. Put Your desires in my heart, guide me, speak to me, and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Happy Sunday! For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EDT. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, 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.
I absolutely love this message. It makes me feel great about who I am. I know I am a sinner but I also know God has forgave me. I have came so far from the cocky young man I was. I have been humbled. Today as I have formed a great relationship with God and Jesus I am very proud of who I am. There is always room for improvement. I guess what I am saying is I am me and wouldn't want it any other way. Thank you Father for the guidance and making me a better man every day Amen ❤️
AMEN, Pastor!!! I love the title of this message, makes me think of "be true to thyself" and Psalm 139:14 "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made . . ."!! So very thankful to be able to be a member of RHM and to attend today's Sunday's service, it felt as if my inner being, my heart was burning, and I'm so encouraged to go on in whatever the Lord, my Lord, has in store for me as He directs my path!! Thank you so much, may the Lord bless you and Sylvia abundantly, keep you safe and meet all of your needs, in the name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!!! 🙏
Comment from Dan Remley
1 month ago
I agree Liesel. RHM is such a blessing from God. ❤️
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please lead me into all that You have for me. Help me find the place where I belong. Put Your desires in my heart, guide me, speak to me, and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Thanks Pastor for sharing! I, too have a Chromebook that was given to me in January 2022. I really like it. I do like books, paper back and hard back. I do have the Bible which is the most important. Having this Chromebook has helped me grow in my relationship with God and has helped me to witness to others! That growth has led me to be stronger and be an example to others. One of my best friends here said I am the strongest Christian she has known.
Heavenly Father, please lead me into all that You have for me. Help me find the place where I belong. Put Your desires in my heart, guide me, speak to me, and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Awesome devotion today! Thank you so much for always taking time out of your busy day to write these, they are always great and always on time for what we need!
Thank you this. I never feel I belong anywhere among humans. And my differences in thinking from other Christians have been bothering me of late. This was an answer to an unspoken prayer and when I prayed at the end of reading it I heard that "You see things others don't, I made you that way." I feel so much better, PTL!
Heavenly Father, Please guide me to where I belong. Heat my heart with a burning desire for Your word and let me hear Your voice and obey. Thank you for never leaving me and for You precious mercies and never ending love. In Jesus name, Amen!!🕊️💖
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
1 month ago
AMEN, Bella! 🙏❤️🤗
Comment from Lynn Brown
1 month ago
Amen, Dan!🧡