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Posted by
Dion Todd June 16, 2016 -
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Devotional
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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8 WEB
One night we watched a movie where the people made a sacrifice every day so that the sun would come up. All was well until one day everything went wrong and they failed to make the daily sacrifice. The people were terrified and thought the world was ending. Instead, the next day came and the sun rose in the sky anyway. They learned that the sun just came up, with or without their sacrifice. They had been practicing a ritual and thought that it was making a difference, but it was only a tradition that had been passed down through the generations.
So it can be with us. When I came to the Lord, I read the Bible about eight hours a day, fasted more than I ate, went through Bible College, gave all that I had in the offering plate, but there was still no intimacy in my relationship to God. He was distant and I was trying to earn His love. I knew all about God, I just did not know Him. He loved me the whole time. His love was already there every day while I was busy trying to earn it. I was only ignoring Him while focusing hard on my traditions.
There is certainly nothing wrong with fervently seeking God, and I still do, but remember that He is also seeking you. 'We love Him because He first loved us' (1 John 4:19). 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?' (Luke 15:4).
Relax. Talk to God as you would your best friend and just be yourself. God already loves you today and you will not increase this love by your works. Of course you should try and live right, and faith with out works is dead, but works without the relationship is a waste of your time and resources. If you miss the mark today, God will still love you just as the sun managed to come up without a sacrifice.
Prayer: Oh Lord, please bring a balance into my life and help me to know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and have a relationship with You like Jesus did, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning, family, thank you all for helping out with your participation and feedback at Tuesday''s test service! Our first official live service will be happening this Sunday (Father''s Day) at 11am EST! For some who may be concerned about being seen on video, only Pastor Dion will be on video. Members will have a chat area where they can type comments and prayer requests, and Pastor Dion will respond over the video. We have made some good improvements from the feedback, and hope to see you all there! Please see the event for more info. ALSO, for those who are not aware, the "Spiritually Single" group hosts a "Fast & Pray Friday" event where they fast for pre-believing spouses, but also for other family and loved ones who are not yet part of the body of Christ, or may have backslidden. All are welcome to join. Have a very blessed and peaceful day!
Good morning Dion~
This is a very good devotion. It reminded me of a sermon I heard, 9 of 99, I now get it. I don't have to advertise that God loves me, I just have to walk the talk and everyone will witness His love and my love for Him. I still must carry the message of our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't have to convince anyone any longer.
Amen, Kath!
Thanks for this Devotional Pastor Todd! Simple and Clear, Praise God!
yes i want to have a relationship with you lord thank you for this day amen
Amen!
Amen! Thank you :) Pastor's Prayer: Oh Lord, please bring a balance into my life and help me to know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and have a relationship with You like Jesus did, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Ha that first paragraph--so deep!!!
AMEN! I love this passage that God has planed our good works ahead of time, so I can trust Him with my life. I do need to have a entimante relationship with Him. He knows me so well, I just need to work with Him. All things work together,(Me working together with Him) for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
That's the truth, Twila <3!
Amen! Pastor Dion I have learned to be open and honest in all my conversations with God. If I am feeling anxious, burned out, empty, no matter what I tell Him. If I make a sin of comission or omission I accept full responsibility and I talk to Him as I would talk to my closest friend. He gets me. He knows I will struggle, that I will have errors in judgement. Just telling my Abba Father about it, brings such peace. He is my good good Father and He loves it when I tell him everything, not holding back anything! Then He encourages me to get back on the saddle and ride hard in the race, to the finish line where He waits as a proud Father for His daughter to place a crown upon her head.
Thank you for your reflections. I have struggle to myself asking how can I have a closer relationship with our LORD ALMIGTHY. This gives me an answer. Honesty and openess while having all your conversation with GOD Is so the answer.
Amen!
Agreed, Carol, none of us is perfect, but we are all beautiful in His eyes!
Amen!
Amen Carol. Well said
Amen thank you for your message today Pastor Dion
I have always asked and pray : Please LORD GOD help me to know how to have a relationship with you. Up onto now, I still can not discern how. Help me please in the name of my LORD JESUS CHRIST this I pray. Amen
Father, I pray that you draw close to Deng, that you bless her with a revelation to the deepest part of her heart that she is loved and treasured beyond compare, in the name of Jesus, amen <3.
Lord please help my dear friend know of your presence. Give him the strength to feel your love. In Jesus name I pray. Love...
Lord, I pray that you lift everyone here at RHM up today, grant us your blessings of peace and mercy and help us to fufill your wishes here on the Earth. Guide us, protect us, and help us to achieve your will and be a blessing to others so we may lift them up and raise them to you.
Amen, brother!
Amen
Amen, very uplifting message today, thank you pastor Dion for sharing
when really got serouly God was thirty started reading word really think how change help as got prayer and read word devil no longer could I be decied God had peace over my mind so felt peace my life try care what what family opipn about how mother were what matter what God thought of me at the end of the day.
Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
Praise the Lord..I know You love me so much Father and i Love you more..
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Lord, please bring a balance into my life and help me to know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and have a relationship with You like Jesus did, in His Name I pray. Amen.
Thank you Lord for this message and you Pastor Todd for this devotional message. I really it this today. Keep up the good work Pastor
Amen