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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 a hot day in the summer and I was helping an elder at our church fix the roof on his house. At noon, we went to the hardware store for more supplies and a neighbor's boy about four years old rode along with us. While we gathered what we needed, the boy imitated us and picked up a tiny pack of nails without us noticing. We paid the bill and drove back to the house, not knowing that the little boy had walked out with his own pack of nails that no one had paid for.

    When we arrived at the house, the elder saw that small pack of nails the boy had in his hand and in a near panic said, 'Oh God, we didn't pay for those!' So we jumped back in the truck and drove the five miles back to the hardware store to return that fifty cent pack of nails. It was not the nails that worried him. After walking with the Lord for decades, he recognized immediately that his character was being tested, and he would not compromise his character over a fifty cent pack of nails.

    One night at church, everyone was praying for the Pastor's wife who had stomach cancer. When this elder reached out to pray for her, something that looked like static electricity shot out of his hands, and she was instantly healed. The cancer left her body and never returned. 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 character or faithfulness. Often in life you will be tested to see what you are really made of, like someone giving you too much change back at a cash register. Do not trade your integrity for a shortcut. Turn the test into a testimony and don't fall for the trap. Who you are when no one is looking, is who you really are.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. 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.

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26 comments
  • 3
Mark Duell
Mark Duell

Amen.

July 30, 2016
  • 3
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome

thank  you  father  for  the  tests  they  help  me  to  see who  i  really  am   thank you father  amen

July 30, 2016
  • 3
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.  Thank you Father in Heaven for keeping me in check ALWAYS.  Amen!!

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Agreed, Marisa <3!

July 30, 2016
  • 2
Myrna Gonzalez
Myrna Gonzalez

Amen,Pastor Dion.I pray that we all put on the armour of God in these  times more then ever,because the election is getting out of control n that it doesn't lead to Obama declaring an end to the elections n decrees a martial law.We must stand firm in prayer now more then ever in Yahshua's name i.pray.Shalom Yahweh bless u all.

July 30, 2016
  • 3
Gloria Nebarez
Gloria Nebarez

Fill me with your spirit Lord,  so I may always make the right decisions.  Thank you,  Jesus! 

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Gloria, I join in this as well!

July 30, 2016
  • 4
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt

I do believe when I make the right decision, that God sees my heart and will bless me more than what I can imagine. I know that the Holy Spirit guides us so we can make right decisions.

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Twila <3!

July 30, 2016
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

There is no better feeling than doing what is right.

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Fraser Keys
Fraser Keys

Amen thank you for your message today Pastor Dion!

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Audry Reddy
Audry Reddy

Amen!

 

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Linda Cella
Linda Cella

Amen

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio

Amen ♡

July 30, 2016
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

That is so beautiful to return a pack of nail driving back for five miles.  It does bring back some memories when we just just do not mind if something in our grocery bag is not being paid off.  I learn my lesson from this.  Be honest and it is who you really are when no one is looking. FATHER ALMIGHTY PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR ALL OF THIS . HELP ME TO WALK WITH INTEGRITY AND NOT TO TRADE IT FOR A SHORTCUT IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST I PRAY  AMEN

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Rebecca Adkins
Rebecca Adkins

AMEN

 

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez

Amen

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Michael Nazaryk
Michael Nazaryk

Amen yes we are tested everyday give all glory to God and he will never leave you 

July 30, 2016
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

Amen! Thank you for the devotion Pastor Dion. Reminds me of my daughter with a pack of gum when she was 2 or 3. We went back in and I made her give it to the lady and tell her she was sorry. Rally I don't think she knew that she did wrong. I wanted to let her know that it was wrong. She never took anything again. Amen!

July 31, 2016
  • 1
Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke

Amen. Integrity pays a good prize, Lord lead us all in your own way . 

July 31, 2016
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you Pastor Todd!   Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. 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.

July 31, 2016
  • 2
Julie Schneider
Julie Schneider

Thank you Dion! This is wonderful!  If we could just keep that faith of a child.  I sang that song when i sent through a test....I thought i was singing it in my head until i notices the tech staring at me! It is a comforting song from childhood!

July 31, 2016
  • 1
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles

Prayer: Father, I thank You for bringing me this far. 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! Fill me and guide me! Restore my spirit to one pleasing you!

July 31, 2016
  • 1
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh

Amen.Thank you PastorDion,for the Devotion of today and the prayer.Father I need you in my life every day and in every way.To lead and guide me in all that I do.Help me to always be alert to all that goes on and deliver me from all the works of the evil one.In The name of Jesus Christ I pray.

July 31, 2016
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese

Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!

August 1, 2016