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    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Outcasts

  • Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. Zephaniah 3:17'19 ESV

    My brother and I went into the garden once again and picked some bell peppers to eat for breakfast. After my dad left for work, my stepmother would put my brother and I outside, and then bring her children in for breakfast. She kept the cereal in a cabinet with a padlock on it so it wouldn't be wasted on us. She had ten children of her own, as well as three stepchildren, of which I was the youngest. Later, when we became old enough to work, she began charging the stepchildren rent to live there.

    We were the outcasts, the unwanted and were constantly reminded that we were nothing and would never amount to anything. Her kids were older than us and felt that we were trying to steal their inheritance, and they despised us. When you are treated as trash for so long, you begin to believe it and expect it. I grew up with baggage that would scare many psychiatrists, but my story does not end there.

    After all of that mess, God sought me out and turned my life around. It turns out that His heart is for the outcasts. God sees your suffering and what you are going through. God will change your shame into praise. When God gets a hold of your life, no one can stop Him and no one can get in His way. The ones that looked down on you will have to look up in awe at what God has done in your life, just like the half-brothers of Joseph looked up to him.

    If you have been an outcast, know that God cares deeply for you. I am amazed how much God cares for the lost, the outcasts, the broken. He will truly leave the ninety-nine behind (Luke 15:4) to seek them out, and when He has found them He rejoices. Know today that if you are down, He will lift you up. When everyone else hates you, He will still love you. When they put you out, He will take you in. When they say that you will be nothing, He will mold you into something. God has a plan for your life. Give it to Him completely and never look back.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your mighty hand on my life. You see the broken and the needy. You rescue the outcasts. Lead me and I will follow You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning! For those who missed this Sunday''s message, "Fasting, a Lost Art of the Church", we encourage you to check out the message by going to the "Watch" page on the site menu (will then be under "Watch Previous Messages"). We would also love to see your feedback on it! ALSO, the group of the week is "Through My Eyes", a private journalling group whose purpose is to become increasingly aware of Jesus and to be reminded of all the wonder that He brings in our lives and focus on seeing more of Him everywhere. FINALLY, the Creation Photographers theme this week is "Hot August Nights", because it''s been, well, hot :)! Have a blessed day and stay cool out there :)!

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26 comments
  • 3
Rosemary Freitas
Rosemary Freitas

Thank you  Pastor  Dion our church takes in the lost, the drunk, the addict,  the prostitute and we just show them lots n lots of love. The come as they are. Your words are so true. God Bless You.

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Christie Smith
Christie Smith

Amen

 

August 16, 2016
  • 4
Christie Smith
Christie Smith

Ty for this scripture.  Although I know this to be true, we sometimes can let the past & lies saturate our minds.  For many years I have had to do battle as a single Mother, being taken advantage of, told I was a loser (my Father) and have had to hold my my own by the Grace of God.  Our Savior is our Rock.  He will put to shame those that are of High Stature and lift up the Poor/less than.  I ask for prayer this week as my daughter and I go out of state to try to make one of these situations Right.  Being Bullied or Manipulated or lied to and to the Courts is NOT ok and I will stand in Righteous & God's word until this is over for my daughter's sake.  We are His prized possession and He is with us Always.  Have an Awesome Day!

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Tracy Carroll
Tracy Carroll

Hi Christie,  saying prayers for you & your daughter. God bless you both  ((hugs))

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

You and daughteer is really a prized possesion of OUR GOD ALIMIGHTY.  Keep the head up and believe, have faith knowing that GOD has you in HIS MIGHTY HANDS and will be with all through this.  Praying for you and your daughtrer.

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Like your attitude & it is in Christ...Praise God you & He are connected!!

August 19, 2016
  • 1
MP Taylor
MP Taylor

Needed this today! Thank you Pastor for sharing God's Word with us.  

August 16, 2016
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord. 

August 16, 2016
  • 2
Johanna Beras
Johanna Beras

Amen!

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

GOD BLESS YOU LORA.  You find peace and love with the OUR LORD GOD for it has been 30 years and she is still your mother in law.  Your have forgiven her and love her more for our LORD GOD sees your heart and your will be blessed and love more by our LORD GOD.

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Lora, I am so sorry for all of the hurt and rejection you have been through. Praying that the Lord blesses you with a deep sense of His love for you and shows you how precious you are in His eyes, always <3!

August 16, 2016
  • 3
Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley

Hallelujah praise the Lord because I feel like an outcast now. But I knowthat God is going to use my mess and trun it into a message.  Lord am all yours use me as you will amen.  Thanks Pastor Todd for this devotion.

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Loriann <3!

August 16, 2016
  • 3
Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio

The heart of God is so amazing! ..AMEN ♡

August 16, 2016
  • 3
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Ah this hit home with me as well/ I too was an outcast. I was alone, no living father, an absent mother and rejected by my siblings because of my ex-husband's lifestyle. I was a proverbial orphan, so to speak. That is another long tale and it is pointless to reiterate. Simply Jesus sook me out and He adopted me into His Father's loving family, which changed my life forever! I found my home in His presence!

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd

Amen, Carol! (((HUGS)))

August 16, 2016
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

MY LORD GOD I pray that please help me to get out of this pit where I am.  The enemy (devil) is trying his best to pull me in, so please MY LORD GOD hold me in thy hands tightly and please help me to get out of this pit where I am now.  I believe and have faith FATHER ALMIGHTY that you have me and my son in your MIGHTY HANDS and you will get us out and bring us through all of this.  In the name of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST this I pray.  Amen

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Thank you for another great devotional God Bless u all

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez

Amen

August 16, 2016
  • 2
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝edited: August 16, 2016

Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-) I am and always was an outcast with my three sister's. I always had such a deep love for them all but last summer let me see the clear picture. With all that i'm going threw it gave me a deep dark depression that I can't shake. My dear sweet husband and daughter hurt too for me and what they did. I cry almost everyday. When I open my eyes in the morning the first thing I pray for is that I have a good day and leave the depression behind. I claim your prayer over me in the name of Jesus, Amen. <3

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your mighty hand on my life. You see the broken and the needy. You rescue the outcasts. Lead me and I will follow You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Thank You, Jesus and I Love You!! <3

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke

EAmen, thank you pastor Todd for this wonderful devotion and testimony, it touch my heart . 

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield

Another great devotional that spoke to me today--Thank you, Pastor Dion!

August 16, 2016
  • 1
Heidi Chiandussi
Heidi Chiandussi

Dear Pastor Dion. ...i thank you for your daily messages!

August 17, 2016
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you Pastor Todd!  Father, I thank You for Your mighty hand on my life. You see the broken and the needy. You rescue the outcasts. Lead me and I will follow You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

August 17, 2016
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Blessings Dion in wheel barrels full!!!  Long ago I read the boy called It.  Series it was.  He truly became someone to God & to himself.   Love these two verses...brings it home.  What a God...what a Lord & Savior!!

August 19, 2016
  • 1
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh

Amen.Thank you Father for accepting me into your family,and rescuing me ,and restoring me with your Love Grace  and Mercy. Lord help me see others as you see them,to Love them unconditionally,and not to judge or condem them,as much as they may hurt us.To reach out to them with love from the heart.In the Name of JesusI pray. 

August 20, 2016