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    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Fork In The Road

  • You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says Yahweh, and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says Yahweh; and I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:13 WEB

    Israel was on a slow downward spiral of backsliding and began worshipping other gods like asheroth, baal, and chemosh when given the chance. Under Davids rule, they were one nation, united under God Almighty. Then Solomon was led astray by his (seven hundred) foreign wives and by the time Davids grandson Rehoboam became king, the nation was split into two pieces. The ten tribes that split off were called Israel, and the two that remained were called Judah.

    Israel immediately set up altars to worship calves (1Kings 12:32) and were soon overrun and carried off into exile by Assyria (2 Kings 18:1). Judah followed God a while longer, but when king Rehoboam became strong (2 Chr. 12:1), they forsook the Lord as well and were then carried off into exile by Babylon.

    Judah and Israel was both sent into exile because they ignored the word that God had sent them repeatedly by His prophets, and they continued to worship other gods. Countries soon invaded and carried off the wealth of the land and most of the people. After all of that, and all of the warnings, when the people humbled themselves and sought His face once again, God restored them, and as one nation.

    There is always a fork in the road. In life, there are two paths, one leads to destruction and the other to eternal life. We all have to choose. Sin has consequences, and being saved does not automatically give you an escape from your actions. Paul wrote: Dont be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7).

    Sometimes we ignore the will and word of the Lord for us and intentionally go the other way knowing full well what we are doing, then consequences come as a direct result of it. I speak from personal experience. Jesus Himself said: Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and dont do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46).

    Still, God is a redeeming God and He will bring you back and restore what has been taken away when we change our course and return to Him. When you ask, you will be forgiven. Actively seek God, build that relationship and learn to listen when He is speaking. Include Him in your decisions and invite Him to be a part of your day. You can be certain that you will not find Him if you are not looking for Him.

    Prayer: Father forgive me of my shortcomings and draw my heart to You in a deeper way. Let me come to live in the fullness of Your goodness. Guide me Lord, and I will follow. Teach me, and I will learn. Send me, and I will go. In the name of Jesus I pray.

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37 comments
  • 3
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Yes Lord, in Jesus name I pray it, amen. 
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell Hey Dion, You are so on time with this word. Last night at Ignite Church in Myrtle Beach we had a healling service. God gave me the same message from Matthew 13:14&15. John the Baptist said show fruits of repentance, or in other words, show that you have repented by your actions. What a great word!
August 22, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 22, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Thank you Pastor Todd for the message & Prayer. Lord here am I, Bless me,  use me, & send me to be a Blessing to someone in Jesus Name I Pray
August 22, 2015
  • 2
Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen
August 22, 2015
  • 2
Judy  Driggers
Judy Driggers God is speaking! Amen!
August 22, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 22, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Anita McKinney
Anita McKinney Thank you for all your time and effort. I have a question. Someone once told me once saved always saved no matter what. I understand that today's devotional is from old testament, but in the new testament, we are covered by the blood of Jesus when we ask Him into our hearts and believe that He died for our sins. If we do this and really believe this, but turn from Him for whatever reason, and do not return to seeking Him, are we still saved? I myself accepted Him when I was 12 but the world kinda took over. I have since returned to the fold, but there are some close to me that hasn't and I am concerned for them. I asked a preacher once and he said yes because God is constantly tugging at your heart. I am still confused by his answer. If the person continues to live in worldy flesh ways, how can that person go to heaven?
August 22, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Hi Anita! Dion has an in-depth teaching about that subject here: http://www.refreshinghope.org/blogs/1/320/once-saved-always-saved. If that link doesn't work, you can just go to the "Teachings" link on the menu :).
August 22, 2015
  • 1
Anita McKinney
Anita McKinney Thank you Sylvia for the link. I just finished ished reading it. Very informative and gave me the answers I seek. I have a friend that is wiccan now. She was raised in church and had been baptized. I think the seed is still there and I pray for her and her family  to turn back to the Lord. However, I think it is going to take a major miracle for it to happen. I ask y'all to pray for her and her family's salvation. She has moved so she is no longer " seeing" our faith in action. I recently read something about separating oneself from people whose belief is different, so as not to be pulled into their beliefs. I also think that her move was God's way of physically removing her from my everyday life. So another question arises..if we remove ourselves from sinners, how can we tell them about Jesus and how can they see Jesus work in our lives?
August 22, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Anita, I think your last question answers all of that. How indeed CAN we tell anyone from Jesus if we separate ourselves from them. From the example of Jesus himself, He certainly did not do that. On the contrary, He waded right in with them. The people who didn't like that were the Pharisees!
August 22, 2015
  • 2
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Keep praying for them Anita.  I made my 2 children go to church with me til they were 18 and after that they strayed.  However, I kept praying for them and they are now devoted to following Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...PRAISE GOD!!  There are passages in the Bible that speak about those that stray away.  Do what Sylvia said, I am sure you will find them there...God Bless
August 22, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Praise God, Karen, that's wonderful about your children!
August 22, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Thank you Sylvia.  It proves God answers all prayers maybe not in our timing but in his.  There are stories as to how they both found God again but too long to go into.
August 23, 2015
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Pastor dion, God has so gifted you to explain His word to the world, and used every bit of your walk with Chrise to help others, He never waste anything. The verses that came to my mind while reading this was Psalm 139: 23-24, Search me O GOD and know my heart today, try me O savior and know my anxious thoughts, see if there be any hurtful way in me , and lead me in Your everlasting way.
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! It is not easy to stay on the right path. If we continue to seek Him we find Him. He never leaves us and is always there to forgive and teach us the error of our ways. His love for us never ends!
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Angela Flowers-Jones
Angela Flowers-Jones Amen!!! Remembering when we mess up . Its ok to push the restart button or make a u turn back to God . God loves that!!!! 
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen to this message  some time life worries throw us off course with God because there is so much distraction around us.
August 22, 2015
  • 4
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield This is the best description I've ever read  of how Isreal and Judah came to be! This would be very helpful to read before starting to read the Old Testament.I wonder if most people have difficulty reading the Bible because the events are not presented in chronological order, although I have seen some Bible that are written as such. I'm presently reading Ezekeil now, and oh that poor man! Imagine having to lie on your left side for over a year! As I recover from my stomach surgery and the expected aches and pains bother me, I think about Jeramiah, Ezekeil, Isaiah, and Daniel--they willingly accepted God's orders and never compalined! One note of praise: Maybe God used my surgery to reach out to my ex husband. Bob, (who once referred to himself as Hades) is going to church with me tomorrow! Now if that isn't a miracle, I don't know what is! Hey, if God wants to use me to get to my ex husband, I'd be willing to lie on my side for a year, too! Praise our Lord!
August 22, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member God bless you Kathy, I am so happy he is going to church with you. Praise The Lord for all the good things He is doing and going to do. Love and prayers to you, from Tamara
August 22, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Shelby Casey
Shelby Caseyedited: August 22, 2015 Thank you Lord for your word. Help us to remain faithful as you were and are faithful to your people. We thank you even if we have to face the consequences of our sin grace doesn't let sin have the final word.
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Kealtis &quot;Key&quot; Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Father God, I pray that I'm finding you, because I am searching You with all my heart and soul.  I pray that Your will be done, and no longer mine.  I give my will back to You in exchange for Your will and Yours only.
August 22, 2015
  • 4
Randy Dodge
Randy Dodge Amen!!!! In every realm physical, emotional and spiritual. Sadly as a physical therapist assistant doing home health I often see the consequences of decades of poor nutritional habits and lack of exercise which leads to chronic diseases which are seldom reversable...but God does step in frequently to bring forth healing other times the body is too far gone. 
August 22, 2015
  • 3
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bibleedited: August 22, 2015 This makes me think of Romans 7:15 (NIV)  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. *sigh* I should understand consequences by now.
August 22, 2015
  • 2
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli When I read this I thought of the USA and what the Government is doing to remove God.
August 22, 2015
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!
August 22, 2015
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you guys so much for those awesome words from our Lord! It has filled my heart with hope and right now hope is what I really needed! Thanx again Gods Blessings.
August 22, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Jesus, may I follow in Your footsteps, may I allow You to lead me where You would have me to go. 
August 22, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Let God Be God!
August 23, 2015
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen
August 23, 2015
  • 1
Kate Bergin
Kate Bergin The fork in the road is an interesting choice for naming this teaching, Pastor. As my children were about to enter the world of junior & high school, I gave them each a brief sermon that was based on the fork. And the longer you follow (if you do,) the wrong way, how it takes to get back to the 'right' road. True in life, but with God we can just stop and shout out  for His forgiveness, yet we still have to make our way back across the divide. Easier for some than others. Your writing caused me to reflect on how I may look at each day or situation as such and choose more carefully. with God's Word as my guidepos, Amen.
August 23, 2015
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you Pastor, for the great message!
August 23, 2015
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Good & true...a Truly want His will not mine..
August 24, 2015
  • 1
Jeanie  Fleming
Jeanie Fleming Pastor Todd:  Want you to know that I share your lessons with my extended family and read one of your lessons to them when we meet each Sunday.  Many blessings to you and thank you for your work for our Lord and Savior.
August 26, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Jeanie! I am glad that you can relate to them. 
August 26, 2015
  • 1
Tyler Velau
Tyler Velau I have a question: How exactly do you search for something you're not sure how to find? What tools can I use to help me in my search? What does it truly mean to search for the Lord? Once you find Him, what comes next? 
August 29, 2015
  • 1
Rose Theuret
Rose Theuret Amen  
September 13, 2015