Feel Like a Number
Posted by Dion Todd June 5th, 2024 1,302 Views 29 Comments
Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James, and he surnamed them Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder; Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Mark 3:16β19 WEB.
Jesus and the disciples had to have been tired after traveling all day when they finally came to a town. But the people of that city would not welcome their group, and they had to travel on to the next town. James and his brother John wanted to call down fire from heaven and burn the city to the ground for rejecting them. But Jesus calmed them down, and they traveled to the next village instead (Luke 9:54).
When Jesus called the Apostles, He saw more in them than the simple fishermen. He named James and John "Boanerges." Which means: "Sons of Thunder." He knew they were a hot-tempered pair. Simon, He nicknamed "Peter," meaning "The Rock." Peter had great faith, and as far as I know, he was the only Apostle to walk on water (Matthew 14:29). Jesus knew them well. He knew their real name.
When I first started attending church, I felt like I was on the outside. I believed that God knew the pastor and the elders well, but I doubted He knew or cared much about me. I felt pretty insignificant. Oh yes, they talked about God's love, but I hadn't seen much of that in my upbringing. My mom divorced nine times, and I saw a lot of hate, profanity, and bitterness.
I learned more and began to seek God by praying, fasting, and listening to His Word. Then His presence began to show up in my workplace and invade my everyday life. Sometimes, I could speak a few words to someone, and they would begin to weep or shake under conviction. Soon, I had my own testimonies to share, and I started to lead people to the Lord. When I came to church, I sometimes brought a row of new people with me.
The real turning point in my relationship with God was when I realized that I wasn't just a number. He knew my name. He actually knew and loved me personally, and not only in the "God so loved the world" universal kind of way. It was not that I was special. It was more that I welcomed Him, wanted Him, and spent time with Him. I was willing to look like a fool for His sake.
You shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 WEB).
We are each unique in our own way. God made each of us as individuals, and there is no one on earth just like us. He also understands why we are the way that we are.
Know today that you are not a number. There is not another person on earth like you. You are unique, and God formed you with all of the traits and characteristics you have. You are not an accident, for you have a name that God Almighty knows. You are not just a number.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for today. Please help me come to know You more. Let me know that You genuinely care in more than words. Fill my environment with Your presence and change my surroundings. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: βDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.β (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ 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
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Bella Colliander commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Thank you Father for blessing me with another day to get to know you better. Help me find a small "real" spirit filled church. AmenποΈ
Cathy Webb
3 months ago
Praying with you for God's direction to His body of believers in the desert, Bella πβ€οΈ
Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
God help me feel close to you. I ask you why each day so forgive me Amen
Harold Edwards commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
I love all of our devotional readings here. They are not one of your cookie-cutting readings. Every one of your devotionals Pastor resonates with me in more ways than one. They are anointed because they are real-life experiences that transpired in your life and Sis. Sylvia's. Your life reminds me of how the Lord brought me; I can relate to many of these testimonies. For the past eleven years now, I've been reading the devotionals; thank God for my awesome Sister in Christ Stacie Chambers who began sending them to me then. This ministry has been such a powerful blessing to me and to my walk. Keep'em coming :-); Love you both with the love of our Savior, Lord and soon coming King.
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 months ago
Amen and Amen, brother Harold, they are truly anointed and I thank the Lord for Pastor Dion and sister Sylvia and the entire RH Ministry and church family!!! Even though I cannot be online every day, RHM has become my daily bread to feed me and nourish me, to lift me up when I'm down and distraught, and so much more!!! God bless you and your entire family! π
Sylvia Todd
3 months ago
Thank you so much, brother! i didn't know you were here because of Stacie :) - we have not heard from her for a while - hope she is well! God bless, brother π!
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen and Amen, Pastor, and so very true!!! In this world we are really just a number, as soon as a little baby is born there already is a Social Security for that little one!!! BUT, with our Lord and God, our loving Heavenly Father, whose arm brought salvation onto us, our Creator who formed us in our mother's womb and who knows every hair on our heads, it is different!!! HE looks at the heart, like HE looked at the heart of David, and when we come to a point in our lives that brings us to our knees and we look up, and search for Him and seek Him with all of our hearts and souls as I did many many years ago (Jeremiah 29:13) we truly find Him, have a relationship with Him and feel His love!!! πβ€οΈπ
Mike Martin commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
I enjoy all the daily devotionals , I think about them all day.
Theresa Bright commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen ππ» Thank you Lord for loving me the way I am. Lord bless Scott with health and happiness, please touch him with your healing hands. In Jesus name I pray. Amen Thank you Lord Jesus.
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for today. Please help me come to know You more. Let me know that You genuinely care in more than words. Fill my environment with Your presence and change my surroundings. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! β€οΈπ€π»
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for today. Please help me come to know You more. Let me know that You genuinely care in more than words. Fill my environment with Your presence and change my surroundings. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen!! π ππβ€οΈ
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen Thank You Father For Everything That You Do For Me And My Family And Friends.Good Morning Everyone π
Cathy Webb commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Lead me, Lord, into the things that You have prepared for this day. Thank you. Amen
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen and Amen. I totally agree with our Brother Harold Edwards. Thank you Harold, very well said. God Bless everyone today. Love in Jesus
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Thank you Father for our relationship together, Amen!
Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Feel Like a Number
3 months ago
Amen, thank you Jesus