Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd January 26th, 2025 993 Views 24 Comments
Yahweh appeared of old to me, saying, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 WEB.
"Just as I am without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me..." I remember standing in a Baptist church, a kid about six years old, as they sang this hymn. When they did an altar call, several people went forward, and I went along with them. But they all told me to go sit back down because they thought I was too young to be saved. I wasn't the first child to be turned away by the Lord's followers, but He told them to stop doing that a long time ago (Matthew 19:13-14).
I so wanted to be saved, but I didn't qualify. I still remember it vividly over forty years later. Maybe I was too young for them, but the Lord didn't seem to think so because He followed me home that night. He began to work in my life and prepare me for a future that I didn't even see. I didn't think I was saved until many years later. Yet, when looking back, I can see His hand on my life even way back then.
When I was around twelve years old, I was surrounded by bad influences. Right before school got out that summer, a preacher came to our home one Sunday afternoon. I had worked for his son in the tobacco fields the previous year, and he liked me. The preacher had an odd request. He lived on a farm about forty minutes away, and he wanted me to come and stay with his family for the summer to help them gather their tobacco. Crazy enough, my dad was ok with it, and away I went.
I spent the next two summers with the preacher and his family, and we worked in the tobacco fields together. It was hard work. We would be up every morning before sunrise to pick up the hands, fuel the tractor, and gather the supplies for the day. Then crop tobacco all day and still be checking the heat in barns at eleven that night. Also, where my family rarely went to church, I was now in church every week.
The Lord began to draw my heart. Jesus wanted a relationship with me personally. He has never been judgmental but always accepted me just like I was. I didn't have to become someone else. He sought me out, "Just as I am." He set me apart and put the right people in my life. No matter how many times I fell, He always had a plan for me, and He would pick me back up.
Today I can tell you that you don't have to be accepted by anyone on Earth. You don't have to change to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, though we all change after we meet Him. You don't have to clean yourself up first, for if you could have, you already would have.
You don't have to change the impossible to get started. You can do it with the Lord's help. Talk to Him today in prayer like you would a dear friend. Share your day with Him, and ask Him for wisdom when you are making decisions. I can tell you today that the Lord wants a relationship with you right now, right where you are, whether you are eight or eighty.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to know You better. Please stir me up, Lord, and give me Your zeal. Restore my strength. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Happy Sunday! For those who would like to join us, today we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of interactive worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! The service starts at 10am EST. Here is the link to join: RHM Live. As always, 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.
Post from Bella Colliander
2 days ago
Here I am at 2 in the morning crying, wanting our Lord to forgive me for wasting so much of my life. I am in the last season of my life and I wish so that I would have lived all my seasons doing the will of our Father and getting to feel how much He loves us, no matter what. Thank you Father for listening to my heart. Amen!💖🕊️
Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for Who You are, for What you are, for what You do and for what You have done because You laid down Your Perfect Life on the Cross and shed Your Precious Blood to cleanse us all white as snow of our sin. Lord, I give you thanks and praise. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Pastor's Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to know You better. Please stir me up, Lord, and give me Your zeal. Restore my strength. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
There is always time for renewal, restoration, refreshment, and revival!!!
I am so glad God started allowing me to recognize callings from Him! It all started back in 2011/2012 when I was in 2 nursing home/rehab facilities. and now here I am in 2025 in a large assisted living facility. Somehow, I feel God is calling me to get away from here so I can recognize more of his callings. I feel hindered here. However, I can't give up. I will keep on praying. Philip and I are engaged, The weather is keeping us from walking. I just found out there are times he and I can go to the Activity Room and do Bible study or play Scrabble. Those kind of times are very important...not just quantity time but quality time. Philip has many Bible verses memorized. I am glad God is playing an important role in our relationship. Thank you Preacher Dion as this devotional has inspired me to carry on for God.
I am leading a Bible study here with a group of women. I lead a group every 2nd Tuesday and give an Inspirational talk and encourage the group to participate and talk also. The activity director has started bringing pencils and paper, so the group can take notes or journal. I love to journal!
Lately, I haven't been using my other coping skills very much since I got this new computer this past Friday. I need to ask God to show me how to take breaks and go to the people outside of my room and share and care with prayer! However, this computer is new to me and much different than the one I had. My family and friends are glad to see me back online. I didn't go to church this morning, and the pastor didn't come here today at 3 p.m. It is winter and we have had wet weather.
I still feel blessed and loved!!!
Comment from Sherry Mccosh
1 day ago
God is blessing you Nell. I am so glad to hear you are seeking direction from God. God can do all things and He can heal you and I am also happy that you found someone that you can love and who loves you and you can eventually marry.
Comment from Sylvia Todd
1 day ago
Praying for His continued guidance for both of you, Nell 💛!
Amen Pastor. I may stray, but He is always waiting for me.
Amen!
Heavenly Father Thank You For Always Being There For Me No Matter What Is Going On In My Life AMEN Good Morning Everyone Have A Blessed Sunday 😀
Amen! Have a blessed Sunday RHM!🩷
Comment from Dan Remley
2 days ago
Thank you Lynn. I hope your day is full of love and happiness my friend ❤️
Amen! 🙌🙏🙌
Lord, I want more and more of you in my life. Refresh my heart, and walk with me everyday. My life has changed so much since you've came into my life. Thank you for being with me. Amen ❤️
Amen 🙏 🙏🙏❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏!!
Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
2 days ago
AMEN, Pastor!!! "Dear Heavenly Father, I want to know You better. Please stir me up, Lord, and give me Your zeal. Restore my strength. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask and pray, AMEN!!! Thank you so much for today's much needed and encouraging message, Pastor!!! I feel so encouraged, so restored and ready to go on and face another week with my Lord and God!! Where would we be without the endless and everlasting love of our Lord and God? I love the song by Dara Maclean singing "Oh the love of God"!
Thank you. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I want to know You better. Please stir me up, Lord, and give me Your zeal. Restore my strength. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Post from LaDonne Lenzini
2 days ago
Amen
Amen. Thank you Father for your sacrifice for me, please grant me the wisdom to follow you and do your will every day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Amen🤗thank you Abba for your love 🤗
Please help me to show others just how snuggly you are🤗
Post from Scott Riegelmann
2 days ago
Amen thank you Father for staying with me no matter what I was doing or going through at the time, I love you you 😘
Yes Amen
Post from Kay Collinsworth
2 days ago
Amen
Amen
Post from Deborah Blackshear
2 days ago
God thank You for the Preacher.
Amen
Yes Abba Father, I pray this in Jesus's name, amen.
Comment from Sherry Mccosh
1 day ago
God bless you Bella, He is always with you!!
Comment from Dan Remley
2 days ago
I feel the same Bella. I am just so happy that I was able to seek God and our Lord and Savior Jesus before I pass on. Some people don't So be greatful and happy.❤️
Comment from Laura Clark
2 days ago
Bella, because your name means BEAUTIFUL... you have carried God's love and favor all the days of your life. How cool is that? Never focusing on the negative, but keeping your heart and mind directly on your best friend and Savior. He will ease your burdensome thoughts and give you a peace by hearing Him say.. starting today. That's all that counts. One day at a time knowing He is with you. Every day gets sweeter than the day before!! 🙏
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
2 days ago
Yes, and Amen and Amen, Bella!!! Your tears are so precious to our Lord and God, our Heavenly Father, who loves You so much, and He has been so lovingly and patiently waiting for you and all of us to come to Him freely!!! Love you dear sister!!! ❤️🤗🙏
Comment from Jackie Tipton
2 days ago
Amen and you have always been special to our Lord.
Comment from Lynn Brown
2 days ago
Bella, what's important is that you are here with Him now. He understands and love you!🩷
Comment from Valeri Frank
2 days ago
I feel that way too Miss Bella. I wonder how time got away from me and how much of that time I should have spent with our Lord and Savior. But then I think about everything I've gone through and He was right there the whole time. I'm going to be okay and you are too Miss Bella... We've got this because Jesus is holding us by our right hands. He is our present and our future from now until eternity... Praise be to God... 🙏🏼
Comment from Schalk de Beer
2 days ago
Yes, amen ✝️🛐