Blog Post

The Rising of the Sun

Posted by Dion Todd October 15th, 2024 1,304 Views 33 Comments

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8–10 WEB.

One night, we watched a movie where the people made a sacrifice every day so the sun would come up the following morning. They did this daily, and the tradition was passed down through the generations. Then one day, everything went horribly wrong. It was a perfect storm, and they failed to make the daily sacrifice. The people were terrified and thought the world was going to end. Yet, the following morning, the sun came up anyway.

The people learned that the sun came up on its own, whether they made the daily sacrifice or not. They had been practicing a ritual they thought was making a difference, but it was just a tradition that had been passed down through the generations. So it can be with us.

When I came to the Lord, I read the Bible about eight hours a day. I was so hungry to learn more about God. I fasted more than I ate, went through bible college, and gave all I had in the offering plate. Yet, there was no intimacy in my relationship with Him. He seemed distant while I was trying to earn His love, trying hard to measure up.

Oh, I knew a lot about God. I just didn't know Him. When I prayed, I talked too much and listened too little. Of course, He loved me the whole time. He understood, maybe even appreciated my zeal. But His love was already there every day while I was busy trying to earn it. I completely ignored His presence while focusing hard on my performance.

There is certainly nothing wrong with fervently seeking God. I still do, but remember that He is also seeking you. You already have His approval. "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4).

So relax. Be yourself. Talk to God as you would your best friend. Share the things going on in your life with Him. Invite Him to be a part of what you are doing today. He already loves you, and you will not increase this love through your works. Of course, you should try and live right. Faith without works is dead, but works without the relationship are a waste of your life, time, and resources. So remember, if you miss the mark today, God will still love you, just as the sun managed to come up without the daily sacrifice.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please bring balance to my life and help me know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and to have a relationship with You like Jesus did. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: β€œThen you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13) ~ 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. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.

Join the discussion! Please sign in to comment, like, and share.

Post from Alexious Kakwedza

1 week ago


Amen




Post from Susan Petho

Susan Petho commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

2 weeks ago


Amen!




Post from Rachael Burke

2 weeks ago


Amen




Post from Brenda F

Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

2 weeks ago


Amen




Post from Madalyn Myers

2 weeks ago


Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus for helping me when things are good, and Lord Thank you for blessing me when there is hardship in my life.




Post from Mari Kaufmann

3 weeks ago


God help me feel closer to you. Amen




Post from David Krull

David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Amen Lord. Help me Jesus. I need You Lord. I love you.



Avatar image
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

3 weeks ago

πŸ™



Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

3 weeks ago


Amen and Amen!!! All I can say and sing is: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found! Was blind, but now I see . . . !" So blessed that my Lord and God wants to have a relationship with me, He is the Father and I'm His child, He hears me, all of us, when we come to Him and talk to Him from our heart, thank You dear Heavenly Father πŸ™




Post from Sherry Mccosh

3 weeks ago


Heavenly Father, please bring balance to my life and help me know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and to have a relationship with You like Jesus did. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!




Post from Joe Miller

Joe Miller commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


I really appreciated today's post, The Rising of the Sun. It's easy to forget the love connection that God has with us - love we can't earn. Thanks for the reminder.




Post from Marisa Jackson

3 weeks ago


Amen πŸ™πŸ™πŸ˜„β€οΈ!!




Post from Theresa Bright

3 weeks ago


Amen πŸ™πŸ» Thank you for this message today Pastor.




Post from Sylvia Todd

Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Good morning, y'all, happy Tuesday πŸ™!



Avatar image
Comment from Wanda Pennington

3 weeks ago

Good morning!! Happy Tuesday!!


Avatar image
Comment from Lynn Brown

3 weeks ago

Happy Tuesday RHM!🌞



Post from Wanda Pennington

3 weeks ago


Amen and Amen. Thank you Jesus for showing me everything You want me to be and do for You and others. In Jesus Name I pray and ask, Amen




Post from Scott Riegelmann

3 weeks ago


Amen thank you Father for loving me so much that you want to spend time with me and for sending your son to the cross in my place, I love you and want more of you in my life




Post from Lynn Brown

Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Father, our relationship is the most important one I will ever have! Amen.




Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Thank you Lord for another day, yes please do fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today! I need you in my life! Thank you Jesus! Amen 🀟🏻




Post from Bill Fair

Bill Fair commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


AMEN




Post from Debi Burton

Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Heavenly Father, please bring balance to my life and help me know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it and to have a relationship with You like Jesus did. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❀️🀟🏻




Post from Bella Colliander

3 weeks ago


Yes Lord, Amen πŸ•ŠοΈ




Post from Connie Cote

Connie Cote commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Amen. Thank you Lord for all your love and blessings.




Post from Candy Laventure

3 weeks ago


Amen!




Post from Mark Williams

3 weeks ago


Amen.




Post from Laura Clark

Laura Clark commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Thank you, Father for Your constant love and provision even when I falter and fail to have balance in my life. I need You to guide me as I seek to live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen πŸ™



Avatar image
Comment from Sylvia Todd

3 weeks ago

Amen, sister πŸ™!



Post from Raju Williams

3 weeks ago


Amen.πŸ™πŸ™




Post from Linda Clark

Linda Clark commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Amen




Post from Kevin J. Eck

Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Rising of the Sun

3 weeks ago


Thank you Pastor Dion for today's devotional. It means a lot to me!




Post from Elena Vasquez

3 weeks ago


Amen




Post from Celeste Strenn

3 weeks ago


Amen❣️thank you ❣️Lord Jesus❣️




Post from Kay Collinsworth

3 weeks ago


Amen






RHM Eco System Version: 0.496 Β© Refreshing Hope Ministries . Page rendered in 0.2569 seconds.