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The Repetition Competition

Posted by Dion Todd December 21st, 2024 953 Views 23 Comments

For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. Psalms 51:16–17 WEB.

When I first came to the Lord, I was so zealous that I wanted to make up for everything I'd ever done wrong. I fasted for weeks, gave all that I had, tried to memorize the Bible, prayed throughout the day, and listened to the Bible all night. I began attending Bible college in the evening, and like many other students, I developed a very legalistic view.

I wanted to earn my salvation and prove that my dedication to the Lord was stronger than everyone else there. The school became a repetition competition, where we just repeated the things that we had heard someone else say. My knowledge seemed a mile wide and an inch deep. It was shallow.

Oh, I knew a lot about Jesus, but I didn't know Him. I talked a lot about Jesus, but I didn't talk to Him. I sang a lot about Jesus, but I didn't sing to Him. Jesus said that there would be those who would call Him "Lord, Lord," and He would say, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). Well, that was me in a nutshell. I was so busy trying to be a good Christian that I had no time for Him.

The Lord eventually broke me down to nothing, stripped away everything I had, and separated me from everyone I knew. It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me.

He had told me early in life that I would be in the ministry one day. Yet, when it delayed coming about, I decided that I must have disappointed Him somehow. I must have taken too many wrong turns in life, and He finally gave up on me. I had many excuses for why He didn't use me in ministry, but the delay was because He was preparing me for it.

Eventually, I dropped my pretend "Church Face" and started to just be me. I began to involve God in my decisions every day, and I talked with Him as a friend. I learned to relax and include Him in whatever I was doing. Only then did a relationship begin to develop between us, and that soon became life-changing. Like the tiny mustard seed, your faith will grow.

Attending church, fasting, praying, giving, reading the Bible, and singing praises are all good in moderation. But let Jesus be your main focus, and don't neglect Him while you are doing it. Believe me, you can do it because I have done it. Your Bible is not God. It just tells us about Him.

I encourage you to make Jesus a part of your life each day. Be a real person serving God the best you can. When you stumble, repent and try to do better next time. Be honest with Him, for He already knows who we are better than we do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me. Please help me be a better person, and make me stable. Lead me to where You want me to be and open the doors that You want me to go through. Come into my life and be a part of it, for I am Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ 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.

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Post from Wesley Paulus

1 day ago


Amen!




Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

1 day ago


Amen and Amen, this I pray!!!




Post from Sherry Mccosh

1 day ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me. Please help me be a better person, and make me stable. Lead me to where You want me to be and open the doors that You want me to go through. Come into my life and be a part of it, for I am Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!



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Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle

1 day ago

🙏🙏🙏



Post from Gloria Nebarez

1 day ago


Amen




Post from Theresa Bright

1 day ago


Amen 🙏




Post from Wanda Pennington

1 day ago


Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me. Please help me be a better person, and make me stable. Lead me to where You want me to be and open the doors that You want me to go through. Come into my life and be a part of it, for I am Yours. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Lord Jesus please touch my body today and heal my sickness. Amen




Post from Yvette York

1 day ago


Heavenly Father I Want To Thank You For Everything Amen Good Morning Everyone 😀



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Comment from Lynn Brown

1 day ago

Good morning!🌞


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Comment from Candy Laventure

1 day ago

Good morning to you.



Post from Sylvia Todd

1 day ago


Good morning, y'all, happy Saturday 😀! May you all have a most joyful day! 🌻💛🙏



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Comment from Lynn Brown

1 day ago

You too, Sylvia and Pastor Dion!😀



Post from Lynn Brown

1 day ago


Amen! Happy Saturday RHM family!🌞




Post from Marisa Jackson

1 day ago


Amen 🙏! Amen ❤️🙏! Alleluia 🙏🙏❤️🙏🙏!! Amen 🙏❤️🙏🙏❤️!!




Post from Linda Clark

1 day ago


Amen




Post from Valeri Frank

1 day ago


Thank You Lord Jesus for Your never ending Love and Guidance in my life. I wouldn't be here today without You in it. You are the Light that leads me down the right path when I come to a crossroad... You are the One encouraging me to go forward. I'm not a brave person, but, You hold my hand... Thank you Jesus for your never ending Presence in my life... In Jesus Name I Pray... Amen 🙏🏼



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Comment from Kevin J. Eck

1 day ago

Amen Sister!



Post from Kevin J. Eck

1 day ago


Heavenly Father, Thank you for allowing me to be your friend, the Lord of my Life and someone I can trust! Forgive me for trusting in myself, which for me never worked. In your mighty name, Jesus, Amen!




Post from Bella Colliander

1 day ago


Heavenly Father, please help me be a better person and lead me where you want me to be. In Jesus name, Amen!🕊️




Post from Mark Williams

1 day ago


Amen.




Post from Dana Rozell

1 day ago


Amen




Post from Celeste Strenn

1 day ago


Amen ❣️❣️yes dear Lord Jesus❣️I so want to be near to you always🤗




Post from Susan Petho

1 day ago


Amen!



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Comment from Candy Laventure

1 day ago

Good morning to you



Post from Elena Vasquez

1 day ago


Amen, good morning RHM



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Comment from Candy Laventure

1 day ago

Good morning to you


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Comment from Susan Petho

1 day ago

Good morning, Elena, and everyone!



Post from Candy Laventure

1 day ago


Amen!




Post from Kay Collinsworth

1 day ago


Amen




Post from Schalk de Beer

1 day ago


Yes Abba Father, I pray this in Jesus's name, amen.






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