All Aboard
by Dion Todd July 30th, 2023
All Aboard from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
When a passenger train pulls into the station, it gives one long blast from the horn then the bell begins ringing as it slows. The train conductor takes tickets from those waiting and shouts, "All aboard!" Then after a set time, the train pulls away from the station, and those who were ready head to their destination. But what happens to those...
Prospering Under Pagans
by Dion Todd July 28th, 2023
Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Because God has shown you all of this, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater than you." Genesis 41:38'40 WEB.While serving a prison sentence in Egypt for...
Power Filled Presence
by Dion Todd July 27th, 2023
Moses said to Yahweh, "Behold, you tell me, 'Bring up this people:' and you haven't let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find favor in your sight: and consider that this nation is your people." He...
Get Up
by Dion Todd July 23rd, 2023
Get Up from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Moses appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land when he passed away. Moses was a deliverer who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Yet, because he struck a rock with his staff when he should have spoken to it, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). So the Lord took Moses home, and Joshua became...
My Greatest Fear
by Dion Todd July 21st, 2023
For the thing which I fear comes on me, That which I am afraid of comes to me. Job 3:25 WEB.As we worked to get the fish hook free of my eyelid, an actual calmness came over me. I grew up on the rivers of South Carolina fishing, and I always got nervous when people began swinging their fishing lines around. I dreaded the thought of them snagging me with their fish hook, especially in the eye.One day,...
Secret Christian
by Dion Todd July 16th, 2023
Secret Christian from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
I sincerely question any salvation that requires no action nor causes any change in your life. If they were arrested today and put on trial for following Jesus, many modern Christians would be set free because of a lack of evidence. Because knowing about Jesus isn't knowing Him. There seems to be some confusion over this, but look how clearly...
Rich Rulers and Poor Widows
by Dion Todd July 9th, 2023
Rich Rulers and Poor Widows from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
The Apostle Paul once did a fundraiser for the church in Judea and collected financial gifts from the Christians in Macedonia and Greece. It was financial aid, for the church in Jerusalem was being persecuted and had fallen on hard times while others were doing well.
The Christians at Corinth had vowed to help, so Paul...
Shock and Awe
by Dion Todd July 2nd, 2023
Shock and Awe from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
All twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ were martyred, except for John. They chose death rather than deny the Lord Jesus Christ. James was beheaded. Peter was crucified and requested it be upside down because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus had. His brother Andrew was crucified and preached the gospel from the cross to those in the area for almost...
A Giant Problem
by Dion Todd June 27th, 2023
The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and to the animals of the field." Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you and take...
Desperation
by Dion Todd June 25th, 2023
Desperation from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet, for he wept for his nation and the coming judgment the Lord had shown him. Israel had turned their backs on the Lord and served every other god under the sun.
Spending decades under the leadership of evil kings like Manasseh led the people away from the Lord. Manasseh tried to wipe out the prophets...
Cold Dead Dreams
by Dion Todd June 22nd, 2023
Now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to me. Moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "Certainly...
Heavenly Places
by Dion Todd June 18th, 2023
Heavenly Places from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Heaven is a real place, as real as the ground underneath your feet, with streets of pure transparent gold and a clear river of the water of life. There will be gates made of a single pearl and foundations made from precious gemstones. There is no darkness, for it is illuminated by the glory of God (Revelation 21:10-23). It will be a jaw-dropping...
Backlash
by Dion Todd June 16th, 2023
The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying...
The Half Empty Glass
by Dion Todd June 8th, 2023
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things...
A Living Sacrifice
by Dion Todd June 4th, 2023
A Living Sacrifice from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Various sacrifices were required under the old covenant. Some of the sacrifices helped feed the priests and those who worked at the temple, but a burnt offering was placed on the altar and completely consumed by fire. You can read about these in the book of Leviticus.
Under the new covenant, the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus...
Sheep Have Ears
by Dion Todd June 3rd, 2023
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27 WEB.Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice, and they would follow Him, "and a stranger, they would not follow" (John 10:5). God speaks to His people individually and collectively. Some are so concerned about being deceived that they...
The Humble King
by Dion Todd June 2nd, 2023
Pilate therefore said to him, "Aren't you speaking to me? Don't you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin." John 19:10'11 WEB.Beaten and bloody, wearing a purple robe and a crown made of thorns, Jesus quietly listened...
Vaccination
by Dion Todd June 1st, 2023
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; Revelation 3:15'17 WEB.I hate needles. I remember when I was ready...
Like A Rock
by Dion Todd May 30th, 2023
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down...
Anchor of the Soul
by Dion Todd May 28th, 2023
Anchor of the Soul from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
When people lose hope, they lie down and die. They lose the will to live and fight any longer. Hopelessness is utter despair, the belief that nothing good will happen. When you begin to think like this, it will bring a desire to die. A spirit of suicide will try and convince you that death is the only way out, but it's a lie. David wrote:
(Psalm...
Pretty Woman
by Dion Todd May 24th, 2023
But Rahab the prostitute, her father's household, and all that she had, Joshua saved alive. She lives in the middle of Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. Joshua 6:25 WEB.Rahab was always looked down on by the married women of the city. She was a prostitute, the least of the least, covered in shame with no hope and no future. She exchanged sex for...
A Whiter Shade of Pale
by Dion Todd May 21st, 2023
A Whiter Shade of Pale from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Revival is the presence of God coming down to live among His people for a season. Jesus Christ was a walking revival. Crowds thronged around Him. Sinners came to hear Him. Miracles happened. Evil spirits came screaming out of the people. The blind could see. The deaf could hear. The crippled could walk. Sickness and disease were cured....
Crazy
by Dion Todd May 20th, 2023
God said to Noah, "I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them and the earth. Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch. Genesis 6:13'14 WEB.Noah had something to do. It was a driving passion that no one else understood. He could see beyond the curve, and it made...
Someday Never Comes
by Dion Todd May 16th, 2023
"He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God." Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back,...
The Sound of Silence
by Dion Todd May 14th, 2023
The Sound of Silence from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
It's great when we are on top of the mountain with the Lord, like Moses getting fresh direction, but it gets lonely down in the valley where they worship that golden calf. We are excited when we get a fresh vision from the Lord, a new direction. "Oh, now we know what to do!" But there is often a span of time between the revelation and...
I Did it My Way
by Dion Todd May 14th, 2023
God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. On the seventh day God finished his work which he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work...
The Greatest Dad
by Dion Todd May 12th, 2023
He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire." Mark 14:35-36 WEB.After growing up in the bible-belt, my image of God was as a complete disciplinarian. An angry, white-haired, lightning-bolt...
Troubled Water
by Dion Todd May 10th, 2023
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. Matthew 14:26'29...
The Grapevine
by Dion Todd May 7th, 2023
The Grapevine from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Some people have the gift of writing a thousand words without conveying anything meaningful. Have you ever tried to research something and read page after page of documentation and still can't even find what it does?
For instance, try and compare different versions of Microsoft Office, and you will find lengthy pages of writing like:...
Shattered Dreams
by Dion Todd May 6th, 2023
At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able...