Recent Blog Entries
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"Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you." Isaiah 43:1'2 WEB... -
The Day of Small Things from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. As with many of my messages, this was a word for me, but I will share it with you as I found it encouraging. I have been building a new social media website for Refreshing Hope behind the scenes for months. It is a massive undertak...
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Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send ou...
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- led by Lynn BrownThis is a group for RHM sponsored events like corporate fasts. Everyone is welcome to join and participate in things currently going on in the ministry. We love you and thank you for being a part of Refreshing Hope!
Grimy Sponges
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For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:16 WEB
Just as a sponge filled with liquid is our heart within us. It absorbs all the hurts and pains in our life. Usually when we come to the Lord, it is filled with yucky things like poison and bitterness. We invite Jesus into our heart and He comes into our life, but this is only the beginning. Often the bad things that were in our life the week before our conversion, are still there. We just hide them better.
Yes, I know that we are a new creation in Christ, but we are to renew our mind (Romans 12:2) and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24). I have been around church people long enough to notice that some of us have not done that.
Over time, the Lord purifies us and removes the bad. It will usually involve pressure of some kind that squeezes us, much like a sponge. The Lord replaces our selfishness, bitterness, jealousy, and strife with His love, gentleness, compassion, and kindness if we let Him. It does not instantly happen. This is a lifelong process so there is no need to get in a hurry. He will work on something a while, give you a rest, and then start the next one. If you look back over your life, you should see some progress.
Some call it mountains and valleys, though in my experience, it is more like being held under water for a while, squeezed, and then pulled up for air at the very last minute like a sponge. There have been times that I really did not think that I was going to make it and then in 24 hours, everything changed. God is faithful, but when He is after something in your life, He is relentless.
'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' 1 John 1:9.
Tests don't last forever and you will not actually drown, it just feels that way when you are going through it. Small children cry and whine a lot to get their way, but a weaned child is content to wait (Psalm 131:2). The sooner that you submit, the sooner that you will have relief. Working against Him will only prolong it. Take heart, when you do get to come up for air it will be great!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the name of Jesus Christ.
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen! The air is much better up here! Thank you!
Amen!
Whoa-talk about hitting a nail on the head-bang!! when your not His, ever been I'm sure this sounds out there! Have been but slipped this makes all the sense!! Ha been seeking for some time~I jes noticed Guide Posts!!! I spent a great time in there!! I'm refreshed!! super sight, here!!!
Amen.
Amen
Amen
Amen, I can definitely look back and see a big change in my life. Thank you God, please continue your work in Jesus name
thank you father for helping me today amen
Amen Pastor Dion. I have found when I am seeking Him the most that sometimes He will become more allusive to me. I will begin to feel out of sync with Him. My heart will be sorrowed because I cannot find that deep sense of Him in my life. I will pray and plead with Him to reveal Himself to me and yet I will hear nothing and feel emptiness. Is it that He has left me? No, I know He is still there. Is this a test? It possibly could be. At any rate when I feel most alone and I am desiring His presence sometimes , it feels like He isn't there, like He doesn't care and He is just too busy for me. So what do I do then? I seek Him even more. I study His Word, I talk to Him throughout the day and I pray my way through it. In the end I find He was always there, when an unaswered prayer is finally answered, or He shows up in my dreams in the form of Bible verses being spoken or songs of worship music. Then the best of all happens, He refills me with His Holy Spirit and I experience His amazing peace.
Truth....It is as you say... Blessings!!
Yes Lord, just a closer walk with Jesus is what we need
Amen, when I am being tested I try to remind myself that it is temporary, I've been here it before, be still and patient and more importantly, what God said he "will never leave or forsake us"! Sometimes, it takes longer to get to that point; it depends on the circumstancecs, though I eventually do and when I do I feel better, because God has heard and or answered my prayer in some way!
Amen! In my case, among other things, the squeezing revealed fears I've had all my life that I had buried and were affecting my life more than I realized. I understand myself better now as a result. Just praying that soon God leads me inot all that He has for me, but I know it will be in His time now mine. He is never late, nor early, He arrives precisely when He means to! ;)
That is so true. our LORD GOD is never late, nor early, He arrives precisely when He means to! I am to testifyfor this this I have received answers to our prayers. Pray without ceasing for OUR GOD is so loving, faithful and merciful. listens and answer our prayers. Just be patient and listen and be still and know that HE IS GOD.
Amen!
Amen and Amen
Thank you I needed this today, my heart feels like it's drawing, but I know His strength is found in my weaknesses and in my pain. Amen♡
Amen. "As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country."
~ Prov. 25:25
Amen
Thank you for all of your messages. You are such a blessing to me every day. This message especially was timely today. God bless you and keep you.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Yes over the years God has purified me & continues. He is faithful!!
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for all your time that you take for us to have this daily devotion. <3 I claim this prayer over me. I pray in Jesus, name. Amen <3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen <3
Amen.Thank you Pastor Todd,for your his devotion.,and he words of encouragement.Thank you Heavenly Father,for all the changes you have made in my life.As I surrender all to you,help me make it through the changes yet to come.More of you and less of me.In your presence let me have a closer walk with you.In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray.