Recent Blog Entries
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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... -
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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Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth dea...
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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!
Avoiding Vaccination
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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 WEB
I hate needles. I remember when I was ready to start school, I had be vaccinated and it involved a lot of sharp needles. Everyone had to get those shots before school started back. They gave you a little bit of the virus and then your immune system built up a defense against it. The vaccination shielded you and kept you from getting the real thing later.
Many today learn a little about the Lord Jesus, but then go no further. They just touch the edge of the water. Their life does not change, and slowly the fire dies within them. They become the living dead and the church is full of them. They are neither cold nor hot, and they become the hardest of all people to reach because they think they already know about Jesus, but they do not yet know Him. When you speak to them about the power of God, it falls on deaf ears and they yawn. One of the scriptures that scares me the most in the Bible is this one:
'Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity'' (Matthew 7:21'23).
Can you know a lot about Jesus, yet not know Him? Yep. I did for years. Jesus tells us plainly that calling Him Lord isn't enough, we have to 'do the will of the Father.' Calling Jesus Lord is giving Him a title, you make Him Your Lord by doing what He says. The ones that He told to depart were living lives of iniquity, but calling Him Lord at the same time. I know that we are saved by grace and I am not a hell, fire, and brimstone preacher, but you better learn to listen to the Father. Jesus went on to say: 'Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock..'
It is hearing followed by doing. Your actions speak louder than your words. Meaning to do something for years, just means that you haven't yet done it. God loves us, but our response should be to live a life pleasing to Him. Here are some notes about marriages, and our coming marriage to Jesus for we are the bride of Christ:
Don't take your relationship with God for granted. I have seen many marriages end because a spouse began to think they would always be married no matter how they behaved. They took the other for granted. That is deception. You had better love them and treat them like you would like to be treated if you want them to stay.
Our relationship with Jesus is an ongoing one and you need to keep that fire burning. When you mess up, be quick to ask for forgiveness. Admit being wrong, it is ok. Tell them that you love them every day. Don't let your eyes wander where they should not. Watch your mouth because what comes out of it, you can't call back. Be nice.
Rekindle the fire. Don't stop learning about Jesus. Don't let the fire die. Don't grow cold. Get serious. Keep praying, keep on pressing in. Yes, it is hard sometimes, but life is short when compared to eternity. Do not become a vaccinated Christian that is immune to His presence when He is standing right in front of you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins, wash me clean and deliver me. Come into my heart Lord and guide me into a deeper personal relationship with You. I want to know You Lord, I want more of You. I want to really know You and not just about You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
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Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity'' (Matthew 7:21'23). Amen brother. I've always have said this is the scariest verse in the bible for anyone who is not sure with their walk with the Lord. Thanks for the devotional.
I know you were using vaccination as an analogy. Please take a look at this. Many, many vaccines are made with human fetal cells/tissues. For some, there is no moral alternative. https://cogforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/vaccineListOrigFormat.pdf It's an issue that very few pastors know about.
Thank you for sharing Sue. That is a good fact to know. In my story, I was 6, they pushed me into a chair and stabbed me with a needle. My choice would have been total abstinence. :)
Amen
Amen!! Knowing Jesus is a life long journey, on in which I am so glad to travel because I know he is always with me! Thank you Father in Heaven for this most precious gift. . .JESUS!!
AMEN!
The more I seek to know Him , the more He reveals to me. He shows me the way I should go and He gives me wisdom and guidance. He grows me up in the Lord and shows me the error of my ways. His word is a light and a lamp and because I ask He gives me insight into the meaning of scriptures and how I can apply them to my daily life. We have to strive to be a good student but for me getting a passing grade isn't enough, I want to ace it!
Amen!
AMEN!!!
Don't take your relationship with God for granted. I have seen many marriages end because a spouse began to think they would always be married no matter how they behaved. They took the other for granted. That is deception. You had better love them and treat them like you would like to be treated if you want them to stay. This touched my heart for I have learned this first hand. AMEN!
Amen amenAmen!!!!
Matthew 7:21, 23 scares me also, Pastor Dion, because this has been me and many I know. Becoming and remaining lukewarm is my biggest fear in my walk with Christ. The pocket believer, I have been in my past and it is a comfortable corner retreat for the Christian whose heart's fire for God is easily extinguished with and by worldly distraction(s) and trials. I am not only fearful, I am guilty of "falling back" at times. Prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship is vitally important for all believers in our Christian journey. We must never grow comfortable in our walk, believing the path will always be smooth, level, and effortless. Thank you for this powerful reminder of what and who I am to be in this fallen world. Salt and light energized by The Spirit!
This is a blessing. Thanks Dion for allowing GOD to use you.
Yes my Lord Jesus, amen.
Amen!
Amen
Life is a journey. And in our journey we have to be always searching for OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Comfort and richness does not stop you from praying. Pray without ceasing. Search AND KNOW his word and have to live with it in our in and out. I pray that OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST will always have mercy on me for I am a sinner who falls out and but always being saved and always forgiven. Thank you so much MY LORD GOD. Amen
I remember when we were in India and we visited a residential school for children who had polio. They were all ages wearing caliphers and in wheelchairs. It touched me deeply thinking if only they'd had the polio vaccine they would be like normal children. Such a small thing for us and no cost involved in my country.Apparently at that time the Indian government didn't have enough money to provide the vaccine, but recently vaccines have been provided by other countries. Thank you for another powerful message. I pray your prayer Pastor Dion. Amen.
Amen
This is a great devotional and I especially like the analogy pertaining to marriage.EVERY important relationship requires work in order to thrive!
Amne! Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-) I was always told that marriage is a job you have to always work at it. It's not always like it was in the beginning. You have children, bills, cleaning, working and it goes on and on. So you must always work at marriage. I feel that this is the same with Jesus, we must always be woking at our relationship with Jesus. It will be an on joing job all the days of our life. Jesus, l pray that my family and I always keep the fire burning with you and let us know that no question is dumb to ask Jesus. If it's on your heart then you need to talk to Jesus, always talk to Him He's your best friend. He's one that will never turn his back on you and will always be there for you. So never stop talking and asking Jesus what's on your mnd. Don't forget to love Him, thank Him and keep talking to Jesus all the days of your life. Amen. <3 I Love You, Jesus. <3
Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins, wash me clean and deliver me. Come into my heart Lord and guide me into a deeper personal relationship with You. I want to know You Lord, I want more of You. I want to really know You and not just about You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! Thank You, Jesus, for all that You do for my family and I. <3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins, wash me clean and deliver me. Come into my heart Lord and guide me into a deeper personal relationship with You. I want to know You Lord, I want more of You. I want to really know You and not just about You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Yes! Amen!
Amen. Praise God! Thank you Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins, wash me clean and deliver me. Come into my heart Lord and guide me into a deeper personal relationship with You. I want to know You Lord, I want more of You. I want to really know You and not just about You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen
Amen.Havenly Father,forgive me for the times that I fall short,and fail to always do your will.Lord my desire is to have a closer relationship with you,in all that I do and say and where ever I go..Help me to get my life in order in my own home and marriage.More of you O Lord my God and less of me .In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray.Thank you Pastor for this devotion,for your Love of the Ministry,and for all the encouragement you give us.