Recent Blog Entries
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For Such a Time As This from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today I want to talk about God’s timing. Too many of us read the Scriptures and feel that God is dated, or out of touch with modern times, when nothing could be further from the truth. He invented time. He created the Sun tha... -
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:22 ESVDaniel had spent a long night in a den of lions and the stench of rotted meat and l...
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Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 WEBIt was another busy day with so much to do, so many bills, so much going on, the pressure and anxiety kept me up most of the night. It seemed like I spent most of my time these days...
Total Eclipse
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When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. When they had finished the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy each other. 2 Chronicles 20:22 WEB
'God sure seems needy.' I silently thought as the preacher explained that God required us to worship Him. I was just a kid, but already something did not seem right for the Almighty God, The Creator of the universe and the Maker of the stars, to need little me to worship Him. What's up with that? Why does God the Almighty need us to worship Him?
As I grew older and life happened, I learned that it is not about God needing anything from anyone, He is bigger than that. It is about us and our focus in this life. When we magnify God in praise and worship, changes begin to happen in our own life. God becomes real to us and His presence becomes tangible.
Praising God brings heaven to earth. If you praise Him enough, He will soon show up just as He did with Jehoshaphat. When they began to praise God, their enemies turned on each other and Israel spent the next three days picking up free stuff. A very dark situation worked out better than anyone could have hoped for, when they began to praise.
We live in a darkening world, yet God will have the final say. Don't let what's on the news shape your view of God's power. In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of All (Phil. 2:11).
The sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, but the moon can completely block out the sun during a total eclipse and become all that you see. Because it is closer to us, the moon can appear bigger than the sun.
Problems work much the same way. When you focus on your problems, they will grow bigger and bigger. Soon God will begin to appear smaller and smaller. If you praise God, focus on Him and His word, then He will grow bigger and your problems will grow smaller.
Praise the Lord today and don't focus on the problems that you cannot change, they are only distractions. Spend that time praising and thanking God for what He has already done in your life, for the things that He has blessed you with. Trust Him and remember what He has already done for you. Your future is in good hands. God loves you and He is at least 400 times bigger than your problems.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see past the problems. I know that You created the heavens and the earth and that you are in control of what happens in my life. Please let Your peace rest on me today. Send the Comforter to me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning! The highlighted group of the week is "Count Your Blessings": God blesses us each day with the air we breathe, with new opportunities to shine His light to those around us, with time to know Him better, and so much more! This group is a place to take a bit of time each day to thank God for the blessings He has granted us! To find this or any group, just go to the Groups tab on the site menu. Have a blessed Monday :)!
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Pastor Dion, thank you so much for this message today! I needed this - we're in court this morning regarding our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter. The anxiety has been building but this devotional has placed it in better perspective - that God is already at work here and that He is so much bigger than this bump in the road. Thank you.
Father, I pray that you bring peace to Karen and her family, that you work your perfect will for this little girl and place her where she will be best cared for and where she will can be blessed to know you for her entire life, in the name of Jesus, amen!
Thank you Lord for each day that you give me; the gift of seeing the beauty of your creation, the gift of your love, the gift of your compassion, the gift of taking a few moments each day to praise you and thank you and glorify you for the kindness and compassion you show me even when I sin. But most of all dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your most precious Son Jesus Christ, my very best and true friend! Amen!!
Thank you Pastor, lately I have been trapped in a tornado. Lots of debris flying about. How to, where to, what to. My world has seemed as if it has collasped in like a black hole of adversity. This is a reminder that God is still on the throne and still in control of my circumstances. I willl continue to trust him with my life.
Wonderful encouragement. Thank you God. Amen
I am always blessed by this ministry.
So glad to hear that, Shevette, we are glad to have you here <3!
amen amen
Yes God does bless us each and every day I'm so grateful for that
Thanks be to G O D . . . . . .
Amen I was discussing the upcoming election with my son last night and I told him, that inspite of what is going on the world and what doom the media spews at us, that my Abba Father is still on the throne. That His will, will prevail, and so I have peace.
He is indeed! I read some comment the other day that our vote in the election was on par in importance with our decision for salvation - how silly to make our God seem so small. He plans will go on and will not be thwarted in the end, even though we may (or may not) have to take a longer journey than necessary to get there :).
Amen agreed!
It is so easy to focus on my problems sometimes and to forget about all the incredible gives the Lord has given me. As my grandmother always told me growing up count your blessings every day! Now that I am older I can truly appreciate the simple things another day of life good food on the table and a loving wife. Not to mention the greatest give of all that Jesus Christ shed his blood for me and all I need to do is believe and follow him and have eternal life! There is no greater love!
Amen, brother, well said!
Why we have the tendency to always see our problems, often baffles me. I know I have a Father Whose Love and Resources are without numbers that I can fathom. Yet, I seem to fall into the trap of being overly concerned about my problems. As I sit here I can't help to think about all the issues I am facing, there are quite a few, so I pray and I ask God to give me Peace in the midst of this Tsunami I am in.
Father, I lift up Joseph and pray that you please send your Holy Spirit to bless him with Your peace, and help him to see his problems through your eyes, and merely temporary things in Your plans. Please also lead him out of this valley and show him his part in accessing victory over his circumstances, in the name of Jesus, amen!
Amen
Thank you for the reminder to praise and worship the Lord! When my mind gets polluted with worry and aggrevation, it's hard to remember.
Amen
Always praise and be thankful to OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. We pray and thanks HIM for all the graces, blessing and mercy given unto us. Me and my son In all our circumstances, in all ways we will acknowledge and will always trust and love you MY LORD GOD with all our heart and soul and might. In the name of OUR LORD JESUSCHRIST. Amen
Thanks for sharing this, Pastor. I worship and praise God often. I have been focusing on these sinus and bronchial infections that keep happening. Three times in the last two months, and keep going to doctor for more antibiotics. I keep telling myself that I just want to feel good for a change. I know God is in control of all things, so I will keep praising him and accept that this is just a "season" for me. This too, shall pass.
praying for you...
Blessings Rebecca. I had those infections a like yrs ago. Antibiotics didn't help. Then a miracle drug. And after that they said yr body will have to heal yrself. God was good. It went. I didn't know Him as I do now. I am older & know to watch out for it. I get flu & pneumonia shots. Blessings to you Rebecca.
thank you I keep prayiing to and focuse God not tenision headake . hoping some day wake up this headake will be gone thankyou for such great reminder that God is contol let carrier our burdens .
This message is such a blessing to me today! Thanks again, Pastor Dion!
Amen.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, help me to see past the problems. I know that You created the heavens and the earth and that you are in control of what happens in my life. Please let Your peace rest on me today. Comfort me with your comforting Spirit, that I might comfort others, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Ramen, help me Lord to focus on you alone , not my problems. Thank you pastor Todd for this wonderful devotion
Amen
Amen..at least 400 times bigger...yes Lord X I want to experience Your peace in all things. More of You, Lord!!