Recent Blog Entries
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The Vineyard from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. I have always admired Amos, who was a shepherd in a field when the Lord told him to go and prophesy to King Jeroboam in Bethel. The priest Amaziah told him to prophesy somewhere else. They weren't interested in what the Lord had to say, but A... -
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. Proverbs 24:16 WEB.Once again, I was the one who promised he would never do it again, then went and did it again. I had slowly drifted away one more time. I have found that it's easy to make promises...
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Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all t...
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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!
Ninety Nine Sheep
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He told them this parable. 'Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.' Luke 15:3 WEB
Jesus told this parable about a man that had one-hundred sheep, but one of them got lost. It was a part of His flock at one time, but now it was separated and wandering alone. It was the shepherd's job to find them, bind up their wounds, and bring them back to the flock (Ezekiel 34:4). The sheep were not able to find the way back on their own.
They were often scared, possibly injured, and may have driven away by another in the same flock. A good shepherd would always go after them, so much so that Jesus said 'which of you wouldn't?' Sheep flock together, submit to the shepherd and their protection is in numbers. Sheep tend to be gentle and they are easy prey when found alone.
Goats are different. We raised goats on the farm where I grew up and I once raised one as a pet. Goats are temperamental, stubborn, and sometimes downright mean to others. They constantly see the grass greener on the other side and will go over the fence, under the fence or through the fence, but they will never willingly stay inside the fence with the others. They can be a friend one moment, but an enemy the next.
Sadly enough there are goats in the flock of God that will drive His sheep away. God cares deeply about the wounded that have gone missing, and we are to gently bring them back. No one makes it alone, for very long.
One night I had a vivid dream that a friend of ours was covered in huge sores. In the dream I had a container of healing salve which I rubbed on their sores and they were so thankful. The salve healed them. I noticed that I had not seen them lately at church, so we called them up and asked them out to dinner.
During the conversation, I found that they had been hurt by someone in the church so they stopped going there. It was mostly a misunderstanding, as we knew both parties. Somehow, through prayer and the Holy Spirit, we worked through it and they started attending again. The relationships were restored. They were healed and a part of the body again. God used us to go after one that was driven away.
Be open to going after the lost ones and pray for the Lord to show you the lost that you can reach. If you are a lost one wandering alone, know that Jesus the true Shepherd, is seeking you and wants to bring you back into His family. Though hard, cold, religion salesmen may have hurt you in the past, it was not Him that did it. He would never hurt you and He still has true shepherds out there that care for His flock.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for finding me. Please heal me, restore me, and guide me to where I need to be. Teach me what I need to know. I yield my will to You. May Your will be done on earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
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Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for finding me. Please heal me, restore me, and guide me to where I need to be. Teach me what I need to know. I yield my will to You. May Your will be done on earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.Amen Thank you Pastor Dion, for being that awesome shepherd that brings us back <3 God bless. You are truly God's hands and feet <3
Larisa. Amen.
Still praying!!!
interesting--amazing the lost don't mean much when His touch love activates such a responce! All the Human emotions are there, except the big one, true love, reaching out careing for others!!!!!!
Amen!!
Amen
Amen!!
The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has appointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners Isaiah 61:1
This little scripture card literally fell on the floor two days ago. It was a scripture card and how It got on the floor I don't know. I believe in signs and that God talks to us In the things we read, and the events that happen. I am a counselor so in the morning before I wake up I've been saying this scripture. Of course the message has to be duplicated here by pastor Todd cause God wants the message to be loud and clear. Thanks God and pastor Todd.
Amen. The supposed "good intentions" of the church drove my husband away. I will never stop praying for Jim to come into the flock.
In my prayer, Carol. I know what that feels like I've been there and when I left many went with me. They said if Diane leaves I'm leaving too. I did leave and many other did too they found new churches and I found RHM. Amen <3
Thank you Pastor Todd always for theuplifting & encouraging messages that God places on your heart to share, I so needed to hear this...
Thank you Pastor Dion for another inspiring devotional. Sadly there seem to be goats in most Churches. I left my old Church because of this. I have found a new Spirit filled Church and feel this is the place God wants me to be and it has helped me look back and see events more clearly. I pray the Pastors prayer.The Lord is healing, restoring and guiding me to where I need to be. I yield my will to You Lord. May your will be done on earth and in my life,as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
I agree with you, Janet, Amen. <3
Amen! Thank you for todays devotion Pastor Dion. :-)
I agree and claim this prayer over me. I pray in Jesus, name. Amen. <3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for finding me. Please heal me, restore me, and guide me to where I need to be. Teach me what I need to know. I yield my will to You. May Your will be done on earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3
Thank you Father for all you do for my family and I. I pray for all my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Please give each and everyone what ever it is they need in their life. I pray for my doctors who care for me and keep your hands in the midst always. I pray in Jesus, name. Amen. <3 Thank You for all hat you do. I Love You. <3
Thank You Pastor Dionn for your inspirational messages and insight. I find that many times I had wandered off from God's word and the Lord found a way for me to seek his word and gain faith through my trials. I am glad that God is there and he has angels to help us get back to where we are supposed to be in life.
Amen.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, I thank You for finding me. Please heal me, restore me, and guide me to where I need to be. Teach me what I need to know. I yield my will to You. May Your will be done on earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, I thank you for finding me. Please heal me, restore me, and guide me to where I need to be. Teach me what I need to know. I yield my will to you. May your will be done on Earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!
Loved every word. I feel as the sheep you described. Greatful the Lord takes care of the goats. Good story about the person coming bk to fellowship. Still struggling about our church. I know God knows. Praise, Worship & being with my husband in church is all good. Miss fellowshipping. God knows.