Recent Blog Entries

  • 8 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far f...
  • Sat at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; Isaiah 46:9'10 WEB.During a sci-fi n...
  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    I have said these things to you, while still living with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. John 14:24'26 WEB.As I look at my piano, twelve keys are repeated across the keyboard's...
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  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This 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!
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Can't Touch This

  • If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, 'Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch' (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20 WEB

    In the beginning, God told Adam 'but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die' (Genesis 2:17). A chapter later Eve told the serpent 'you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die (Genesis 3:3). God did not say anything about touching it. That was a personal preference that was added to the word of God, but it became part of the commandment as an 'add on' item and it increased the strictness of God's original commandment.

    Churches split over the type of music that they feel God prefers, when it has nothing to do with Him at all. An acoustic guitar is not inherently 'Holy' and an electric guitar is not inherently 'Evil.' My wife does not care for loud high-pitched guitar leads because it makes her teeth hurt. That is a personal preference. When one of the praise teams that I was playing in practiced, she would go wait in the parking lot until it was over. Yea, we were great'

    I know of a church that taught that wearing neckties was a sin, but that is not from the Bible. Sure we should dress modestly, but the rest is just personal preference (1 Timothy 2:9). Everyone thinks that God is in their political party as well, even Hitler did. Though if you study Daniel chapter 2, you will see that God has His own party that will eventually replace all the others.

    Jesus quoted Isaiah and said: 'they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men' (Mark 7:7'8).

    The next time that you are tempted to become angry over something religious, examine it and ask yourself if this is actually scriptural, or is it just a personal preference, a tradition of the elders. Jesus wore a robe and sandals, I wear jeans and shoes. If He did not give us a clear direct commandment about it, keep it out of your doctrine.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me to rightly divide Your word and to discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work Your perfect will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: As we celebrate the coming of Spring, the Creation Photographers theme of the week is "New Life", based on 2 Corinthians 5:17. As always, you are free to post anything else that inspires you, too! On Wednesday night, we are trying something new! At 7pm this Wednesday (3/22), we will be starting a half hour RHM Live worship service, followed immediately by the 7:30 Wednesday FAAD Chat! For questions on any of this, just post a comment below the devotional and we will do our best to help :).

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15 comments
  • 1
Alfreda Lewis
Alfreda Lewis

WOW WOW WOW - Thank you for this word this morning .  Blessings and Love pastor 

March 21, 2017
  • 1
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me to rightly divide Your word and to discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work Your perfect will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen Thank you :)

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Barbara Jackson
Barbara Jackson

Amen Pastor. Well said

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Thank you for this message. I pray to keep my faith simple with my eyes open to Your will Lord. Amen

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Amen!

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Tasha Averett
Tasha Averett

Pastor Todd,  how do you feel about a woman wearing a pair of pants/slacks? Is that considered personal preference? Because in Deuteronomy 22:5, the Bible says, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment:for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."

 

March 21, 2017
  • 3
Dion Todd
Dion Todd

They wore robes... Jesus didn't wear pants. In a department store, they have a men's section and a women section. Each has slightly different clothing. Summary: Personal preference.

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Joe Brown
Joe Brown

Thank You, Lord!

March 21, 2017
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

This is why so many have left the church, just because you do not fit the mold does not mean that God does not love you. When I finally learned about the Holy Spirit and reconized His job in us, I could finally be free! 

March 21, 2017
  • 0
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen 

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝

Amen!     Thank you for todays devotion Pastor Dion. :-)

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me to rightly divide Your word and to discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work Your perfect will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me to rightly divide your word and to discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work your perfect will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

Yes, oh Lord, I too want to stay with basics of what you taught.  Never to add anything to what "You really said"! Amen!

 

 

March 21, 2017
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams

Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Todd!  Heavenly Father, please get me back to the basics and keep my faith simple. Help me to rightly divide Your word and to discern the truth when I hear it. Guide me today and work Your perfect will in my life, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

March 22, 2017
  • 1
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible

I needed to read this. It made me do some thinking. Thanks.

March 22, 2017