Recent Blog Entries
-
The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchante... -
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-imp...
-
While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 WEB.While his wife gave birth in a stable, the strong smell of farm anima...
-
- 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!
Burn It All Down
-
However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:7 WEB
I once had a well paying job with great benefits, at least by South Carolina standards. I was a maintenance supervisor over a crew of men in a factory. It was the only job that I ever had that provided health insurance and a matching 401k. The boss loved me. It was a great job, but I did have to work twelve hours every Saturday and Sunday.
During that time, something began stirring within me, a hunger. Though I could not attend church and hadn't in years, I began to crave more of God in my life. I listened to the Bible all day by keeping an ear bud in one ear. A desire came on me to fast for a while. I can tell you that if your body ever feels like 'fasting' that you can be positively sure that God is prompting you. Nobody desires to fast on their own accord, for feasting is more pleasing.
I began to fast and pray. I would hear myself praying crazy prayers for the Lord to remove anything that was holding me back. 'Put me where I need to be. Burn anything out of me that needs to go.' After a couple of weeks, they suddenly called me to the office and laid me off without warning. They replaced me with a man who was nearly illiterate. I was a bit shocked at first. I felt wronged and I did not see it coming. I could feel bitterness wanting to come in, but I also knew in my heart that God had something better for no one could take my job away unless He allowed it.
I felt that I should be working in a Christian book store anyway, or a Christian environment and that God was working on making that happen. Not. He put me right into the middle of huge group of hardcore sinners, the kind that you avoid in the alley, and for a third of the pay. I humbled myself, rose to the occasion, and gave God full permission to do whatever He wanted in my life. I tried my best to be the perfect employee, and some of them were led to the Lord. Then He pushed me into my own computer business, through Bible College, and later into ministry.
I probably would have retired as a supervisor there because I was happy with the job, but the Lord had so much more waiting on me once I became willing to let it all go and let Him have His way in my life. Now I welcome being laid off. It has become a sign of promotion to me. Each time that it has happened, after I went through the dry time of desperation that always follows, it ended up being better. I can honestly say 'Burn it all down Lord.' Paul counted everything that he had lost as rubbish, or dung, compared to what he had gained and what was still coming.
If you face losing a job, or work at one that you despise, know that God is still in control. No one can take away your job without Him allowing it. Press into Him wholeheartedly. Work for Him. Reject the fear and doubt. Know that this will work out for your good. Allow God to remove the things that need to go. Know that promotion is coming, though it may take you along the scenic route.
Prayer: Heavenly Father have Your way in my life. I want more of You today. Guide me, teach me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that You have for me Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning! The highlighted group of the week is "Fun With Electronics", Pastor Dion''s technical group! Here we discuss computers, electronics, hardware, software, websites, wiring things, home theatre, wifi, drones and much more. All are welcome to join. No technical experience necessary! ALSO, the Creation Photographers theme of the week is "Giving Back", based on Luke 6:38. As always, you are free to post anything else that inspires you, too! FINALLy, don''t forget that on Wednesday starting at 7pm EST, we will be hosting a half hour RHM Live worship service, followed immediately by the 7:30 Wednesday FAAD Chat!
Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.
Just amazing! You have no idea! Wow! I've been very private about this, but I'll share this tidbit. The gentleman I'm seeing is going through almost this exact thing! And God has taken away his appetite too! He has also been praying crazy prayers and asking the Lord to burn things out of him too, remove things, etc. Pastor Dion, your devos are ALWAYS so timely. You have no idea how much this will encourage him! (Well, actually you do! You have firsthand experience!) This will truly blow his mind! Thank you for sharing!
Praying with your for your gentleman friend <3 that God will work his will in a big and blessed way for him. God bless
God is always looking out for ALL of us and even though we might not quite understand what is going on, why this is happening, or how come, in the end, when you turn around and look back, you smile and say. . ."GOD knew exactly what the plan was all along, we just had to have FAITH!" Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!
Amen! Well said Marisa
Amen
In Jesus' name I pray, thank you Lord for your blessings and loving me, Amen.
AMEN Lord Jesus AMEN.
Amen!
Prayer: Heavenly Father have Your way in my life. I want more of You today. Guide me, teach me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that You have for me Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen...
I have prayed this and similar prayers quite often over the past few years... I can tell you God always has something better just around that long uncertain corner... keep walking in faith and I promise you will see his blessings and promotions. Even when it's the scenic route, be grateful for the blessings in the storms, they are always there even if we can't see them just yet.
Through faith and prayer, I have overcome, illness, family illness and loss, job loss, unstable income, family mental health issues, my own mental health issues (depression & anxiety is definately a mental health thing)... the list can go on but you get the point.
Today I stand stronger than ever in faith and knowing God will always provide, he will always be with me, I am never alone, I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me, I am a beloved child of the most high and he has always got the best plans for me even when they seem so hard to understand in the moment... they always end up as better or healing agents I would not have been given if not for the circumstance I felt was a bad one. Each time I stumble or back slide into depression / anxiety, I am gently reminded of all the goodness that God provides daily and I have learned to search for those blessings in every day. Much can be learned from those hard moments if you let go and let God guide. Thank you Pastor for your inspired words <3 God bless
Good Morning church, once again another great message. I love being reminded of God's wonderful works. Pastor Todd, you are right on nothing happens Unless God allows it. I am going to rest in that. I know this but as a believer we have to be reminded by renewing our minds in the Lord and what his word says.
Amen AmenAmen!!!!
God's plan for my life is so much better, thank you Lord! Even when I don't understand why things are, I believe You have something better just around the corner. Amen.
For all who will understand, when I made a conscience decision to turn my will and my life over to God, God took that decission seriously. As any who will come to the Wednesday evening service at Refreshing Hope will see, God will change your job. He will even change the State you live in, He will probably change things you never even thought about, but it will all be for our own good. Serving God is the most awesome thing I have ever done in my life. Was it easy? No! But, it has turned out to be the best decission I could have ever made! BURN IT ALL DOWN!
Amen. Sometimes doors close, sometimes they slam shut with your foot in them. Though your foot was caught and it was very painful, it heals and you limp on to something better.
You inspired me with that job you had as Janitor and did it as unto the Lord . I presently am in the midst of having to do something I do not want to do but now that I do it unto the Lord, I can sing while I'm there and have a totally different attitude! I'm making those toilets shine!!
Amen thank you pastor Dion for sharing your love of Jesus with us, Todays devotional is great just like all the others Gods Love sincerely Scott R.
In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.
I used to manage banks and develop retail stores for a living since I was 17 , and developed COPD at 33 and the Dr's litterally forced me to go on disability. I had two small children, and at times they didn't think I would make it from a week, to a month, to five years. Now 16 years later ( boy, did I prove them wrong :) ) because of my faith in the Lord will to live for my children and knowledge of natural medicine, I was able to get better on my own. The money was really amazing with what I was doing but left me with little time with my kids and also I was taking care of my Grandmother at the time as well, and I truly believe that the Lord knew all of the stress that I carried in my life which actually led me to become ill created this change in my life so that I would have to look after myself better and be there for my children, Grandmother and family and lead me to actually become not only stronger in body but in Christ. Even though there were some very hard times financially, because of my financial background I knew how to budget and worked very hard at making what we had last and provide a good life for my kids and I as they went through their formitable years. Though there were still many very hard times, we always got through them, praise God, and I can honestly say, just like Pastor Dion said in his wonderful devotional today that my children and I came out all the better because of it. There were a lot of times I was in fear and doubted because times did get so hard, but the Lord always saw my family through. Faith and trust in the Lord will always get you there, and one of my favorite quotes from the Bible that I keep on a sticky note on my computer is "Perfect love casts out fear" and it truly does. Sorry so long but felt I had to share my testimony on this today because it was so relevent, as always Pastor Dions' devotionals always are. God Bless you all today and everyday and much love in Christ <3
Wonderful!!
Psalm 118:5-6 " In my anguish I cried to the LORD and he answered me by setting me free. "The LORD GOD is with me, I will nt be afraid. What can man do to me?" In everything, with our ups and downs, joy and pain, loneliness and depression, trust, love and believe our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY that he is always with us. HE knows, HE sees, HE hears and HE will answer. Always have HIM first above anyone else in our lives. For our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is merciful. HIS love, mercy and faithfulness endures forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father have Your way in my life. I want more of You today. Guide me, teach me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that You have for me Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3
Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devorion. :-) I've had door close on me threw out my life and it always turned out for the good for me. Thank you Father, for always being there to get me threw every thing you have in my life. I know you was always with me. here has been many very painful times too and I cried from the pain but never blamed you Father. I just always went into praying and you got me threw. Thank You, Father! I love you and alwas keep my eyes seen threw your eyes to know how to get threw what every I need to. Amen. <3
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father have your way in my life. I want more of you today. Guide me, Teach Me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that you have for me Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!
Pastor, you had a "real" life with struggles. It's one reason your devotions have have such an impact. As always, thanks and may God continue to bless RHM.
Amen! ♡
Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father have Your way in my life. I want more of You today. Guide me, teach me, draw me, and use me. I surrender to all that You have for me Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Thank you for writing to us. We gain hope & inspiration from one another!
Love when saying to God about desires to be close to Him or free of something or remind me not to...He's there in love. When in scripture the Holy Spirit brin's rhema to it and it gets me to change on some way or not to keep going in some thought..Cleansing in a one on one. Awesome God of Hope with love that means what He says and says what He means!! Especially this began when men around me were not this type of character all. He is soo good!