Recent Blog Entries
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Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its se... -
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16'22 WEB.While travelin...
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When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8...
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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!
Unanswered Prayers
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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8 WEB
There were many times in my life that I worked something out in my mind, planned the way that it should go, and then watched it as it went the other way. As a business owner, at times it was frustrating. I needed to be in control. Sometimes I became angry because I felt that it could have been a good break for us. Like Martha, I would ask God 'Lord, don't You care?'
Time and time again I saw that God had other plans for me. Many times He just kept me from making a bad choice, though it looked really good at the time. He could see further down the road than I could. Thank God for those unanswered prayers.
Most often though, He was preparing me for the next stage of my life, and His next project. While I was working hard on 'My plans,' He was busy steering me to where I needed to be next. His plans sometimes involved being laid off, mistreated, and offended. At least that was my perception. In reality, it was mostly my pride that got hurt, and fairly often. God will discipline His children (Hebrews 12:7).
If my prayers had been answered, I would not be a pastor writing this message. We prayed, and fasted, and gave and begged God to bless our computer business, but He had bigger plans and could see further down the road than we could. He had prepared us to work for Him in the ministry and when the time came, He squeezed us out of the old so that we would accept the new. I am happy to be here now and it is better than I ever thought possible, but His thoughts were well beyond my thoughts, and I didn't care for the squeezing either.
Disappointment often comes when our plans do not line up with His plans. We struggle and strive to make a business work only to find that He is trying to move us into something better. We kick and fight and scream to hold onto the past when He is trying to gently pull it away so that He can get us to take the next step. It is like holding on to a bad tooth. God is always preparing you for the next stage of your life. What you are doing now is preparing you for what is coming. He will make it all worth it and one day looking back, it will make sense.
I am writing this to those that have submitted their lives to God as the Bible teaches us, because that is who the promises are for. 'In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths' (Proverbs 3:6). 'Also delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires of your heart' (Psalms 37:4). 'You shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart' (Jeremiah 29:13). 'If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land' (Isaiah 1:19).
All these verses state 'If you do this' then 'this will happen.' Jesus Himself said, 'Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say?' (Luke 6:46). Our obedience is what actually makes Him our Lord and activates the promises of God in our life. Who shall eat the good of the land? The willing and obedient. Who will have the desires of their heart? Those who delight themselves in the Lord.
I have spent years of my life that were not submitted to God and He let me roam like a wild weed, doing whatever I chose, and reaping the consequences. My progress in life stalled, and years were lost. The Father did not stop the prodigal son from leaving His house (Luke 15:13), nor will the Lord stop you when you fully understand what you are doing, and choose to do it anyway. When the party is over though, we are always welcome to come home to Him.
When I began to intentionally seek God daily, tried to live right, laid on the carpet and poured out my heart to Him, then things began to change in my life for the better. Does the way that we live affect the blessing of God on our lives? Absolutely. 'Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap' (Galatians 6:7).
Submit yourselves to God and He will make your life worth living. He can fill the empty places. He can turn poverty into an abundance. He can surround the lonely with friends. He levels the playing field and brings the lowly up, and the haughty down. His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts, but if we spend time with Him in prayer, He will share them with us. When we finally line our will up with His, then great things will happen, in us, to us, and through us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I submit my life to You. Use me as You will and put me where I need to be. Share Your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Thank You Pastor for your faithfullness to RHM. Thank You for getting up early and positing these messages so that no matter what time someone gets up they will be waiting for them. Thank you for sharing your journey in your messages, these help to make life real and I appricate that. I have been very encouraged by this devotional this morning and I have prayed the prayer you have posted in your message. May your day be blessed with HIS presence.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I submit my life to You. Use me as You will and put me where I need to be. Share Your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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 Leslie
They are scheduled by the night before so I do not have to get up at 3 AM. Thanks Leslie :)
Mr. Todd, God is trying to get your attention regarding your disobedience. Repent. You must get out of your adulterous remarriage before it's too late. Admit it publicly and quit it publicly. Stop kicking against the pricks and grieving the Holy Spirit. Do not justify the sin of remarriage after divorce from a covenant, one-flesh spouse. It is not a marriage. Jesus calls it adultery!
Covenant, One-Flesh Marriage: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoMKRIaJeY6qZkL4iYJmMAAW9UAYwvRTZ
Cheryl, I realize that your obession with this subject is out of your own personal pain, and pray that God will deliver you from the grief and bitterness, and into all that He has for you. God bless!
Cheryl, that is a good one... and we have had this discussion before. I am sorry your husband left you, but please don't take your pain out on the others around you. This is what I believe to be true:
http://www.refreshinghope.org/blogs/1/17/marriage-divorce
Leslie, that is so sweet, we appreciate you so much! As Dion said, we don't actually get up that early, or we would be grumpy indeed ;).
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen❤️
Amen
Amen!!!
Thank You Lord for using Pastor Dion for bring this wonderful heart touching message. It touched my soul so much this morning that I ccould not stop praising and blessing Jesus name. For the Lord is the strength of my life and I needed to read this message. I had to print this out so I could read it thoughout the day. May the Lord continue to use and bless you and your wife Pastor Dion in this ministry in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank you so much, Joan, it is always so fulfilling to hear that what we are doing has meaning to y'all :)!
Every so often I tend to make a list of goals. A few years ago I made a list of goals and things that I wanted. Year after year went by and when I realized that My goals and prayers were answered, It took 7 years to come to pass. I struggled so hard during that time. I was going through a lot. But it took about seven years. Still I kept praying and eventually I got what I was praying for. I believe that God hears us when we call. I am grateful for everything. Thank You Pastor Dion for the blessed message today.
This is awesome!!!
That is an excellent practice, Madalyn, and wonderful to see how much He has fulfilled in your life! His work is often done in small steps, so keeping a record like that is important!
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!!
Amen, Pastor,Amen. He is my Saviour, my Lord and Provider.In Him I trust. Amen.
Amen, brother <3!
Thank you for this reminder. We are drowning here, my husband continues to do the work but for our clients to pay us when they feel like it. I really need an assist from god if possible.
Lord, I lift up Anjennette and her husband to you. Please work on the hearts of their clients to pay them, open the doors to those who will benefit from their services, and grant wisdom to this couple to know any steps that they need to take, in the name of Jesus, amen <3!
Amen
Amen thank pastor Todd for sharing your story. Yes if we let God lead us and our life.
One thing I think we can see in this message is that we can sometimes have troubles in life and not really be out of God's will. The computer business we had was certainly part of God's plan for us and was blessed for many years. Even now, He throws work at us, when it's needed or when others need to be blessed with help :). Still, when a person is driving a car, it takes more effort to make a sharp turn than it does to drive straight, times of transition in life can be stressful. In the end, God knows best, and the journey will indeed be worth it <3!
Thank you really needed to here this today greatly ministered to me.
When those times come, those things we thought we really wanted, but God had other plans, perhaps in those moments He is saving us from ourselves. Protecting us from hurtful or harmful things, although, at those moments, it can be rather difficult for us toBut, see it that way lol. But, looking back on those times in my life, I'm glad things worked out the way they did and I'm grateful to Him for watching out for me.
You sound very blessed by Him and will continue to be. Blessings to you! The song on radio sings.."I love thee for Thou first loved me.....
I appreciate the kind words and I hope He blesses you and watches out for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I submit my life to You. Use me as You will and put me where I need to be. Share Your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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 for todays devotion, Pastor Dion. :-)
Thank you Pastor Dion. Its always good to read about your experiences.It puts things into perspective. Pastors prayer:Heavenly Father, I submit my life to You. Use me as You will and put me where I need to be. Share Your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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
Soo good. Hit the spot of feeling out of control. Wanting to control what proved impossible. Yes debt is one and pray that yrs will be granted for my husband and I to live with joy in the Lord. Do what the Lord has. We both ache today. His bk muscles really got painful in time for him to see chiro as I was going there for my spine. Timely Blessing! I pray as he drives away for a long haul in his tractor trailer a good trip and good rest at hotel tomorrow. Amen
Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, I submit my life to You. Use me as You will and put me where I need to be. Share Your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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. Thank you Pastor for this devotion and prayer Heavenly Father . I give thanks to you with a grateful heart.For you always know what is best for me.I surrender and submit my life into your hands and ask for your guidance every day.In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, I submit my life to you. Use me as you will and put me where I need to be. Share your thoughts and plans with me so that I can be in tune with 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!!