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Sacrifice from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When Jesus came walking past the disciples in their fishing boat late one night, Peter called out to Him and asked if he could join Him and walk on the water. (Matthew 14:28–31 NKJV) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if ... -
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on." A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?" Simon answered, "He, I suppose, ...
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For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Luke 7:33'34 WEB.A gloomy feeling settled over you when you...
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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!
Bearer of the Flame
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Of the angels he says, 'Who makes his angels winds, And his servants a flame of fire.' Hebrews 1:7 WEB
When the preacher walked past our row of seats, it seemed like you could feel heat coming off of him. When he looked at you, it was as if he looked straight into your heart and saw how black that it really was. You felt as if he knew everything that you had ever done wrong. It was uncomfortable and I could not help but look away. I felt like I needed to go repent just being there.
I was not used to this. You could usually sleep through the service at our church and no one would notice. Though I was saved and had attended church for years, this visiting speaker whom I had never seen before, walked in an anointing that I did not know existed before then.
He called my friend up front who was sitting beside me, and began to tell him about the three car accidents that my friend had been in, and how God had spared his life so that He could use him today. He had never seen my friend before, yet he was spot on about his past. I could see that God shared secrets with him.
After this he called me up front and told me that He had given me a mathematical mind, and an ability to understand things complex. That one day I would be in the ministry, so to begin to prepare myself for it. I was around twenty years old when he gave me that word and I painted houses for a living.
It excited me, and I went through Bible college at night and earned a degree, but when I graduated, every door was supernaturally shut. People would schedule me to speak at their church, then cancel the night before. I ended up working on computers for most of the next twenty years and eventually forgot about the ministry. I figured that I had either missed Him, or wrecked His plan for me somehow.
Years later, our computer business dried completely up and after months of job searching, we could find nothing. The final week that we were getting ready to move out of our house, I was pushed into full time ministry as a pastor. It was the furthest thing from my mind at that point, but it was a wide open door and the only job open to me.
'Prepare yourself' meant a lot more than Bible college and it took twenty-five years, but here I am. Now I use the technical skills that I learned along the way to build the online church here and to send millions of emails a month. Refreshing Hope maintains its own server farm built by the pastor, and we are using it to spread His word around the earth.
I wrote all of that not to build myself up, but to say that my outlook on Christianity changed that day when I watched a man walk under a heavy anointing by God and speak things that came true twenty-five years later. He was the genuine article and carried the Holy Spirit like a flame. I want that, but it will cost everything. Total commitment.
I learned that day that there is a level of walking with the Lord that not everyone has. Sure, we will make it to heaven, but there is an anointing for those that press into the heart of God right now, and there is an intimacy to be had while we are here. There is more to this Christianity thing than I was first taught. This is real and it is time to radically believe God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You are there for me, and I want to be here for You. Use me Lord. Speak to me and through me. Help me to encourage others in their walk with You. Let me lead others to You. Anoint me to help bring in the harvest and guide my steps today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
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Amen
Amen
Powerful.
Tears! Aaaaamen! Glory to God!
Amen--wha a Testemony!! Refreshing you told it with a new angle.. So powerfull! Makes Me realize the Dormancy of a time in My life I'm waiting for it too Blossom. Yep!
Amen Pastor Dion when I read your devotion this morning and see what the Lord has done in your life. It gives me hope and encouragment . Inspite of what is going on in my life and around me not to give up. God will come through on time thank you you devotional message.
Amen, love this! Our God is Awesome!!! Thank you Pastor for sharing.
Great story this morning Dion
Wonderful prayer!!
Heavenly Father, I know that You are there for me, and I want to be here for You. Use me Lord. Speak to me and through me. Help me to encourage others in their walk with You. Let me lead others to You. Anoint me to help bring in the harvest and guide my steps today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen! When we fully commit our lives to Jesus, He brings wonderful ways for us to serve Him and others.
I love this story. I remember the Holy Spirit coming upon me. What an experience! More and more happenings again..all different ways. One song I never will forget is..And Jesus said, "Come to the waters standby my side..I know you are thirsty you want be denied. I felt every tear drop when in darkness you cried and I strove to remind you that for those tears I died" More verses followed. I was in a circle of on fire believers with guitar being played as we all sang when tears coming up so deep I knew not why with emotional sobbing. I had no idea what was happening and went to look up around the group when tissues we're handed and a comforting hand was on my shoulder. Words of, you are alright followed. The weeping was uncontrollable. Felt embarrassed. I realized it was not my usual self. But so deep.. realized the Holy Spirit..Jesus Himself was connecting with me in a personal get to know Him way. Later days I was on a Spiritual high drinking that looked drunk but not on wine. In years following many Spiritual things happened. I know that I know He is real. Recent times or some years I have felt dry. Faith is the road. I wonder sometimes will this continue. His Spirit keeps me going enen while it is so quiet. Oddly enough this Sunday my husband and I will be attending a group about the Holy Spirit in the new church we go to. I can't wait to get there and I feel sad when we leave. While dealing physically with different things I have felt that never again will I experience what I did. Taste and see that the Lord is good! I tasted and desire more. In our years of white hairs He said He not forget us...I believe this in faith. There is a child in me though when in service with physical issues and the music starts I leap out of my body with praise music and in worship there is a great reverence of His presence...a kid so to speak not bound by any physical issue. But two feet on earth I come to and a new week begins.
Its not over yet. Amen
Never give up. He can use us well into our old age. I love it how you say "I leap out of my body with praise music"It paints a wonderful picture... Taste and see that the Lord is good. Keep tasting and desiring more....God is faithful....
Amen!!
Amen. I am now understanding of why I had accident at college in 2011. You can refer to my profile for details. I understand now...how a month or so again. ..after praying for a miraculous healing is taking place with my hand. I had a Failed thumb construction surgery and was told would have to have another..4mths I had to wear a special brace..I had issues with my car I got with disability back pay...it had constant coolant issues. The man I got it from honored his word and gave me all my money back...plus an extra 100. Did I keep it....Absolutely not. I pointed it out to him and gave it back..He joked around and said he did it to see if what I would do..then immediately said he didn't but was a mistake. No way was I gonna keep it and miss out on my blessings. I was only without a car for about 5 hours. Who would have thought I would be driving a straight drive stick in the floor with the so called failed hand surgery..My hand is getting stronger each day allowing me to do so much with church and strangers He has put in my life who needed prayer and to know they are loved and not alone. Two ladies live within 2 miles from me. My 80 yr old neighbor lost her husband a month or so ago. God has put her in my life for a reason as I am here for her. Her son 4hrs away and can't be here. So much for Failed Surgery. .Its my testimony to share hope..faith and encouragement to lonely and broken hearted. Have an awesome day and never ever give up. Rebecca
I just posted a pic of just one of my miraculous gifts from GOD.....Praises to him. Never ever give up
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Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You are there for me, and I want to be here for You. Use me Lord. Speak to me and through me. Help me to encourage others in their walk with You. Let me lead others to You. Anoint me to help bring in the harvest and guide my steps today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. <3
Thank you Pastor for todays devotion. :-)
Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father, I know that You are there for me, and I want to be here for You. Use me Lord. Speak to me and through me. Help me to encourage others in their walk with You. Let me lead others to You. Anoint me to help bring in the harvest and guide my steps today, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen and amen, Ticardo <3!
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, I know that you are there for me, and I want to be here for you. Use Me Lord. Speak to me and through me. Help me to encourage others in their walk with you. Let me lead others to you. Anoint me to help bring in the Harvest and guide my steps today, in the name of Jesus Christ I prayAmen!!
Lord please help me to walk with You on a higher level. Amen.