Recent Blog Entries
-
Anchor of the Soul from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When people lose hope, they lie down and die. They lose the will to live and fight any longer. Hopelessness is utter despair, the belief that nothing good will happen. When you begin to think like this, it will bring a desire to die. A ... -
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...
-
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...
-
- 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!
Making it Difficult
-
Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd - Filed in Devotional - #Christian Devotional # - 13,894 views
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. Acts 15:28–29 NIV
After Jesus ascended to the Father and the gospel started to spread, non-Jewish people (Gentiles) started to follow Jesus. They started out joyful and free but soon men came that taught them: unless you are circumcised according to the law of Moses you cannot be saved. This became a sharp dispute and the apostles had to meet in Jerusalem to resolve it. The letter above was their verdict. Also: We should not make it difficult for those turning to God (Acts 15:19).
There is an invisible force, like a gravitational pull, that draws the church to legalism. So many times I have witnessed churches too Holy for a sinner to visit at all. Their motto is that you need to get your life in order first, and then you can join them. When in reality, if people come to Jesus He will wash them in His own blood. We that are followers of Jesus have no right to make it difficult for others to know Him.
If you are a follower of Jesus, make it easy for others to come to know Jesus as well. Drop the rule set and focus on introducing them to a Friend. He will ultimately decide who goes to heaven, not you, so lighten up. The pressure is off. If you are not a follower of Jesus: accept my apologies for the way that we have presented Him. He is much more forgiving, loving, considerate and kind than His followers are. Give Him a chance, even though we make it difficult.
Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.
Social Sharing
by votes
by date
- 0
Rod Fortner
Amen!
March 17, 2015
- 0
Leslie McLea
Double AMEN ! thank you for always having this ready for me to pass onto others before I leave for work. Just these few lines bring such an impact to those who have little time to read. It is the small acts of kindness we show to others that they get a glimpse of seeing Jesus in us. It is not the big things we do. An act of kindness goes a long way to show you care about others.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Karen Pietrantonio
This brings to mind a song by Casting Crowns: "If We Are the Body." We all have a function, as Church, to reach out to those who don't know the Truth. Let's face it, how we behave may be the only Jesus someone will see today; do we want to represent Christ badly? Thank you, Pastor Dion!!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Uwalaka Dorathy
come to think of it, is not the sick who needs a doctor? why should the healthy prevent them?
March 18, 2015
- 0
Yvette Cantrell
Amen Amen Amen!!! Our Lord God Is The Ultimate Authority!!!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Penelope Rhome
God fixes us and makes us holy hallelujah praise be to the
March 18, 2015
- 0
Jodi Graff
Amen! I was just talking about this with a dear friend of mine. If we allow these feelings of worthlessness to prevent us from worship, how can we truly be fruitful? I feel so blessed to have my church, (not too holy), and even more blessed, that my pastor...although he sometimes seems to have a direct line to the Divine...is a down to earth, bible believing, Christ follower, that not only loves the Lord, he loves people!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Jodi Graff
It reminds me of the song,"Come As You Are", by Crowder. I love both of these songs. It helps me to keep it in perspective!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Barbara Mango
I strongly agree. Too many people want to second guess God, proclaiming who will be saved and who won't. God sees us like no one can. It's very presumptuous to think that we can decide on another person's eternal fate. We're not here to judge but to serve.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Ruth Martin
This is just beautiful. These days so many Churches put restrictions on your ability to be forgiven. I am so glad there are people like you, Pastor, that is reaching out to tell those that have been burned or shunned by those people that it isn't all that complicated.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Kathy Banfield
As always, Pastor Todd hit the nail directly dead-center! This is the reason I'm seeking another parish; last Sunday, I wasn't feeling well and didn't "dress up" as I normally do. Well, the reaction from my so-called "friends" was incredible! I was so hurt, I told my kids I don't even want to go back there. Later today, I hope to meet with a Methodist pastor who promised to locate a "user-friendly" parish for me! Thanks so much for your insight this morning! Blessings, Kathy
March 18, 2015
- 0
Karen Pietrantonio
I like that one, too, Jodi. Keepin' it real!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Karen Pietrantonio
I'm so sorry you experienced that, Kathy! Dressed up or not, you made it to worship service. I believe that matters more than what you wear, or whether you have your hair and makeup done. Praise God that He examines our hearts instead of our clothes! Prayers for you to find a new church home where you feel loved and treasured!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Cynthia Nortey
Amen!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Susan Helms
Reminds me of the song by Casting Crowns --- If We Are The Body.....it rings so true. How many times people have been shunned because of their appearance when they may have well been more of a true Christ follower than a lot in the congregation.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Carol Pady
Amen! Some churches forget that Jesus himself ate with sinners and tax collectors. They forget that to Love thy neighbor is to welcome the sinner into God's house! Thank you for Your ministry! Your daily devotions are refreshing and to the point.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Linda Porter
If you keep out the sinners, then you'd have NO congregation.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Yup, true, I know we wouldn't be there :).
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Yes, and sometimes for pretty ridiculous reasons. Dion mentioned he went to a church one time that would preach against people who wore neckties. I mean, Dion doesn't personally like neckties, but that's different from making it into a sin :).
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Sorry to hear that, Kathy, that's terrible :(. In case it helps, here is a little website we made a few years ago. It's kind of a church search engine: http://www.churchfinder.us/.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Joe Lawler
Amen! Was thinking about this just last week.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Debbie Thompson
I was told a story once about a "hippie" who was walking past a church in the late 60's. His clothes were tattered, his hair long and stringy, and he was unbathed (not unfamiliar to many homeless or destitute today).
As the story goes, he entered the church of finely dressed people and beautiful surroundings because of the beautiful music he heard; it was so beautiful, he was curios.
Upon entering everything came to an abrupt halt as people turned around to see who came in. As he proceeded up the isle to take a seat, his body oder (though not horrid) was present and people started gathering their hankie's to cover their noses. The pastor immediately left his pulpit and sternly walked toward the young man. This hippie thought this is cool, he coming to greet me.
The pastor walked up to the young man and very clearly and loudly said "I'm sorry young man but we don't allow your kind in here! I need you to leave."
The young man's whole demeanor sank and he said "well (explative) you man." and he left. The congregation returned to their norm and that young man probably never entered another church again!
It is vital as the body of Christ to remember that our churches are HOSPITALS FOR SICK SINNERS, not social clubs for sinning saints!! LOVE THE SINNER, NOT THE SIN!!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Donovan McCleese
The truth!! Praise God who is our true friend and loves us like none other!! Amen.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Theresa Smith
Hallelujah. I am a follower of Christ. No man have a heaven or hell to put me in..
March 18, 2015
- 0
Theresa Smith
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; this pastor could not have been sent by God. Then the Bible goes on to say in 22:14 many are called but few are chosen.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Theresa Smith
Amen
March 18, 2015
- 0
Evan Force
I have stopped going to two different churches because there was a group of people who basically were not accepted or welcomed at either church. Last year I started attending Westminster Presbyterian where they make a point of stating at the beginning of every service that absolutely EVERYONE is welcome. They don't presume everyone in the pews to be Christian but, rather, it is their desire to be Christian to everyone.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Mayra Prado
I think finding God is a very individual journey. Those who find Him early in their lives have truly been blessed. For others it takes a lifetime. And for all it takes a lifetime to perfect a close relationship with Him. We can only hope to bring people close to faith by our example and our acceptance...the rest is up to them and the Holy Spirit.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Jennifer Ledesma
""""" thank You, PASTOR DION TODD !!!!!!!!....in my opinion---- the Church is my first home.. I feel so warmth and much welcome in our Church. the people makes You feel good and helps You with anything.. Our Priests are all welcoming and give good lectures and narrates Gospels in a simple way..my strong feeling of englightenment of my motivation to go to Church and help the helpless. at the end of the day, I feel much closer to GOD and very humble !!!!!!!! """"""
March 18, 2015
- 0
Berta Savage
Amen!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Dion Todd
Hi Susan, we were commanded to not eat / drink blood in Genesis. Gen. 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood .
March 18, 2015
- 0
kylie dempsey
That is awful....Jesus loved the lepers...He touched them and loved them...we forget we are sinners...no matter how much we dress up.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Scott Riegelmann
Thank you Pastor Todd for again reminding me Im not alone in this life and others have come from a place where church was too good for me to attend and if Jesus walked up to most churches today we wouldnt let him in! Hes too dirty or his clothes were torn and tattered we wouldnt even see him in most cases the good people of churches just dont get it, Its ABOUT RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS and thats it for me the rest of it is crap sorry for my strong languge Anyways THANK YOU Thank you for showing people Jesus thru yours eyes God Bless you and your ministry!! Sincerely Scott R.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Amen, it's a wonderful thing to have a church that accepts you as you are and supports you!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
That's wonderful, Evan! It's a fairly rare church, it seems, that doesn't have cliques. Our local church is very good with acceptance, too - it's a blessing.
March 18, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Amen!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Tina G
I was a hot mess when I started my christian journey. If I "had it altogether" I suppose I wouldn't have needed church or God. Thankfully my church took me in. They knew something about Jesus that I didn't know and that was that he loves people like me! And He wants us exactly where we are. I think I continue to keep Him busy lol
March 18, 2015
- 0
Cheryl Hepler
Great words to remind me that we are free as Jesus taught
March 18, 2015
- 0
Nell Neathery
That you Bro. Dion. A very good devotional. As I read earlier today: "What a Friend we have in Jesus." I am washed in the Blood of the Lamb! On Easter Sunday, I will have been in a fast for 40 days after my roommate came home, saw me watching Christian television, called it "crap" and changed the channel to something worse. To make a long story short, the lease of this apartment will be completed at the end of April, and I will be moving into another apartment of my own where I will be free to worship Jesus in my home!
March 18, 2015
- 0
Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! We must keep this ever in mind, be like God in looking pass people's faults to see the need. It would help to realize our own desperate need for His Grace.
March 19, 2015
- 0
Sylvia Todd
Yes, indeed, Ticardo!
March 19, 2015
- 0
Lissy Verghese
Thank you for the message!
March 19, 2015
- 0
Irene Burgon
Thank you Rod for a great message. Unfortunately we have one in Southern Calif. that follow this behavior. If you are in church, you aren't leaving until the sermon is over.
March 21, 2015
- 0
Daryl Page
When I was young I'd been.attending a major denomination church. I remember when they would give invatations they would always call u to get up walk isle n if u were to b saved ud have to give ur heart n life to Christ At 13 I nu this would b impossible to give my life to him as I nu I'd not b able to give Him something I feally didn't understand n nu I'd b lying to Jesus cuz I nu I had selfishness n me so I couldn't promise something I nu I wasn't ready or serious bout. So I never went forward. Then a few months before I became 14 I was at youth rally. I made up my mind I wasn't gonna listen nor react to the service or invatatiom. Yet this time the Spirit told me to listen close. Then the speaker gave the message n invatatiom but this time it was different shee said give Jesus Ur heart n He will complete the rest. I still had hard time getting up to walk isle wen for only 2nd time n my life I heard the Holy Spirit say stop waiting for nxt stanza. If u don't go now ull never come. I nu I could give my heart n trust Him with the rest. That was Sat nite Feb 14th 8:50 pm He called me to b pastor but I choose world cuz of some bad experiences with the pastor n no one would bluve me. Yet God was so faithful as Feb 14th 1997 we started the Livhthose Ministries. Many things have changed along the way but we r still together. N wen I give invatations I allow them to recieve Christ as Saviour riite theren their seat by giving their heart n letting Him complete the wrk He began Idk y ministries make it so difficult wen its meant for u to come as child innocent no prerequisite just come into Gods mercy. My thoughts keep it simple walk out ur faith n wen needed speak with love. God Bless One Love LOG. PD
April 1, 2015