Recent Blog Entries
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A Living Sacrifice from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Various sacrifices were required under the old covenant. Some of the sacrifices helped feed the priests and those who worked at the temple, but a burnt offering was placed on the altar and completely consumed by fire. You can read about... -
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 WEB.We once had a prophet come to our church who was scheduled to preach elsewhere but was canceled...
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My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27 WEB.Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice, and they would follow Him, "and a stranger, they would not follow" (John 10:5). God ...
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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!
The Social Club
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Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, 'This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.' Luke 15:1'2 WEB
I could hardly contain my excitement as we headed to the church. For several weeks I had been sharing my faith with a friend at work and he finally agreed to come to church with me. As far as I know, he had never been to church before, and at the time, I was young and naive about how snooty people can be when it comes to their religion.
We were both musicians, but where I was clean cut, he actually looked like one. He had really long hair like most rock and roll drummers did in the 80s, and a few tattoos, but he was a good hearted guy that would give you the shirt off his back if it would help you.
My church had been having a revival meeting all week. The preacher had brought a solid message every night about Jesus, love and mercy, heaven and hell, the works, followed by a very effective altar call.
Wanting my friend to hear the message about Jesus uninterrupted, I got us seats on the front row, and we settled in to listen. When the preacher walked onto the stage and saw my long-haired friend sitting on the front row, the message suddenly changed from how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to how shameful it is for a man to have long hair. He yelled his way through the scriptures with a red face while staring directly at us with what appeared to be contempt. The church was filled with: 'Amen Brother! Preach it!'
I sank lower and lower in my seat as the service went on and my excitement gradually became disgust. I slowly realized that they only wanted to share the good news of Jesus amongst themselves, and they seemed to feel that I should be ashamed for bringing a sinner into their temple. It was as if I had placed moist dung on their dinner table.
We crawled out of that building in shame. How could I have embarrassed my friend like this by bringing him to such a place. I attend a different church today, and I am not sure if my friend ever went to church again. He stopped talking to me, and we finally lost touch.
Jesus did not reject the lost, and we should welcome them just as they are. Until they come to know Jesus, you can save the commandments for your Bible study. It is not the outside of us that matters anyway, but the inside (Matthew 23:27).
If we reject the lost and hurting that try and come to us, then we have become nothing more than a social club with a dress code. It is always a religious spirit that rejects the lost, not the Holy Spirit. Jesus ate and drank with the sinners, while the religious pharisees stood outside and watched.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me see the good that You have placed in people and value them. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You, but instead use me to bring them to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Amen! I remember the time shortly after I was saved, a friend of mine invited me to go to her church on Sunday and I went. Here I was wearing jeans and a concert T-shirt and there everybody was dressed to the hilt! (Hats and all!! ) I felt very different from the rest but when they started worship and praise , I fit in with the best of them!! They greeted me with hugs and smiles and I felt very loved!!God doesn't care about the outward appearance but looks at the heart!
It is the heart that counts!
Amen Brother!
Amen.
Big Amen!
I have seen this happen in my own life. I am so glad Jesus is not like most church people! I have found out that life with God is all about relationship, and very little about religion.
Ha a eye opener!! Number one I've layed low hidden in Him all My life!! Coming from a scrapping family 30 miles from Detroit MY Dad a violent drunk--I did what I had too!! I see know all thats gonna change now!! I was unlocking My bicyle one Sunday at church!! Cig hanging out of My mouth.. Some dude walked by, looked at Me and said sinfull, evil, reteched man!! I didn't blink a eye, undid My bike got on it knowing in My thinking I would become angry--hearing that!! I did start smoking, but using what I've learned from churck, using My teaching walk off pain. I road it off. As I pedealed I t--went away.. I fore gave Him, is why it went away.. I didn't stop going there contray to a strong Christain brothers opion. Fore giveness us our secret very powerfull secret tool! Yes!! Fantastic teaching Pastor! alot more too this story.. I can come back too this any time and show proof the Power of a Trye living God who is Our guide-yes!! Amen!!!
Amen God never fails to give me the answers. Thank you Todd for your dedication to the daily devotions.
Amen,God is awesome. He loves us all and I love him.
Amen,I too have seen this happen, once to me.
Amen
Thank you, Pastor Todd, for this powerful and timely prayer this morning, Let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me see the good that You have placed in people and value them. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You, but instead use me to bring them to You. Thank you, Lord! In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Heavenly Father please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me see the good that You have placed in people and value them. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You, but instead use me to bring them to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Good message Pastor, thank you!
Amén. Lord let me see other people as they are, no like the pharisees.
AMEN! I can sense the same reaction in church when I dress "down"!
I feel so sad for your friend ... I hope he knows Jesus ...
I feel the same...
Yes Lord, amen.
Amen!
Prayer: Heavenly Father please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me see the good that You have placed in people and value them. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You, but instead use me to bring them to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3
So sad many people judge by looks and wealth shame on them. Jesus, would never do this he would always look at the heart and what's inside. Amen <3
Thank You Pastor for the devotion that I think should be sent around the world. I pray this gets out to many and shames many people to change their ways. In Jesus, name. Amen.<3
Amen. Praise God! Thank you Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me see the good that You have placed in people and value them. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You, but instead use me to bring them to You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
First, I know that the Lord knows who that man is & I am praying for him. That he did not let that preacher keep him away from God permanently!! I pray that the Holy Spirit has/is speaking to his spirit man & that he is open, hears that voice...I feel so bad for him & SHAME ON THAT PREACHER!!!! I thank God for loving me & forgiving me, as, he only looked at the inner me...NOT my outward appearance. God bless all!!