Recent Blog Entries
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Super Apostles from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. The Apostle Paul made three long mission trips preaching the Gospel from city to city (click on map to enlarge). His home base was Antioch, and he traveled to Berea and back. It was rough work. Paul was beaten repeatedly, stoned, left for d... -
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. Psalms 141:3 WEB.David prayed that the Lord would set a guard over his mouth to keep him from saying things that he should not. James said, "If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as w...
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Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed...
The Thorn
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So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12:7 ESV
Paul the converted Christian hunter wrote a lot of the New Testament, but had a thorn in the flesh. He does not say what it was. It may have been lust, or a critical spirit, or headaches. Whatever it was, it bothered him and he wanted to be free of it. He asked the Lord three times to take it away but the Lord told him My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Paul continued to minister with the thorn still there.
The grace of God is like oil that smooths the gears of life. It makes things fall into place and can make you be at the right place, at the right time, saying the right things and knowing all the right answers. When the Lord herded me into my own computer repair business, it seemed like they almost fixed themselves. Often when I touched them, they suddenly started working correctly.
Grace can make things seem easy, but when the grace lifts, things become difficult and it can be a sign to move on. Later, when the Lord decided to put me into ministry, the computer business dried completely up and became a living nightmare. It seemed like trivial things like burning a disk could take half a day, where it used to take five minutes. The grace was gone and it was time to move on.
Having problems and thorns will not stop God from using you. If you are walking with something today that will not leave, and you cry out to the Lord repeatedly, but still it is there, dont give up. Know that His grace is sufficient to get you through this day, and He will still use the imperfect and weak to show His power, with all their flaws, just as He continued to use Paul.
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Deborah Alexander
What a Blessing this message is to me. May God continue to use you mighty Pastor Todd
March 29, 2015
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Rosemary Sambrano
Amen! Thank you for such an awesome message Pastor Dion Todd!
March 29, 2015
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Lucas Napo
A M E N
March 29, 2015
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Pam Ivins
Amen! That word seems to be right on time for me, Thank you Pastor!!!
March 29, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
In my blog yesterday, I wrote how I really believe God doesn't want us to be too happy or comfortable HERE on earth, for if that were to be so, we wouldn't want to seek the everlasting joy in HEAVEN! Yes, I also have thorns--too many to mention, but they are physical problems that create chronic pain for me on a daily basis.But God will never abandon me, and I've learned to live with my thorns, even if I detest them! Blessings to all, including Pastor Todd! Its Palm Sunday!
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
Amen....I want to be cured of addiction so I don't have to attend 12 step meetings....but it hasn't happened yet...I'm cured of self hatred and awful thinking....but still have an addictive nature...ah well. I'm where He wants me.
March 29, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Amen thank you Father for the word today it is so right for me today. I know I must keep moving to get where you want me to go. Glory Glory
March 29, 2015
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Sheri Stewart
"beginning in Grace, feeling it, living within it, gave me strength. i knew no matter what, i was safe within HIS Grace..."-from Nautilus: A Message of Faith
March 29, 2015
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Cat Jewell
This is a fitly word and is like apples of gold in settings of silver for me. I have a messenger of Satan who torments me daily. But God uses it to keep me from getting puffed up. I used to get many revelations from the Lord but they are so far and inbetween now that it is hurtful. But I will still yet praise God for He knows what is right..so my friends never allow pride to take the place of only God's glory belongs...:)
March 29, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Thank you pastor Dion for the words God gave you today. This is just what I needed to here. I know God uses us no matter what our circumstances are. What joy it is to see God work, and yes He does work through us.I am so thankful that I am a treasure to God. He created me to be just that. Don't give up because God has a awesome life for you on this earth, and I can't wait to meet Him face to face.
March 29, 2015
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Andy Morthole
I, too, have this addictive nature. I have ADD and a touch of OCD along with being a recovering Christian alcoholic. The thorn is large but I need the "Thorn of Humility" to keep my self-righteous ego at bay. Focusing on my morning meditation and prayer keeps me ballanced. I have AA to thank for showing me the correct steps to use in my personal life so keep working the steps til it becomes your natural daily course. Blessings and peace Kylie.
March 29, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Amen
March 29, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Amen This world NOT OUR home we are going passing through this world. Can't wait to meet our Heavenly Father.
March 29, 2015
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Joseph Lynch
Beautiful encouraging words thank you Lord for every word and blessing
March 29, 2015
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Mary Rivera
Thank You Lord , Amen!
March 29, 2015
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Sylvia Froese
Thank you pastor for this reminder! You are right. If I didn't have this thorn I might think I didn't need the Lord to make me complete. Many times I have asked to take the thorn away and it never goes away. Thank you pastor. We can be wounded healers and help others when we have been there too.
March 29, 2015
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Irene Burgon
These words will help me with the thorns I carry today and I will pray to the Lord to remove them and help me move on.
March 29, 2015
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Leslie McLea
Awesome !
March 29, 2015
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Debbie Thompson
I heard a preacher discussing this very thing once. He said "if you have been given a thorn or thorns in the flesh don't just sit around and sulk. Take that/those thorns and make them into a crown and wear it in honor of Jesus." I have never forgotten those words and I think how appropriate that I do this as I also pick up my cross, crucify my flesh daily, and follow Him. God never promised being a Christian would be easy...just worth it!!
March 29, 2015
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Barbara Mango
Encouraging and uplifting to all of us who are dealing with our own set of "thorns" and in this world, who isn't?
March 29, 2015
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Richard Mondello
The way I feel at this moment,as Job said,"Though He slay me,I will praise the Lord".
March 29, 2015
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Felix Shaadu
God knows the end from the beginning. We only need to have faith in Him and let his perfect will prevail. But when confused leave it at His feet- he does care! We treasure Pastor Dion may you continue to receive fresh oil, may your ministry grow from strength to strength- Amen.
March 29, 2015
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geneva miller
I so love this, it is much needed....thank you Pastor Todd....;-)
March 29, 2015
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Pam bartow
This was just what I needed today thank you
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
AA is brilliant isn't it? Food is my main addiction. I attend FA. This is where I met the real Jesus, through one of my sponsors. Thank God, He watched my back so alcoholism never had a real chance of grabbing me...Blessings right back to you Andy!
March 29, 2015
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Jeanie Fleming
I live with joy and hope each day and will continue no matter what because I know my Savior. Thank you, Dion, for your thoughtful words of encouragement.
March 29, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
I too have had my issues with addiction and destructive behavior. I wouldn't even know how many times I have literally cried out to the Lord, wrestled with Him over this. I am now in Celebrate Recovery. A 12 step program with only Jesus Christ as our Higher Power. I love Jesus and thank Him for His ways :)
March 29, 2015
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kylie dempsey
Love what the pastor told you Debbie :-) I will remember that next time I complain about my thorn. Lol
March 29, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you for the beautiful message!
March 29, 2015
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Nell Neathery
I will share short and simple comments compared to what I have been saying. Pastor Todd, you are right: the right place, the right time, the right things, and the right answers. Praise God for keeping me right from wrong in Jesus' name, Amen
March 29, 2015
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Diane Casey
This devotional is uplifting to me, thank you for this encouragement.
March 29, 2015
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Ruth Martin
I have not been online much in a while and my cell phone was not letting me pull these up, so I am playing catch up today! Pastor Todd, you are such a Blessing to me. Thank you so much, once again, for sharing with those of us that have no other way of getting the Word in such a personal way.
March 29, 2015
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Roland Phillips
I think the thorn was his failing eyesight.............
March 29, 2015
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Vicki Stone
We have a Wonderful Father in Heaven who can see where we cannot, He will always do what is needed for our good, My Father told me once a long time ago when I was very fearful of a certain thing, He gave me strength and Grace to over come it and then he said, Nothing is as bad as it seems! Amen!!!
March 29, 2015
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Jessie Spriggs
This message touch me in many ways. Thank you Pastor Todd
March 29, 2015
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Sylvia Froese
Pastor, I was looking up the verse in 2 Corinthians you mentioned. I found it in verse 9 Instead of verse 59. I think you made a typo. What a wonderful verse it is. So uplifting to hear about Paul's struggles and how he was able to do so much good despite all his hardship.
March 30, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! Thank God for His amazing grace!
March 30, 2015
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Dion Todd
It was supposed to read 2 Cor 12:7-9 but it dropped the - and made it 79. Thanks for noticing :)
March 30, 2015
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Sonya Stanley
So good to hear!!!
March 30, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
This that you wrote Pastor clicked deeply in me. As I read it I experienced the Holy Spirit's presence explaining words of an experience of a ministry I was in with women in prison. Explaining grace as oil that smooths the gears of life just ran across my heart & spirit. The experience was all that you described it to be and the ending of grace over that time for me is as you said....just dried up & closed up. It really was quite an experience of God's hand involved all the way. As this experience and some others it just as though I knew Him in a different type of intimacy even though He is intimate. A song I haven't come across lately said these words...I want to sit at your feet ..drink from the cup in your hand..lean back against You and feel Your heart beat..this love that I feel is more than I can stand it's OVERWHELMING......there were other words all sung so reverently with heart devotion it was ongoing within me helping me find words to say than I could ever speak just feel deeply. As said when I know not what I want to say He understands which would suffice. When words do come yet from someone else God is also using it knocks my heart off it 's feet. I needed to hear all you said today for the human part of me wonders before The Lord of current thorns(my body) what is yet usable. I then try to put together a list of what I currently see of use I am. His love is Overwhelming! Thank you for these devotions.
March 31, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Love the description of putting thorns into a crown.
March 31, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Yes the thorns keep me too....where else could I go with them. Thank you for it is also a good reminder.
March 31, 2015
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Liesel aka Lisa Wardle
Thank you LORD, for your amazing GRACE!!!
March 31, 2015
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Mikki Von Hollen
This message is very appropriate in my life. Indeed His ways are not our ways and we are not always supposed to understand. That's where faith comes in. But I am not a patient person so I struggle to be patient and wait for things to get better. I am trying to learn to take one day at a time and be thankful for the blessings of that day. Thank you Pastor.
April 1, 2015