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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!
The Garment of Praise
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to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3 WEB
Have you ever felt so down, so lethargic, that you begin to ask yourself, 'What is the point of it all?' There are many things in this verse but the one that I want to mention today is the 'spirit of heaviness', better known by its bona fide name: 'Depression.'
It can settle on anyone given the right circumstances and none of us are immune to it. We all like to think that we have it together, but really we are just one phone call away from crying at any given moment.
Once when we were overworked and nearly burned out, we went to an exhilarating praise and worship conference that lasted for three days. After the first night, I began to feel lighter, and brighter. Each hour that we spent there seemed to bring renewal, a refreshing of our spirit, like standing under a waterfall.
When I had arrived, I was pretty down and cynical, but afterwards, I was as light as a feather and cheerful. By the time I left the conference, I felt like I was walking on air and didn't have a care in the world. I would not have cared if the world were ending. That time soaking in praise and worship brought immediate change in our life. We had exchanged the spirit of heaviness for the garment of praise.
Praise and depression are polar opposites and repel each other. If you are down, depressed, heavy, you will not feel like praising the Lord. If you are praising the Lord, then you will not feel like being depressed. If you are feeling 'heavy' today, find some good praise and worship music and soak in it for an hour. Listen to it while working. Begin to praise the Lord along with it, and that spirit of heaviness will flee out of hearing range.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) If you are in need of prayer, please feel free always to send your requests to our prayer network, where we and the team will be honored to lift you up! Here is the link: RHM Prayer Network> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Amen! An ontime word for me. Thank you and God bless you all.
God bless you, too, Sharita!!!
God bless, sister <3!
A perfect message for me this morning. I hardly slept last night thinking about my son, Santiago. He has an abscess on his right leg. He's only a year and a half old. I'll take him to his pediatrician and probably have to have it lanced and have a small surgery. I had that heaviness all morning. Please pray for San.
I'm praying for your little Santiago. I pray God comforts him as he guides the doctors to heal him; and I pray God grants you peace through all of this!!! Many blessings...
Father God, be with Wesley and Santiago this morning. Work through the doctor to remove this abscess. Bring swift healing and comfort to each heart. Thank you, Father. In Jesus* name. Amen.
Poor lil guy, praying for your boy, Wesley <3!
Praying for you and your son today. Amen.
God please be with Santiago and lay your hands on his abscess and heal it.In Jesus name . Amen
Heavenly Father we pray that You heal little Santiago and remove this abcess in the name of Jesus.
praying......
Thank you, Pastor Todd, for this inspiring word!!!
Amen my wonderful God
Amen! Have a Blessed and wonderful weekend!
Amen
Most church services are called "Worship Services". To me singing two or three songs is a very short time to praise much less worship. If God inhabits our praises, maybe we should try more! Thank you Heavenly Father!
Amen, Jim, worship is something that should encompass our lives, though I always do love the idea of corporate worship :)
Thank you, Pastor Dion, for this reminder. Praise music always lifts my spirit and eyes to the Lord!
Thank you, I needed to hear this message today.
Me also
Dear Father, I have always trusted in You. Help me deal with the situation I'm dealing with in my family. Deliver for me in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father we pray that You move in Jose's situation and give him grace to get through this and the wisdom to make the right decisions in Jesus name.
Praise God l need to know how it last l guess it the holidays pray for his love God is my rock
Please Jesus help us to deal with many things going on in our live.We love and worship you. Amen
Praying for you and your family, David, how is your granddaughter doing?
She is doing very well by the Grace of God.Her heart is healing and everyday she is getting much stronger.Thanks for asking.
Very glad to hear it, David, praying for all of you <3!
Amen
A very timely message for me. Being a single, older (61) person can be so difficult, especially during the holiday season. I look for ways to help others just to stay busy and not alone. I have two sons and they live away from me. They never offer to come help me with things around my house, or just give me the most valuable gift, their time. Sounds like a pity party so I will just say, holidays are tough if you're single. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. So I'm going to throw off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise!!! (Try to anyway). God bless you all this time of year, especially if you're single and going through what I am. Please pray for my younger sister that just had back surgery and for her husband that is having hip replacement surgery next week. This will be his 3rd surgery in 4 months. I will be his caregiver as my sister is still recovering from her back surgery last week. Full plate here in my neck of the woods!! Hmmm that's a good thing!!
Debbie, please just know that you are loved here, and praying for you, your sister, and your family <3! (((HUGS)))
Amen Lord
Amen!
In the pit of my stomach comes ache & pain. Lethargic. I have IBS and therefore stress, pains of something we take in set it off. Try to do for me & that which has been taught.
Praying for you, Cheryl <3! (((HUGS)))
Prayed for you Cheryl. May the Lord completely heal you in Jesus name.
Amen Thank you so much for your very helpfull words Thanku And may God shine his love on you all.
Amen and Amen!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen and amen, brother!
Thank you pastor Dion I need this,this morning. I get weighed down this time evry year without my wife Donielle,even though God has told me and showed me that she is with Him in heaven. I'm only sad because I miss her presence in the lives of our sons and myself. I know that God is with me, my sons,my mother. But, I am lonely without my wife which is totally different. I am trusting Father God to give me beauty for the ashes of my former life with Donielle and joy someday for much mourning and tears. Please pray for me.
Praying for you Richard. May the Lord give you grace to get through this time, in Jesus name.
Richard, it is good to hear from you <3! Praying for you, and please do keep in touch! (((HUGS)))
Heavenly Father I praise You today, please deliver me from the spirit of heaviness. Fill my life with Your presence, bring the right people, the right music, and the right opportunities into my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen and Amen <3
Thanks Pastor Dion. :-)
Yes Pastor...you are right! Music, songs of thanksgiving and praise can truely lift our spirits up!
I have experienced that and contiue to listen to some gospel songs every night while I prepare to sleep. Works wonders!