Recent Blog Entries

  • The Day of Small Things from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. As with many of my messages, this was a word for me, but I will share it with you as I found it encouraging. I have been building a new social media website for Refreshing Hope behind the scenes for months. It is a massive undertak...
  • Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send ou...
  • Sep 30
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth dea...
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  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This 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!
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Man On The Run

  • Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow. Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life 1 Kings 19:2-3 ESV

    Just yesterday, Elijah was a man to be reckoned with. He had called fire down from heaven and defeated hundreds of false prophets at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38). He had prayed for rain and broken a three year drought (1 Kings 18:42). He had even outrun a horse on foot!

    Today though, he was a man on the run, fleeing for his life from that rotten Jezebel. One of the greatest prophets of the Bible was scared, alone, depressed and praying to die, even after he had seen so many powerful miracles in his life (1 Kings 19:4). He was tired, burnt out and did not want to continue on. He prayed to end it. The Lord understood and told him to anoint Elisha, who would be his successor. He then took Elijah home.

    If you do anything meaningful for God, there will be resistance. Sometimes the greatest successes in life are followed by pure failure. There is a backlash that often follows a breakthrough. Do not be alarmed if things suddenly go wrong after a major victory. It will pass.

    You can win this fight just as you did the last one, but you need to stand your ground and stay in the battle. When you fall, get back up. Dont get down and depressed and start praying for God to just end it all. If you do, He may just listen.


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38 comments
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Leslie McLea
Leslie McLea So encouraging this morning. Words to keep me going through the day. Thank you for always having these devotionals ready for me before I leave work. This gives me an opportunity to share with others.
April 23, 2015
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Joan Joseph
Joan Joseph Wow, so powerful. Thank you Pastor Todd for a very encouraging message. Thank you Lord for using pastor Todd to know exactly what I needed to hear. To God be the glory. 
April 23, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!! It's like the old saying. . ."Be careful for what you ask for, you may get just what you want"!
April 23, 2015
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Jessie Spriggs
Jessie Spriggs Amen
April 23, 2015
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Martin Snyder
Martin Snyder So many times, as I travel through this whacked out world we live in, I ask God to take me home after experiencing a day's worth of frustration and, invariably get the answer, "Not yet.". Then I am reminded of the footwear of the warrior, that my feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: peace to stand in the face of evil, not charge into battle, not run in retreat, but to stand and at the end of the day, "Please remain standing".
April 23, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome God gives me much always he is a good god Hallelujah
April 23, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield So true--being saved does NOT equate with a problem-free life! NO WAY! But in retrospect, had I not had God on my side (sorry, stole Dylan's lines!) I would have failed and probably succumbed to my old eating disorder. This year has been a mess. But with God, I can beat the odds! Thank you both so much for the encouragement, Pastor Todd and Sylvia!
April 23, 2015
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Paula Andrews
Paula Andrews Amen. Going through a battle now which I declare will be a victory. Thank you Pastor Todd, I start every morning with your messages
April 23, 2015
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Carletheia Linnen
Carletheia Linnen Glory be to GOD, this is for me. Confirming that whatever comes my way, don't lessen or drop my praises, keep looking up, pray at ALL times, keep going forth on the plans God has set. Victory is here already, In Jesus name. Ohhhhh Glory Hallelujah to you Lord!!!
April 23, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Amen Thank You God for all your blessings
April 23, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Alrighty... Good morning ALL... GOD BLESS YOU 
April 23, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt So good, God wants to teach us to trust Him no matter what our circumstances are, and also to remember that God is in charge.
April 23, 2015
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geneva miller
geneva miller Yesterday as I was delivering food to an elderly lady, i ran into a stump in her yard, denting the front of my new car.......almost instantly the thought tried to creep in, if i would have been home instead of here this would not have happened......I had to quickly get that thought out and remember who's is in control God. The worse thing was telling my husband as he's not the giver I am, and I was afraid he would say something about that, well it just so happens he had had an accident at work, and was very understanding of mine.......God does work in mysterious ways......then i went ahead and did a monthly pledge for my local Christian radio station......so instead of getting depressed and quit giving, i listened to God, and gave more.......the devil will try at every turn to stop us and stomp out our faith, we must keep getting up and moving on.....God has our backs....;-)))))
April 23, 2015
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Tonya Jones
Tonya Jones Amen...thank you God for all the blessings you bestow upon me.
April 23, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! We are called to persevere and to bring everything to God in prayer. Some times we carry heavy loads that wear us down. We are reminded to come to Jesus and He will give us rest. In our hardest trials He brings strength and light if we only remember to lay our burdens at the cross.
April 23, 2015
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Beatrice "Raye" Huth
Beatrice "Raye" Huth Beautiful; sometimes we do want to rest after a fight.  Also will you pray for my granddaughter Alexis (she is in my picture), she fell in a sporting event and has a concussion; it will take  3 months to a year for her to heal due to the serious nature of hitting her head.  
April 23, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd That is a perfect example... Thank you for sharing.  :)
April 23, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidt Definitely where I am at today. and I was just reading about Jezebel yesterday too. thank you for the courage to fight. going to give it all i've got and pray and fast to beat this thing.
April 23, 2015
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Karen Munro
Karen Munro I remember long times in the 'desert' while waiting for a family situation to untangle.in five years I begged daily- and after the five years God opened a huge door. At times I cried, screamed and yelled. Once while missing family members I went out side turned to the direction of where my family was and screamed for my oldest grand daughter. God heard me- she couldn't. But H arranged for my families healing - even though they never told me why it had happened. That was over 3 years ago - and I still thank him for every second that we are united~ and all in Jesus!!
April 23, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler I felt comforted to read a great man felt down/depressed.  He was tired after all he had been thru recently.  Human part showing.  Yet the other is Praise jump for joy!!  I am glad puts others in our lives to lift us when valleys come to very deep deep levels.  I wonder Pastor if someone was there to encourage him as some other greats in scripture would all have been different?  God is our friend.  When I get tired & can't see straight or feel in a frazzle I go to bed.  Anther perspective comes knowing I was praying during the whole experience and give the Lord a shout!!!
April 23, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler WOW what a testimony!!  Yes, as a man cried out banging on his chest it is said God heard him & answered his prayer as yours.  God can do & I just believe it was Him for no one knows the depth of despair you were in
April 23, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Love your comment.  God gets things together to keep us on track of where or what we are doing.  I had an experience to about a radio station that is Christian I had enjoyed and all they were doing for others.  So much so that as I was driving, when this thought came sooo, I pulled over in a safe place to call them & do a monthly pledge.  All was exciting.  Days later I heard their cry for a little girl in Dominic Republic to be sponsored thru Compassion I called.  Her name is Eliana.  Wrote & have received her letters.  Pray for her & family.  I don't forget these moments yet admit to depression I have to take med for since years ago.  Blessings to you!  I like this ministry for all the encouragement I receive reading uplifting words & fellowship!!
April 23, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery I stand to be corrected.  I told someone I have the book called Jezebel's prayer, but it is actually called "The Prayer of Jabez."  I saw your 3 words..."it will pass," and I found my book called "This Too Shall Pass."  Standing your ground on your own 2 feet is the best advice.  I read earlier this week to be careful by praying "use me Lord."  I have had a "three year drought" away from my family...no one has come to see me here yet, so I'm not moving back to them until they come here to get to know me better.  a verse in the book, "This Too Shall Pass," a Bible verse says "I will never leave you or forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5 NRSV.  Now, I am on my way as we speak to go pay the deposit for townhome.  :-)
April 23, 2015
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Marcia Lament
Marcia Lament Thank you Pastor Dion I am not well versed in the Bible but every day it seems like you post something that hits my heart. Even though all these thing happen thousands of years ago they are still connected to our lives of today.
April 23, 2015
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Charmaine Jackson
Charmaine Jackson Thank you for this post. I'm in this exact position where things were coming together wonderfully about a month ago. Suddenly, I began to go through a series of accidents and events that are testing my confidence, self-esteem, and faith! I continue to cry out and pray to the Lord for help and guidance but sometimes I don't feel His presence. I'm continuing to keep my fait and fight the fight because now I can feel a breakthrough just around the corner. Please keep me in prayer.
April 23, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd If I had a  book called Jezebel's prayer, I think I would burn it Nell  :)  But yes, it will pass!
April 23, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Marcia :)
April 23, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd May the Lord get you through this time in the name of Jesus.
April 23, 2015
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Phynedra Franklin
Phynedra Franklin Amen I'm standing on His promises. Christ finished works on the cross allowed me to overcome anything. God is awesome.
April 23, 2015
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Rosemary  Sambrano
Rosemary Sambrano Amen! LORD JESUS give me the boldness to do YOUR will even if I am afraid! Thank you Pastor Todd! GOD bless you and your wife always!
April 23, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams BEING AFRAID IS A PART US BEING HUMAN BUT TO BE AS BOLD AS A LION COMES FROM THE GOD THATS INSIDE OF US THE HOLY SPIRIT.....
April 23, 2015
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Yolanda Young
Yolanda Young Amen! 
April 23, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Even in the depth of his despair, Elijah has sense enough to ask God for relief, rather than attempting to find his own.  He was completely sold out to God, and recognized him as the source for everything that he could ever need.  Do you understand what I mean by this?
April 24, 2015
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Lucas Napo
Lucas Napo Its a blessing to be surrounded by the blessed. Thanks a lot Todd for answering God's calling.  You have no idea what these does to us. A seed of a mustard seed planted. This ministry is changing lives to the Lord.  Help us pray for my Country  South Africa, for deliverence from and against xenophobic attacks. 
April 24, 2015
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geneva miller
geneva miller I was driving as well when i got the urge to give, Ill keep you in my prayers and Eliana and her family as well........hope your day is filled with blessings......;-))))
April 24, 2015
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Reinhard Blefgen
Reinhard Blefgen Amen 
April 26, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander Amen we are snared by our words
April 27, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you Pastor for the message!
May 3, 2015