Recent Blog Entries
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A Scattered Flock from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Jesus was the good Shepherd (John 10:1), and He was also our example of how to live a perfect life. He came to Earth at a dark, difficult time, especially in religion, for God’s presence had left the temple. The last book in the Ol... -
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speakin...
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See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life?Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies o...
Institutionalized Religion
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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 WEB
There was always a gloomy feeling that settled over you when you entered the church sanctuary. Everyone was somber with long faces like they were in mourning, but it was not a funeral. The elders, certainly looked elderly. The paintings of Jesus on the wall made Him look sad. He was either a baby in a manger, or bleeding out on a cross. The church was cold, quiet, and highly religious. It was institutionalized religion at its finest, and the denomination was little more than a franchise.
When I read the Bible, I could not help but think, 'We seem to be missing something.' Jesus lived a colorful life, a full human life. He laughed with people, He loved people, He wept over people. Jesus had friends. He fasted often, but at other times, He ate well. The pharisees stood outside and watched Him eat with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:11).
Jesus gave His disciples nicknames like the 'Sons of Thunder' (Mark 3:17). He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21). The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) and I believe that Jesus walked in that realm. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and I believe that Jesus was strong in joy.
The great reformer Martin Luther became a monk and wore himself out praying to saints, fasting, and confessing to his superiors, yet it gave him no peace. Then one day he found true grace, left monkery, married a nun, and changed the known world. Luther raised ten children and concluded that 'Marriage is a far better school for character than any monastery."
The Lord Jesus wants you to live a full and wonderful life just like He did. There will be times of laughing, and times of weeping. There will be times of fasting, and there will be times of feasting. There is a time to be born, and a time to die. So allow room for joy in your life and balance the drudgery. Don't allow cold, dead religion to sap the joy from your life, for it was our God who invented sunshine.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please restore the joy to my life and let me feel Your touch once again. Help me focus on what is important to You, and guide my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Happy Monday, and thank you for all your prayers during our time with Hurricane Florence! We have power again, and are glad to be able to bring you the devotional again. If you have a moment, please lift us up in prayer for the flooding that is expected to be pouring in this week. As you might expect, we were not able to put together a Bible study, but all the better for those who might like to catch up :): RHM Bible Study> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Awesome word I needed it this morning!
Praying for you in the Carolinas. Thank you for taking time to do this morning's devotional in the thick of a storm. We will be getting it tomorrow night, but it won't be as bad here in eastern Ohio.
Thank you very much for your prayers, Wes, and praying for y'all too!
Amen Lord
Lord bless the people who are (and may be) affected by the storm, please keep them safe. Amen
Amen Joseph!
Amen, Joe, thank you for your prayers!
Thank you both Dion and Sylvia for carrying out your work in the Lord even with all y'all are going through. May our Father continue to bless you both and this ministry.
And, may Father Yahweh bless those affected by this storm with the help they need. In Yeshua's name so be it.
Amen, thank you so much for your prayers, Richard, God bless!
Thank you for helping me to bring the joy back in my life because it’s been missing for a long time Amen
Amen! I have said this for a long time, fortunately we have a church at RHM that is not like that and we are very very happy about that! :)
We are so blessed to have you and Karen here, too, brotha!
Amen! This is so true praises ti god
Amen! Thank you Father, Soloman said the is a season for everything. Help us to know your way!
Amen, Jim, and praying all is ok at your house!
Dear God protect us all from the overflow of the rivers. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Amen, sister, thank you for your prayers!
Amen Lord! Thank you Father God for bringing us through this storm.
Amen, brother, He is amazing!
Thank you for this devotional. It is very encouraging. Praying for you and Sylvia and all those in the Carolinas. God bless and keep you safe.
Thank you very much for your prayers, my sister!
Amen! Keeping you in my prayers
Thank you so much, Kay, we so appreciate your prayers!
Thank you!
Thank you for the devotional.God bless and be safe. Amen
Thank you so much, Earlywines!
Yes Amen
Father, please keep RHM, Pastor Dion and Sylvia and all those in the path of the storm safe from flooding and any other perils. Amen.
We so appreciate your prayers, Lynn <3!
Amen!!
Heavenly Father, show me the way to the truthfulness of Your designs. Lead me and I'll follow,in Jesus name I pray Amen.
My prayers are up for you, Sylvia and those whom are in peril. Keep yourself safe.
Thank you very much for your prayers, Jose :)!
Thank you for the word of the day! I think there are a lot of people who stay in churches for reasons other than God (maybe - my family has always gone here), and miss out on a full relationship with the Lord. I did that for many years. Since finding another church I think my growth with God has been exponential. I still have a long, long, long way to go. I've been in places where the Holy Spirit was only mentioned a distant member of the family and in places where the Holy Sprirt is alive. If you're stuck somewhere, have an honest conversation with God and He will help you. #nomoredeadprayers
Glad that the Lord brought you to where you need to be, Ilia! We are all a work in progress :)!
Amen!!!
Yes, He is on their cross....so they missed the stone rolled away, they missed His appearance to many and they missed His return to the Father....they missed the joy of each event. They haven't met Him yet...how sad.
Amen!
Through many trials, tribulations, tech issues, storms, blackouts, etc., the Word goes forth at RHM. Kudos to Pastor and First Lady Todd for their steadfast service to our Father and to us. Thanks for your commitment and dedication.
Amen!
Aww, thank you so much, Joe, God bless <3!
Amen and Amen, Pastor Dion! Cont'd prayers!
Thank you always for your prayers, sister <3!
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father please restore the joy to my life and let me feel Your touch once again. Help me focus on what is important to You, and guide my heart. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen and amen, brother <3!
Prayer: Heavenly Father please restore the joy to my life and let me feel Your touch once again. Help me focus on what is important to You, and guide my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen, Thank you Father.