Recent Blog Entries
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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...
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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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- 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 Good Shepherd
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Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35 WEB
When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them for they were lost and helpless. The words 'harassed and scattered' literally mean 'torn and thrown down.' Jesus saw the people as unprotected sheep wandering about and being easy prey for predators.
Jesus would stop and take the time to teach and heal them. He cared and He said several times in His teachings that He was The Good Shepherd, and that He came to seek and save the lost sheep (John 10:11, Luke 15:6, Luke 19:10).
Cold hearted people can make you feel unwelcome, even in what they call: 'The house of God.' They even threw Jesus out of their temple after He preached to them: 'So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple' (John 8:59).
They did not like it when Jesus had lunch with sinners either, but He did it anyway: 'The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?' (Mark 2:16). The cold hearted religious people stood outside and watched Jesus dine with the sinners, instead of with them.
The religious elite called Jesus 'A drunkard and a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners' (Mark 2:16). I thank God that Jesus was and still is, a friend of sinners like me.
Don't ever let cold, negative people, influence your view of Jesus, for you are always welcome in His house. Jesus came to seek and save the lost like us, and He is always glad to see us. We need to ask ourselves, 'Which group are we in today? The cold and exclusive, or the warm and welcoming.' The Bible is very clear which side Jesus was on.
Jesus is still the good Shepherd. If you are wandering through life today and feel a bit lost, look to Jesus who is just a prayer away as He is already seeking you out. He is a friend that is closer than a brother. Jesus loves you, but sometimes His followers struggle to represent Him correctly. Let us do better.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people" (Ephesians 6:18). If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Love this! Thank you so much for letting GOD use you to speak directly to ME!!!
Amen
Thank You Jesus for saving me!! Amen.
Amen
Amen!!
Amen Jesus,We love and worship you.
Amen! Thank you Jesus, friend of sinners like me!
Amen!
Dear God unravel these knots. Amen.
Amen Jesus always has compassion upon us sinners, He will continue the good work He began in us until He returns for us. A Christian life is a life of daily repentance. We will always fall into sin, yet He will lift us up , to become more a reflection of Him.
Amen. Thank you Jesus. Great message.
Amen ❤
Heavenly Father thank You for keeping me away from those whom are leading with the wrong message. I'm a sinner and I need Your grace as You lead me to do the things I need to do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Thank you Pastor for this great message, God bless you.
Amen! All I want to be is a little sheep in the arms or at the feet of my Lord and Savior!!! Thank you my Lord and God that you came to seek the helpless and lost, a sinner like me, undeserving of your forgiveness, mercy and grace, I love you my Lord; Heavenly Father, Holy Son and Holy Spirit, 3-in-One!!
Hallelujah!!
Amen!
Amen Lord
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen ~ Thank you
Amen!
AMEN