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...
The Twilight Zone
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When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn't know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?' She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' John 20:14 WEB
Mary and the disciples of Jesus thought that He would be made king and boot the Roman occupiers out of Israel. Instead Jesus was beaten, crucified, and then entombed. As she stood at the tomb, grief stricken and heartbroken, Jesus stood right in front of her and she did not recognize Him. She thought He was the gardener.
When my Dad passed away, it was like life was suspended for a time, detached, unreal, and just plain wrong. Everything seemed surreal and I hoped to wake up soon. But as days turned into weeks, and months turned into years, life without him gradually became the new normal. It was not easy and I still miss him, but our life goes on and we must adapt to the changes.
When traumatizing things occur in life like suddenly losing a loved one, we seem to step into the twilight zone for a bit. It is our way of not yet accepting the reality that we cannot face. We all have to face times like this in our life, and if you live long enough, you will see all of your friends pass on before you.
Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die. If you want a sobering look at life, take a walk through a cemetery and look at the dates. Even though this cycle of life is nothing new, we are rarely prepared for it.
The Holy Spirit is there with us to bring comfort during these trying times, though we may not recognize Him, just as Mary did not recognize Jesus standing right in front of her. He is 'The Comforter.' God gives us space during these times of grief and He does not hold our anger or outbursts against us, because He understands what we are going through. He lost a loved One as well, and He knows how it feels.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please send me the Comforter today for I need a touch from You. Fill me up where I will not be so empty and dry my tears. Please bring sunshine back into my life Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presences and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Death and loss is never ever easy to accept! I lost my dad first and that truly rocked me to the core of who I am; I also note that I am not the same person after my dad died; we were very close and he was by best friend; I still had my mom but when you are a daddy's girl it is was so surreal to have lost my dad. Then several year's later, I lost my mom and that too hit me like a ton of bricks. I have lost every family member and I am still standing at that is because God sent the Comforter to help me during my grief. I still feel the pangs of death from the loss of both parents and my life has forever changed as I am a single person with no kids and have never been married; but with the strength of God and the faith I hold I keep going and because of this, I recognize that without faith, I would not be here today. God has been my strength and the rock that I ALWAYS lean on and thank Him for the love he shows me and for his precious Son Jesus. I pray that if anyone has lost a loved one, that they will lean on God for that strength and know that in time it gets a little easier to face each day. I will never accept the death of my parents, it's just too painful, but I acknowledge that they are no longer physically here with me but I carry them deep in my heart and know that one day, I will be with them and the rest of my family in eternity with Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father. May you ALL have a Blessed Day!
Amen Lord
Prayer: Heavenly Father please send me the Comforter today for I need a touch from You. Fill me up where I will not be so empty and dry my tears. Please bring sunshine back into my life Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen.As the 1 year anniversary of of my mom's death quickly approaches, I have had 3 days of anxiety and panic. At first I didn't know why I was feeding this way and this morning it hit me like a ton of bricks. I love and miss my mom. I know she's with the Lord and other loved ones. I just miss her. I can't do this on my own. I have to give it to God and leave it with him. I'm asking for prayers today. I can't do this on my own. please pray for me. Thank you all.
Praying with you and for you today, Gail.
Thank you Cathy Webb for praying with me. I am better today because of everyone's prayers God bless you all, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Praying for you Gail. I understand as I am still grieving the loss of my Mom 2 yrs. ago.
May Holy Spirit comfort you Lynn, Amen.
Thanks Richard.
Thank you Lynn Brown, for your prayers. I am feeling better. Sending prayers of peace and comfort for you Lynn.
Thank you Gail.
prayers sent for you Gail
Thank you for your prayer, I am better.
I'm with you Gail about that. Praying that Father God gives you the strength and the peace inside that you need. Amen
Thank you, I am better. Thank you for your prayers.
Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Thank you for that prayer this morning. I have been going through a lot these days and I really need a touch from the Holy Spirit. It's not about the lost of my parents because I lost my dad when I was a child and my mom over 15yrs ago. It is simply about the trials and struggles and the turn of events which seems to be getting worse. Please pray for me
prayers sent.
I hope and pray the Lord helps you in any and every way that you need Him to, Amen
Sending you prayers of peace, hope, love, strength and comfort in the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
Thank you for your prayers
Amen!
Amen
Amen
Thank You Father for giving Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to get me through each day. Amen.
Amen. Remembering Judith, Gail and Marica in prayer. The only hope we have when we lose a loved one is the blessed assurance that one day we will be reunited. I've lost both parents, a daughter and a grandchild. It's not easy but my strength comes from Jesus everyday. The Word of God fills the void in my heart and everyday I have to trust him more than the day before.
Thank you Wanda Pennington for remembering me in your prayers and your words of encouragement. God bless.
Thank you Wanda for remembering me in your prayers
Oh Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit as our comforter in a time of loss and in every daily situation. Keep and lead me oh Lord in every step of my life, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Thank you Pastor for this beautiful devotional, God bless you.
Amen He will bring us through the valley of the shadow of death, back into the light. Grief is more of my testimony,more of my story, I can truly testify that there is joy after the mourning.
Thank you for sharing Carol Pady.
Amen!
Sometimes grief is unbearable. I prayed to you God to help my broken heart bc I thought I’d die and didn’t really care but I have Grandchildren to help and I felt terrible abandoning them. Thank u God Amen.
May Father God give you the strength and the grace that you need. I pray Mari, that He fills you with His presence and peace. In Jesus name Amen.
Amen and Amen!
May God bless you Marie with peace, comfort,a strength and his love. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
ain't no sunshine when she's gone,and my blue skies all turned gray. you are my sunshine my only sunshine,you make me happy when skies are gray. you'll never know dear how much i loved you,please don't take my sunshine away. please bring sunshine back into my life Lord cause this month makes 9 years since you recieved my wife Doniell home to you. I'm not mad at you Lord, it just still hurts and i want to move on. amen
Just think Richard, she is with the Lord, there is no better place to be, and she is waiting for you! May this knowledge be of great comfort to you, give you peace and ease your hurt and pain! Love you brother!
Prayers for your peace and comfort Richard
Amen! But the greatest comfort of all is to know that your loved one (s) is with the Lord!
Please bring sunshine in my life.