Recent Blog Entries

  • 11 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that?" Joshua 7:10 WEB.Joshua lay prostrate before the ark of the Lord all that evening. Yesterday, he had been a mighty warrior. Now Israel had lost the battle at Ai, all because one of the men with him had become greedy and brok...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Don't fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel." When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshap...
  • Tue at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    But Naaman was angry, and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper' " 2 Kings 5:11 WEB.Naaman stared at his new skin with amazement when he came up from the muddy wa...
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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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The Garment of Praise

  • 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. The garment of praise drives away the spirit of heaviness.

    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: Our weekly RHM Live church service will be happening this morning at 10am EST. Join us for a time of worship, interactive prayer, and fellowship, and to hear what has been happening recently in our lives. To participate in the chatroom you need to have a site account, but if not, you can still watch the video of the study. Service starts at 10am EST, but all are encouraged to show up 15 minutes early for fellowship, and to make sure the stream is working for you before we start. Love you all! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


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15 comments
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Jesus,please fill our lives with your presence and let us live for your wonderful glory... Amen 

July 7, 2019
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! This works a home just like it does in church! Thank You Lord!

July 7, 2019
  • 3
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen, this always works for me, when I feel like something is starting to get the best of me, I sing praises to God. Thank you God for listening.

July 7, 2019
  • 3
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Dear God give me strength, more faith and make me more joyful. Fill me with the fruits of your spirit. Praise God. In the name of Jesus Amen. 

July 7, 2019
  • 3
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

For my heavenly  father  will lift  the burden  in jesus name  amen

July 7, 2019
  • 3
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Oh Heavenly Father I praise Your Holy name,that Your grace come upon us today and relive our burden. You are the God of love and understanding, I need Your leading. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Your word is my guide. 

Great devotional Pastor, God bless you. 

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Another timely message Pastor Dion. I've been dealing with a spirit of heavyness for far too long.  Even though I loved my wife so much and I miss her presence from my life, I'm weary of it. It's made me sad and made me give up on life when I know that God had His reasons for her to go home and me to stay here. He knows best and I desire to be able to live with that by His grace. By His help and teaching I know that forward is the only direction to travel. There is no turning back. I choose to thank God and praise Him because He holds the power of life and death in His hands and He has told me and shown me that He has my wife, she is beautiful, well and full of joy. That part of my life is over and I have prayed for a new start. Now I need Him to help me be patient to wait on His timing. 

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen !  Thank you Lord Jesus for real music from your heart  :)

July 7, 2019
  • 1
Perry Robertson
Perry Robertson

Amen!Timely ;)

July 8, 2019
  • 1
Sandra Colby
Sandra Colby

AMEN 

July 8, 2019
  • 1
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

Amen!

July 9, 2019
  • 1
Sandra Colby
Sandra Colby

i don't know why but for some reason i'm always happy, people at church always ask, is there any time,your not happy and i answer, nope i have jesus with me

August 14, 2019