Recent Blog Entries
-
When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8... -
Hope in the Dark from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. How can you have hope while living in a dark time? When you feel like what you are facing is so powerful, all you can do is pray. Many before us did, and we can learn from their examples. First, if you read the New Testament, you'l...
-
Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don't dash your foot against...
-
- 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 Rising of the Sun
-
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8 WEB
One night we watched a movie where the people made a sacrifice every day so that the sun would come up the next morning. They did this daily and the tradition passed down through the generations. Then one day everything went terribly wrong, a perfect storm, and they failed to make the daily sacrifice. The people were terrified and thought the world was going to end, but the following morning, the sun came up anyway.
The people learned that the sun came up on its own, whether or not they made the daily sacrifice. They had been practicing a ritual that they thought was making a difference, but it was only a tradition that had been passed down through the generations. So it can be with us.
When I came to the Lord, I read the Bible about eight hours a day, fasted more than I ate, went through bible college, gave all that I had in the offering plate, but there was no intimacy in my relationship with God. He was distant and I was trying to earn His love, trying hard to measure up. I knew a lot about God, I just did not know Him. Of course He loved me the whole time and He understood. But His love was already there every day while I was busy trying to earn it. I ignored His presence while focusing hard on my works.
There is certainly nothing wrong with fervently seeking God, and I still do, but remember that He is also seeking you. You already have His approval. 'We love Him because He first loved us' (1 John 4:19). 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?' (Luke 15:4).
Relax. Talk to God as you would your best friend, share things with Him, and just be yourself. God already loves you today and you will not increase this love by your works. Of course you should try and live right, and faith with out works is dead, but works without the relationship is a waste of your life, your time, and your resources. If you miss the mark today, God will still love you, just as the sun managed to come up without the daily sacrifice.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please bring a balance into my life and help me to know You better. Fill my mind with Your thoughts and guide me today. I want to live my life with You at the center of it, and to have a relationship with You like Jesus did, 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 <
Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.
Amen and Thank You Pastor. Todd for yet another blessed on time message
Amen
Amen, amen Lord.
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for the love you shower upon me everyday. May the raise of sunshine flow through me as I lavish the love for you and thank you for your most Precious and Adoring Son Jesus who I know is my very best friend. That is a precious gift! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!!
Amen Father!
Amen!
Yes Jesus,we want a lasting relationship with you.We love and worship you. Amen
I love you Father Yahweh,Lord Yeshua and Holy Spirit... Amen and Halleluhjah!
May my relationship with the Lord always be the most important one in my life, Amen.
Amen!
Amen! I have a tee shirt that I bought at a Church Garage Sale several months ago, because I really liked the slogan on it. It simply says No Religion Just a Relationship. That really hit home with me, And that is what God wants Amen...
Heavenly Father I want a complete relationship with You, I know we must have a clear vision of what we have to follow to obtain Your grace. Help us Lord to be in line with Your designs, in Jesus name I pray. Amen, praise the Lord.
Excellent devotional, God bless you Pastor.
Amen and Amen!!! Oh Lord, dear Heavenly Father, please deepen my relationship with you by the power of Thy mighty Spirit, I beseech Thee not only for me, but also for all my loved ones far and near, all the people that I'm taking care of, all the people that I'm in contact with, that I know directly and indirectly, all the ones that have hurt and offended me and my loved ones, and all the ones that I may have forgotten to mention, but you know all things, because you can see into my heart!!! Please hear my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen!
Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Amen!