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...
Joy Full
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I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. 'This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.' John 15:11 WEB
Peter and the Apostles were beaten by the religious leaders and then told not to talk about Jesus anymore, but they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name and continued talking (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns to the Lord while the other prisoners listened to them (Acts 16:25).
There is a joy that surpasses all understanding, and no matter what you face on this earth, it cannot be taken from you. It does, however, have a requirement. Jesus taught that we could have this joy if we kept His commandments, and directly under it said, 'Love one another as I have loved you' (John 13:34). If we do not have love, we are nothing but noise like a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1). People do not care what you know, until they know how much you care.
If we do love one other, we will be filled with His joy. It makes sense that we cannot be filled with joy and anger, bitterness, jealousy and happiness all at the same time. We are commanded to love each other; the only choice we have is whether we will do it. We can choose to show no love, and to have no joy.
It is usually easy to love the Lord. After all, He is perfect and God is love (1John 4:16). The times where we have had a disagreement always ended up with me changing my attitude, seeing things through His eyes, and never once Him because He was always right to begin with. Other people though, ouch. He really made us work for that joy when He said love your neighbor as yourself. It is not easy. You gotta want it, so love that neighbor.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for the life that You have given me. Please give me the grace to love those around me and to keep a positive attitude. Overflow my heart with Your Joy today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron 7:14). 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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Amen!!! So very true!!!
It's tough at times to like let alone love someone who is beyond difficult, but with prayer and looking through a different lens in time, things can change as long as we continue to pray to Our Lord Jesus and know that He will see us through! Thank you Jesus for the example you left us to follow! In you most precious name I pray, Amen!!
Amen!
Amen
Amen Father!
Thank you Pastor for a great devotional. I am so thankful for how our Lord uses you to remind us what we need to do to have the joy He means for us to have.
Amen
Amen Lord
Amen.
Help us persevere dearest God. In the name of Jesus Amen
Amen! I warn you that not everyone defines LOVE in the same way. The JOY that truly comes from the LORD will not go away if you follow His lead. I promise you that is not always easy to do. I can also tell everyone that JOY is worth more than any money at any time! Thank You Lord!
Amen very well said
Amen,Jesus overflow our hearts with joy.
Amen
Praise God for his love and patience for us all !!! Amen
HArd hitiing truth...love thy neighbour.
But we have to...period!
Yes Lord, please help me to love my neighbors, Amen!
Dear Father I humbly ask You to give me the perseverance to treat everyone I encounter today with the joy You are giving us,lead me to understand every situation and to respond in the way You has teach us. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. The Lord is a light on my path.
I thank you Pastor for your constant reminder of the Lord's word. God bless you.
Amen and Amen!!! Thank you so much Pastor Dion for this message!!! "The Lord just put another song into my heart, one that I loved so many years ago: "This is my commandment that you love one another that your joy may be full . . . "! Praise His holy name, He is my Comforter!!!
HALLELUJAH
Amen!