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  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. In the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. James...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly; neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you did testify against them. For they have not ser...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ and be...
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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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A Grimy Sponge

  • For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:16 WEB

    Just as a sponge filled with liquid is our heart within us. It absorbs all the hurts and pains in our life. Often when we come to the Lord, it is filled with yucky things like poison and bitterness. We invite Jesus into our heart and He comes into our life, but this is only the beginning. Often the bad things that were in our life the week before our conversion, are still there. We just try to hide them better.

    Yes, I know that we are a new creation in Christ, but we are to renew our mind (Romans 12:2) and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24). I have been around church people long enough to notice that some of us have not done that.

    Over time, the Lord purifies us and removes the bad. It will usually involve pressure of some kind that squeezes us, much like a sponge. The Lord replaces our selfishness, bitterness, jealousy, and strife with His love, gentleness, compassion, patience, and kindness if we let Him. It does not instantly happen. This is a lifelong process, so there is no need to get in a hurry. He will work on something a while, give you a rest, and then start the next one. If you look back over your life, you should see some progress.

    Some call it mountains and valleys, though in my experience, it is more like being held under water for a while, squeezed, and then pulled up for air at the very last minute, much like a sponge. There have been times that I really did not think that I was going to make it and then in 24 hours, things suddenly changed. Our God is faithful, but when He is after something in your life, He can be relentless.

    'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' 1 John 1:9.

    Tests don't last forever and you will not actually drown, it just feels that way when you are going through it. Small children cry and whine a lot to get their way, but a weaned child is content to wait (Psalm 131:2). The sooner that you submit, the sooner that you will have relief. Working against Him will only prolong it. Take heart, when you do get to come up for air it will be great, and you will be better than before!

    Prayer: Heavenly Father please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the name of Jesus Christ.

    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


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22 comments
  • 0
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck Amen,
November 7, 2019
  • 1
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Amen
November 7, 2019
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord Jesus, amen

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

Father, Thank you for your forgiveness.  Continue to do your work in my life and help to me realize it is time for me to let you.  Thank you Pastor for a wonderful devotional.  Many blessings to you and Sylvia.

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen 

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen 

November 7, 2019
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! This is a progressive process that everyone who accepts it will go through. Thank You Lord!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Amen,praise Jesus my Lord and savior.

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen 

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Ed Frye
Ed Frye

Amen! A Great message!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen 

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Please God stay with me. Amen

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Heavenly Father please draw my heart to You in a deeper way and let me find all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence and walk with me today, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.edited: November 7, 2019

Yes, Lord.

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Danvie McLaughlin
Danvie McLaughlin

Amen

November 7, 2019
  • 2
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen! Thank You Lord Jesus!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for Your forgiveness and protection to me a sinner, that my heart be drawn to You in a deeper way and walk with me today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Praise the Lord. 

Thank you Pastor for this great message, God bless you. 

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!!! Trusting and waiting ....... and thanking the Lord, for He is sooooooooooooooooooooooo good!!!

November 7, 2019
  • 1
Sandra Colby
Sandra Colby

HALLELUJAH

November 13, 2019