Recent Blog Entries

  • 2 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...
View All
  • 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!
View All

The Key Master

  • To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: 'He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: 'I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn't deny my name.' Revelation 3:7 WEB

    I grew up as an outcast. The lowest of the low, the least of the least. Mom left before I turned one, and when the department of social services tried to take us away from Dad and adopt us out, he married the first person he could find. She was special.

    She had married at thirteen, then had thirteen children. Her first husband had died in an asylum, said he liked it there. I was the youngest of them all. Each morning, after Dad left for work, my new stepmom would put my brother and me out in the yard, bring her children and grandchildren in the house, lock the door and have breakfast together. She kept the cereal boxes locked in a cabinet with a padlock on it. There was a padlock on the phone.

    Every Friday she would go get her hair made into one of those big beehives. After my brother started school and she had no one to watch me, she would occasionally leash me to the huge pecan tree in the yard for a couple of hours, like a dog, except I didn't have a water bowl. Apparently it was out of the question for her to be seen with 'Robert's boy' in public. When Dad got home from work, she would deny it ever happened with a big smile. 'Oh he's crazy' she'd say.

    One day my older brother Randy took Ken and me to a revival at Bethlehem Baptist church and at the end, they gave an altar call. Many people went forward, and I went along with them. I was only about six years old, but I wanted to know this Jesus they talked about, and if there was a rapture, I certainly wanted to be a part of it. For the first time in my life, there seemed to be hope. Then the people at the altar turned me away and told me that I was too young to be saved. I was crushed. I still remember that night, going home with the thought that I could not be saved.

    I may have been too young in their eyes, but God followed me home that night, and I began to pray from that day forward in my life, whether I was saved or not. After a few summers passed, a preacher drove up in our yard one Sunday afternoon and talked with my Dad. He owned a farm about forty minutes away and wanted to take me on as a helper. He said that I could live with him and his wife, and they would bring me home on the weekends. To my surprise, Dad said yes.

    So when school got out that summer, I spent the weeks living with preacher Clyde and working in the tobacco fields. It was hard work, getting up by 5AM and were still checking barns at 11PM, but his wife was the best cook, and I had my own room. I got to go to church and see a glimpse of a real family. Though I was still an outsider, a servant, it was a big step up for me, and I could eat all I wanted.

    Out of thirteen children, God set me apart that year and began drawing me. Never believe that your prayers are not heard for they will open a door that no man can shut. It has been a long journey, but here are some things that I have learned along the way:

    * You do not need anyone's approval or acceptance on this earth, for God is able to raise you up outside of their circle. Seek a relationship with Him and the doors that you need will open. He is the Key Master, and He will open doors for you that no man can shut.

    * No one can stop your destiny, except you. As long as you will continue to follow God and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will overcome.

    * Never give up. This life is not over until you are dead and in the grave. When you fall, get back up and take another step. When you stop getting up, then your journey stalls.

    * It is always you that walks away from Him, and never once will it be Him walking away from you. God will never leave you, nor forsake you, nor imprison you against your will. But you are free to leave His house just as the prodigal son left His father's house, if it is your will to do so.

    * God is never mad at you. You can perform the most grievous of sins and break all ten commandments, but when you turn back to Him, He will welcome you back with wide open arms.

    * God is always right in what He says and does. There were so many times when I wanted something to happen a certain way, and it did not. Most of the time, the way that it happened was better. When it did not happen, it was for my own good and it may have led me away from Him.

    * God never says: 'I told you so.' He will wash you as white as snow, just as if it never happened and never bring your past up again. He will remove your sins from you. It is satan that constantly brings up your past, not God.

    * It is never too late to get started, but the sooner the better. Just like a wise investment plan, the earlier that you begin, the more fruit that it can bear. Invest your time, money, talents and resources in the kingdom of God and it will have a long term return that can hardly be measured.

    This is our time. We were brought into this world for such a time as this. Let us make our lives count for Jesus. No fear, no turning back, no breaking down. We will hold it together and press forward, following Him one day at a time. Though hell breaks loose around us, we will stay the course and see this through to the end. Your prayers will open a door that no man can shut.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father I want more of You in my life today. More of You Lord is the cry of my heart. Please fill the empty places inside of me with Your glorious presence. Let me feel what You feel, and see what You see, 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 presence 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.

 

Social Sharing

24 comments
  • 1
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Thank you for sharing your trails with us all, Pastor Dion! Praise the Lord Hallelujah! He is always with you! Amen!
June 11, 2020
  • 3
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

June 11, 2020
  • 4
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen!  Wow Pastor what a testimony! Thank you for sharing! 

June 11, 2020
  • 3
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father

June 11, 2020
  • 3
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walkeredited: June 11, 2020

AMEN. Thank you Pastor Dion for sharing your trials with us. God definitely has a plan for you! God Bless you. Amen

June 11, 2020
  • 3
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen 

 

June 11, 2020
  • 3
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Thank you God Amen 

June 11, 2020
  • 3
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Jesus,We want more of you in our lives and let it be for you and your glory. Amen 

June 11, 2020
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen mold me into the man that will make you proud Father for I freely give you all of me on a daily basis! I will go fishing for men with you send me I am willing

June 11, 2020
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Thank You Lord!

 

June 11, 2020
  • 2
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield

What an inspiring story! If that was a novel,  I bet it'd be a bestseller!

June 11, 2020
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

June 11, 2020
  • 2
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for all You have done for us through this journey and I want more of You in our lives, that everything we do be for Your glory and to follow Your command. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Praises be to Your Holy name. 

Pastor awesome devotional testimony, I am touched. God bless you and Sylvia. Thanks everyone for your prayers for my daughter Cynthia's surgery, it was successful. Keep your prayers for her recovery. 

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Praying for healing and a speedy recovery for Cynthia. In Jesus name Amen. 

June 11, 2020
  • 0
Tom Cartmell
Tom Cartmell

I love this devotional more and more every time you post it. Thank you so very much for all you do Pastor Dion 

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

I can relate with this though my story is different from you Pastor. Coming from the poorest among the poorest in the Philippines GOD brought us here in Canada.  We have a good life now. PRAISE THE LORD for HE IS SO FAITHFUL. 

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name Amen. God has certainly blessed you greatly through it all pastor Dion. Praise Him!

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondelloedited: June 11, 2020

I thank Holy Spirit and you pastor Dion for how He inspires you to put to words God's truth plainly. This message says it all in a nut shell about pressing on forward following Jesus. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind and no worries. Glory to God Amen!

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Thank you Pastor Dion for sharing your testimony. You are an inspiration and I thank you for all you do to keep RHM going and reaching those who need to hear this message!

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord Jesus, here I am, let your will be done

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen and Amen!!! Dear Pastor Dion, thank you so much for sharing your story, what a testimony!!! I'm so honored to call you my brother in Christ Jesus!!! May your cup of blessings run over a thousandfold!!! You and Sylvia are such a blessing to all of us!!! 

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

What a touching testimony Pastor....sSo sorry for what u went thru but see where u r today. He saw u , picked u, led u to yr destiny. Amazing! Praying He continues to bless u with more n more of His blessings.

Thank u n stay blessed

June 11, 2020
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Powerful testimony to God's power, Pastor Dion! Thank you for sharing and serving our Lord!  Father, make my life count for YOU. No fear, no turning back, no breaking down. Held together and pressing forward with Your Spirit, following Jesus one day at a time. 

June 12, 2020