Recent Blog Entries

  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won't prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won't delay. Habakkuk 2:3 WEB.About thirty-five years ago, the Lord gave me a word that I would pioneer new things in ministry and fo...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchante...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch" (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imp...
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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 Promised Land

  • Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread on, to you have I given it, as I spoke to Moses. Joshua 1:2 WEB

    The Israelites were gathered together on the bank of the Jordan River. For the last forty years, God had miraculously provided for their every need and He had done everything for them. He went before them as a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He parted the red sea so they could cross safely (Exodus 14:21). He fed them mana from heaven for forty years, and even their clothing did not wear out (Nehemiah 9:21).

    God had done it all until then, but from here on they were going to be working together. To take the promised land, the Israelites were going to have to fight for it, city by city. God told Joshua 'Every place that you set your foot, I will give you' (Joshua 1:3) but Joshua died before they took it all (Judges 1:1). Every place they did not set their foot, was not given to them.

    Now the Israelites were to work with God and conquer the existing inhabitants of the land. The ones that they did not drive out became thorns in their sides and a snare to them (Judges 1:32, 2:3). What they allowed to stay in the land, God allowed to stay.

    Israel crossed the Jordon river (Joshua 3:17), we can see it as a form of baptism. Then they were circumcised at Gigal (Joshua 5:2) renewing a covenant relationship with God. To us it is circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), but it is still a covenant relationship, an agreement, a contract.

    The first city they went up against was Jericho, and all the gold and silver were to be brought into the treasury of the Lord (Joshua 5:19). We can see this as tithing, or giving to God the first part of our income, and it is the first city that you will come to in your Christian walk. God will test you to see who you love the most, Him or your money. Achan just couldn't do it and he kept some for himself, then Israel lost the next battle at Ai for God was no longer with them (Joshua 7:1). They couldn't take the second city until they had dealt with the first one properly.

    Today, God takes cares of what we cannot. He created salvation and redemption because we could not. Think of that as crossing the Jordan river into the promised land. Now you are saved and your feet are in the promised land, but it is not entirely yours until you work with God to take the rest of it by force.

    Jesus said, 'That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man' (Mark 7:20).

    What you allow to remain inside of you, God allows as well. Our hate, anger, bitterness, greed, lust, jealousy, strife, addictions will stay as long as we 'tolerate' them. God will not separate us from our friends. When we decide to get rid of them, then God will help us. It is a battle that we fight together, with God helping us.

    God worked with the Israelites as they took their promised land. He rained hailstones down on some of their enemies (Joshua 10:11) and sent hornets after others (Joshua 24:12). He will work with us as well to take back our land.

    The enemies that we face, like addictions, will do anything to stay just as theirs did. The Gibeonites lied to the Israelite leaders and got them to sign a treaty of peace. The Israelites did not inquire of God but followed their own judgment (Joshua 9:14). Your enemies will lie to you and tell you that it is harmless in order to stay, but you can't hold hands with the destroyer and expect good things to come from it.

    Everyone who gets serious with God knows when He puts His finger on something in their life that needs to change. Work with God to stomp out the bad and bring forth a harvest of good in your life. Take down the strongholds one at a time as God brings you to them, just like the cities. Take control of what is rightfully yours, your own body, your mind, and your mouth.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You give me the grace to change for the better. Don't let me stay the same! Please break me out of the shell that I have formed, deliver me and set me free from the things that bind me. Help me see clearly what needs to change, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge: It seems like a good day to celebrate the heavenly home coming of my momma'will you all please pray with me that today is the day and she will be received home by our loving Father so that she will no longer be in any suffering. She needs to rest now. Psalm 103:13 ~ "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him" ~ Again, in the spirit of self care I have decided to take a week off here at RHM, work, and all responsibilities to allow myself uninterrupted moments for whatever emotions may pop up, so our next fun theme 'Father Moments' will be a two-week theme. Our themes are always open wide for creative interpretation and we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photo this week is in honor of my mom. Though I did have a father, my mom was always the solid in my younger years and mostly raised us on her own playing the role of both mother and father many times throughout our childhood. She may be frail now but Thelma Dick will remain in my memory as the strongest woman I know - WE love you mom! Thank you for your continued prayers in behalf of our family. Stay blessed RHM family! Here is the link: Creation Photographers


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19 comments
  • 2
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen!!

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Thank You Lord!

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen!

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Yes God give me more confidence so ican do what's needed to progress. Please continue to help my Grandchildren. Thank you dear Lord. Hallelujah 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

AMEN

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Beverly Hagar-Schmerse
Beverly Hagar-Schmerse

The Old Testament is known as the Old Covenant.  Jesus came and preached a New Covenant in the New Testament.  Whereas the Old Covenant was of fighting and conquering; the New Covenant Jesus gave was one of Love, Peaceful Resistance.  The Old was necessary for that era and God approved it.  Jesus says He came to divide (Luke 12: 49-56).  But not the kind of division of warring enemies!  His New Commandment was:  The Greatest Commandment
…30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” 32“Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him,…Mark 12:31.  Jesus did come to fight a battle, but not the power-controlling battle the Jews had been practicing before, but to change that mindset into one of peaceful resistance to evil, peaceful solutions to broken relationships, and peaceful means of protesting against the misuse of position and control.  His entire life is one in which no sword-except the mouth in limited quantities; no powerful overtaking-except by Peter when he raised his sword against a guard (which Jesus stopped) happened except to Jesus' Trial, Suffering, and Crucifixion.  Certainly, this is not a Jesus in fighting garb or lording over others!  No, this is a NEW COMMANDMENT!  One we are still grappling with today--two thousand years later!  And still, we revert to physical fighting and push away the peaceful ways of Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, and countless others.  And it is a war of division that is fierce, long, and hard.  And causes many a family discord.  But, then again, Jesus never said it would be a "walk in the park"! 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen  praise God 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Thank you Jesus for all our blessings.We love and worship you. Amen 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Lord help me to change were I need change and show me how to Love more. Anything that is binding me and holding me back from your Love, set me free. Amen 

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name Amen. Father Yahweh let no wayward part be found in me. Help me to be stable in all my ways and live a life that is pleasing to You. Help me to be an authentic and consistent follower of Lord Yeshua. In Jesus name Amen. 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Dear Father I know I need to change certain things from my life, that Your love and forgiveness to me a sinner make us be closer to You and Your teachings. Give me the strength and wisdom to change what is needed to change, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. Help us oh Lord, help us. 

Thank you Pastor for this reminder, sometimes we forget about what is needed to be done , God bless you and Sylvia. 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen thank you Father for working with me to root out what's not baring good fruits please continue the work you started in me. Praying for your mom and family that God brings you his perfect peace 

June 23, 2020
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!! Prayers lifted to you Pastor Dion and to Sylvia!!

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

FATHER, PLEASE HELP ME TO BE THE PERSON YOU WANT ME TO BE AND WHO WILL BE PLEASING TO YOU AND BE FRUITFUL. CLEANSE MY HEART AND REVIVE MY MIND. THANK YOU FOR NEVER LEAVING ME AND LOVING ME ALWAYS. AMEN

 

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Sherry McCosh
Sherry McCosh

 Father God, cleanse me from all unrighteousness, renew a right spirit in me and lead me to your perfect will for my life. Guide me to help those around me and to continually do your will.

Thank you Pastor Dion for this devotion and for all the time you spend on this daily devotion and the ministry of Refreshing Hope Ministries. May God richly bless you and Sylivia. I pray for peace for your mother and to end her suffering. I also pray for peace for you when she leaves this earth to be with our Lord and Savior.

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Heavenly Father I pray that You give me the grace to change for the better. Don't let me stay the same! Please break me out of the shell that I have formed, deliver me and set me free from the things that bind me. Help me see clearly what needs to change, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! Thank you for this message Pastor!

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord, amen

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

June 23, 2020
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!!!

June 24, 2020