Recent Blog Entries

  • 4 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it; when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 WEB.A shepherd herding his sheep along a path does not have to interact with them much. He follows behind them, watching. He doesn't have ...
  • The Blessing of Abraham from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. God knows how to help people who are going through a hard time, for He is a delivering God. Even when our own actions have landed us there, He can bring us back from the brink of destruction. He always tells the enemy, "Let My peop...
  • Mar 17
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. Galatians 6:1 WEB.We all make mistakes. Not one of us on Earth has lived a perfect life except Jesus. Yet we tend to compare ...
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

Matters of the Heart

  • He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, 'Behold, a farmer went out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them. Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth. When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. Matthew 13:3-8 WEB.

    After He taught the parable of the Sower, Jesus explained it in detail to His disciples (Luke 18:11). He told them the seed represented the word of God, and the four types of soil represented people. The seed is consistently good, but the quality of the ground varies (Matthew 13:18).

    1. There is the seed scattered along the road: The hard heart. This was like the Pharisees, who at first were curious about Jesus. However, when they saw Him welcome sinners and ignore their traditions, they coldly rejected Him. His words became an offense to them. They grew envious, and they plotted on the best way to dispose of Him. They became hardened.

    2. There is the seed scattered among rocks: The shallow heart. This soil is people with shallow faith, and it is revealed the moment outward trouble arises. When tribulations, persecutions, and various sufferings rise in their life, like seed laying in the scorching sun, their shallow "faith" sadly withers away. The person who "immediately" received the gospel with joy also "immediately fell away."

    3. There is the seed scattered among thorns: The strangled heart. This soil represents those who let the love of worldly things, especially the love of money, prevent them from fully committing to Jesus. Matthew 6:24 tells us that "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." I can tell you from experience that He will force you to choose between Him and your money. He will relentlessly pursue the subject until you either reject Him or surrender your wallet and learn to be a cheerful giver.

    4. Finally, there is the good soil: The surrendered heart. The one who hears the word and understands it. Who endures the circumstances and bears fruit. Jesus repeatedly tells us in Matthew'that if you follow Him, suffering will follow you. Endurance is part of the basics of Christianity as in: "Take up your cross and follow Me" and "the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13).

    The kingdom of God is within us, and in a sense, we are God's field. Our actions and attitudes determine the quality of our soil and the amount of fruit produced.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for what I have done in the past and give me a fresh start today. I want to live my life for You. I surrender to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

    Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ 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 <



Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

20 comments
  • 0
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Thank you Lord Jehovah, Thank you for all you do and Your will be done, your kingdom come... ❤️
September 30, 2020
  • 3
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father Thank You for loving me 

September 30, 2020
  • 2
Sheri Buckner
Sheri Buckner

I sure hope GOD sees me as good soil. It is my life's mission to make GOD proud of me! Thank you for this word, Pastor Todd!

September 30, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Good devotional Pastor Dion. A teachable one! I choose to live like #4. Amen

September 30, 2020
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

September 30, 2020
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

We love and worship you Jesus.You are everything to us. Amen 

September 30, 2020
  • 2
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen praise God 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Lord please help me endure until the end. In Yeshua's name I ask, Amen. 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Thank You Lord!

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

A perfect day for recommitment!  Thanks for the check of my heart condition, Pastor Dion! I want to live my life for You. I surrender to You, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen check my heart Lord and make sure it's worthy of your good soil I love you.

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Your will be done, Your kingdom come. Amen.

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for watching over me, I know that even though I follow Your designs I still need work in my spiritual life. I surrender my life to You, use it as You wish. In Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. 

Excellent message Pastor, God bless you and Sylvia. 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen !!! Your will be done, my Lord and my God !!!

 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen and amen Lord 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Debbie Zaleski
Debbie Zaleski

"The kingdom of God is within us".  As the chaos and insanity builds as we get closer to the election, help me Father , to turn within and trust Your Truth. I know I can trust you. Thank you.

 

 

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God Jesus Holy Spirit build my faith. Forgive my sins. Amen

September 30, 2020
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez

Amen

October 1, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

October 2, 2020