Recent Blog Entries
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The Vineyard from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. I have always admired Amos, who was a shepherd in a field when the Lord told him to go and prophesy to King Jeroboam in Bethel. The priest Amaziah told him to prophesy somewhere else. They weren't interested in what the Lord had to say, but A... -
for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. Proverbs 24:16 WEB.Once again, I was the one who promised he would never do it again, then went and did it again. I had slowly drifted away one more time. I have found that it's easy to make promises...
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Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all t...
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- led by Lynn BrownThis 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!
Now Get Up And Go
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Yahweh said to Joshua, 'Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that? Joshua 7:10 WEB.
The first town the Israelites came to when they entered the promised land was Jericho. They marched around it seven times, shouted, and the walls of the city crumbled. God was working with them, and He gave them an incredible victory. They were instructed to put all the loot from the first city into the Lord's treasury. In essence, it was tithing. He allowed them to keep the rest of the cities for themselves, but not the first fruits (Exodus 23:19).
A man named Achan stole part of the loot from Jericho and kept it for himself. Because of this, the Lord withdrew His help from Israel. The next city they came to was the small town of Ai. The Israelites had taken the great walled city of Jericho almost without a fight. But the tiny village of Ai beat them back and made them retreat.
After the defeat, Joshua lay on his face before the Lord and prayed for direction. Israel had lost the battle. That wasn't supposed to happen. When the Lord answered Joshua, it was basically: "Get up, make it right, and let's go forward!" God gave Joshua no time to lay there and dwell on the past mistakes and events that had happened. The first dealt with Achan, then went and took the city of Ai.
Many times in my life, I have stumbled, turned back, and wandered away from God. Each time I returned to Him, laid on the carpet, and prayed, it was exactly like this: "Now get up and let's go forward!"
God is always calling you into your future, into your destiny. The devil is continually calling you into your past, reminding you of your mistakes, giving you feelings of shame, and wanting you to return to your old ways.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, and God still has a plan for you, a destiny to fulfill. Don't live in your past mistakes, meditating on how much time has been wasted. When you dwell on those, you are siding with the enemy. Your past is gone, so let it go. Let this sink in: God talks about your future. It is the enemy that talks about your history.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for all that You do for me. Please draw my heart to You and give me the will to get up when I stumble. Thank You for Your mercy. Lead me into all that You have for me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: For those participating in the Creation Photography weekly themes, here is this week's challenge from group leader, Dianna Wyles: John 14:26 "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." ~ This week's theme is "Reminiscing Days Gone By"! All of our themes are always open wide for creative interpretation and we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. My photos this week reflect me still seeking God's creations through nature to connect and commune with HIM, our Heavenly Father! Here is the link: Creation Photographers> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
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Thank you. I do not want to be that person that He says depart from me- I never knew you. I am struggling falling into drunkenness and sexual immorality and repent, only to find myself doing it again. God says drunkards and the sexual immorral shall not inherit the kingdom of God. I dont want to sin. It's not what I want to be doing. I feel like God is sending me a warning. Please help me to fear him and to stop willful sin.
Hello Jessica,
I completely understand your cares and totally relate to your concern. My family will pray for you and believe GOD will get you through this difficult period. Take hold of His hand and allow him to lead you. Addiction, in any form, can be crippling especially for a believer, but remember that you are just that.... a believer. Believe in Him and his ability to set you free. By HIS stripes you are already healed. Accept the healing and live each day one moment at a time.
I know it's easier said than done and I can't be there with you but He is. When you feel weak, pray. His strength is made perfect on weakness. You will get through this one step at a time. See yourself already free. Picture yourself free from the addictions and chains that have you bound. Jessica, if you can see the invisible you can do the impossible. Change your mind about it. The change must first take place on the inside then it manifests on the outside. You're external freedom will come from a manifestation of your inner process. Jesus will change the inside so that you can have the victory on the outside.
And please....do not give up and do not quit . You will WIN IF YOU DO NOT QUIT.
Thank you for encouraging me. I do not want to be double minded or not understand the power of the risen living God. I do get confused when I read the Bible though, God is not the author of confusion. Can you lose your salvation? Do we have eternal security? Did I mess up so bad that I profane the blood of Jesus? Was I ever really saved? How could I do what I did and do? I can read a passage and breath and then in the next I am like you messed up and did not take sin as a serious problem. Was I taking advantage of grace? God told the woman at the well to sin no more. Why do I think I have to understand the reasons for my sin before I stop sinning. Why will I not just obey the command immediately? Why am I like a dog that returns to its vomit? Why can't I be like Joseph? He just obeyed and suffered much, but he was faithful and obedient. He was so little when he was separated from his family. He did not go to church or have someone discipling him. How did he know about God? I pray the Lord is not through with me.
Hi Jessica,
Please forgive me for not responding to this sooner. While I would like to opine on the theological questions you asked I am not qualified to give you the response. Here is what I know about GOD. He will never leave nor forsake you. Period. End of story. Forgiveness is available to all of those who ask him for it.
Eternal Salvation? Can you lose it? This is a theological principle that has started many wars and created division in many of the church. I am not sure anyone one person can answer it and I certainly cannot. I could give you 30 scriptures for and against it. Does that mean that the Bible is a contradiction? GOD FORBID. Is there a better explanation? Not from me. Here is what I do know for sure. You do not need to be perfect to come before GOD. All you must do is believe. For they that come to Him must first believe that he is and that He is a rewarder of him that diligently seek him.
Jessica, you must want to be free. You must want to be whole. You have to make a conscience decision to want to know GOD in a very intimate way. I mean this to say you must be fully committed. Press all the way in and seek his face. Seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and his righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you. That's step one and is a mindset paradigm shift. Step 2 is to repent. That word in the Hebrew means to change your mind 180 degrees. Not just about your sin but about your life. Ask for forgiveness and then forgive yourself. Forgive you just as He forgives you. Completely.
Then, seek to live a holy life. Easy? Nope. And it doesn't get any easier as time goes on but I assure it's worth it. The most valuable thing you have in life to fight the enemy and oppression is "no." Just say no. That is super easy.
RHM has a great prayer team and 2 wonderful pastors. Reach out to them. Seek their counsel. They can help you. They will pray for you and stand in agreement with you. But understand that their help and GODs ear is dependent upon you level of faith and belief that GOD will help you. It also requires you to be faithful to His word, His plan, and His will. Hard? Absolutely. Worth it? More than I can explain.
Lastly, GOD is choosing you for His kingdom and his work. That is more than enough. You can't be anyone else but you. That is more than enough for Him. Think of it this way: If you try it be someone else you would be cheap copy of a great original. If you just be you, before GOD, you are the great original.
I know this may not be the answers you seek but please let Pastor Dion and Pastor Sylvia help you. Ask for prayer partners to pray for you and with you. Try to find a local group in your area that will support you with love and good counsel. Study the Word of GOD and find bible promises to hold on to.
If you need help on where to start try Hebrews Chapter 11 pay extra close attention it verses 1-6 and 39-40. After you really dial into those verses read 7-38. Then read it all together. Pay close attention to the saints referenced and then the major promise in verse 39-40.
(Plus also read Numbers 6:24-26)
Your brother in Christ,
Tone Griffey
Amen!
In Jesus name I ask this, Amen.
Amen, Thank You Father
AMEN. Heavenly Father, Thank You for this brand new day. This is the present! Amen
Thank you Jesus for making each day anew and for getting me moving towards you more and more! Without you Jesus my life is a shambles; with you I am strong and proud to praise your name for you are the Light and Salvation and you are the path of which I continue to walk and know that you are with me every step of the way! I thank you Jesus for the sacrafice you made in saving me from sins so that I can live with you and Our Father in Heaven in Eternity! In you most precious name I pray, Amen!!
Amen
AMEN
Jesus, please give us your loving touch and let our lives be for you and your glory. Amen
Amen! Thank You Lord!
Amen Thank you father for the Mercy you give me everytime I fall
Thank you for this remimder about the messengers, Pastor Dion! Lord, thank You for all that You do for me. Please draw my heart to You and give me the will to get up when I stumble. Keep my eyes up and forward on you! In Jesus' name, Amen
Praise the Lord. Thank you for forgiveness Jesus. Today is the Best day of the rest of my life, and I live for You. Amen
This is the day that the Lord has made let's be glad and rejoice in it! I choose to believe it's a choice to be happy with where you are today and I choose to move forward not backwards today thank you Father for putting that in me I love you in Jesus name I pray amen
Amen
Heavenly Father I know You have been working on me, molding me and making our walk with You more consistent. Thank You for leading us for Your word is truth and our sins are forgiven. We need to get up and keep going, thank You Lord. This we pray in Jesus Christ name, Amen.
Pastor thank you for this reminder as always well appreciated, God bless you and Sylvia, Amen.
Take us into this new path. Praise God praise Jesus Amen
Amen and Amen!!! Thank you Pastor Dion!!! Yes, Lord, please lead me and all of my loved ones into all that you have for us, please stengthen us and guide us, in the name of Jesus, Amen!!!!!!!
Oh yes amen Lord
Amen!