Recent Blog Entries
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God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr... -
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are ...
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My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27'29 WEB.The hero of 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!
The Wonderful You
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Which commandment is the greatest of all? Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:28'31 WEB.
When they asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, He told them: "Love God, and Love others." This is first and foremost, but after that, be yourself. Some of the most remarkable people I know are uniquely themselves. They try and be no one else and resist trying to fit into a Christian template someone else formed in their minds. Love God, love others and be who He created you to be.
God created you with your personality, characteristics, skills, likes, dislikes, wants, and desires. Some people like macaroni and cheese, some don't. I do. God crafted you with His loving hands to be who you are. You are not a mistake. So don't throw away your uniqueness by trying to be like someone else. You can be a mediocre imitation of them or a wonderful you.
I love electronics and gadgets. I also love the word of God and the stories in the Bible. I have always wanted to bring them together. When I was young, I wanted to go into ministry. But when I tried to follow the typical path, I was like a fish out of water, and I found every door closed. I didn't seem to belong in that type of ministry.
Most of the people I went to bible college with were proud to not own a computer. They were considered taboo. During this era in the South, many associated computers with the mark of the beast and the devil. They could not see how it could ever be used for good. I tried to give our pastor one I built, but he said something like: "I've heard bad things about those machines."
The religious people I knew made me feel ashamed of owning one, so I kept my garage full of computer parts a dark secret. At night, I quietly worked on things like creating a digital mp3 version of an audio bible to listen to because my cassette tapes kept getting eaten. Soon I had the Bible looping from Genesis to Revelation on a computer in my workshop around the clock. Anytime I walked in, there was a different book from the Bible playing.
The Lord made me the opposite of a technophobe, intentionally and for a purpose. My desk is commonly covered with broken computers. Macs, Linux, Windows, I use all three every day to do what we do here. Accompanied by Virtual machines, iPads, Androids, Chrome books, XU4s, and a Raspberry Pi or two. When my wife Sylvia sees the side of my computer removed with a few extra hard drives hanging out of it, she thinks nothing of it. That is my comfort zone.
When the Lord finally pushed us into ministry, it was through an online church running on computers, which fits who we are. I am no longer a fish out of water, and my peers would feel out of place if they were forced to be me. We are all created differently to fulfill a purpose that others cannot. Be yourself, and if you are not, it is never too late for you to get started.
No matter what you have done in the past, you can be forgiven. No matter how bad you have broken it, it can be repaired. No matter how far away you have drifted, the Lord is waiting for your return. God loves you, and He still has a plan and a purpose for your life. So do not look down on yourself because you do not seem to fit inside a mold that someone else created. Their clothes were never meant for you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please lead me into all that You have for me. Help me find the place that I belong. Put Your desires in my heart, guide me, speak to me, and through me. 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 <
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Dear Marilyn, now that you mentioned your father I have to tell you that I still have quite an ache in my heart, since I lost my Dad last year! However, I believe God in His goodness through the power of His Holy Spirit brings wonderful memories to my mind, which is I believe His healing touch! May the Lord wrap His loving arms round about you, fill your heart with joy and gladness and give you lots of wonderful memories of your Dad and Mom! Love and hugs, Liesel (L)
Thank you Liesel.
Good morning, Pastor Dion. You know that I love your devos and have loved them for years now. But I'm wondering how you came up with this topic from this particular scripture. When I read "love your neighbor as yourself", I don't see where "be yourself" comes from. I don't disagree that God wants us to be ourselves. And I don't disagree with your devo. I love it. You're an awesome writer and your testimonies are always so powerful and encouraging. I ust want to understand how you came to derive "be yourself" from that scripture. Thanks.
P.S. - If I don't respond today, please forgive me in advance. My hubby's 27th Pastoral anniversary services are being held this week. So in addition to teaching all day, taking graduate seminary courses, and leading 2 after-school clubs, I'm having to rush to church services each evening. So it's a bit hectic this week. I'll respond as soon as I get a chance. Thanks for your understanding.
Amen, thank you Jesus I am made in your image and likeness.
Amen Father I Thank You so much for Your love
AMEN. Thank You Heavenly Father for creating me just the way I am and for loving me. Amen
Amen
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen!!
Thank you
God,please guide us to where you want us to be.Thank you for all our blessings. Amen
Amen and Amen!!
Heavenly Father I know that You have created me as You wants me to be, help me to find the place where I fit to follow Your will. Speak to me and through me, that I hear Your words in a way I can understand and follow Your designs, in Jesus Christ name I humbly pray, Amen. Thank You Lord for Your help, Amen.
Right on point Pastor great message, God bless you and Sylvia, Amen.
In Jesus name I ask,Amen.
Amen
I needed to be reminded of this today. Thank you Pastor Dion :)
Yes Lord, lead me to the place where I belong in Your will, in Jesus's name I pray, amen.
Amen!!! Dear Lord, there is no better place to be than where you want me to be!
I always felt like no one liked me. I learned to accept it. I think I'm just too boring. I'm thankful God loves me and my family loves me too. Praise God Amen
I know that a lot of times I would feel down about myself because I am diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Some people are very judgemental about people with mental illness. In the past I've had people call me crazy. But regardless of what people say I take medication and I have appointed Doctors and Therapist. I'm slowly but surely beginning to accept that this is who I am.
Fearfully and wonderfully made! Christ Jesus is the lifter of my head! Amen! :)
Amen!
Heavenly Father, please lead me into all that You have for me. Help me find the place that I belong. Put Your desires in my heart, guide me, speak to me, and through me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!