Recent Blog Entries

  • 18 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...
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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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A Grimy Sponge

  • For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:16'17 WEB.

    Just as a sponge filled with liquid, so is our heart within us. It absorbs all the hurts and pains in our life. Often when we come to the Lord, it is filled with yucky things like poison and bitterness. We invite Jesus into our hearts, and He comes into our life. Yet, this is only the beginning. Often the bad things that were in our life the week before our conversion are still there. We just try to hide them better.

    Yes, I know we are a new creation in Christ, but we are to renew our mind (Romans 12:2). We are to put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24). I have been around church people long enough to notice that some of us haven't done that.

    Over time, the Lord purifies us, and He removes the bad. It will usually involve external pressure of some kind that squeezes us, much like a sponge. The Lord slowly replaces our selfishness, bitterness, jealousy, and strife, with His love, gentleness, compassion, patience, and kindness. If we let Him. It doesn't instantly happen. It's a lifelong process, so there is no need to get in a hurry. He will work on something for a while, give you some rest, and then start on the next one. If you look back over your life, you should see some progress.

    Some call it mountains and valleys. Yet often, it's like being held underwater for a while, squeezed, then pulled up for air at the last minute, much like a sponge. There have been times when I really didn't think I was going to make it. Then 24 hours later, everything had suddenly changed. God is faithful, but when He is after something in your life, He can be relentless.

    "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 WEB.

    Tests don't last forever, and you won't actually drown. It just feels that way when you are going through it. Small children cry and whine a lot to get their way, but a weaned child is content to wait (Psalm 131:2). The sooner that you submit, the sooner that you will have relief. Working against Him will only prolong it. So take heart, it will be great when you do come up for air, and you will be better than before.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You in a deeper way. Let me live all that You have in store for me. Give me hope, touch me with Your presence, and walk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: This morning, we will be hosting our RHM Live Online church service. This is a special time of worship, prayer, fellowship and an inspiring message. All are welcome! Here is the link to join: RHM Live


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20 comments
  • 1
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Praise the Lord Hallelujah! I love praising your name Lord! Keep on working on me Lord!
August 8, 2021
  • 1
Patsy  Jerry
Patsy Jerry Praise the Lord
August 11, 2021
  • 1
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walkeredited: August 8, 2021

Amen.  Heavenly Father,  i Thank You for guiding me along lifes path. Walk with me Lord. Amen

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Praise the Lord!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

I feel the sqeeze Lord, please have mercy. In Lord Yeshua's name I ask, Amen.

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Thank you Lord for forgiveness,  help me to be like you want me to be. In Jesus Name I ask,  Amen 

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck

Amen, help us Lord to renew our mind.

August 8, 2021
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Praise you Jesus,thank you for all our blessings.We love and worship you. Amen 

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Heavenly Father We All Need Your Blessings And Help Good Morning Everyone Have A Bless Sunday 

August 8, 2021
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen, continue working on me Lord!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You so much for leading us through this journey in life, never let go of us and forgive us for all our mistakes. I know it's a long process and we are willing to follow Your designs, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen. Thank You Lord  for all Your help,Amen. 

What a great devotional Pastor, thank you and Sylvia for this blessing, Amen. 

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Sharon Leonard
Sharon Leonard

Yes, So True...Amen !

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord 

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Sherry McCosh
Sherry McCosh

Amen! Thanks for this devotion today Pastor Dion!! Hope you and Sylvia are doing well!!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Awesome devotional pastor Dion and comes at a perfect time in my life, Help me Father give up all that holds me back and help me see clearly what needs to get work my faith, love and hope are in you Lord Jesus, in your AWESOME name I pray amen!

August 8, 2021
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen!

August 28, 2021