Recent Blog Entries

  • 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 ...
  • Mar 16
    Posted by Dion Todd
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The Pursuit of Happiness

  • I love those who love Me. Those who seek me diligently will find Me. Proverbs 8:17 WEB

    I came out of my prayer room feeling almost high and crying tears of joy. If you would have told me that the world was getting ready to explode, I would have said: Let 'er blow! because I truly didnt have a care in the world. An hour earlier I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and too many problems to even start the day. I did not even want to get out of bed.

    Scripture reads: "You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13). But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deut. 4:29). So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Luke 11:9)"

    When you spend quiet time with the Lord, He will reveal things to you and take things off of you. Jesus sometimes spent all night in prayer, alone (Luke 6:12). I know about Hebrews 13:5 and that He will never leave nor forsake you, and while that is true, there is a whole new level of living when you actively seek Him out. There is a level of joy, peace, love, and trust that nothing on earth can give you except the Lord's presence. True happiness is not found anywhere else.

    I encourage you today to stir up your relationship and actively pursue the Lord Jesus. Spend some quiet time talking with Him and invite the Holy Spirit to help you. Read or listen to the Bible for a while after praying. Building your relationship with Him is the ultimate pursuit of happiness.

    Prayer: Father I pray that you draw my heart to You. Make what is important to You, important to me and let me see through Your eyes. Remove the things that hold me back, give me a clear vision, and a push to get started. In the name of Jesus I pray.

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47 comments
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Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd Amen.  Sign me up.  Thank you Lord!
July 11, 2015
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David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Inspiring! Thank you Pastor Dion
July 11, 2015
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Arnetia Hutcherson
Arnetia Hutcherson TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Amen.  This is where I am headed. I can't live without HIM. I need God! I thank God for this ministry and the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT to take the time to read the devotions each day. God bless you all!
July 11, 2015
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Denise Holmes
Denise Holmes Amen
July 11, 2015
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Arnetia Hutcherson
Arnetia Hutcherson Why is there a zodiac ad directly under this message from GOD? The devil is a liar, the blood of Jesus is against the satanic spirit to hinder this page from healing, delivering and setting the captive free, in the name of Jesus!
July 11, 2015
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Iris Parlin
Iris Parlin Amen!
July 11, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Amen, we were created on purpose, for a purpose. 
July 11, 2015
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Susan P
Susan P There is nothing like sweet fellowship with the Lord! 
July 11, 2015
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Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan Hum amazing read! Having pulled away from His everything again I mis it! Seriously back after it again! There truly is some thing too all this, Its God contacting Us through His Spirit Through Jesus work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 11, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!  Seeking you LORD is very important to me, I love spending time with you and I am overjoyed when I have my special time with you!  Thank you for the blessings for I am not worthy!  I love you LORD always!!  Amen!!
July 11, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield AMEN! I often get that incredible "high" after reading the Bible and praying, and it doesn't take marathon sessions, either. Quality, not quantity--because I find that lengthy prayers are merely recited by rote.But when I speak to God as if He were right beside me, in the flesh, great things happen. I think God just wants us as we are, without the pretense and show of the Pharisees.At least, that's how God works for me.
July 11, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen!
July 11, 2015
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Johnalee Weller
Johnalee Weller After we talk and fellowship with GOD, he says ; Be still and listen for I am your GOD. Why do we have such a hard time doing that?
July 11, 2015
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Daryl Donerson
Daryl Donerson Excellent Pastor Dion Thank you very much I needed this reminder
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Johnalee, it should be simple! There are so many distractions these days, and I think our attention spans have become shorter. It just takes more intentionality than ever.
July 11, 2015
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Lisa Dodge
Lisa Dodge Amen, sometimes we forget this. Thank you
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Hi Arnetia :), what those are, are Google ads. The content of the ads varies and is sent by Google. We only have a certain amount of control, but have blocked all the categories that we could tell may be inappropriate, including anything related to the occult. The only other category of ads that we absolutely cannot control are ads that are displayed based on whatever the reader, or possibly other people on the reader's computer, have looked at on the web.
July 11, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Johnalee it is hard.......I do a 10 minute, cut all my gadget off and just meditate on nothing...I well refreshed and more focused.....I must confess, I had to take baby steps to reach 10 minutes.....At first it seemed like 5 minutes took forever, "that timer hasn't gone off yet"......... God just floats a sense of peace during that time.
July 11, 2015
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Judy Ngusse
Judy Ngusse What  a blessing Msg  May the Lord bless u abandantly 
July 11, 2015
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Sergio Silva
Sergio Silva I know that I need to make the time to spend some quality quiet time with my LORD JESUS.  My spirit is willing, but my flesh is week, and that causes a big problem for me. Friends, I am requesting that you please UPLIFT ME in prayer so that my heart, mind, body, soul, spirit, will seek the LORD JESUS with ALL of my heart. Thank you in advance for praying for me, and GOD Almighty bless you all!  :-)
July 11, 2015
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Fred Thomas
Fred Thomas Awesome word!!! This site is such a blessing!!! The word is always right on time, painful at times though but, that's what I need! A wake up out of spiritual laziness!!! I'm seeking him with all that's in me. God bless every eye that read today's devotional
July 11, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen
July 11, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen
July 11, 2015
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Tina G
Tina G A lot of this was in my morning prayer today. Thanks for showing me I'm on the right track. Very cool!
July 11, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen
July 11, 2015
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Valerie  King
Valerie King Amen! 
July 11, 2015
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Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza Any time, any moment, I awlays talk to my Saviour JESUS CHRIST about everything , thanking And praising him for everything  for HE IS MY LORD GOD
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd That's wonderful, Tina, I love it when I get confirmation like that :).
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Fred, blessings to you too :)!
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd I pray that the Lord blesses you with peace, clarity and quiet, in the name of Jesus!
July 11, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt O this is so good today, thank you pastor Dion, for letting the Holy Spirit speak through you. This is where true Joy comes from, a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can't have that with out being in Gods word and spending time to talk to Him. Another one of my life verses is, Psalm94:19, When my anxious thoughts multiply with in me,Your comfort, hope, joy, and courage, delights my soul.
July 11, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I forgot my other life verse. Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill me with all Joy and peace in believing, (God) that I may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (It is Gods work by the Holy Spirit)
July 11, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen
July 11, 2015
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Patty Martin
Patty Martin I have found that when life becomes overwhelming, which it often does in our busy lives, I stop and spend time with Jesus. His peace is so comforting, even in the midst of trials and chaos, he can bring tranquility.  Before I learned this, at times the busyness of life sucked the happiness right out of me.  Now that I begin my day with Jesus, I feel the joy in my heart and the confidence to face whatever the day may bring.  There are times I need to stop mid-day and chat with him so I can get that feeling of comfort and peace again.  I have learned that too much busyness is the enemy's tool.  Once we invite Jesus in, the enemy will flee.  I wish I had learned this much earlier in life, but I'm so blessed to know it now!
July 11, 2015
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Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Amen!!!!!!!!!!!! A Closer Walk With Thee!!!
July 11, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Nell Neathery I have started 2 comments but have accidentally deleted them.  I have my true love, my best friend forever in Jesus and plan to live happily !ever after in Jesus' name!
July 11, 2015
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Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker I am so Blessed!! I not only found a job, but it is close to home (within 7 miles) so I'm not so far from my son if he needs me, it is family owned and operated and I couldn't be more happy!!!  I have prayed and some of you have prayed with me and for me. I am truly Grateful to all of you for your kind words and prayers as God has Heard us all.  I may not answer as often on the Devotionals, but please know that I will read them everyday!!  So Pastor Todd, please know that your message comes through to me and I am forever grateful to you and you lovely wife for creating this Faithful Community known as Refreshing Hope Ministries.  Your purpose to reach and teach us God's word ~ is working!! Thank you.  Amen to Our Heavenly Father!! 
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd That is wonderful, Patricia, praise God and congratulations!!!
July 11, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Third time is a charm :)?
July 11, 2015
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Melchorita Fahey
Melchorita Fahey Wow! What an awesome messaged you've delivered to us every day Pastor Dion, especially today's messaged, thank you. I do agree hundred percent "Building our relationship with the Lord is the ultimate pursuit of happiness." and that's where I found true happiness having an intimate relationship with the Lord. The joy of knowing that He is with me everyday no matter what circumstances I'm facing right now, He is always with me. He gave me peace, love, and the trust that nothing on earth can give me except His presence. God said; "Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth," (Psalm 46:10). "Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace," (Luke 1:78-79). God always find a way to bring His lost children home. Through Jesus Christ there is always hope. By God's grace in Christ and His grace only I expect to be sitting at Jesus banquet table with my brothers and sisters in Christ in the new and eternal age to come. what a feast that will be!
July 12, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen. Raise God!
July 12, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Lol.  I meant: Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you.  Draw me nearer, Lord.
July 12, 2015
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Nancy Cavataio
Nancy Cavataio Beautiful message, thank you Pastor Dion.
July 12, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Amen
July 12, 2015
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Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen 
July 12, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Thank you...it is true!
July 13, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the great message!
August 17, 2015