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The Day of Small Things from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. As with many of my messages, this was a word for me, but I will share it with you as I found it encouraging. I have been building a new social media website for Refreshing Hope behind the scenes for months. It is a massive undertak... -
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send ou...
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Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth dea...
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Backlash
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The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyones bonds were loosened. Acts 16:22 WEB
A girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas around the city of Philippi for many days, telling people about them. But Paul became greatly annoyed and commanded the spirit to leave her. It did, and that is when the fight started.
After Paul and Silas were beaten by the mob, they were dragged through the streets, had their clothes torn off, and then beaten some more with rods. After this they were thrown into a cold dark prison and their feet locked in stocks. They had confronted the kingdom of darkness and faced a counterattack from the enemy, who worked through his people just as God works through His.
Paul and Silas were in a tight spot. If there was ever a reason to complain, they had one, and they had done nothing wrong to begin with, but this is a spiritual war. Instead of complaining, they prayed and sang hymns to God and their captivity was soon turned. In fact, they led some of the people to the Lord and the magistrates then came and apologized to them. It was a victory. They faced adversity with the right attitude and they overcame.
When the going gets tough, it is easy to throw up your hands and say, "I have had enough! Why serve God any longer? It brings nothing but more trouble. But this is not a time for wandering away, it is a time of drawing closer. We are in a battle and God is our refuge in our time of trouble. We should pray more, not less. When the going gets tough, the tough start praying and singing to God.
Prayer: Father teach me Your truth and help me to see what You see. Help me find my place and put me where I will make the most impact for You. Here I am Lord, use me. In the name of Jesus I pray.
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David and Dianna Wyles
Amen! Thank you for this message today
July 12, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Thank you Pastor for the Word and prayer.It has come just at the right time, and been an answer to what I have been battling against.Knowing we are not fighting against flesh and blood,but against the enemy.My family has come under a lot of atack lately .
July 12, 2015
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David and Dianna Wyles
praying for peace for you today.
July 12, 2015
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Beverly Boyd
Amen, I was pondering this issue last night.
July 12, 2015
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Angela Williams
YES Thank you Lord. For your word. Also thank you Pastor Todd for delivering. It this morning Father teach me how to pray and sang my way out more .
July 12, 2015
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Julie Schneider
This is excellent! Perfect for today! Thank you!
July 12, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Thank you, Jesus, for helping me get through the rough and tough times to the other side where it is easy and simple. and thank You for bringing me to it and bringing me through it. I could not have done it without Your as my personal Lord and Savior. Please be with Refreshing Hope Ministries and the members. Please be with my other family and friends who do not belong as members. Please forgive me of my sins in Jesus' name, Amen :-)
July 12, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Amen...all glory to God
July 12, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Our attitude in life is so important. I thank God that He is my refuge, no matter what my circumstances are.
July 12, 2015
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Dione Baker
AMEN!!!! A perfect example of what, we as children of God, should be doing more of these days showing the world Who is bigger than all that is around us!
July 12, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Amen
July 12, 2015
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Carol Pady
The trials and tribulations of life bring us to the necessary response, prayer. Pray more and worry less, the best way to relieve our stress!
July 12, 2015
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Keeba Souto
Amen
July 12, 2015
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Cynthia Nortey
Many are the afflictions of the upright, but the Lord delivers them from them all.
July 12, 2015
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Rachael Burke
Amen, use me Lord I'm your servant
July 12, 2015
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Debbie Thompson
Excellent msg. Pastor Todd!! This is a message we can all benefit from, especially these days when our "earthly" future remains volatile. But I can't help but think not of myself, but our brothers & sisters in chains, persecuted daily in foreign nations. Their women & daughters raped & tortured, put in prison, the men also beaten & tortured. Starved, burned or burned out, executed & crucified. They are jewels in Jesus' crown for enduring such and remaining faithful. But they still need prayer! Much prayer!! Remember your brothers & sisters as if chained with them! Amen.
July 12, 2015
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Iris Parlin
Amen! I have continued to pray for my sister through her darkest moment and she is now out of ICU. I will never give up on the Lord or my sister. She still needs many prayers. I'm not able to talk to her on the phone because she has only has a soft whisper now. I pray for strength for her and I know she has much faith in our Lord.
July 12, 2015
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Lisa Kordich
Perfect
July 12, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
So true--when we need God the most, we tend to look elsewhere and if we are not careful, we could end up putting our trust in people, not God.I suppose that's why there are so many lawyers in New Jersey--LOl
July 12, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
I love this message. I remember when I was a teenager and got into trouble, the first thing I did was say "Oh God please help me" and then I would think of calling my Sister and she helped me. God has always been there for me and I know he always will be. I am 69 years old and God is still there for me. So for anyone younger than me "never give up on God" he is always there for you, just keep him close.
July 12, 2015
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Schalk de Beer
Amen
July 12, 2015
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Valerie King
Amen!
July 12, 2015
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Cheryl Wilson
Amen!
July 12, 2015
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Patty Martin
Amen!
July 12, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Pastor, I do struggle with this, I pray for discernment, like when to talk and when to shut up.........not so good with the shutting up part, so I end up disengaging...just mixed up, I wanna be passive and just let God work it out, but on the other hand I feel like I need to say something...It is usual hot topics about money....people getting paid for everything in God's house that they do. I don't understand how this is biblical.
July 12, 2015
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Patty Martin
Thank you, Pastor Todd for today's message. In an uncertain and changing world, this message is so encouraging. So true, we are in a battle against the enemy. Our prayers are powerful and much needed, not only for our own benefit but for the benefit of others. I keep thinking of Jesus on the cross and His request, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." This is as true today in our time as it was when Jesus asked this of the Father. I am always amazed at how timeless the Bible is. Praise God, always and in all ways!
July 12, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! I need Thee, O Lord, I need Thee!
July 13, 2015
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lisa baker
Awesome!!!!
July 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Love the prayer, Pastor Dion...it brings great inventory of where & what God wants me to do or make an impact for His name.
This story I have read often yet the fact that when the evil spirit was let lose everything that followed was brought on to God's servants in payment due. I have read on rebuking spirits not of God, was a part of a deliverance team & due to things in my past went thru deliverance. Satan and his demons don't give up easy. There is a lot to learn about spiritual warfare when ministering for Christ. Our Pastor, who is taking on this position since senior Pastor was injured, said he will teach on this next week. Stating that Christians think how can demons be with us if we are saved. He said about doorways we open where innocently demons come to oppress us not be a spirit within our spirit. This was a great question for me years ago. How can that be? A man from a country who dealt with this a lot explained it very well in words, stories & a diagram he drew that made soo much sense. It awakened me greatly and the oppressors I was dealing with from the world of darkness. What a nite that was!! And the whole nite into the next day. A lot of torment. I was taken by people special in this field to a Pastor of great experience in it. Because I was more and more involved in ministry this was come due. Warfare! So greatful for all who helped me and into a different state I had gone to. I met many along the way and it helped when I felt so weird & alone walking thru it. Not all Christians get it. I knew that was ok and accept where they were at.
Next week at our church should be interesting.
Blessings!
July 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Yes, I too would like to hear more on that subject also. I have on thing I remember and in scripture it speaks of giving or paying the one who feeds you. Pastor Dion maybe can elaborate on it.
July 13, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Hi Rosemary, praying in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth, these attacks from the enemy be gone and go where God tells them to go! Blessings upon you and your family!
July 13, 2015
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Susan Huarte
Loved the message. I repeat the prayer throughout the day. Thankful
July 13, 2015
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Melchorita Fahey
Amen & Amen!
July 14, 2015
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Dion Todd
I am not sure what the exact question is, but Paul spoke on church finances and preachers getting paid in 1Cor. 9.
“ Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. ” (1 Corinthians 9:13–14 NIV)
July 14, 2015
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Kay Rushin
I believe in Pastor's getting paid, I am talking about things like cleaning, piano, keyboard, little things like that, I can't understand, how the be a good steward is working .You have a bank note on the Church and we paying members to do what is a gift to me? So is it a heart thing?
July 14, 2015
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Mike OBryan
Heavy I'm there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Prayer!!!!!!!
July 14, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you dear Pastor, for the message!
August 15, 2015