Recent Blog Entries

  • 4 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk you in it; when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 WEB.A shepherd herding his sheep along a path does not have to interact with them much. He follows behind them, watching. He doesn't have ...
  • 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 ...
View All
  • 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!
View All

Burn It All Down

  • However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:7 WEB

    I once had a well paying job with great benefits ( at least by South Carolina standards) as a maintenance supervisor over a crew of men in a factory. It was the only job that I ever had that provided health insurance and a matching 401k. The boss loved me. It was a great job, but I did have to work twelve hours every Sunday. During that time, something began stirring within me. Though I could not attend church, I listened to the Bible all day by keeping an ear bud in one ear. A desire came on me to fast for a while. I can tell you that if your body ever feels like fasting, you can be positively sure that God is prompting you. Nobody desires to fast on their own accord, for feasting is more pleasing.

    I began to fast and pray. I would hear myself praying crazy prayers for the Lord to remove anything that was holding me back. Put me where I need to be. Burn anything out of me that needs to go. After a couple of weeks, they suddenly called me to the office and laid me off without warning. They replaced me with a man who was nearly illiterate. I was a bit shocked at first, I felt wronged, and I did not see it coming. I could feel bitterness wanting to come in, but I knew in my heart that God had something better. No one could take my job away unless He allowed it.

    I felt that I should be working in a Christian book store anyway, or a Christian environment somehow and God was working on that. Not. He put me right into the middle of huge group of hardcore sinners, the kind that you avoid in the alley. I humbled myself, rose to the occasion, and gave God full permission to do whatever He wanted in my life. Some of them were led to the Lord. Then He put me into my own computer business, through Bible College, and later into ministry.

    I probably would have retired as a supervisor there because I was happy with the job, but the Lord had so much more waiting on me once I became willing to let it all go and let Him have His way in my life. Now I welcome being laid off. It has become a sign of promotion to me. Each time it has happened, after I went through the dry time of desperation that follows, it ended up being better. I can honestly say Burn it all down Lord. Paul counted everything that he had lost as rubbish, or dung, compared to what he had gained.

    If you face losing a job or work at one that you despise, know that God is in control. No one can take away your job without Him allowing it. Press into Him wholeheartedly. Reject fear and doubt. Know that this will work out for your good. Allow God to remove the things that need to go. Know that promotion is coming, though it may take the scenic route.

    Prayer: Father, have Your way in my life. I want more of You. Guide me, teach me, draw me, use me. I surrender to all that You have for me Lord, in the name of Jesus I pray.

    Note: Thank you everyone for reading and for all the encouragement and support you sent while we worked on the website. It really meant a lot to us. We are back online here at Refreshing Hope Ministries. I actually enjoyed the time off and feel refreshed, even though we had to set up a new server and rebuild the entire website. God is good to us. Here is a word for some of you that have questions about the plan of God for your life and for those in the desert called unemployment.


Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

44 comments
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson It's good to see the website back up and running again.  While I did enjoy the daily post each day while the website was down, I missed your daily devotionals.  So glad to see and hear from you again.  Have a great day and a most Blessed weekend.
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Marisa, we missed being able to share the word each day, and connecting with you all :)!
August 7, 2015
  • 2
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Oh, how I love this devotion, it sure hit me on target, because sometimes, I feel like I'm going, but where am I going. I just want my steps to be ordered by Jesus and then I will know for sure I will know I am going in the right direction. God bless you and Sylvia. Love y'all
August 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Tammy, so glad to see you here :)!
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler YES!
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Abba Father I thank you for your continual provision in our lives. I know that the Lord gives and He takes away. He is faithful to finish the good work He started in us. He leads us on paths of righteousness.  Nothing can snatch us from His hand! Wherever we go whatever we do He is with us. Emmanuel!
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushinedited: August 7, 2015 Welcome back guys! Even though the site was down, I was refreshing my browser to some amazing things to ponder. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Fun facts and the word. I tend to never question the goings on of the Lord. I know he works it out for our benefit and his Glory. Great words of wisdom in the devotional. It is not about us, it's about him.
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Kay!
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Welcome back!
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Ticardo!
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Carol Policastro
Carol Policastro Oh HAPPY DAY - Welcome back Pastor Dion and Sylvia.  A day without your devotional is like a day without sunshine and a gentle breeze!!  By the way - today's message was particularly meaningful and needed!  God bless!!
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Carol!
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Francesta Poaches
Francesta Poaches Welcome, welcome back Pastor!! Your daily devotional readings were truly missed. I wake up looking forward to reading and being encouraged by God's word through you. Very inspirational!!! May God continue to bless and keep you to do His will!
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Deborah (Deb) Harrington
Deborah (Deb) Harrington Welcome back Pastor Dion and Sylvia; I have truly missed you! God bless!!!
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Deborah, it is good to be back :)
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelliedited: August 7, 2015 It was a nice surprise this morning to see you back up and running again.  It is so nice having the devotional back and PRAISE GOD you are back. :)  
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Karen! It is good to see everyone again :)
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Hello Pastor Dion and Sylvia....truly welcome back!!  I loved the devotion.  The sense that God will talk about fasting to us I have known but not for a long time.  I am beginning to pray that for I had always reaped blessings and that is so personal one on one with the Lord.  Intimate....love it!! Your story of saying you were praying crazy prayers said to me "they sound just like what I'd pray".  So I will be crazy with you and any others out there.  It's like searching before the Lord, "what shall I pray"?  And, of course, just be quiet and listen with discernment which is to me like a computor or phone "looking for a signal" to hear God speak.  I like quiet often at home and in the car.  Oh there are times I will turn on praise music, a Christian station etc.  But mostly quiet. Thank you Lord for all the advancements we have made in life because we caught the "signal".  Amen!  
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, Cheryl, it's great to see you here! 
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Trish Hicks
Trish Hicks I Too ,only remember about two devoitionals. But I just chalked it up to the fact you were busy at work. Praying and hoping that it would be back online soon. it's so ironic how just this morning i was thinking and missing the site so much.Then this after noon low and behold there you were in my email. But I thank you for this story Pastor Todd.Definitely something to think about.  Long ago about 7 years ago i was fired over some dumb thing,I was a cna/med tech.What i got fired for doing is inane compared to the things i had done and should have been fired for. Now go figure. But the more i think about it. I remember at this job it was just when i started walking with the Lord.Would study my bible on breaks.Got to the point i couldnt stand the place,loved what i did but hated the facility.They say they were all about the residents, yeah right no they weren't.Than i had some of the other cna's lie about me i had come to find out. But had fibromyalgia at the sametime it go so hard to do my job.I rmember on breaks i would be crying out to the Lord todo something.Well now that i think back on all that he did do something.Now i am on disability. They were just about to ban smoking at the facility and i kept on saying i don't know what i am going to do,well a month before th ban was about to take place the Lord done took the cigarettes away from me,no withdrawls,no nothing. But then when i got fired guess what i did.went back to it.Didn't realize at the time what God ws actually doing for me. We definitely serve a awesome God.     much blessings Trish    
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd We almost took at job at a similar type of facility, caring for the elderly. It was something we thought we could do together when our computer business was going under. After looking at it though, it seemed to be more oriented towards sales than care. We turned it down and ended up in ministry shortly after. He knows best :)!
August 7, 2015
  • 3
Marcia Lament
Marcia Lament Happy Happy Happy!!!!! your back up and running.  I have missed you all.  May God Bless you again Happy you are back
August 7, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd We have missed y'all so much, thank you for being here :)!
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Valerie  King
Valerie King Missed you very much, glad you are back. 
August 7, 2015
  • 0
Christopher Shannon
Christopher Shannon Hi, Dion and Sylvia!  Praise God!  I am so glad to see RHM up and running.  And, thank you for today's encouraging message. Much needed and right on time.  Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!       Chris and family 
August 7, 2015
  • 2
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Hi Chris! It is great to see everyone once again. Have a blessed weekend!
August 7, 2015
  • -1
Christopher Shannon
Christopher Shannon Thank you!!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Teresa Bridges
Teresa Bridges I am so glad that you are back up and running.  Today's devotional was right on target for what is going on in my life right now.  I am beginning to despise my job, although I love my "girls" dearly.  The administration has instituted so many changes and it is making it increasingly difficult to tolerate the job.  I pray that I am reminded daily that God is in control and that he knows the desires of my heart, even better than I do and that his will be done in my life!  Thank you, Pastor Dion for your inspirational messages.  It was like going through the day without my coffee!  Love you guys!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins Welcome back,  sure have missed you all. 
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Great to see you here, Pam, we've missed you!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen!! Thank you for a wonderful devotion! I have missed them :) Happy to see this site up and running again :)
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd We have missed y'all so much!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Keeba Souto
Keeba Souto Amen Lord. Use me and transform to who you want me to be.
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Marilyn Salter
Marilyn Salter I have had things on my mind since the beginning of the year. I felt the Lord was touching my heart to go see Latin America. We just got back from a tour of Cost Rica, Ecuador and Chile. I have one more trip to take to Panama, but I know that I will be moving over there somewhere. I started taking some online classes so that I could work from home, both while I'm still here and when I get over there. I gave my boss my notice last week. I feel like so much weight has been lifted off of me. I feel like Bill Murray, in Stripes, going for Pass and Review. I feel like God is talking to me and telling me where I should go and what I should do. I don't think I would've heard Him so clearly if it hadn't been for your ministry; and for the emails I get everyday. God bless you, Sylvia and everyone else that is affiliated with RHM.
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much for sharing that, Marilyn! I pray that the Lord continues to guide you and provide you with grace, wisdom and provision to fulfill His plan for you, in the name of Jesus!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Conchita Bowman
Conchita Bowman Thank the Lord Refreshing Hope is back.  I've missed your everyday blessings.  May God continue to bless Refreshing Hope, Dion and Sylvia greatly!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, Conchita, it's great to see you :)!
August 8, 2015
  • 2
Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy) Yes!!! You're back!!!!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Yes and amen :)! Glad to see you, Wendy!
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield This is another devotional I can relate to, Pastor Todd. Once upon a LONG time ago, I earned a terrific salary as a Evening Supervisor at the nursing home I was employed at. IInitially, I was so proud! Me, a disorganized slob who barely passed Pharmacology in nursing school--a SUPERVISOR! However, I soon found out why no sane RN wanted that posistion. Not only was I responsible for the narcotic count in the entire facility, but I had to deal with the langauge barrier--most of the CNAs spoke Creole French and there was an ongoing dispute over whether or not they could converse in their language when on duty. Many of the patients felt it was wrong, but at the same time, I didn't feel comfortable demanding they speak English as most were struggling just to do their jobs. I was also responsible for ALL the day to day orders, issues associated with the "sister" convalsescent home next door, and all the family matters. Then there were the PATIENTS! Although my shift suppossed to end at 11 p.m, most nights I didn't stumble home until way past 2 a.m. It wasn't long before I dreaded going to work every day and regretted even becoming an RN.(Now I know why so many nurses burn out at middle age!) When I resigned and accepted a part-time posistion in the same facility, no one was surprised. Now I'm on permanent Disability due to rheumatoid arthristis, hearing loss, and the new diagnosis of stomach cancer.And I can't help but wonder if the ulcer I got when I was still employed led to the cancer! Blessings, Kathy
August 8, 2015
  • 1
Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen
August 9, 2015
  • 1
Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell Morning... AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Have Your Way in, with, and for my life, MOST HOLY ONE!!!!! In The Name of Jesus. 
August 10, 2015
  • 1
Melchorita Fahey
Melchorita Fahey Yes have Your way LORD, Amen. Thank You Father God that RHM is back.
August 11, 2015
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you for your patience as we worked through the issues, Mary, and glad to see you here :)!
August 7, 2015