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  • Dec 3
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Sacrifice from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When Jesus came walking past the disciples in their fishing boat late one night, Peter called out to Him and asked if he could join Him and walk on the water.  (Matthew 14:28–31 NKJV)  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if ...
  • Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on." A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?" Simon answered, "He, I suppose, ...
  • For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Luke 7:33'34 WEB.A gloomy feeling settled over you when you...
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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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The Placebo Replacement

  • Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him. So we fasted and begged our God for this: and he was entreated of us. Ezra 8:21 WEB

    Ezra and Nehemiah lived as exiles during a dark time in the history of Israel. Their fathers had forsaken the living God and replaced Him with something else, something more passive, a placebo god. It was a strange situation because even though they had originally built the altars and temples for God, and the priests continued their work just as usual, God was no longer there. A placebo is a harmless pill designed to merely calm, or please someone. Its latin origin literally means "I shall please."

    They continued their daily offerings, even though God was sick of them (Isa. 1:14, Jer. 6:20, 7:21, Hos. 4:13). He had told them, "Listen to My voice and I will be your God, and you shall be My people, and walk in the way that I command you" (Jer. 7:23), but they had turned it into rote tradition. Keeping a long list of rules with no relationship at all, they were spiritually deaf and it became the blind leading the blind.

    God sent Jeremiah to warn them and tell them the truth, but they wanted to kill him. "The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of Yahweh. It happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that Yahweh had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying, 'You shall surely die'" (Jeremiah 26:7).

    Gods word was no longer welcome in His own house and they beat His prophets and put them in jail (Jer. 20:2). He sent many messengers to try and correct them, but they beat them, stoned them and refused to believe them (1Kings 13:1). Amos was a shepherd and a farmer, but God gave him a message for Israel and sent him to them to try and wake His people up. Gods priests were deaf and continuing on in their daily drudgery, stubbornly rejecting His correction, and leading the people into worshiping a placebo god. The priest told Gods prophet to get out and stay out.

    Amaziah also said to Amos, You seer, go, flee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: but dont prophesy again any more at Bethel; for it is the kings sanctuary, and it is a royal house! Then Amos answered Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophets son; but I was a herdsman, and a farmer of sycamore trees; and Yahweh took me from following the flock, and Yahweh said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel. Now therefore listen to the word of Yahweh (Amos 7:12).

    Eventually God had enough of this and stirred up Assyria to carry off Israel, and Babylon to carry off Judah. They burned the cities, destroyed the temples, and carried the people away into exile. God gave it a reboot and started over, much like the flood during Noahs day.

    Jeremiah prophesied that after seventy years in exile, that God would visit them and bring them back (Jer. 29:10). When the seventy years were up, Daniel began praying, fasting and reminding God of His word to them (Dan. 9:2). Isaiah had prophesied 150 years before Cyrus became king, that he would be the one to rebuild the Lords temple (Is. 44:28). God called King Cyrus by name 150 years before he came on the scene.

    This is the time when Ezra and Nehemiah lived. The seventy years in exile were completed and King Cyrus, a pagan king used by God, gave an order to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1) and the remnants of the Jewish people began returning home after spending seventy years in exile.

    Ezra had gotten caught in his own words while speaking to King Cyrus. He had told the king how powerful God was and that He was good to those that sought Him, but His power and wrath is against those who forsake Him. The roads were very dangerous to travel during that time, and Ezra was now ashamed to ask the king for soldiers to protect them after his speech. So he proclaimed a corporate fast and they humbled themselves before God. They fasted and begged for Gods favor, and He gave them His protection (Ezra 8:23).

    God always has a redemption plan before the judgment comes. When the world was destroyed by a flood in Noahs time, God kept a remnant alive to rebuild it. When Israel was destroyed and taken into exile, God brought a remnant back safely to rebuild. Isaiah prophesying of Cyrus 150 years before, shows that God was already working on a way to restore a proper relationship with His people, before the fall began.

    God always makes a way for the fallen to return to His family, not as an outcast, but a fully accepted, loved person of status just as the prodigal son returned home to a feast (Luke 15:22). You are a true son or daughter of the Most High God, who has nothing to be ashamed of. No matter what you have done in your life, God wants you back with Him.

    He was working out the way for you to return, before you ever left. He already set the time for you to go free, before you were taken captive. He knows you by name and even the hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

    Prayer: Father, I ask for and accept Your forgiveness for my sins. Help me return to You in every area of my life. Consume me with Your love Lord and let me see through Your eyes today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning! For those who did not see the invite, FAAD chat will be starting up again this Thursday! The group has decided to have some more fellowship-oriented meetings, called their "Open Mic". It will take place in the FAAD chatroom (just click "Chat" on the site menu) on Thursday at 7pm EST. Be sure to sign up for the FAAD group and event to receive reminders! This event should be a great opportunity to have enjoy some wonderful fun and fellowship!


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Social Sharing

22 comments
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!! May all of you have a Blessed week!
August 31, 2015
  • 2
Beverly Boyd
Beverly Boyd We have an awesome God.  Amen
August 31, 2015
  • 2
Pam Ivins
Pam Ivins Thank you Pastor
August 31, 2015
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Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Yes Lord, before Your judgement comes, please let us return to you in full, in Jesus name I pray it, amen. 
August 31, 2015
  • 1
Kealtis "Key" Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Father God, I thank You for being the Aurthor and Finisher of our faith.  I thank You for creating us, and knowing us before our substance had form.  Thank You for forming us in our mother's womb.  We are so fearfully and wonderfully made.  You've numbered the hairs that are upon our heads.  Thank You Father, for knowing us better than we know ourselves. Thank you Pastor Todd, for continuing to be the willing vessel of God's Kingdom.
August 31, 2015
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Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy Thank You Father for Your unconditional love. pastor thank you for reminding me of this.
August 31, 2015
  • 1
Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen, Thank you Pastor Dion for the wonderful word of God.
August 31, 2015
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Kay Rushin
Kay Rushinedited: August 31, 2015 Amen, Father keep me in your sight!
August 31, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome I receive your words for they are food for my soul amen
August 31, 2015
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Retta Morgan
Retta Morgan Lord I thank you for your grace. Thank you pastor Dion .for reminding me of God's grace. Good word !
August 31, 2015
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J D  Williams
J D Williams LORD IF ONLY WE HAD YOUR EYES, LORD PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EYES....
August 31, 2015
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Melissa-Peter Busse
Melissa-Peter Busse HOPE
August 31, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! The God who sees me, leads me to repentance and welcomes me back with open arms. Here I will abide in the shelter of His wings!
August 31, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
August 31, 2015
  • 2
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Pastor Todd, I wish you could come to New Jersey and teach Bible study here--this is the best explanation I've ever read about the Old Testament prophets! I'm currently reading Amos now, and was amazed how God used Isaiah, Jeramiah, Ezra, and Daneil--yet all were shunned! Those poor guys really had it hard. Yet the situation in those days was no different than the present situation of our world.We need people like you, Billy Grahm, and others to keep us informed! It just saddens me how so few listen to the truth.Thanks so much and blessings to all, Kathy
August 31, 2015
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Karen Pietrantonio
Karen Pietrantonio Pastor Dion,  Thank you for this message! It reminds me so of my sons, who knew Christ but have turned away from Him. God has promised me that He will bring them back to Him, but it is so hard to wait, knowing that they are living without Christ! Thank you for reminding me that He always makes a way, and that His plans and timing are always perfect, and He knows exactly what He is doing. As they are struggling with their marriages, careers, and other issues, it is a comfort to remember that God really does have them in His arms, whether they acknowledge Him or not. Bless you, Pastor Dion, for your ministry and your willingness to be used by God to bring His message to those of us who need it. Peace and love in Christ, -Karen    
August 31, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Karen I relate to what you said about your children.  My Son and Daughter had strayed away, but after many years and many prayers they returned and now go to Church every week, read their Bibles daily along with their spouses.  I am so thankful to God that my prayers were answered.  Now I pray for my Grandchildren.  So, I hope this give you hope that they will return.  My Son was in his 40's when he returned and my Daughter in her 30's.  Never give up keep on praying even if you just think about it thru out the day like I did.  I am so proud of them both.
August 31, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!!!
August 31, 2015
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Kathy Hall
Kathy Hall Amen!
August 31, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord Help me to return to You in every area of my life!
September 1, 2015
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Jeanne Hill
Jeanne Hill I want to stay in the Lord's army, praise His name. Thank you Pastor.
September 3, 2015
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Cheryl Branch
Cheryl Branch I cried so hard while praying until 1:00 a.m. My husband is lavishing another woman with gifts and his time and attention instead of loving the wife of his youth. This devotional was at the top when I opened my email this morning. Notice the title!  "THE PLACEBO REPLACEMENT" That's all his girlfriend is. She is not the real thing. The Lord says I am my husband's wife and will be until death even though earthly judges and courts say I'm not. Any other woman is ONLY a placebo replacement. When Lord, when will you raise up preachers and elders to stand for your eternal truth from the beginning on marriage? Your church is full of people being led by blind guides who cater to people in the pews who do not want the truth about their adultery spoken! These leaders are condemning the flock to hell because they want to tickle ears. They fear rebellious sheep more than they fear you, Lord!!!  "And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.  And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?  And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.  And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.   But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.   For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;   And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.   What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.  And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.   And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery." Mark 10:2-12 KJV
September 6, 2015