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For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:10 WEB.We had scattered pieces all over the table while we worked on assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It was a total mess. This one was mysteriously difficult, for someone had mistakenly... -
God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr...
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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are ...
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- led by Lynn BrownThis 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!
Cheap Trick
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The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good. Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, To see if there were any who did understand, Who did seek after God. Psalms 14:1 WEB
As the cashier counted out my change, I noticed that it was a good bit more than I had given her to begin with and I sure needed the money. This was decades ago and I was a new Christian struggling to make ends meet. There were all sort of thoughts going through my head: "Well, you really need gas money", "You have been tithing, maybe this is a blessing", and "They will never miss it."
Then there was another voice: "They will have to take it up out of their pay if they are short. It is not yours! Give it back!". A scripture came to mind and that settled it: 'The Lord looks down from heaven.' I pushed it away and explained that they had given me too much because I had only given them five dollars, not fifty or whatever it was that they were counting. They were shocked and greatly appreciative.
I walked out of that store knowing that I had done the right thing and could feel the Lord's presence immediately. He was watching my actions quietly from above, and when given a chance to do wrong, I chose to do right. I know scripture tells us that we are saved by faith, not by works lest we should boast, but you can believe that God still knows the difference between right and wrong.
That day I made my Father proud. I did not fall for the cheap trick that the enemy had set in front of me. Things like that are just a trap laid in front of you to test your character. Will you do right, or will you fall for the cheap trick and sell your integrity for something so insignificant and temporary?
Prayer: Father I pray that You help me see the traps laid in front of me clearly. Shake me up God and get my attention. Help me serve You with all of my heart, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning and happy Sunday! We pray that you all have a blessed and restful Sabbath day :). Just wanted to take a moment to thank all of those who support this ministry, both financially and with your time. You all have a part in this Kingdom work, and each of you blesses us immeasurably. Thank you!
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Schalk de Beer
Yes Jesus, amen>
September 27, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
thank you God for your Holy
Spirit amen
September 27, 2015
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Keeba Souto
Thank you for the message this morning Pastor Dion.
September 27, 2015
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Jeffrey Smith
Amen! This is the truth. Thank you Pastor D!
September 27, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Thank you Lord for this day let us rejoice in it. Amen
September 27, 2015
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Mark Duell
Thank you brother and sister for all the time, effort and dedication you put into this ministry. You have blessed so many with Gods ministry that we pray it will be given back to you ten times over.
September 27, 2015
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Carol Policastro
Happened to me more than once. You just know that you cannot take what is not yours - thank you Lord for the reminder. By the way - absolutely beautiful Fall day in Connecticut. Perhaps I will even wear a sweater until noon. God bless you all and Pastor is right - rest today!!
September 27, 2015
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Carolyn Kirk Graham
I remember taking a piece of cheese without asking, to eat and then consuming it as if I had lost my mind! But the HOLY SPIRIT is so sensitive, and HE very quietly nudged me and said "all you needed to do was ask." Because I was hungry I was looking more at the hunger then my creator!. I hadn't asked for it, and now I was standing there with such heavy conviction! Not CONDEMNATION, because the HOLY SPIRIT doesn't condemn us, HE brings us to a place of conviction, to then bring us to repentance! Sorry to say I did fall for the "cheap trick!" But thank God for HIS GRACE AND HIS MERCY!!! Also, thank God for you Pastor Dion and your messages of truth and freedom for our souls!
September 27, 2015
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Norman Glaze Sr
Wow. Been there, Done that Brother. And I have not always avoided the trap I'm ashameded to say. The Enemy steals just a little bit more of your resolve, and Integrity, if you fall for this type of scheming. Great Teaching. Thanks!
September 27, 2015
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Mark Duell
Oh how (Psalms 14) is being played out right here in our own land. Even down to verse 6) You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. Oh Father have mercy on us. Hear the prayers of a few. Hold back your vengeance upon this nation of ours and allow one last revival in this land to take place before you come. Oh Father, help us to know you more now than we ever have before.
September 27, 2015
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Eric Rodriguez
A M E N . . . .
September 27, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
God wants honesty. It makes you fell so good when you are honest. I pray too that I make right choices and God will bless you. The blessings are so much better than the guilty feelings. This was such good devotional, as all of them are. I appricate your sharing your life experances. God is truly blessing this ministry.
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
I had my trust tested at work a week ago. Boss is looking to promote several of us. But then on the weekend a few days later asked us to give him information to help him in a meeting with another group of staff which are higher in postition than us. I work closely with these people who are in a slightly higher position then I am. I did not want to give my boss the information to help him. I felt he should go to those people directly for the info. I was not getting triangulated there. I ignored the email from my boss. I don't know if the others in my group ignored it or not. His email came on a weekend and it was my family time. I was not strong enough to speak against it but felt this act of passive resistance was good enough to get the message across. In the end I have kept the trust of those people who I work closely with. we
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
That's a difficult situation to be placed in, Sylvia! I pray that the Lord guides and protects you and works on the heart of your boss!
September 28, 2015
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Deanne Rascas
As Christians, we are not saved by works alone because we are not perfect and need the blood of Jesus to cover us. A good Christian produces good fruit. If the evidence of his or her fruit is not there, then you have to question your salvation. This is why I try to do the right thing, It produces good fruit, it glorious God and it pleases him to do the right thing!
September 27, 2015
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Nell Neathery
Amen and thank you both Pastor and Sylvia...my payday is coming...looking forward to it for you both and me... :-)
September 27, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
I needed this devotional last night, when I was feeling sorry for myself, frustrated with my diet restrictions, and succumbed to devouring a bowl of spicy chili! Well, with half a stomach and limited ability to digest the food, I spent most of the night in the bathroom.Only now--more than 15 hours later, am I feeling a bit better.All because my elderly neighbor thought she was doing me a favor and wanted me to have some of her home-made chili! LOL!
But I also recall a day this past June, when I found a wallet at the nearby mall. It was full of money and credit cards! I could have embarked on a huge shopping spree at Nordstroms (as if I ever go there in the first place!) But I realized it'd be wrong to keep what was not mine, and i turned in the wallet to the security guard.I simply reversed roles: Suppose I lost MY wallet? In fact, I have left my wallet at the store many times, and each time it was promptly returned to me--intact. So I knew in my heart I couldn't justify keeping all that 'loot." But for a brief minute, I WAS tempted!
September 27, 2015
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Allie Ponzoedited: September 27, 2015
Kathy you are sooo funny, thank you for the chuckles!!! have a blessed Sunday!
September 27, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Sorry, Kathy, to hear of the awful results the chili brought. Blessings! I have a friend who one time was making her own sauce. Different ingredients were in it. She was soo hungry for the pepperoni in the pot that without thinking...like a knee jerk, decision she got it from the pot tossing it in her mouth. Forgetting it was terribly hot also, it then got stuck in her throat. She is impulsive like this. I don't remember how, but she got it out with a very sore mouth & throat. We talk about it some times.
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Oh my goodness, that's terrible about the chili! Hope you are feeling all better now! Very glad you did not give into that temptation...we know you are better than that <3!
September 28, 2015
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Carol Pady
Amen! He who is faithful in a little, will be faithful in a lot. God blesses the faithful abundantly!
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Amen, Carol!
September 28, 2015
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flavio garcia
In the name of Jesus, amen.
September 27, 2015
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Julie Schneider
Great one! I have had this happen too but have also just experienced the opposite.....she kept four dollars of mine! I figured she must need it and we looked into each others eyes and i walked away!
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Well, maybe she did, but I would hate to say that I gave up my integrity for just four dollars!
September 28, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Amen!! Words of Widfom. Thank you Father in Heaven for always being with me and encouraging me to always do the right thing!!
September 27, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
AMEN!!
September 27, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Thank you Pastor Dion and Sylvia without your ministry I would have no place to grow in my own walk with the Lord dont get me wrong I know if You were not there Jesus would put someone else in your place to help me grow in my faith, But Im soooo glad its you 2 your very Humble, kind, courteous, intelligent, and patient! And from what I see you never judge any of your members. Thanks Again and have a super restful Sunday! sincerely Scott R.
September 27, 2015
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Shelby Casey
Pastor, I am not sure that you would be the pastor of this ministry had you not been faithful and honest with these little things. Thank you Lord for Pastor being faithful and honest with what we would think of as little things so that you could trust him with bigger things like teaching your Word. Help me Lord be faithful and honest with what you give me. Amen.
September 27, 2015
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Cheryl Hepleredited: September 27, 2015
Great teaching! Reminded of many different incidents. This one stuck in my head. I was involved very much with Zumba. So I needed the right shoes to help with doing Zumba. It was a place of little girls & their Moms entering this small shop. Ballet, tap & different outfits for all that I looked around to see for myself shoes yet none to see. Only two women running it that nite. Apparntly there was a rush to pick up pre-orders for a show coming & I saw the interaction between moms & girls. Perplexed, frustrated, and in a run to where ever. I loved standing back and watching "this show" so to speak. Little ones don't have patience. So, they would say, aren't you next? I would say, it is ok & I am fine. Well more & more came in. It was crazy for the two ladies also. I prayed for it all. When the last left and the ladies settled down also they said thank you for being patient. I said I knew my looking & fitting would have taken too long.They were fun to talk with. My shoes were gotten and order put in for later to come back. The one said I have decided to cut the price in half. I said, "What"! They repeated it together. I thanked them. Then we 3 sat comfortably chatting. I brought up that I believe in God & was praying for them & customers. Also I enjoyed very much enjoyed watching the little girls. My daughter went in dance years ago. One said she believed in the Lord. We had interesting conversations. & very pleasant time. & I don't get this type of thing much, associating with other ladies and miss it. & I said this to all of you at RHM. Not the ladies. Half off blew me away. & I went out with a smile talking to the Lord all the way home. God is soo good. Giving money back money when it is not mine, waiting in grocery lines(and praying), giving out coupons to ladies when I can't use them are all about pleasing the Lord and enjoying it too! Being in much ministery years ago was a delight! & I miss it yet God knows. My body isn't cooperating with various surgeries, etc. I am not retired just looking at Him to see when an opportunity arises to serve & possibly talk about the Lord. & I am sure Pastor Todd the Lord has blessed your socks off often:)
September 27, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
That's a great testimony, Cheryl, thank you! What a blessing in so many ways! I pray that the Lord will heal you and allow you to once again to minister as you have done in the past!
September 28, 2015
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Joey Smith
AMEN
September 27, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! Lord, Help me to serve You with all my heart.
September 28, 2015
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Rose Theuret
Amen. Thank you again for your teachings. I just yesterday found a reciept from a bait shop where they charged my debit card incorrectly. They made themselves short $31.00 and I planned to go today and tell them what happened and make it right. Lord please help me to serve you and to teach others about your words and good will. In Jesus Christs name I pray AMEN.
September 28, 2015
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Sylvia Todd
Praise God, for the grace to get past His tests!
September 28, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
September 29, 2015