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  • 5 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all t...
  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. In the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. James...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly; neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you did testify against them. For they have not ser...
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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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Throw Out The Bones

  • Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 WEB

    While traveling through Milwaukee Wisconsin, we stopped at an old smokehouse restaurant and ordered some wood-smoked baby back ribs. They were nothing short of amazing, but were of course, full of bones which we had to slowly pick through. Still, it was so worth the effort, and years later I still remember eating there. We ate the meat which was good, but threw out the bones.

    In our church experience, I have heard great men of God say things that I did not understand or really even agree with. I used to try and make it fit somehow anyway, but that led to a mess in my mind. In the end, I had to start over and keep the simple things that I can understand and let that slowly build. When I hear something that does not seem to fit now, I put it on the shelf and think about it a while before I put it in my pantry. Sometimes it just gets thrown out completely.

    On the other hand, there have been sound biblical truths abused and mentioning them now is almost taboo. Still, the truth will always be the truth. Our enemy loves to blacklist the blessings of God, gently erase them from our messages, and then subtly reverse them. 'Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38)' will always work, regardless of how many charlatans have abused it in the past. By hiding this truth, the enemy essentially hides the key to the cell door of poverty and keeps God's people locked inside. Many even begin to agree with him, contrary to the word of God and then believe 'Keep it all for yourself and you will prosper.' But that is not what Jesus told us. The truth has been reversed and the blessing made into a curse.

    Another important truth that has been neglected is that we are not to 'quench' the Spirit of God. This essentially means 'putting out the fire' and it is talking about the Holy Spirit and is not about people who may just be speaking out of order . The Holy Spirit brings warmth and light to the Christian life and came on the Apostles as 'tongues of fire' (Acts 2:3, Matt. 3:11). Paul especially singled out one gift with 'Do not despise prophecies' (1Th. 5:20). When you enter a church that is spiritually dead, water has been thrown on the fire and what you are left with is a cold, dead, religious experience. I know the hair on your neck is probably rising but I am only writing what the New Testament teaches as the truth. We cannot treat the Bible like a buffet and silently drop the parts that our denomination disagrees with, or even reverse their meaning into 'despise all prophecies.' The Holy Spirit is still alive today and the book of Acts is still as relevant as ever.

    Be open to new things. Keep what is good, throw out the bad. None of us are as smart as all of us. None of us have the entire truth, only parts of it, but all together we make up the body of Christ. Do not try and keep what you do not yet understand. God is able to quicken His word and make it understandable when He chooses to.

    We are to test all things and keep what is good. We cannot ignore truth because someone abused it in the past. We cannot limit God to our own church experience so far. Jesus could do no mighty works in His hometown because of their unbelief, though He did miracles everywhere else (Matt. 14:57). What if we are like them?

    Prayer: Father I believe, help my unbelief. Lord do not pass me by but include me in what You are doing today. I want more of You in my life. Teach me what I need to know and fire me up God. Dry up the water that has been thrown on my life and make me a torch for You in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning! The weekly Bible study is now available, covering Luke Chapter 22! This chapter is filled with core elements of our Christian faith, so don''t miss out. We look forward to hearing from you! Also, the FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) will be building on the "Refocusing Our Efforts" vision during their Thursday evening chat. Even if you missed the last chat, we encourage you to join for this inspiring and fun time!

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40 comments
  • 4
Mark Duell
Mark Duell A BIG AMEN to this brother. I would like to add to it though. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. We hold you in the highest regard Pastor Dion. May you continue to test everything and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.
September 29, 2015
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Andrew Velez
Andrew Velez Amen 
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Karen Fletcher
Karen Fletcher Amen
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!  Jesus Christ is the truth and the light Always!  Let his light shine on me.
September 29, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 4
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello I agree,God's word is the standard in which we are to live by.From cover to cover and age to age it is all relevant.God NEVER changes neither does His word! Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall never pass away.........
September 29, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and amen
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
September 29, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
flavio garcia
flavio garcia Amen. 
September 29, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I do agree that some doctrins that are taught in the Bible I have questions about, but Gods word is truth and without being taken out of context is where the Holy Spirit will teach you the truth, I also believe that God did not put evary thing in the Bible, Some things we don't understand are not to be understude. God will teach us what He wants us to know, satan quoated scripture, but it was not truth, He made it mean what He wanted it to mean, and God corrected him every time. I believe that Gods word does not have conflicting passages, He wants the Holy Spirit to teach us all things. We just can't learn it all at once. It is like a baby that is born, can't just get up and walk, It has to get its ballance and after many falls finally is ballanced so they can walk. I like that God teasches us to walk and then run. I feel the same way that some things go on the shelf for later and some things are not that important and will stay there . God knows that we need to trust Him in understanding His word, He will show us in His timing. Some things are not ment for us to understand. His word fits us like a glove, every finger has a place to go, some are small others medium and some large. This is how we serve Him, we all can't serve in the same way, because He created us all different. We are to complement each other and to encourage each other to stay in His word, Have a awesome relationship with Him, He will teach each of us the truth. After all it is His work not ours, but He uses us for His glory. Your devotions pastor Dion, helps me to think about what is important in Gods word. I am so blessed to read your teachings. God is useing you in a mighty way.
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb Yes; we are blessed by Dion's leading and our willingness to share perspectives with each other. Thanks for yours, Twila!
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt You are welcome, Cathy.
September 29, 2015
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Necie Mc
Necie Mc Amen
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza I love you sharing and insights of the teachings today. Thank you for sharing. GOD BLESS EVERYBODY in this RHM ministry
September 29, 2015
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Eric Rodriguez
Eric Rodriguez   A  M  E  N   !   !   !   
September 29, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank you for this wonderful devotion. God bless. 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Jaime  Medina
Jaime Medina Amen glory to God
September 29, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen 
September 29, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
Teresa Bridges
Teresa Bridges Another awesome word!  Thanks Pastor for allowing God to use you to encourage so many others and I feel blessed to be part of this body of believers!  All praise and Glory to God who puts people in our lives to keep the fire for HIM going!
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! In the moments of my disappointment and despair He is there. I only need to seek Him and He restores my soul. He gives me peace and turns my tears to laughter. In this chaotic world He is my safe harbor. 
September 29, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield This reminds me of the dumb argument I had with my ex husband recently--he insists that Christianity was 'stolen' from Greek mythology! I found plenty of literature that plainly states this is not only wrong, but stupid--yet he just won't listen to me. There is so much to learn from the Bible. Even Pope Francis' views in Immigartion can be verified in Scripture. I thank you for the timely devotion, as always!
September 29, 2015
  • 3
Fred Abeysundera
Fred Abeysundera I often wonder about churches that change God's word to fit in with the latest fashion/fad. If everyone is saying it, if everyone is doing it, it must be correct, never mind God's will. It was so good to read your words and know that what we must focus on is God's will, not what godless men say. Thank you.
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Rick Doran
Rick Doran Great study Pastor Dion, very relevant for me today.
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen!!..All glory to God for His loving-kindness and Mercy never cease.
September 29, 2015
  • 2
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen and Amen!!!!
September 29, 2015
  • 1
Shelby Casey
Shelby Casey Thank you for the messsage pastor. I just came accross one of those stories in the Bible that I kind of put on the shelf because it just did not apear to go along with what I knew about God. This week in women's Bible study we looked at it again and I kind of chewed on it all week and asked God to reveal himself in this story and He did. It truely is the living word. I had to wip out my CD of Unspoke because there is a song on there, "Start a Fire" they play it on the radio sometimes that talks about the fire of the Holy Spirit.
September 29, 2015
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle Amen, Praise the Lord !!!
September 29, 2015
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Commented but it did not go thru.  Lazy now.  Enjoyed it all.  Blessings!
September 30, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord I believe, help my unbelief!
October 1, 2015
  • 1
Iris Parlin
Iris Parlin Just how do you throw out the bad?? 
October 1, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd By ignoring it. Works for me. ;)
October 2, 2015
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Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidt yeah sometimes it is better to just start parts of your life from scratch. learn something new. find yourself again. find new connections with others. reconnect with your inner child. always  helps me to do that. pray and talk to God often when I feel like this more than usual. he will never leave you even if others leave. I also really like good old American Barbecue. We Canadians use propane to barbecue but nothing is better than good old fashioned charcoal or even better wood fired barbecue. went to Kansas City where my sister lives and their barbecue is awesome there. Wish I could bottle some of that up and bring it back home with me to Manitoba, Canada.
October 2, 2015
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Julie Schneider
Julie Schneider  I absolutely love this one and have reread it several times...it is a keeper!  I always like it when people use scripture to back up what they say and I usually look it up for myself. Sometimes it is only a part of the verse or is taken out of context for the chapter! I try to pray about it and not just accept another's opinion. I have learned this the hard way when i did trust that what was said was correct and passed it on!  The Holy Spirit is such an Awesome gift and I am continually learning to listen!
October 2, 2015
  • 1
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh AMEN. Keep my heart on fire for Lord.Fill All our hearts a fresh and new everyday.
October 3, 2015