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  • 1 hour ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    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...
  • Fri at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    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...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    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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  • 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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Custom Housing

  • For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11 WEB

    I used to work with my Dad who was a lifelong carpenter, building custom houses. When he agreed to build a house, the first step was the plans. How big will it be? Where will the stairs go? How many windows? All these details needed to be known ahead of time and planned out to keep the stove from being installed in an upstairs closet.

    It started out as a stack of lumber, then the house was built a piece at a time and in a certain order. The foundation was laid, then the floor, the walls, and the roof. When all the pieces finally came together, it was a house. The roof could not come before the foundation, nor the wiring before a wall.

    As a helper that knew nothing, I would like to have hung the cabinets and given them something beautiful to look at, but there were weeks of work to do behind the scenes before that needed to be done. Dad knew that, but I didn't. Also, not everyone liked the same colors that I did. We built some houses that were yellow, while others were gray. In time, all the pieces came together and formed a beautiful home, custom built for the owners and they loved it.

    God has laid out plans for our lives, and they are amazing. Plans to prosper us, to give us hope and a future, a good ending. No two of us are alike, so God takes each of us down our own path and at our own pace. As we walk with Him daily and follow the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, our lives will come together into something that is beautiful to us.

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people love attending events and parties, but if you call and cancel your dinner plans with us, we silently thank God for it. Some love to work all day in a flower garden, while to me it would be misery. I love technology and gadgets. It is part of my gift set and God built me like this for a purpose. For you to be happy, it is very important to be yourself like God intended. Your heaven may be my hell. God knows this and builds each of our lives to fit our personality. We can still both love God, and just agree to disagree about our favorite color.

    The enemy has plans for us to which are pretty much the opposite: to steal, to kill, and destroy your life and that of your families. We all have to choose between the good and the bad, just like Adam and Eve. No one is exempt. Sure there is forgiveness, but you are always given a chance to not sin.

    'No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it' (1 Corinthians 10:13).

    If you choose Jesus, and follow Him wholeheartedly, you will be happy with your life in the end. You may or may not die rich and famous, but your life will be full and you will be happy with the way that your life turned out. God has plans for you. If you just work with Him a little each day to keep your life on course, everything is going to be alright. Good things often take time, but rest assured that everything is on schedule.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for all that You are doing in my life. Build me up Lord and craft me into the best version of myself. Share Your wisdom with me and help me to see the big picture. I choose You today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

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41 comments
  • 2
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles YES!! AMEN!! One of my go-to verses in stormy waters. This passage always reminds me of God's higher plans for us and that we are in the hands of a loving God that only wants good things for us. So when the trials come I can stand on that promise and realize it's the enemy throwing a curve ball! Thank you for this inspired devotional today. Spot on as always :) Many blessing to you and Sylvia.
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Tyler Velau
Tyler Velau Amen. Another great story, Pastor Todd. I worked in construction myself so I am familiar with the steps. Thank you for posting this today. 
November 2, 2015
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Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!
November 2, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
November 2, 2015
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Calvin Hurst
Calvin Hurst O how tge Father speaks to His Children
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Faith Oglesby
Faith Oglesby Thanks for this article today, Pastor Todd.  Tugs at the heart.
November 2, 2015
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Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen, thank you Pastor Dio  for the words from the Lord as usual it is good to start the day with words from our Lord and Saviour. 
November 2, 2015
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Eric Rodriguez
Eric Rodriguez A M E N   . . . 
November 2, 2015
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Mary Pat Taylor
Mary Pat Taylor Again, something that perfectly fits my life right now, as I wait for God to open dooors for me. Thank you Pastor Dion!
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, God is so good.
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen!!! I thank God for the purpose for my life, and the gift's He has given me. I want to use them to glorfy Him
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Diane Casey
Diane Casey Thank you for a profound word. loved it!
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! As far as God's plan for our lives,  one size does not fit all. We are uniquely created and each of us has different talents and preferences. Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves. If we are devoted to walking in His Spirit, He leads us to the unique path He has created for us. It isn't until we arrive there that we realize that this path fits us perfectly!
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello Still praying for father God to lead me on the path for gainful employment or whatever He would have me to do with the rest of my days here on earth. Trusting Him to open a door and give me direction to the path He has laid out for me. I'm so glad He has taught me to seek Him,follow Him and trust Him whole heatedly. Not clinging to any part of the old me or anything of this world but only to Him and a lot of times it's Him holding on to me. Praise and thank You, Father,Son and Holy Spirit!
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen!
November 2, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Thanks be to God that we are all so different,and enjoy different things and doing different jobs.It makes life so. Much more exciting,and the need for one another in so many different ways.Thank you Heavenly Father for each and everyone of us.,and bringing us together through your great love. And by The Holy Spirit.Teach us your ways and fill us a new with The Holy Spirit.In Jesus name.
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen and Amen.
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield This is a great message and one I really needed to hear, because sometimes I feel as ifI don't fit in with what is considered "normal". I prefer sitting home knitting and would rather read a good book than watch TV and my phone does not have all the bells and whistles as my kids' do. But I have JESUS! And in the end, that is really all that matters.
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Sylvia Schmidt
Sylvia Schmidt Thank you. I really needed to hear this today. Wondering about which path to take sometimes. Not sure if the future outcome of my current choices I am making. Timely word Pastor. Much appreciated.
November 2, 2015
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Iris Parlin
Iris Parlin I don't wish anyone to go down the path I have been on for a vey long time, but we all know sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side. I just pray for my last years to be somewhat happy and also a lesser amount of pain.
November 2, 2015
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Paul Boore
Paul Boore Pastor, I cried when I read this, as it brought memories of a youth that I worked with my grandfather, also a master carpenter.  It was the MOST enjoyable time of my life...he knew what he was doing...I did not.  Soon, I tried to think ahead of him to what he would need next.  It became a game, I'd try to think if he had enough mud (morter) or blocks, 2X4s, or shingles, and I always tried to get the needed supplies to him before he'd call out for them.  After a few years, I came to know that he'd look for me and just before I'd get there, he'd yell...and chuckle to himself that he had gotten me.  When he told me, we had a great laugh.  I always thought it was just that I was that step too slow, but he told me he thought that had made me much quicker and a better person, as I would never grumble or doubt that he "got me" but would strive to do better next time. Working with him made me realize the ethic of working for your money.  One day, it was extremely hot and we were working on a roof, putting up felt paper and then shingles.  I recall several of the other helpers asking to take breaks to get a swig of water.  He'd say we will work until lunch break and then we can get water.  The gentleman on whose roof we were working came out and asked us to come down and take a break for some water. That was fine, as he was the one paying our salaries.  At lunch, my grandad told me (his parable) that he was making $3.00 per hour (this was in 1968).  That meant that for every minute, he was making 5 cents.  If he was 10 minutes late arriving to work, he felt he had stolen 50 cents from "the man."  Likewise, if he took a 10 minute water break, another 50 cents...etc.  By the end of the week, he might have stolen $10.00 from that man who was paying his salary.  This, to him (and subsequently to me) was totally unacceptable. I have followed his advice and his leadership for the rest of my working days...knowing that it was much better for the man to owe me (and never know it) than for me to steal minutes/dollars (and know it) and for him to never know it. Thank you for reminding me of both my grandfather and of the advice he gave me that has lasted these MANY years.
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, what an amazing testimony and an honor to your Granddad. God bless you.
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Dion Todd
Dion Todd Your grandfather sounded like a great man to be around. Those times we always remember.
November 3, 2015
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Loriann Riley
Loriann Riley Thanks pastor Todd for this devotional message  it's a blessing to my heart amen. Lord I thank you for making me in the person you meant for me to be 
November 2, 2015
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Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke Amen
November 2, 2015
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Dorene Glaze
Dorene Glaze A chance to NOT sin   help us all Lord to listen to your prompt before we sin ......help us yield to the NOT sin
November 2, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you so much pastor Todd you have a gift of words and its truely a blessing to be apart of this ministry! God Bless you and your family!
November 2, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
November 2, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praise The Lord for this wonderful message and prayer.
November 2, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Melchorita Fahey
Melchorita Fahey Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for sharing this wonderful message and a prayer. God bless you and Sylvia.
November 2, 2015
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Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker Amen!! This message was so on target for me today!! Thank you Pastor Todd for all the wonderful  messages you send!!
November 2, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord have mercy, and help me to make better decision.
November 3, 2015
Comment deleted
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Jeanne Hill
Jeanne Hill Wonderful message and timely reminder, thanks Pastor
November 5, 2015