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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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Seasons Change

  • For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:1 WEB

    Springtime is so beautiful when all of nature is blooming, then comes summer and fall. Eventually winter comes and things begin to die. The weather is no longer pleasant and inviting as it once was. All seasons are necessary in the circle of life. Everything has a season, and in our life, it is often much easier to begin something, than to end it.

    My wife and I once led an intercessory prayer team at church. It was great for quite a while, and the Holy Spirit was really there. In time however, we became restless, strained, and felt that the Lord wanted us to go in another direction.

    At the time, we were taught that quitting something just shows that you are weak or lazy. So we shook this off as the devil, and tried to continue on as any good christian would.

    After it became much worse, we asked for prayer from the church leadership, but we did not want them influenced by the natural. We had learned that leadership often supports you when stepping up, but it is rare when the leadership supports you when stepping down.

    It is hard for them to hear God objectively when 'Who will take their place?' is flashing in their head like a neon sign. You may hear: 'You work in the nursery, and you should stay in the nursery, because that is God's will for you and ours.'

    So we prayed about it some more and then wrote the question: 'Should we leave the prayer group?' on a piece of paper, folded it up, and brought that with us.

    Then we had the elders pray over the paper with us, without telling them the question written inside of it. One elder, who heard from the Lord regularly in prayer heard: 'Yes.' All the rest agreed, 'Yes.'

    When we opened the paper and they saw what was written, they were shocked, but we were free. He admitted that it was best that he did not know what the question was before because he could never have thought that was God's will for us.

    There are seasons in your life, and what was once the Lord's will for you, may not always be. Be open minded about what the Lord whispers to you, and rule nothing out. Sometimes you have to say no to the good, so you can say yes to the great.

    Prayer: Father speak to me clearly and in a way that I understand about the things in my life that I need to change. I realize that none of us can do everything. Help me focus my time and energy on what matters to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning, and happy Sunday! We pray that you all had a joyous and peaceful Christmas. As we head towards 2016, please do consider RHM for your year-end giving, especially if the devotionals and online church have been meaningful to you. Many thanks to all of you who have already chosen to walk with us through your support; you bless us beyond measure. Thank you all for being here and have a blessed Sabbath day!

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20 comments
  • 2
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wylesedited: December 27, 2015 Amen! I believe I am in the middle of those changes right now. Waiting on God's timing to reveal what next. I am sure he has a plan to provide abundantly for myself and my family! In the mean time... I am actively seeking him, his direction and his discernment. I believe he is guiding me to be more involved here while I have idle time... it had to be a God thing as I was not thinking along these lines... I was thinking a good stable paid job! I can only say yes to our heavenly Father. I am honored and slightly frightened. Unsure but willing! Prayerful and careful! We shall see what the Lord is up to...Thank you Pastor! Again you are speaking to my heart today. Blessings!! Pastor's Prayer: Father speak to me clearly and in a way that I understand about the things in my life that I need to change. I realize that none of us can do everything. Help me focus my time and energy on what matters to You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
December 27, 2015
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Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell Thank you Dion, I see this happening in my life right now. I seem to be praying more for guidence lately, it seems the Holy Spirit is awakening again. I am not sure what is next, but I do see things changing!
December 27, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
December 27, 2015
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Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan Good Morning Brethren!!!!!!!!  As his Child-been, such a Blessing too head for 2016!!!!!!  With His Holy fire at full control of my intentions , this shall become a very exciting year!!!!!!!!!! I most alpoligize for My actions through this past year!! Seems I was in Myself stubbornly resisting God's direct direction in My life--relearning past Teachings too further help assist My understandings of Addictions, War and Veterans and be more able too guide them out of such sufferings! Sincerly Brother Michael-- Viet-Nam 70-71!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 27, 2015
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DJ Greenawalt
DJ Greenawalt I went through this is 2013-14.  God was speaking to me and had been for 5 years to move on from my position.  He whispered to me in October and then again in January but when I brought this to my husband, feeling it was time to move on, he disagreed as I was the primary salary in the household as he is growing a business.  I was trying to follow God's word to be in agreement with my husband but I also felt God was telling me to be done.  Over all this, I was in a situation that I was being professionally bullied and stripped of my professional integrity even though my work ethic and responsibility had not changed.  I ended up leaving in June, my decision, but not in the way I would have liked.  I prayed through everything as I had for much of my adult life.  It took a year to be able to forgive and move on but with memories that at times, still haunt me.  We are struggling financially and I am looking to God to provide as I work on 3 businesses and try to figure out which path God wants me to follow.  I look to Isaiah 41:10 - "Yes, I will help you" and Zechariah 4:10 - "appreciate the small beginnings".  I know God is in charge and I ask for prayer even as I know His timing is perfect.  
December 27, 2015
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Linda Cella
Linda Cella Amen
December 27, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt God does have a purpose in every season of our life. My dad lived this verse, and it had an impact on my life.
December 27, 2015
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Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! 
December 27, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Amen 
December 27, 2015
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Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen, thank you Pastor Dion for the inspiring words of the Lord.
December 27, 2015
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Mark Duell
Mark Duell Amen. I like the way you approached the Elders with the question so as not to influence their hearing God. Very good idea. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you safe.
December 27, 2015
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Sometimes you have to say no to the good,  so you can say yes to the great is an awesome word, thank you for sharing, those words are on my mind. Amen  and blessings!
December 27, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!! I needed to hear that today, I have an application for an apartment in California that is so large I haven't even begun to fill it out, but the thought of it keeps coming to mind to fill out little by little each day til complete then mail it in.  It is just to get on a wait list and not my favorite choice but perhaps that is Gods will.  We are on a wait list for two others and their paperwork was one page this one is like 18 pages.  So, starting later today or tomorrow I will start it.
December 27, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield When I pray, I always receive answers, but sometimes it's so hard to tell where those answers are coming from! It can relate to today's devotion!
December 27, 2015
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Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen JESUS!  Please give me wisdom and understanding, so I will always know how to handle whatever comes my way. Thank you JESUS!
December 27, 2015
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Julie Schneider
Julie Schneider I have felt such a sense of peace when i have stopped some things in my life....even things that were really good.  I dont always understand God's reasons but know if i have peace then it must be right! Great Devotion!!
December 27, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Very good message!!  I believe in this very much.  After being in ministry awhile I experienced this. I prayed asking God asking is this of you, Lord? Evidence came or an ongoing events that said, YES!  There were times when church people did make it very known how they felt.  Mostly "that look".  Even shunning.  So painful at the time.  We had a family crisis with two of our children.  It was close to the heart painful.  The church people very made things more difficult.  A lot of man presence & little of God present.  An intern Pastor & his wife came on because there was need finding a new pastor.  We met them & found a very unusual caring spirit then what we had experienced.  We met together & in due time they found there was a spirit of control in the church.  I were of great help in our family crisis.  My husband & I had left the church.  We felt freed!  Where is God in such a church... I think standing outside the door knocking to come on.  God never forces Himself in He waits till they seek Him.  Ask Him.  I love the Lord.  He is soooo good!!
December 27, 2015
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Thank you pastor Todd for another great devotional It will help me for sure!! Thanku so much for listening to what God has in store, your a great example for me to follow and theres no way I could ever thanku enough for all u do! God Bless sincerely Scott R. and sons Jeremy,Joshua and Justin Riegelmann.
December 27, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord Help me to walk in step with You.
December 28, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
December 28, 2015