Rocket Man

Posted by Dion Todd June 10th, 2024 1,467 Views 23 Comments

Rocket man from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

When God's hand touches your life, everything changes, and who you were or where you came from no longer matters. Your skills, talents, intelligence, and resources, or lack thereof, no longer matter. You become something else, a new spirit-filled creation with infinite potential. New doors begin to open. You may find yourself "gifted" when you certainly weren't before.

Consider Joseph, who was a slave and then imprisoned when his owner's wife lied and accused him of trying to rape her. You don't get much lower in social status than an imprisoned slave. Yet, God was with Joseph in prison. When Pharaoh had dreams, they brought in Joseph, who was known for interpreting dreams, and Pharaoh was so blown away that he made Joseph ruler over Egypt:

(Genesis 41:38–41 NKJV)  And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

Joseph's past—his lack of education, even his criminal record—no longer mattered. Why? because the Spirit of God lived in him. God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation for such a time as this. God opens doors no man can shut, and He can put you in the right place at the right time with the right words to say.

In the Book of Daniel, some Hebrews were taken captive during the siege of Jerusalem; now, they were slaves in Babylon. But then God touched their lives:

(Daniel 1:17 NKJV)  As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

When King Nebuchadnezzar examined them, he found they were ten times better than all of his wise men:

(Daniel 1:20 NKJV)  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

It no longer mattered where these men came from; they were going to be promoted. God loves to take the lowly and display His power through them. When the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away his "thorn in the flesh," God told him this:

(2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB)  And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

The Apostle Paul saw a pattern forming, a type of person the Lord called, and he wrote about it in Corinthians:

(1 Corinthians 1:26–27 NASB)  For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong

God intentionally called the weak, the poor, the uneducated, and the unintelligent. It was easier to bring the humble up than to bring the haughty down to a level He could use them. He makes the weak appear strong. He makes the poor to always have enough. He makes the uneducated appear smart. But Pride is a stench to His nostrils. 

When Peter and John healed the beggar sitting at the temple gate, he had been crippled since birth, and he now was over forty years old. The religious leaders had them arrested, but they didn't know what to make of them. 

(Acts 4:5–7 NKJV)  And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

(Acts 4:8–10 NKJV)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

They were filled with astonishment. The high priest and his family couldn't heal the man, but these two uneducated fishermen did: 

(Acts 4:13–14 NKJV)  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Jesus once chose seventy disciples and sent them out to the towns He planned to visit in pairs of two. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and later returned rejoicing. Then Jesus burst out in spontaneous praise to the Father:

(Matthew 11:25 NASB)  At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants."

Jesus called those disciples "infants." They were very powerful infants and at the beginning of a long journey of growth. God does not need the strong, the smart, the gifted, the wealthy. He needs the humble and obedient. The other things are added as they are needed. He doesn't call the equipped. God equips the one He calls. 

(1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV)  ... Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you ...

It's not that God does not call the skilled, the wise, and the educated. He does, but most of what they bring with them is dung, and He has to strip it away before He can use them, as He did with the Apostle Paul, who was a well-educated and dedicated Christian persecutor before His conversion on the road to Damascus. 

The Holy Spirit is the Great Equalizer of people. He brings the prideful down and the humble up. He will not use human strength, and often, it is more difficult to de-pride someone than it is to raise them up. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:25). God is not "lucky" to have us on His team. We are lucky to be on His. Jesus told a parable about two men who went to pray:

(Luke 18:9–11 NASB)  And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

(Luke 18:12–14 NASB)  'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that He can use you. When He wants you to start doing something, do it. Then He will give you something else; do it. Keep doing that, and you will be amazed at how you see God begin to work in your life. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). 

Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). If You want Him to show up in your life, then do what He says, and the Holy Spirit will come to help you. It is a promise! 

(John 14:15–16 NKJV)  "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—"

It's not who you are, or were, what you have done, or where you came from. It's not how much wealth you have, education, gifts, talents, or skills. We have nothing to offer God He could not instantly give to anyone else. All we can offer Him is to demonstrate our faith and love for Him by doing what He said. 

(Matthew 22:36–40 NKJV)  "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

(John 13:34–35 NKJV)  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a clear way and guide me into all You have for me. I feel like I have been set on a shelf. Lord, I want to be used again! Show me what I have missed. Give me another chance. Help me get in tune with You again. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


Note: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network

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Nell Neathery commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Yes, I feel like I have been placed on a shelf in a relationship. With the Lord on my side, then who can be against me? I went to church Sunday with a group of us from where we live. I coordinated what would happen in the dining room before Sunday School started. I have have never tried this before. Things seemed so much more organized. We prayed first, which was new. I made the coffee and had one person at a time get up and come get their cup. Usually, everybody goes up at one time! I read a devotional, along with someone else. One of the new guys likes to play the piano. so, I felt like I helped everyone to be in a good spiritual mood! I like to go the altar during invitation with my Bible every Sunday I am able to go. There is more in store for me, but I am not getting any younger! At the current time, I don't think I need a relationship as at times I am emotionally hurt, and that makes me weary. Thank You Jesus for leading me to share this testimony, and I thank You for what You have done for me in all ways, Amen


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David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen Lord. Here I am. I’m allowed up physically and I’m weary. Forgive me my sins and heal me for Your Namesake. Create in me a clean heart and re-new a steadfast spirit in me. Your grace is sufficient for me. In Jesus Christ Name.


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Mari Kaufmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen


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Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

AMEN Good Morning Everyone Have A Bless Day 😀

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Dan Remley

1 month ago

I hope your day was blessed Yvette ❤️

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Sylvia Todd

1 month ago

Good morning, Yvette, to you as well 🌞!


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Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Good morning, everyone, hope y'all have a very blessed Monday 🌻😀!

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Dan Remley

1 month ago

I hope you do as well friends ❤️

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Liesel aka lisa Wardle

1 month ago

You too, Sylvia and Pastor, have a blessed day and rest of the week! 🙏

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Lynn Brown

1 month ago

You too, Sylvia and Pastor!🌞


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Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Lord. Guide me into all you have for me. I put my trust in you. I have faith in you. You have blessed me greatly with so much. Amen ❤️


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Susan Petho commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen!


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Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a clear way and guide me into all You have for me. I feel like I have been set on a shelf. Lord, I want to be used again! Show me what I have missed. Give me another chance. Help me get in tune with You again. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Amazing word today, thanks so much!!


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Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen and Amen, and thank you Lord that despite feeling so bad I was able to attend the Sunday service again, which is such a blessing to me! RHM has become a special family to me, in addition to my physical family with additions! We share a bond that's thicker than water, we are "blood-related" because of the precious blood of our Lord and Savior, a bond that I'm still seeking and praying for in regards to my siblings! But I put my entire trust in my Lord, because as we are praying according to His will He will hear us - in His time! When the Lord, my loving Heavenly Father, reached down and touched me, everything changed and I'm still a work in progress!! And so it will be in His time, so I keep on believing, trusting and waiting, and thanking Him for all that He has done and still will do!!! 🙏
I'm praying


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Wesley Paulus commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen!


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Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a clear way and guide me into all You have for me. I feel like I have been set on a shelf. Lord, I want to be used again! Show me what I have missed. Give me another chance. Help me get in tune with You again. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


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Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a clear way and guide me into all You have for me. I feel like I have been set on a shelf. Lord, I want to be used again! Show me what I have missed. Give me another chance. Help me get in tune with You again. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


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Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for another day. Please speak to me in a clear way and guide me into all You have for me. I feel like I have been set on a shelf. Lord, I want to be used again! Show me what I have missed. Give me another chance. Help me get in tune with You again. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! 🤟🏻❤️


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Elena Vasquez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen


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Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen 🙏🙏🙏!!


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Candy Laventure commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen!


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Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Thank you Lord Jesus, My Father for giving me another day, Amen!


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Brenda F commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen!


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Gloria Nebarez commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen, thank you Jesus


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Celeste Strenn commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen❣️


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Kay Collinsworth commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen


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Dana Rozell commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Amen!


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Dion Todd added a new video devotional: Rocket Man

1 month ago

Rocket man from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When God's hand touches your life, everything changes, and who you were or where you came from no longer matters. Your skills, talents, intelligence, and resources, or lack thereof, no longer matter. You become something else, a new spirit-filled creation with infinite potential. New doors begin to... Read the full post here: Rocket Man




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