Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd May 31st, 2025 1,430 Views 28 Comments
In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:1–4 WEB.
When children are born, they depend on their parents for everything. They don't have the strength, resources, or knowledge to make it on their own. They couldn't live without the help of their parents. They are tenderhearted and hurt easily, for they don't have the cynical shell we grow to protect us as we get older, much like a hard-shell crab. Children, at least at first, don't respect one person above another one.
As adults, we grow to be much different. We love to be independent and the greatest. We respect one person above another for so many reasons. Our lives get busy, complicated, and filled with selfish ambition. Our trinity often becomes me, myself, and I. We build up walls to keep out the pain. Yet, when we block the pain, we also block good things like love and trust. No one can really get close to us anymore, and we don't have time for them anyway. Welcome to the world we live in.
Jesus called for a return to the simple, humble life of a childlike demeanor. To remain teachable, loving, humble, and innocent. To forget about who is the greatest among us. To lay aside our selfish pride. To look to our Father for our needs and obey His voice. The greatest in the kingdom of God will be the simple man or woman who manages to shake off the worldly standard we have grown accustomed to and to become something better.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You today for helping me to remove my shell. Please help me get back to the simple childlike faith of trusting You day by day. Help me find balance in the way that I look at others. Let me see them through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ 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. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.
Eco Version .577: Adapted the site to be a (PWA) Progressive Web App that you can install locally and still browse cached content like devotionals you have read when you are offline. When you first open the app in the morning, it should take you to the latest devotional. If you were an early adopter and it does not, uninstall it and install it again as I made some changes. Also, you can click the 3 ... and "Cast" to display it on your TV if you have a compatible device. It should work with Chrome, Edge, Android, as well as iPhones, iPads, and tablets. I will create some documentation on it soon, but this is a summary:
How to Install the Refreshing Hope Ministries App:
For Android & Desktop Users:
Visit our website: Go to www.refreshinghope.org using Chrome, Edge, or another compatible browser.
Wait for the prompt: After a few moments on the site, you'll see a banner at the bottom of your screen asking if you'd like to "Add RHM to Home Screen."
Tap "Install": Click the "Install" button on the prompt.
Enjoy the app: The RHM app will be installed on your device. You can now access it directly from your home screen or app drawer without opening a browser.
For iPhone & iPad Users:
Use Safari browser: Open www.refreshinghope.org in Safari (this won't work in Chrome or other browsers on iOS).
Tap the Share button: Look for the share icon (square with an arrow pointing up) at the bottom of your screen.
Select "Add to Home Screen": Scroll down in the share menu if needed to find this option.
Confirm installation: Tap "Add" in the top-right corner of the screen.
Access the app: The RHM icon will appear on your home screen. Tap it to open the app directly.
Benefits of Installing the RHM App:
Quick access: Open RHM with one tap from your home screen
Offline access: View previously visited pages even without an internet connection
App-like experience: Enjoy a full-screen experience without browser controls
Stay updated: Receive important ministry updates and notifications
Save data: The app loads faster and uses less data than repeatedly visiting the website
Need Help? If you have any questions or need assistance installing the app on your device, please contact us and we'll be happy to help! 😀
Friday, driving down to Charleston, South Carolina, I had a heart attack in the car. Before the heart attack, I would have already thought myself a "simple man."
It's amazing how an event like that can can clear the eyes and help you to refocus.
I thank God that I, through the prayers of others, and the care given me so many people, survived. May the lessons learned survive as well.
Comment from Michele Copley
1 day ago
Continueing prayers for your restoration. How great of how God in His protection and people's prayers, and care given you, you survived the heart attack, Halleluiah!!
Comment from Sherry Mccosh
2 days ago
That is an amazing story Joe and I am so glad that you lived to tell about it. God has given you a new lease on life. My husband also had a heart Attack 6 years ago and it was a widow maker heart attack. So when I took him to emergency they did not think that he was having a heart attach because it did not show up on the monitor but after doing blood work they rushed in and started giving him medication to try to stop the heart attach and I am happy to say that he lived through this heart attach because God had a plan for his life.
Comment from Marilyn Salter
2 days ago
Joe, you are truly blessed brother. I pray you have a full recovery and that you heal quickly.
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 days ago
Amen and Amen! Praising God for your protection, Joe! 🙏 There is such power in prayer! 🙏
Comment from Wanda Pennington
3 days ago
Remembering you in prayer Joe. God bless you !!
Comment from Lynn Brown
3 days ago
Praise God for His protection and provision for you, Joe!🙏
I would love to return to that child-like faith. To believe so easily in everyone I meet. My saving grace is my Lord. He redeems me daily.
Heavenly Father, I thank You today for helping me to remove my shell. Please help me get back to the simple childlike faith of trusting You day by day. Help me find balance in the way that I look at others. Let me see them through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Amen and have a wonderful weekend and last day of May!
Good morning, y'all, praying you all have a peaceful and very blessed Saturday! 💛🙏🌻
Comment from Dan Remley
3 days ago
Good morning Sylvia. I hope you pastor Dion and our RHM family has a wonderful Saturday ❤️
Comment from Wanda Pennington
3 days ago
Thank you Sylvia, you as well 🙏
Comment from Bella Colliander
3 days ago
Have a happy day, sweet sylvia.🙏💜
God I’m so depleted. Strengthen me Amen
Comment from Dan Remley
3 days ago
Lord please bless our sister Mari with comfort and happiness ❤️
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 days ago
AMEN! 🙏Prayers and hugs, dear Mari! 🙏🤗
Lord, thank you for the many lessons you have given me. Be with me throughout my life and guide me. Help me to make the best of the skills you have given me. Amen ❤️
Amen 🙏
Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 days ago
AMEN, this I pray! 🙏 Oh Lord, please help me to always be true to myself, just the way You made me, and not to be a shell towards others trying to please them! I want to please You, dear Heavenly Father, and I want You to be proud of me, and all I want to hear is "Well done my . . ." when I meet You face to face! So please by the power of Your might Holy Spirit direct me and lead me on the right path, to mold me after Your Holy will, this I pray, Amen and Amen!!!
Amen!
Yes my Lord and Father, I pray this in Jesus's name, amen. ✝️🛐
Heavenly Father I Thank You For All You Do For Me Especially For Helping Me To Remove My Shell And Pain From Being Hurt By Others Amen Good Afternoon Everyone 😀
AMEN!! Thank you for the reminder!
Heavenly Father, I Trust in you! I hold to your Promises! In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!
Amen 🙏🏻
Amen
Post from Wanda Pennington
3 days ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You today for helping me to remove my shell. Please help me get back to the simple childlike faith of trusting You day by day. Help me find balance in the way that I look at others. Let me see them through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Heavenly Father, I thank You today for helping me to remove my shell. Please help me get back to the simple childlike faith of trusting You day by day. Help me find balance in the way that I look at others. Let me see them through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Amen💖
Amen! Thank you for this message Pastor Dion, it spoke to me today.
Post from Bella Colliander
3 days ago
Thank you, my heavenly Father. 💜🕊️
Amen 🙏❤️🙏🕊️❤️🙏!!
Amen.🙏🙏
Amen!
Amen
Post from Kay Collinsworth
3 days ago
Amen
Amen!
Comment from Lynn Brown
7 hours ago
Thank you Pastor! That is awesome!!
Comment from Michele Copley
1 day ago
Good morning, Pastor Dion. How helpful of your creating this detailed app for RHM. How good it will be to load and display RHM on large screen TV at times, and with more documentation or needed assistance upcoming along the way for RHM Family- of God.