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Simon Peter said to them, 'I'm going fishing.' They told him, 'We are also coming with you.' They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn't know that it was Jesus. John 21:3 WEBP... -
RHM Bible Study, Acts Chapter Twenty-five from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today we are going to study Acts chapter 25 in depth. You can follow along in your own Bible if you like. I will be reading from the World English Bible because it is the only modern English translation that is co...
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RHM Devotional: Life or Death from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today I want to talk about life or death, in the Spirit. God is the Giver of life, and He breathed the breath of life into Adam in the beginning. His Spirit brings a freshness, a revitalization, freedom, an excitement, It giv...
Thunderstorms
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Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psa. 131:2 WEB
Thunderstorms in the deep south can be terrible, especially for children. Blackened skies, winds that down trees, walls of rain that you cannot see through, bolts of lightning that hit the ground and sound like an artillery shell. Once a bolt of lightning that struck in the yard set off an EMP and caused all the electronic devices in the area to lose their settings.
When I was little and a bad thunderstorm would come up, my Dad would gather all the kids around him, and sit us on his lap with him on the couch. If the storm got really bad, he would always take us out to his truck. My stepmom cursed like a sailor and he was afraid to be in the house with her when things got bad lest she be taken. Come to think of it, everyone distanced themselves from her when the weather got rough.
Even in the worst storms with the wind howling, the lightning striking, and the thunder booming, we felt perfectly safe there with Dad. His presence seemed to calm everything inside of us. We always made it through the storm.
Sometimes the Lord does not calm the storm that we are facing, but He will calm His child. When his happens, relax and rest knowing that He is with you and that the storm will soon pass. It is not forever. Try to keep a good attitude while waiting.
'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control' (Galatians 5:22).
A baby wants everything right now or it cries and screams. A child that is weaned learns to wait until the meal is ready. David said that his soul was like a weaned child for he had learned to wait on the Lord.
You are not alone there and what you are facing is not a surprise to God. You will come through this, and even if you didn't, you will get to walk on streets of gold. So the worst thing that can happen is not all that bad. Naked we came into this world, naked we will go out, and all that we are striving for will be left behind. Set your priorities in light of that.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for comforting me. I know that You are in control. You created the universe and You are able to handle this. I surrender to You. Speak to me in a way that I understand and fulfill Your will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning, family! For any who did not see the invite, the FAAD chat this evening will be on "The Power of Our Words". This is a very important subject in our Christian walk, whether or not you are dealing with depression, so we encourage you all to participate! It will take place at the RHM chatroom at 7pm EST. ALSO, for those who have not seen it, the Creation Photographers group is hosting the them "Angel Wing Kisses and Butterfly Wishes", a whimsical theme to keep in mind as we look for God''s beauty in the world!
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Father, we pray that you be with our brothers and sisters that may be going through a storm right now. We pray that you give them the strength and courage to fight through it. That you will give them that peace that all is alright in your arms. Strengthen them Lord and make them stronger through it. And when the storm comes my way, that I will remember my rock and refuge. In Jesus Holy and precious name, Amen.
Patience is a hard one but a lesson I'm in the middle of now as I try to patiently wait on the Lords timing and open doors of opportunity. When I started this leap of faith back in Oct. last year I was sure God was leading me from a hostile invronment into his peace and a better more positive atmosphere... fast froward 5 + months and I still believe that even though I have not yet been blessed with that perfect open door of employment. What I have been blessed with is so much more... Thank you Pastor for this reminder that I am not alone in the storms and I can remain calm in knowing patience is the key, my Father is with me and it's all going to be alright, the storm won't last forever. What a peace giving message:) Pastor's Prayer: Father, I thank You for comforting me. I know that You are in control. You created the universe and You are able to handle this. I surrender to You. Speak to me in a way that I understand and fulfill Your will in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Oh, Pastor.... Thanks
I hate to wait on anything, hehehe, just like a baby. The Lord is weaaning me and teaching patience. :) This helps me....
Be strong and courageous because God is with you. Nothing is impossible for God and I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
Ever so moving story!!!! I feel terrible for the Mom!! Wow!! I was anointed awakened- by lightning as a Baby!!! I was sitting in a High chair next to a oil stove!! A bolt came through the front door and hit the stove!!!!!!!!!!!!! second time writing here- I lost the first one! God wants this one!!!!!!! Crying!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know He told Me long ago My story is so huge We have too wait on this sick world's timing for Me too truly share it! Bottom line He started coming through in Me verbaly speaking in My voice as I grew older!! A perfect guide- the best!!! I kept Him a secret-- His order!! I'm jes completeing Cancer treatment!! Looks very good!! Suffer--hum I've done this alone-with Him!!! more too be revealed! Again a very moving story-here!!!
So often in this world of over a billion people we feel alone or isolated from others, God created us to be in a community of partnerships. This allows us to share our compassion, love, and energy with others. You are so right Pastor, He knows where we are and He is there cheering us on to keep our eyes on Him- the true prize.
God does give us true joy no matter what our citiation may be. God is not as nearly concerended about our cituation as how we handle what we are going through.. I know He has given me real joy in some really tough times. I have learned to have a intimate relation with my LORD through these times, and have faith and trust that He does hold me tight no matter what I am going through.
Thank the Good Lord for all the many storms He brought me through. My youngest boy was over 2 months early. I lived in a high altitude wilderness area when I went into labor. Even though contractions were 15 min apart, they told me I was not in labor. When my husband arrived home from logging at 9pm, I was 3 min apart. He brought me back to the hospital where they informed me I was in labor and the baby could not be born this early and this small at this altitude. They kept tring to stop labor and called a helicopter to bring me to the Childrens Hospital in the city. A big storm came and the heliocopter could not land. They called for a larger airplane to rescue me and that took another hour. By the time the plane arrived the storm was worse. They made a go for it anyway and the whole church was praying. We took off and once we were in air the whold stretcher started slamming up and down off the floor even though it was tied down. I started to panic as I was watching the lighting and thunder out the window. Then the Lord gave me His Peace beyond all understanding and I KNEW I would be holding my healthy baby soon or be in the Precious arms of Jesus. Either way Amen. I had a 3lb boy and the Doctor said he was so healthy he was the only preemie that did not need oxygen or antibiotics. Thank You Lord. He is now a big healthy young man with a darling boy of his own.
I read these devotionals each morning before going to work. Each and every day, I feel God is speaking to me through the words He has given you. This morning, was especially perfect, for the day, as I am having some medical problems. I know all will go well, but have a rough time some days facing what is ahead for me. I thank you, Pastor Todd, for passing God's word on. It is good to know, when I feel alone, I'm not. God is always with me.
Amen I praise God for my storms cause I know God is in full control. I stand on His promises James 1:2 encourages me it says to count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Thanks Pastor Todd for this devotional. Just confirmation. Blessings to you
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Amen!!! Pastor Dion, thank you for the devotion about the storm and all your daily devotions. Sometimes storms can be very scary and sometimes they can bring you peace. I seem to sleep well when there is a good storm but not really bad and you know you'll be okay. It's the ones that get out of control that seem to shake us up. When my daughter was young we had a really bad storm so I took her to the far corner of the basement. It was a good thing I did the large bradford pear tree came down all the way. Those tress grow fast and are not as strong as the oak trees in the back. I have one oak that's 200 and some years old. We call it the mother oak. I have oak trees all threw our back yard. I love to look at them. My uncle use to say when the leaves turn upside down a storm is coming. Did anyone else every hear about that? He was a cheif in the Navy and he would tell me many things about the sea and storms... God rest his soul. <3
Dion~
I am so grateful I listened to my Higher Power and made the time to read this. My soul has not been calmed the last few days and I didn't realize it until I read this. I had put on an act so well even I believed it!
Then I get sick again and the storm raged even higher. I was scared and was letting the enemy run my emotions and thoughts. Talking, sharing, reading and praying have calmed the storm. I know it isn't over, it is manageable and won't hurt those I love.
i must remember and believe that this too shall pass when I give it to God.
Amen!
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