Recent Blog Entries

  • 4 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Anchor of the Soul from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When people lose hope, they lie down and die. They lose the will to live and fight any longer. Hopelessness is utter despair, the belief that nothing good will happen. When you begin to think like this, it will bring a desire to die. A ...
  • 10 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far f...
  • Sat at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; Isaiah 46:9'10 WEB.During a sci-fi n...
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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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Vineyards

  • For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Matthew 20:1 WEB

    Vineyards that produce some of the best wine, limit the water to the plants in order to make their roots go deeper into the soil. The resulting grapes are small, but intensely flavorful. The crop yields less, but the fruit quality is superior. This is why some areas become known for their wine, their perfect climate and terroir.

    The grape vines that have had to drill deep into the earth for water become heartier and more stable. Their supporting root system runs deep and they are not easily uprooted by winds. If it does not rain for a while, they are already prepared for it. They remain stable through out the seasons because of their deep roots.

    Vines that have been flooded with all the water they could want, sit right on top of the ground with a shallow root system. A few days without water and they will begin to dry up. A light wind or tug can uproot the plant entirely. The fruit that they produce can be large, but often bland and watery.

    The Lord knows how to tend His vineyard and quality is more important to Him than quantity. He provides what we need to bring forth the best fruit in our lives. That means that He is not flooding us with everything that we desire, as that would make us produce shallow roots.

    It is not always easy. Sometimes we feel like we do not have enough, but there is a purpose. You may feel that you are in a spiritual draught today and think that God has forgotten you, but He has not. He knows what is needed to produce the correct fruit and you already have it in your life. Stop worrying about what you don't have and realign your priorities with your mission here.

    Prayer: Father, You know my needs before I ask them. I trust You to provide for me and cause me to prosper in what You give me to do. Help me bring forth spiritual fruit in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Happy Friday! If you are in need of prayer, we encourage you to send your needs to our prayer team by clicking on the Prayer link on the site (you will need to be signed in). All prayer requests are private (seen only by us and the prayer warrior team). Also, if you are interested in joining the prayer team, please contact us. Being on the team is completely online and done in your own time. You would lift up each of the prayer requests (or as many as you wish) and type a reply of either your prayer or a word of encouragement. Very simple, yet so powerful! We pray you all have a blessed day!

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29 comments
  • 4
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen! My water has definately been limited and my roots are stronger than they were yesterday! Thank you Pastor for always having that listening ear. Pastor's Prayer: Father, You know my needs before I ask them. I trust You to provide for me and cause me to prosper in what You give me to do. Help me bring forth spiritual fruit in my life, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
April 1, 2016
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Lorna Smetak
Lorna Smetak Amen.
April 1, 2016
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
April 1, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen. 
April 1, 2016
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome amen
April 1, 2016
  • 4
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Being in Gods word, causes growth. Keeping my eyes on Jesus, The author and finisher of my faith. I want to be content with God metting my needs, not my wants.
April 1, 2016
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen.
April 1, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Kath Paro
Kath Paro Dion, once again you have given me what I didn't know I needed.  There are times when I don't feel as spiritual as I did the day before and I was puzzled.  Now, I understand.  I feel my roots are growing deeper and deeper.  I still am rocked by periods of doubt and insecurity with myself.  I give my difficulties over to God, we struggle though the rough periods and we come out the other side. Thank God and you, Dion for opening my eyes.  Amen! 
April 1, 2016
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine thank you and amen
April 1, 2016
  • 2
Linda Cella
Linda Cella Amen. Thank You Lord and Thank You Pastor
April 1, 2016
  • 2
Samantha Greer
Samantha Greer Amen!
April 1, 2016
  • 2
Dorene Glaze
Dorene Glaze Amen
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen!
April 1, 2016
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Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb Stop worrying about what you don't have and realign your priorities with your mission here. What a simple, powerful recommendation, Pastor Dion! A most excellent focus for my day to kick off spring break week. Thank you!
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan Very interesting!! Hum having been I like too say, playing around, walking My own walk what a difference a concept of some thing that is very sound and reach able!! The ole you don't know what you had till its gone is very real!!!!!!! Praise giving credit for where It comes from is key! Yep!
April 1, 2016
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Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasio Amen ♡ 
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I love the analogy of the grapevine roots! That's how the Word of God should reach us--deep within our hearts, not just on the surface.
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen
April 1, 2016
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Lord Jesus, please know my hearts prayers and desires I have to serve You, Please let me be what You will be pleased with, so that I may shine the light of Jesus out to others that are lost and that by seeing my light they will have the desire to be drawn to You, The Light of The World. Let me be your servant.
April 1, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Lucille Uncapher
Lucille Uncapheredited: April 1, 2016 Amen  
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝ Amen! I'll go with less water if that's what it takes to make my roots deeper and stronger in the Lord. <3 Thank You, Pastor Dion. :-)
April 1, 2016
  • 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord Thank you Lord for your love and for knowing what I need before I ask. AMEN.
April 1, 2016
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Thank you Father for providing me with all my needs..and that you have given me more than enough,so that I am able to share with others.I give you thanks for teaching me ,what it is like to be with very little,and going without,and for the many blessings you have given me,and cleaning to be content. My hearts desires to follow you more closely.In Jesus name I pray..
April 1, 2016
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Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Amen thank you pastor for a really really good thought provoking devotional I love it! Gave me food for thought all day sir thanx again sincerely Scott R.
April 1, 2016
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen
April 1, 2016
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K K
K K Thank you once again for a timely message. Won't go into details but things are jind of spiraling out of my "best efforts". It's one of those situations when you thought you covered all your bases you realize you forgot to put in a short stop at the 11:59 hour.  My faith tells me that for whatever His reasons are for this, He will cover me, like a deep root. Because it's more than I can control or do.  Thank you! amen!
April 1, 2016
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Rachael Burke
Rachael Burke Ament hank you pastor for such inspiring devotion 
April 2, 2016
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Praise God
April 2, 2016
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Like the trees planted by the water....we need to grow strong roots straight down into His teachings, His Word & then we  can grow strong when things g ?
April 6, 2016