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  • 12 minutes ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchante...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, "Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch" (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? These things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imp...
  • Tue at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 WEB.While his wife gave birth in a stable, the strong smell of farm anima...
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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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The Mail Server

  • They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know it. For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, 'The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.' But they didn't understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:30 WEB

    The manager of the the office nodded as I explained the details of the Linux mail server that I had just installed for them, but as his eyes glazed over and he began looking at his watch, I could tell that he did not really understand it. Many times while working in the computer field I have tried to explain something that I thought was simple to someone and received that very same look. It was a common look.

    It did not matter. The system worked well and they were able to continue on with their work without ever knowing how that mail server worked. It ran silently in the back room for years and consistently delivered their email.

    Most of the employees did not even know what it was, or why it was back there, though they sent mail through it every single day. They only knew that the blue light should be on, or they needed to call Dion because my phone number was taped across the front of it. They were completely happy to let me worry about what they did not understand.

    In your walk with God there are going to be some things that you do not understand. 'Why did this happen?' will always be just a thought away. If you are really interested to know, do not be afraid to ask Him, but do not let your lack of understanding become an impasse for you. Don't let it become a stumbling block.

    God answers because He wants to, not because He has to, so as with us, you should ask nicely and be patient. If you try and twist His arm, you will find that it does not bend easily. You are always free to go sulk in a corner while the world marches on around you. It is your life and you can choose to do that. But if you will keep a positive attitude and just let it go, you will be able to continue on and one day you may understand it.

    There are many questions that I do not have an answer to and things that I cannot explain. I have decided to put things like that on the back burner and focus on what I do understand today and to keep it simple.

    My relationship with Jesus is my prize, my goal, my passion. I choose to rest in the arms of Jesus and let Him worry about the things that I do not understand. For me to do it would be like an ant worrying about the orbit of the sun. It is simply beyond me.

    Many times when I have asked about a scripture or a question, I have had a dream or a revelation that did help me to understand it better. Just know that you do not need to understand how God works, for Him to work. Just keep doing the part that you do understand until He gives you more. It is good to not understand something, but choose to trust that He does, and not let it affect your relationship.

    Prayer: Father, I thank You for being there for me. I know that You know the end from the beginning and though there are things that I don't understand, I choose to trust in You and my lack of understanding will not diminish my faith, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

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35 comments
  • 3
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello I believe therefore I trust in Him. Faith is not an issue with me nor the need to know why any more. I know it was her time to depart no matter what the circumstances. I just miss her being part of me and her presence in my life and our sons lives. Thank you for the message this morning. It is truthful,encouraging and confirming to me. And, I know it's from God. Thank you Pastor Dion,God bless.
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen.
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Many Blessings of GOD'S peace that passes all our human understanding and to you & children in this journey you all are on.
May 7, 2016
  • 3
Joan Joseph
Joan Joseph I will trust in you Lord for you are all powerful, all knowing, omniscient God. Thank-you Pastor for a wonderful message, may the Lord continue to use you with his word, in Jesus name , Amen. 
May 6, 2016
  • 6
MP (Mary Pat) Taylor
MP (Mary Pat) Taylor Believing and trusting even though you do not understand = good definition of Faith :) My animals are a model for me in how I should trust God.  They trust me to take care of them, and trust that when I do things they do not understand, that it is all right becaue they know I love them and trust that I will always take care of them.   This is the way I should and do trust God and if I have doubts they remind me of what that trust and faith in God means. 
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen.
May 6, 2016
  • 5
Kath Paro
Kath Paro Thank you again Dion, you have again rightened my world this morning.  It HAD to be MY way and I was gonna make darn sure it was gonna happen no matter who it made unhappy or annoyed or stressed, even me.  Now I let go and let God, I am not in charge.  It will be as it is.  I'm in God's hands not Kath's messy hands!  His plan works much better than my plans do!  I don't begin to understand the God of my understanding but I believe and trust, that is all that matters.
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt men.
May 6, 2016
  • 3
Carol Policastro
Carol Policastro It always amazes me that when I am in the midst of a struggle, Pastor Dion comes up with just the right message to calm my fears and make me call on the Lord for strength and understanding.  I certainly don't know or understand why certain things are happening in my life, but I am going to put the Lord right at the center of it all.  Father, I love you, and I thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me.  I look forward to seeing Your plan unfold in my life, and in the lives of those around me.  Thank You!!
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen.
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza Amen
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello Amen
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Heide Garner
Heide Garner thankyou great message . I can recall after second child was born fear aneity would be how I would parent yes went church did understand  thought so important no . as got prayer last summmer peace came over wow mean if only allowed God in my life  maybe back then could felt in contol where allowed what others would say be voice kept from sleep at night  wow so evn in hardst day feel peace know have wonder if family will say something because God always there will not let you down. my daughter mariah  was daoganl as serverly delay now consider mild delayed most days I forget that once child  would wonder will do things other kids do now dose do many those things still have faith things learn as long God won,t be long  she will able do all those things  to  Have blessed weekend every one.  
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt Amen, God can handle anything.
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler What a blessing about your daughter... Praise God!!  Blessings Heide!!
May 7, 2016
  • 3
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I agree, there is so much I don't understand. Those are the things I need to leave in Gods hands. I am so thankful that God never waste anything.
May 6, 2016
  • 4
Christina Ocasio
Christina Ocasioedited: May 6, 2016 Amen ♡ God is in control. His ways are not like our ways, I just need to trust in Him. Thank you Lord for all that you are and all that you do.
May 6, 2016
  • 3
Laura B. Martinez
Laura B. Martinez Thank you Pastor Todd for this wonderful devotional. I thank God for unanswered prayers. Had he answered some the way I would have wanted him to, I would have been in a very dark place. I learned that God does indeed answer prayers; he answers them in ways that will bring no harm to his children.
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Shalita Whiteside
Shalita Whiteside Im not going to worry lord. You knw my beginning to the end.Yes it bothers me ..If i dont understand  ..in due time i will .i trust u lord ....
May 6, 2016
  • 3
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible Very good explanation for the "whys?" Of life.  I believe that it will all make sense to our limited thinking someday. 
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann Amen
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen.
May 6, 2016
  • 2
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member TRUST, that's what it's all about, TRUST
May 6, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza Amen
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Rick Doran
Rick Doran Father, I Trust in you and your timing.
May 6, 2016
  • 2
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield It's amazing how God reveals the answers to so many questions through dreams--He has done this for me, too.But as a mere human, I am convinced that God wants some things to remain a mystery to us. We are not supposed to know the answers to everything!
May 6, 2016
  • 3
Phynedra Franklin
Phynedra Franklin Amen. Father I don't always understand your plan  Helped me to trust your timing and will in Jesus name
May 6, 2016
  • 4
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann Amen pastor Dion I found I have no chioce but to trust Jesus with all my stuff cause I have been doing it for a very long time and now its old nature to me its so much easier to just let go and let God do it He knows how to do whatever needs to be done and he does it way better than I ever dreamed of, so for me its a habbit and I love it! and I wont ever let satan screw my life up again its so not worth it! I love feelin good inside and thats the kind of happiness that no one can take from me I wont let that happen I love feelin good to much! 
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen. 
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker Amen!! 
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Diane Symborski✝
Diane Symborski✝ Amen!! Thank you Pastor Dion. :-) 
May 6, 2016
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thanks Pastor Dion!  I don't always know, but God does, and I trust Him!
May 7, 2016
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus Amen!
May 7, 2016
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler So true..I guess it is a human thing to cry out for understanding.  As a Christian it is a growing thing that when crying out to instead grow in trust & leave the why to the Lord.  So many different levels of growth as we walk with Him.  Some have matured & other areas are trying.  Resting in Him seems to is a great place to be yet still growing in trust so to trust So much has happened recently close together I feel like I am inside a place that I know, I see,  I feel yet the powerlessness has a balloon around it (best description) all to do is kept inside the balloon & coast thru knowing all is OK no matter what!!  Thank Jesus!  My brain & all faculties are spent & please keep carrying me thru.  You are so good!  I am glad you are there to focus on.
May 7, 2016
  • 1
Jeanne Hill
Jeanne Hill Trust and obey, for there's no other way; to be happy in Jesus....amen
May 9, 2016