Recent Blog Entries
-
Good Neighbors from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today I want to talk about the importance of being a good neighbor. Ever since Adam and Eve had kids and one killed the other, it has been an ongoing thing, learning to live with one another. Most of the ten commandments are about how we tr... -
When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn't hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave t...
-
The man said, 'They have left here, for I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.' ' Joseph went after his brothers, and found them in Dothan. They saw him afar off, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, 'Behold, this dreamer comes. Come now ...
Draw Me Close To You
-
Therefore Jesus answered them, 'Don't murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. John 6:43 WEB
I could see from the look on their face that if they could have just one wish granted in the entire world, that it would be for me to stop telling them about Jesus. Then again, I have seen people come to me of their own accord, shaking, and say 'I want what you have.' I have witnessed to people and tried my best to convince them that Jesus is real, and just got a dismal gaze of pure boredom, while others could not wait for me to pray with them.
Why the inconsistency? It is because the Lord draws some and not others at that same moment. He may draw them later, and I believe that we can help by praying for them to be drawn to Him. The Lord has to open their hearts and minds for them to understand the truth, or it will remain veiled from them. Here are two examples:
'He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven' (Matthew 16:15'17).
Peter recognized that Jesus was the Son of God, then Jesus told him that this was revealed to him by the Father. Most of the religious people of the day could not see it.
'A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul' (Acts 16:14). Lydia understood what Paul was preaching because the Lord had opened her heart to understand it, while many others around them did not.
If you have people you want to come to the Lord, pray for them to be drawn to Him, for their hearts to be opened. You will not have to give long-winded speeches, or persuade them to believe when the time comes.
When the Father draws them, they will soon be witnessing to you about the goodness of God and they will be inviting you to go to church with them, for they will probably be too on fire to go to yours. I also believe that we can pray for the Lord to draw our hearts to Him as well, for no one comes to Jesus except the Father draws them.
Prayer: Father, I pray that You draw my family and I to You. Open our hearts to understand the gospel, help us to see beyond the natural, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. May we all come to know You and be saved, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Happy Friday! May you all have a very blessed day and we pray for safe travels for those on the road for the Memorial Day weekend. God bless!
Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.
Social Sharing
by votes
by date
- 1
David and Dianna Wyles
Wonderful devotion and prayer! Thank you! Pastor's Prayer: Father, I pray that You draw my family and I to You. Open our hearts to understand the gospel, help us to see beyond the natural, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. May we all come to know You and be saved, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Kath Paro
Dion~
Good morning my friend! It took 2 readings of your devotion this morning to get the message. Our non believer is no longer loving with us. Praise the Lord! He was becoming toxic to our marriage, he has moved on. He shunned God at every opportunity even though he had me fooled he was coming to believe. Others I know, can't speak without praising His name. This devotion helps me understand a bit better. It also helps me understand a past disbelief from others that I was indeed doing His will. Happy Memorial Day to you too! I will be here each day if I can. Bless you~
May 27, 2016
- 1
Jeffrey Smith
Great word Pastor Dion. That is great revelation for sure. Amen.
May 27, 2016
- 2
Tracy Carroll
This message speaks volumes to me and the things I've been trying for years to do, which is, have my husband come to know our Father. He resists it with everything that he's got! He's now leaving me and I don't feel like I've done my job in bringing him to the Lord. Thank you Pastor for these words of encouragement!!! God bless everyone!
May 27, 2016
- 1
David and Dianna Wyles
You may never know how much you have really impacted people... sometimes you sow the seed and years later it blooms. Don't give up without fighting this battle in the prayer room Tracy! Perhaps this is just the battle that wins him over to our Father... perhaps it's only a moment but even if it is longer God is with you and will guide you into all that he has planned for you. His plans are always better than we can imagine! I understand your pain... Praying for you my friend. Walk in God's peace and he will direct your steps! Rest assured the battle you feel is really between God and satan for the soul of your husband! Satan is trying any tactic he can to distract your focus from God and hold your husband hostage. I remember only a short time ago you were praising God for the works you saw in your husband and others around you... this means Satan has stepped up his game because he knows he's loosing and God will conur! Keep the faith it's only a test no matter the outcome you will always be in God's love and light if you focus on him! You are in my constant prayers through this trying time for you. HUGS
May 27, 2016
- 2
Tracy Carroll
Thank you Dianna. You're probably absolutely right! I'm not giving up on him, but, there is not much I can do now that he is gone. I feel I can now only pray for him and the well being of myself and my 2 fur-babies. I don't know what else I can do? (((hugs))) & love
May 28, 2016
- 1
David and Dianna Wylesedited: May 28, 2016
That is the most powerful thing you can be doing and trusting God to lead you to where he is guiding... into bigger and better blessings if we can only trust him when the process is painful. Ive lived through some pretty painful experiences and I wouldnt wish it on anyone but I am stronger for them. I have made it through them and my faith has been made stronger. God carried me through each experience and into healing and a deeper understanding of his love for us. You can pray and trust that if it is his will anything is possible... I had a friend who was told the unimaginable... went through a divorce and criminal investigation of her husband and in the end he was proven innocent and they were reunited a year or so later and their marraige was made stronger through it. God took that mess, made a beautiful message and strengthened their marraige. Because what we see with our human eyes and heart today does not reflect our hopes does not mean that God is not hard at work in our behalf and making this test of faith into a mighty tesimony that blesses you byond your wildest imagination..... what if your marriage was the only thing you had to sacrifice to gain this beyond blessing? What if in the end you get it all back double and tripple fold like Job? Have faith that this is only a test and you will be rewarded. The most painful thing in my life so far( outside of loss) has been helplessly watching my daughter in psychosis for 6 long months ... I prayed so many times for that cup to be mine not hers and the answer back was always "it's not your cup to bare" I had to give her completely to God for those six months and God heard our cries to heal her. Today we thank God daily for her mental health and state of wellness being restored to her. She is gainfully employed helping develpomentally disabled adults work in computers. She loves helping other where she once was and has plans to take her skills she is learning abroad one day and teach there. That's what I call a mess into a message! Don't loose hope! You never know where God might be leading you and you never know how big of a blessing that might come from what looks right now as a huge mess. Prayer is Powerful and it works. Maybe not as we plan it to work but always as God plans and his plans are always better than ours. I tell you all this for you to see that it's not over until God says so. Rest in the truth that he has great plans ahead of you. We love you Tracy and you deserve to step into God's great plans... trust him through the refinement and he won't disappoint you I promise! You are in my prayers every time I think of you and that's very often in each day. You are not alone. God is with you! Sending Angel wing kisses and candy coted ((HUGS))
May 28, 2016
- 2
Deng Tembreza
Prayers sent for you my friend.
May 27, 2016
- 2
Tracy Carroll
Thank you Deng for your prayers!!! I obviously need ALL the prayers I can get and every single one of them are appreciated. (((hugs))) & <3
May 28, 2016
- 1
Penelope Rhome
Hallelujah Amen
May 27, 2016
- 1
Sherry Robbins
Thank you Pastor Dion! This spoke great volume to me!!!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Heide Garner
I rember when I was in postrum after having my second child really did not want hear my husband keith Green so happy hate music as got word in my thirty after having my third reaching bit encoragment from pator wife shook really hrd with words started apprecated my husband more and began reading the word I understood what those songs on keith green cd meant don,t give hope Tracy keeping praying . for took me moving calfornia finally see wow satan me going belived family ones what were more poisen then helpful as got prayer last summer finally understood what pastor wife saw that peace she had felt like turn back old ways stay jesue even my family still try stronger God these days.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Twila Stierwalt
It is the Holy Spirit that draws the unsaved ti Jesus. Gods word is alive and sharper than any 2 edged sword.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Fraser Keys
Unless someone is open for the word and is ready to accept Jesus the best you can do is pray for them
May 27, 2016
- 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Amen
May 27, 2016
- 2
Carol Pady
Amen Pastor Dion. As I continue to pray for my husband's salvation and let God work in Jim, I notice that my prayers to soften his heart and make him receptive to what I speak about Jesus are bearing fruit. God tells me what to say and when to say it and most importantly to say it with love and my Jim listens. Praise God! Jim hasn't accepted Jesus as his savior yet, but I know he will in God's perfect timing.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Carol my husband is the same. I pray for him daily and God always gives me an opportunity to speak about Jesus and I do and Mark does listen. It is all in GOD's perfect timing.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Carol Pady
Amen!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Deng Tembreza
All of us deep in our heart believes that GOD exists. Though we have a faith as little as a mustard seed, nothing is imposible with GOD and we will be all drawn to GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Carol Pady
Amen!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Jose Simo
Dear brothers and sisters, I humbly ask you to pray for my family particularly for my older daughter and my son whom are showing that everything they do is to punish their mother. I've been a good father to them and they think their mother is in a second place and she is not reconized as a mother that always has been there for them. Please pray for them and for me to keep on trying with this situation.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Deng Tembreza
Prayers sent for your family especially for your older daughter and son. GOD ALMIGHTY will open their hearts to love and respect their mother. Amen
May 27, 2016
- 1
Jose Simoedited: May 29, 2016
Amen,thank you for your love and prayers.
May 29, 2016
- 1
Christina Ocasio
Amen ♡
May 27, 2016
- 1
Angela Woodward
Perfect for prayer and fasing Friday! The Holy Spirit is talking to me today through thiis word you presented today.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Karen Pasquinelli
AMEN!!!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Deng Tembreza
Happy Memorial Day to all of you. We have ours last weekend andwe call it Victoria Day (Canada holiday).
May 27, 2016
- 1
Scott Riegelmann
Amen God Bless you everyone and please remember the true reason for celibrating memorial day Thanku to all in this country who have made the ultimate sacrifice in giving there life in service to others thanku fireman policemen Army men Navy men Air force men Coast guard men the Marines and all the first responders out there like docters nurses care givers and family members who take care of there own! Thank you everyone May God truely bless your socks off! Sincerely Scott Riegelmann, Ps please drive safe over this long three day weekend!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Wesley Paulus
Amen!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Wesley Paulus
Amen!
May 27, 2016
- 1
Janet Marsh-Lord
Thank you Pastor Dion. I pray your prayer today. Have a safe and happy weekend everyone.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Kathy Banfield
I pray daily for my husband and kids to draw closer to the Lord! I know that one day, my prayers will be answered, although I may not live to see that miracle.
May 27, 2016
- 1
Diane Symborski✝
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for the daily devotons. I've been enjoy reading them for a few years now thanks again. :-)
May 27, 2016
- 1
Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Father, I pray that You draw my family and I to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
May 28, 2016
- 1
Rachael Burke
Amen, help me and my family to closer to you Lord at all times
May 28, 2016
- 1
Cheryl Hepler
Thank you...Dion. What to pray for those their eyes aren't open...I need to pray simple prays not worry windy ones.
June 6, 2016