Recent Blog Entries
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For it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little. Isaiah 28:10 WEB.We had scattered pieces all over the table while we worked on assembling a jigsaw puzzle. It was a total mess. This one was mysteriously difficult, for someone had mistakenly... -
God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3 WEB.David sang this the day the Lord delivered him from all his enemies. Where others saw nothing, David could see the work of the Lord thr...
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In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are ...
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- led by Lynn BrownThis 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!
A Wonderful Life
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Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2 WEB
My Dad was born during the great depression in the early 1930s. They had no electricity or running water in the rural areas where he grew up. There was no refrigeration, so they had to carry blocks of ice from the ice house in order to keep things cool in a cellar. Money was scarce. No one in the area had a telephone, and the family shared an outhouse. They had none of what most of us take for granted...but they were happy.
It was a hard life, but there was an incredible generation of people that came out of that era. When times became hard, the people adapted and became tough. The other side of the coin is that like a child, when life becomes too easy, we tend to become spoiled, unthankful, and unhappy.
We often think that if we had such and such, then we would be happy. The reality is that seventy percent of the people that win the lottery end badly. Many commit suicide, and their divorce rate is four times the national average.
Many people are having it tough today and are going through so much just to live, but these trials will only make you better. You will become wiser, stronger, and a better person when you come out the other side, as eventually, you will. We need to learn to be content, wherever we are like Paul wrote us (Phil. 4:12).
We watched a documentary recently on happiness and after a careful study, they found that your circumstances only account for ten percent of your total happiness level. After your basic needs were met like food, water and shelter, belongings made little difference. People that lived in terrible poverty in third world countries, were happier than most of the people living in America.
It turns out that pursuing happiness directly, only made it more elusive, while things like simply helping others, resulted in a huge happiness boost. When people focused less on themselves and on their own needs, it actually caused them to be happier in life.
I felt that it went right along with scripture. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Give, and it will be given unto you. Pray for others, and your own circumstances will change. So seek the happiness of others, and your own happiness will improve.
When your faith is stretched, it will come back stronger. Just like you have to stress a muscle to make it grow, so does your faith. Don't get too stressed out in the hard times. Pace yourself. If you burn the candle at both ends, it will not last very long. Learn to be content where you are, for you already have a wonderful life.
Prayer: Father, I thank You today for the wonderful life that You have given me. I appreciate all that You have blessed me with. Help me see through Your eyes and impress on me what really matters. Make what is important to You, important to me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Happy Friday :)! For those who may not have received the email, the latest RHM newsletter is now out :). Pastor Dion has the latest on our progress with the live services at the state of Refreshing Hope Ministries. There is also a poll discussed there, which we would love if y''all could help with your participation! ALSO, for those joining us on Sunday for our second live service, please note that you can now just go to the "Watch" link on the site menu to find the room for the service. As with the previous ones, it will be open about 15 minutes before the start of the service (11am EST, room open at about 10:45am EST). Have a blessed day!
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Some of my happiest times have been when we have had very little except each other. Amen! Thank you! Pastor's Prayer: Father, I thank You today for the wonderful life that You have given me. I appreciate all that You have blessed me with. Help me see through Your eyes and impress on me what really matters. Make what is important to You, important to me. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen.
Dion~
You have answered my stress on myself! I get up every morning and make a list of things to do for the day for me to remember. I don't include God when I do it. It's all about me. It doesn't include a lot of doing for others. It is a long list. The statement "if you burn the candle at both ends it will not last long" really connected with me. That is what I have been doing! No wonder my spirituality keeps taking a blow, it gets stretched to the limit every day. I will make changes starting now. I feel lifted and lightened! Thank you for you words. Again, they are right on time!
Our Lord, Jesus the Christ, taught us to always be the servant of others; for in this service lies the true happiness and joy of living. No other inner feelings of exhilaration and joy compares when doing something for someone else to make their life easier and lightening their burden.
Amen another great devotion! I have found in my life that the times of lack are my greatest blessings. Ony then do we truly appreciate the most important thngs we have, such as God, Jesus, our family, or friends. This is a time of refining in itself, letting go and letting God show us amazing things, that we already have!
Thank Pastor Todd for reminding us! God Blessing Amen, Denise
Good Morning!! So exciting knowing you now have a on line Service Sunday. I do attend service. But probably can replay the services! This is a great sight. As I grow in Him I shall realize the benifits the power great people here!! Grate-Bro Mike!!! Interesting read for the day to say the least!!! Amen!!! I'm finding past Trama in my life set Me up for where I've been!! Its again exciting that there is a key a way out of anything! For Us alkies Celebrate Recovery with Jesus is key for Us!!! Praise God!
Amen mike
Thank you Pastor Todd for a great devotion !
Amen well said Pastor Todd I really need to hear this message this morning.thank you
Boom! Another devotional that peirces my heart. Just what I need on this beautiful Friday!
Thank you for this post, Pastor Todd. I needed to hear it today to remember that I should be happy with what I have. I have a roof over my head, food on my table, a vehicle to take me where I need to go - thought it's having its hiccups - and a job so I can provide for myself. It's so much more than others have and would love to have.
Dear Pastor,
I completely understand what you are trying to get across in today's devotional but this is the first time I have to disagree. Poverty or anything close to it brings sickness, disease and stress. When there is not enough through no fault of your own the consequences can be devastating. People in poverty are 45% more likely to live in misery and die a much earlier death. Yes, nothing is impossible with God! But poverty and sickness are tools of the devil not our wonderful Lord. P.S. I have been a part of your devotionals and when you formed RHM and I respect you very much and I know you are a true man of God, Chris :)
Hi Christine, thank you for your feedback. The message can be summed up in this: "Happiness is not measured by what you own. Be happy with what you have, God may give you more." No one likes poverty, but Jesus never owned anything, yet He seemed happy enough. Too many of us are unhappy because we don't have that fully loaded Escalade yet...
Amen
GM, Pastor Todd, as usual your message is on time. I thank God for you and 1st Lady Sylvia. Please be encouraged with this online church, you are helping so many souls. I pray an abundance of donations to fill your ministry. As I know, it takes money to reach souls. I know your work is not in vain and God is going to bless you. I look forward to reading your posts daily. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Too God be the Glory.
I agree with you, Khalilah, and lift Todd, Sylvia, and this online ministry to the Lord. Playing for financial abundance as well as deep confidence and tenacity in the work the Lord has laid out. Praise God for meeting every need. Thank you, Todd and Sylvia for being such faithful servants!
Thank you both so much for your prayers <3!
Amen
Amen thank you pastor!
AMEN! Pastor Dion, My parents also went through the depression, they had to work real hard to provide for my 2 brothers and my 1 sister. We were a very happy and joyful family, because God was the center of my parents life. My Dad got hepatitus when I was little and we did not think he was going to live, but God had a mission for him. My mom had 3 different cancer's and a stroke. I have also had a lot of health issues. In all of this my parent's tought me Gods word and we prayed together every day that Gods will would be done. Gods word tought me that God is not as concerned about my circumstances as He is at how I handle the circumstances. I do believe that others are watching to see how we go through tough times and they can see the joy we can have going through them. I would not want to change one thing that has happened in my life in the past, because I know that God does not waste one thing that He has allowed me to go through. I think that is why Job is in the Bible to teach me this.
Powerful testimony, Twila. Praise God for the strong foundation from your family that continues in your life. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for that testimony, Twila, what a blessing <3!
Thanks for the sharing. I learned a lot for I am going through a tough times today.
Great message. Thank you Pastor Dion.
God is so GOOD !!!
Amen pastor. Great message
Amen!!! Thank you for the beautiful devotion Pastor Dion. :-)
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Father, I thank You today for the wonderful life that You have given me. I appreciate all that You have blessed me with. Help me see through Your eyes and impress on me what really matters. Make what is important to You, important to me. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen.Father I give you thanks for all the difficulties and all that I have you have brought me through,by being there with me,strengthing teaching me,leading and giving me guidance.To make me the person I am today,by your grace and mercy.keep my heart on fire for you.In Jesus name I pray. Thank you Pastor .