Recent Blog Entries
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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... -
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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My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27'29 WEB.The hero of t...
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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!
Stop Making it Difficult
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For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell. Acts 15:28 WEB
After Jesus ascended to the Father and the gospel started to spread, gentiles (non Jewish people) started to follow Jesus. They started out joyful and free, but soon men came that taught them: 'Unless you are circumcised and keep the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.' This became a sharp dispute and the apostles had to meet in Jerusalem to resolve it. The letter above was their verdict. Also: 'We should not make it difficult for those turning to God' (Acts 15:19).
That is an interesting statement for the first church to have penned: 'We should not make it difficult for those turning to God.' There is an invisible force, like a gravitational pull, that draws the church toward legalism. We can feel like we are paying for salvation with our works, when it is a free gift that we only have to accept.
I have visited churches that were too 'holy' for a sinner to visit at all. The members usually feel like they have had to pay their dues over the years and a newcomer will only be one of them when they have done likewise. It is like they have God locked in a box, and will share Him with whom they deem worthy.
Almost every time, I watched God start using the new person immediately while the 'holy ones' sat on the bench and watched. God always appears outside of our little box. Some believe that you need to get your life in order first, and then you can join the church. When in reality, if you will just come to the Lord Jesus, He will give you the grace to clean your life up and guide you through it.
If you are a follower of Jesus, make it easy for others to come to know Him as well. Drop the rule set and focus on introducing them to a Friend. He will ultimately decide who goes to heaven, not us, so the pressure is off our shoulders. If you are not a follower of Jesus: accept my apologies for the way that we have presented Him. He is much more forgiving, loving, considerate and kind than His followers are. Give Him a chance to show you this and you will not regret it.
Prayer: Father, I pray that You fill my life with abundant grace and help me see beyond the traditions of men. Send Your rain on my life, make me moldable, and teachable. I want to be a part of what You are doing today and to know You in a deeper way. Do not pass me by Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning, and happy Friday! For those attending our live services, the message this Sunday will be "Modern Day Pharisees", and will be a continuation of last week''s message on separating God''s will from our will. If you would like to catch up with the last message, just go to the "Watch" link on the site menu. The service will take place at 11am EST, with the room opening about 15 minutes before. Hope to see y''all there!
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Amen.
Good morning and a blessed Friday. I've attended churches such as this in my lifetime and found it very sad as it will keep many from coming to know the Lord.
Amen
Amen.
Amen! Very well said, Pastor.
amen
Amen!!! Wonderful word.
I once heard a man named Larry Randoff say; "I think we need a bigger box". I think that truth is still here! God got in a box once, it was called the "Ark of the Covenant" I do not think He will try that again!
Amen! Thank you :) Pastor's Prayer: Father, I pray that You fill my life with abundant grace and help me see beyond the traditions of men. Send Your rain on my life, make me moldable, and teachable. I want to be a part of what You are doing today and to know You in a deeper way. Do not pass me by Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen
Hum I keep this in mind. So tough to be perfect!!
I love how you start w/ a fun fact! I find it interesting! The devotions continue to bless and encourage me. Thank you so much for your diligence and continued work on these devotions! God bless you and your ministry richly!
There is an old expression that states, “Don't be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good.”
Amen thank you for your message today Pastor Dion . We should remember that only one Jesus Christ lived a sinless life for us to try and live up to that standard is impossible since we all fall short as we are only human. It is only through his grace we receive redemption!
Amen!!
Excellent!! For so long I have been upset with "religious" people who are too good for any of us lowly sinners. It is great to hear that I am not the only one.
Wishing everyone a very Blessed Day!!
Amen and amen b
Amen, thank you Lord, more of you and less of me as I try to do your will!
Great post, Pastor. I do believe that one of the reasons I stayed away from Church for so long, was because of all the stereotyping..etc. I am going to an awesome Church of God now. My Pastor wears jeans when he preaches. It is a small, but definitely "COME AS YOU ARE" kind of Church. I am so very glad to be back in with other people who love the Lord and are not afraid to show it. RM is also a new door that I am glad I walked through. I am being, so abundantly blessed. I am rich, but I am poor.
Amen great message pastor Dion thank you Jesus! !
Amen. Thank you Pastor Dion for another great message.Have a great weekend.
TRUE...
Soo agree!
VERY good message! Everyone needs to read this one!
Amen!! Thank you Pastor Dion for a devotion that many of use can connect with. Sometime in all of our lives we came across problems like in your devotion. Amen <3
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Dion! Father, I pray that You fill my life with abundant grace and help me see beyond the traditions of men. Send Your rain on my life, make me moldable, and teachable. I want to be a part of what You are doing today and to know You in a deeper way. Do not pass me by Lord, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen. Thank You Father for taking and accepting me as I was,when I first asked you into my heart.How you Loved me and turned my life around.May I always remember how you changed me;a sinner by your grace and mercy,have given me life,and cleansed me.Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for sinners and the lost.Lord I pray that more people will be drawn to you,and will seek you with all their hearts..In Jesus Christ name I pray.
Amen