Recent Blog Entries
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Do Not Be Dismayed from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today I want to talk about becoming “Dismayed.” To be dismayed means “to be downcast, disappointed, disheartened, filled with terror.” It replaces hope and will lead you to a dark place. We become ineffective and... -
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 WEBMy Dad was born during the great depression in the early 1930s...
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But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. After my skin is destroyed, then I will see God in my flesh, whom I, even I, will see on my side. My eyes will see, and not as a stranger. Job 19:25 WEBJob is the oldest book in the Bible, except for the first te...
The Fish Hotel
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Now Yahweh's word came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.' But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid its fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. Jonah 1:1 WEB
The Lord told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh, but instead Jonah set out for Tarshish, which was in the opposite direction. After he boarded a ship, they sailed into the ocean and were caught up in a terrible storm. The sailors threw Jonah overboard in order to save themselves, and after spending three days and nights inside of a custom fish hotel, Jonah was happy to go to Nineveh.
A mentor of mine once saw a used car that he really wanted to buy. While at the dealership he prayed about it and felt that the Lord said, "No." He walked around the lot and called his wife to pray with her, and she said that she felt that something wasn't right about that car. He prayed about it again and heard 'No.'
After walking around the lot some more, he decided that he really just wanted that particular car. So he went back to the car and prayed about it again and this time he heard very clearly, "Yes! You NEED this car."
So he bought it and started home with his little red chevy Vega, but on the way the engine oil light came on. He stopped at a service station and filled it up with oil and resumed his trip, but soon the light came on again. To shorten this up, the car ended up sitting in his driveway with a blown engine while he made payments on it for the next two years.
If you try and twist God's arm to give you what you want, you just might get it. Listen to the Lord the first time and avoid the fish hotel experience. He knows what is best for you.
Prayer: Father, help me see past the natural and learn to trust You in my decisions. Speak to me in a way that I understand and give me the grace to be obedient, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning :)! Apologies for the two-hour downtime on the website yesterday. Our Internet provider had an issue that took down our entire area during that time. Thank you for your patience, understanding and prayers!
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Amen!
Prayer: Father, help me see past the natural and learn to trust You in my decisions. Speak to me in a way that I understand and give me the grace to be obedient, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! The hardest part for me is discerning if I am listening to the right promtings... Father make it so easy even I can understand and happily obey! Amen! Thank you Pastor :) God bless
Lord, please draw Dianna to you and help her to hear you more clearly, in the name of Jesus, amen!
Thank you :) I seem to need more clarity today, but God's got this <3 Thank you for your prayers. God bless
The Holy Spirit will direct you.
Amen! Thank you! It's more about am I listening well enough... but I know His holy spirit is on my side, and working it out for me... I'll be a bit stronger for the struggle and happy to have overcome once again :) Thanks for helping me adjust that crown ;) God bless
Amen
Amen Lord Jesus.
thank you lord for this wisdom to wait for the right time the time god says it is right thank you lord amen
I read this just after I had prayed to the Lord about whether I should go to work today or stay home. I've been sick for a couple days, took yesterday off and was hoping to go back to work today. I ptayed and got to stay home one more day. I akse the Lord to confim it because I really didn't want to do that. And then I read this devotion for today! LOL I figured I got my answer and called in. Please pray that I get over this illness soon though. Going to doctor today. Will have to be in to work tomorrow no matter how I feel. Thank you!
Father, I lift up Mary Pat to you and pray that you please bless her, heal her and provide for her needs. Please let this affliction go by quickly and increase her strength, in the name of Jesus, amen!
amen
Amen
I will be praying for you to get better.
Thank you all! Your prayers mean so much. Hoping it's not that busy today because I am still sick. Bronchitis takes a while and lots of rest to me to shake it sometimes.
The Lord always has our best interest at heart. We must wait, be patient and know that he will bring us to the most wonderful and joyous ending! That is worth the wait!! Amen!!!
amen
thank you very good message .
Amen! Prayer should be the first step toward making a decision.
God does know what is best for us, That is why God says wait on Him. What we want is not always Gods best for us.
Wow, Pastor! Amazing. What a great message; anyone can relate. I need to borrow this! Thank you and God bless
Thank you for the reminder to listen to God and be obedient. I already have my share of fish hotel and dead car experiences! In my study with Oswald Chambers today he observed that God's focus is on our process -- our growth, not a particular goal. I appreciate how God connects His lessons. Thanks, Pastor Dion, for bringing this one!
Thank you Pastor, as usual, another lesson learned!
I now realize that I once twisted GOD's arms to get what I want. I did have it but now it is gone. I now wait for our LORD GOD to let me know and discern the answers to my prayers. I will never lose hope and keep believing that we re all going to receive the answer to our prayers. Just be patient and listen for HE says " BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"
Amen Deng
Wow you hit the nail right on the head with this devotional Im blown away by our father everyday he is so awesome and so perfect in everything he does. Thank you pastor Todd for another very insightful devotional really made me look deep into myself to see what im running from or to, I love the way your words cut down my natural line of defense and gets right to the heart of the matter thanx again sincerely Scott R.
Amen! Pastor's prayer: Father, help me to see past the natural and learn how to trust You in my decisions. Speak to me in a way I understand and give me the Grace to be obedient, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!
Amen
Thank you Pastor Dion. I pray your prayer also. Amen. May you and Sylvia and all RHM have a great day.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! I was guilty of this very behavior yesterday. Lord forgive me and have mercy. Father, help me see past the natural and learn to trust You in my decisions. Speak to me in a way that I understand and give me the grace to be obedient, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen
Amen.Father,when we have big decisions to make and need your guidance and help.We give thanks that we can commit our plans to you knowing you give us the answers and guidance.Help us Lord to be open to hearing your voice,and to be lead by The Holy Spirit,and not rush head.In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.