Recent Blog Entries
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Simon Peter said to them, 'I'm going fishing.' They told him, 'We are also coming with you.' They immediately went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn't know that it was Jesus. John 21:3 WEBP... -
RHM Bible Study, Acts Chapter Twenty-five from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today we are going to study Acts chapter 25 in depth. You can follow along in your own Bible if you like. I will be reading from the World English Bible because it is the only modern English translation that is co...
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RHM Devotional: Life or Death from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Today I want to talk about life or death, in the Spirit. God is the Giver of life, and He breathed the breath of life into Adam in the beginning. His Spirit brings a freshness, a revitalization, freedom, an excitement, It giv...
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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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
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!
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!
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"
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. 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.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.
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