Recent Blog Entries
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A Living Sacrifice from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Various sacrifices were required under the old covenant. Some of the sacrifices helped feed the priests and those who worked at the temple, but a burnt offering was placed on the altar and completely consumed by fire. You can read about... -
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 WEB.We once had a prophet come to our church who was scheduled to preach elsewhere but was canceled...
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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. John 10:27 WEB.Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice, and they would follow Him, "and a stranger, they would not follow" (John 10:5). God ...
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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!
Fly Like an Eagle
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As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his feathers. Deuteronomy 32:11 WEB
When an eagle has its young, it lines the inside of its nest with feathers, fur and other soft material to make the little ones comfortable in the nest. The parents hunt and bring food to feed them. Basically they wait on the little ones hand and foot and try their best to make them comfortable in the nest.
Later when the little ones grow and get mature enough to fly on their own, the parents start pulling the fur out of the nest, exposing the sticks and making them uncomfortable. They also stop bringing food, or bring food but place it on a limb outside of the nest so the eaglets have to come out of the nest to get it. Then they place it further and further away and the delays between eating become longer each day. Finally the little eagle will take flight and leave the nest to find food on their own.
We went through a season where our business was dying and no amount of advertising, giving, praying or fasting could change it. When we advertised it was like throwing money into a hole. When we gave, we just had less. When we prayed, we got cold silence. When we fasted, we were only hungry. We held on as long as could, paying our bills with credit cards. Finally, we had to close it and began looking for other work. That was when our life suddenly changed for the better and soon we found ourself in ministry and writing this devotional. The end result was great, but getting here was rough.
Sometimes the Lord will make your situation uncomfortable. No matter where you turn, or how hard you pray, the sticks are still there and you are starving. When this happens, it is time to fly. Everything that you see is temporary (2 Cor 4:18). Jobs end, and new opportunities begin. There is a season for everything (Eccl 3:1), and seasons change. When you are in this uncomfortable situation, It is often hard to tell what to do, but rest assured that He will be there to catch you if you fall.
Prayer: Father, please guide me today and give me a clear direction. I want to follow You, but to be honest, sometimes I don't know what to focus on. Give me clarity and speak to me in a way that I understand. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray
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18) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4) Amen
Amen Brother
Hum great read!!!
Amen.
I really need to embrace this devotional. I am going through a time of weakness and doubt, even though I know that I am in God's hands. I am recovering from a stress fracture in my knee (the bone has healed... The recovery process is very slow). I am a marathon runner, and I am trying to get back to training, but there is much discomfort in the knee, which keeps me from doing the things that I have admittedly taken for granted until now. My doc said in March that the bone had healed, so I signed up in April for my next marathon in November. Now in August, I'm not sure that I will be able to complete my training. I believe that God has blessed me with the health needed to comoplete 13 full marathons and 13 half marathons over the last 6 years. If He takes that health away from me, I will continue to praise Him for the experiences I have had. I just don't know when to make the decision to drop down to a half marathon in November. I am praying for recovery, and also for answers about if or when I need to make the decision to back down from the goal of a full marathon.
This is helpful, thank you. I lost my job on 6/24 and currently will be without electricity on 8/23 and homeless by mid September, IF God does not open a door for me. I was denied unemployment because I "didn't earn enough wages." I've applied to nearly three dozen jobs and only had two interviews. The state budget crisis means no social services can help, and I have no family or friends who are willing or able to help. My 2 children have been in temporary foster care for 18 months, and there is much pressure on me to get a job and not become homeless. I am going through so much stress and injustice right now, and it is just like we read above - when I give, I just have less, and when I pray, I get cold silence for an answer. I am holding on for my children's sake (even though only my preschooler son wants to come back home to me now, whereas my teen daughter has rejected and disowned me, unforgiving and angry at me for "letting it happen"), but some days I just want to let go and give up. Thank you for this devotional, and prayer warriors please pray for me. I have nowhere else to turn and no idea if God will turn this around for me.
Praying for you and your children. (((hugs))
Hi Jenny, I too have almost been homeless a few times in the last several months. Please know this, IF you keep your focus on praising God while you're in the valley and keep your Faith first and fore most,,, God will make a way for you where there seems to be no way. I've just said a prayer for you and your kids and I'll continue to pray. Stay the course my Sister in Christ!! ((hugs))
Prayers for you n your family. May God bless you.
My heart goes out to you. Can you find a church that will help you? Prayers for you and your children. 8/23 is my Birthday. I'll pray you find a job then. I'm looking for a home too.
may God bless you and guide you to a new job, home and financial security. May you be reunited with your children and may God guide you as you raise your children.
My heart hurts for you and your family we will be praying for Jesus to bring you your miracle before your homeless I know for a fact GOD HAS A PLAN for you so hang on please dont give up before your miracle gets to u!!! God Bless you
Praying for you.." BE STILL AND KNOW THA I AM GOD' Answer to your prayers are coming. Do not give up. OUR LORD GOD will never give up on you. HE HAS THE BEST PLAN EVER FOR YOU. Just believe and you will receive it. We all love you here at the RHM family.
Dear Heavenly Father I pray that you show yourself Strong in Jenny''s life. I pray that you open the perfect door for Jenny! I pray that you take away any fear, worry or anxiety and replace it with your peace and joy Amen
Don't give up. Hang onto God. It is not an easy ride when you are facing homelessness. There is nothing quite like great financial pressure, yet sometimes God uses it to steer us. He did me or I wouldn't be here at RHM.
Jenny I am lifting you up in prayer. Yes it is so difficult right now, but God is working things out for you. Please keep hope in your heart and stay faithful!
amen thank you father forgiving me we need you always for we cannot do it without you amen
The prayer at the end especially fits me so well! lol I have prayed for focus many times.
Amen.
Do Not Worry
25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns — and yet yourHeavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifespan?…
amen
Amen sister
AMEN!
Amen when the well dries up it is time to move on. We changed occupations quite a few times in the course of our marriage. Each time we were forced to move on. He pushed us hard and sometimes we were in total poverty but we always survived. I prayed for His provision and He always came through.
Amen
Thank you Pastor Todd for this devotion it really speak volume to me and let me know what am going through it just temporary. Thank you Jesus for letting pastor Todd send us this devotion in your name I pray amen.
Amen
Thank you Pastor Dion for this devotional! I am at peace knowing that this season I am going through is only temporary and God is about to reveal clarity on this new season in my life! I thank Him and Praise Him! Hallelujah!
amen
Amen
Dear pastor, you have such an amazing gift. How can you write so many touching short and simple words that inspire and give me hope. Thank you for answering Gods call and for the Holy Spirit working in you!!
Last Saturday I was so sad as my 4th house purchase order fell through. Through a couple events and by talking to people I am looking at 2 more houses today that are not listed and are empty and have a 3rd one also not listed, that I could potentially rent til my loan goes through. But I really want Gods will so I will pray as always for God to guide me and help me see clearly like an Eagle to know His will. It's so hard to discern. Thank you for your prayers.
You will find the right house. May the Lord make it very clear to you, in Jesus name.
I see we are all going thru serious financial, health, emtional or spiritual struggle..I myself too. I pray that we may not loose faith, I find unconditional love, peace hope and patience in the Lord thru prayer. God Bless
Amen
Amen
A timely word. Thank you.
Pastor,thank you for this encouraging message.
Amen pastor thank you very much for your devotional it means alot to me!
Amen ♡
A hard amen to say, but it happens.
I really can relate--it's been a whole year since I had major surgery and I'm only starting to feel better now.I never stopped believing or praying, but it sure has been frustrating! NEVER give up on God! His will be done, in HIS time.
Amen
Thank you for this word today.. We closed our business recently and have had to file bankruptcy.. The Lord is getting us through one day at a time but it is a struggle at times.. I pray the Lord blesses you and your family and the Holy Spirit keep giving you timely words of encouragement!
To be honest MY LORD GOD, sometimes I do not know when to focus on. I know the answer to my prayers are here. It is in believing and in asking through prayers and supplication and through being humble to our LORD GOD that we will receive. JUst do not lose hope, have faith and trust and love GOD with all our heart and everythin g will come into places. Your love and mercy endures forever MY LORD GOD. In the name of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST I pray. Amen
Amen
AMEN
Amen
Thy will be done. AMEN. His Direction is my direction. Bring joy where you are. I've been listening to Christian Radio and a song they've been playing resignates within me so deeply.
Not sure I know exactly how it goes; It's times to get our hands dirty, calling all hands, calling all hearts........... its time to take a stand; don't stand around and wait for a miracle to come when you can be one.
We can be a cheerful smile to someone down; a welcome face in the crowd...on and on. My heart is full with his presence. Let his light guide me in all that I do. Putting love into every embroidery; every can in a grocery bag. One of my respite clients is in the hospital with sickness. May God's will be done in his life; he has accepted Jesus Christ and is ready for whatever comes next.
Thank you Pastor Dion for another relevant and inspiring devotional.I pray your prayer for guidence and direction. Thank you God that You never give up on us no matter what. I pray for all the people going through hard times that when they humble themselves in prayer, You, God will answer them with clear directions, hope and love. Amen.
Amen!! Thank you Pastor Dion for your daily devotion. :-) I claim this prayer over me. In Jesus, name I pray. Amen <3
Prayer: Father, please guide me today and give me a clear direction. I want to follow You, but to be honest, sometimes I don't know what to focus on. Give me clarity and speak to me in a way that I understand. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray
Amen!
All summed up in the prayer .....give me clarity!
Amen. Thank you for this prayer Pastor Todd,and Amen.