The New Generation
by Dion Todd January 30th, 2022
The New Generation from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
When the Israelites came out of slavery in Egypt, the Lord instructed Moses to build an Ark of the Covenant.
It was much like a treasure chest overlaid with gold, which contained the ten commandments carved on stone and some other relics like a jar of manna. The Ark was carried by Levite priests and kept in a special tent called "the...
The Sword
by Dion Todd January 23rd, 2022
The Sword from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
We often get emails and comments about how timely a particular devotional is for them. Sometimes, they feel as if it was written especially for them. One man told me that the Word was so relevant for a week that it was like I had a microphone in his house and could hear what was going on there. How does that happen?
(Hebrews 4:12–13 NKJV) ...
The Rock of Ages
by Dion Todd January 23rd, 2022
You will keep whoever's mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you. Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:3 WEB.How did I get caught up in this mess? Many times have I asked myself that question. Looking back, it always began with a thought which would become a desire if I didn't push it out of my mind. Before long, what started as a "harmless"...
From Start to Finish
by Dion Todd January 21st, 2022
Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! If I take the wings of the dawn, And settle in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there your hand will lead me, And your right hand will hold me. Psalms 139:7'10 WEB.Before we were born, God was already there for us (Psalm 139:13)....
Dark Night of the Soul
by Dion Todd January 16th, 2022
Dark Night of the Soul from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Jesus once took five loaves of bread and two fish and fed 5,000 men and their families until they were full. He miraculously multiplied the food, and they picked up twelve baskets full of leftovers when done.
The people who experienced the miracle wanted to take Jesus by force and declare Him the new King of Israel. For most men,...
The Retirement Plan
by Dion Todd January 14th, 2022
Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18'20 WEB.We just waited for Jesus to come and get...
The Puppet Show
by Dion Todd January 12th, 2022
But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also. Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. As you would like people to do to...
A Box Of Chocolates
by Dion Todd January 11th, 2022
The Spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and join yourself to this chariot." Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He said, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:29'31 WEB.I played music with a local band, and they had booked a bar for the weekend. I needed the money...
Young Hip and Rich
by Dion Todd January 9th, 2022
Young, Hip and Rich from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
As with most couples, Sylvia and I had separate bank accounts before marriage. I had my money, and she had hers. We each took care of our own expenses. But after we became husband and wife, we merged them into a shared bank account. Now we have "Our money," and each of us has access to it when it's needed. This will become more relevant...
The Untouchables
by Dion Todd January 4th, 2022
When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8:1'3 WEB.Jesus Christ touched the untouchables. Lepers and those with various diseases were considered...
The Wedding Garment
by Dion Todd January 2nd, 2022
The Wedding Garment from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
What is the Spirit saying to the Church today?: "People get ready, for the marriage supper of the Lamb is coming. Prepare your hearts!" This is what came to me while praying over this message. As usual, it was a clue to look deeper at something. So I began to look over all the references to weddings and suppers, and I learned a few things...
Men At Work
by Dion Todd January 2nd, 2022
Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9'11 WEB."Pray for me, preacher! I'm going to commit some adultery tonight, Lord willing,"...
Driftwood
by Dion Todd December 31st, 2021
Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called...
Prepare For The Fight
by Dion Todd December 28th, 2021
By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. Hebrews 11:7-8 WEB.For...
Little Town of Bethlehem
by Dion Todd December 26th, 2021
Little Town of Bethlehem from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
What would it be like to live in the perfect will of God? There is probably no better example than His Son, Jesus Christ, and the parents who raised Him. So let's do a quick recap of our Savior's birth. What was it like when the Son of God was born?
Jesus' parents lived in the tiny insignificant town of Nazareth. They were poor,...
Laboring in the Field
by Dion Todd December 25th, 2021
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:1'2 WEB.I grew up cropping tobacco. We walked along the rows and...
Your Will Be Done
by Dion Todd December 19th, 2021
Your Will Be Done from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Too many times when we pray, we give God Almighty instructions as if He works for us. It's something I had to learn to stop doing. When you take a moment and think about it, how absurd is it for us to tell Him what to do?
We often see prayer requests like, 'Pray that I get "this" job, this car, or this house!' But the Lord may have something...
RHM Newsletter 39: Looking Back at 2021
by Dion Todd December 18th, 2021
Looking Back on 2021 from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Thank you for being a part of Refreshing Hope Ministries and taking time out of your day to read or watch this message. I hope this finds you blessed, warm, safe, and happy, wherever you happen to be. This is our year-end newsletter, and I wanted to take some time to update you on what has been happening behind the scenes here at Refreshing...
The Writing On The Wall
by Dion Todd December 16th, 2021
In the same hour, the fingers of a man's hand came out and wrote near the lamp stand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's face was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his thighs were loosened, and his knees struck one against another. Daniel 5:5'6 WEB.Belshazzar, the King of Babylon, threw an enormous...
Alone and Afraid
by Dion Todd December 12th, 2021
Alone and Afraid from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
It is a perilous time to live on Earth. There is a worldwide pandemic of sickness constantly mutating with millions already dead and no end in sight. Nations teeter on the brink of financial collapse. There is violence, wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in various places. People are distanced from others, alone, and afraid. Welcome to...
Ninety Nine Sheep
by Dion Todd December 12th, 2021
He told them this parable. "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing." Luke 15:3'5 WEB.Jesus once told a parable about a man who had one hundred sheep, and one of them got lost. The Shepherd's job was to...
I See Nothing There
by Dion Todd December 9th, 2021
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. Matthew 14:26'29...
High Fidelity
by Dion Todd December 5th, 2021
High Fidelity from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
Jesus told His disciples a parable about stewards waiting for their Master to come home. He was gone to a wedding celebration, which could last several days in Hebrew culture. So they were to watch and prepare for His return, though they didn't know the exact time. The faithful steward was dressed and ready, even if the Master came during the...
From Terrified To Well Supplied
by Dion Todd December 3rd, 2021
Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you. All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then Yahweh's Spirit came' 2 Chronicles 20:12-14 WEB.When a vast enemy army gathered together with the intention of sacking Judah, King Jehoshaphat didn't know...
Let Freedom Ring
by Dion Todd December 2nd, 2021
If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 WEB.I took one last draw and put the cigarette out. That was over twenty-five years ago and the last time I smoked. I grew up on a farm in the South and worked in tobacco. Everyone I knew smoked. Well, except for one pretty weird guy, and no one wanted to be like him. By the age of ten, I was smoking regularly, just like the rest...
If Tomorrow Never Comes
by Dion Todd November 28th, 2021
If Tomorrow Never Comes from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
For many years I was captivated by the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I studied charts, timelines, and scriptures and posted them on the wall like an ongoing investigation. I was anxiously waiting for the Lord to return.
Then He began to impress on me how fleeting our lives are in His timeline. The Lord is not in a hurry...
The Winepress
by Dion Todd November 26th, 2021
Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let's exalt his name together. I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to him, and were radiant.
Their faces shall never be covered with shame. This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalms 34:3'6 WEB.David was in the center of the enemies' camp, surrounded by relatives of men he had...
A Second Wind
by Dion Todd November 25th, 2021
Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30'31 WEB.I sat down on a bean bag in the corner of my prayer room and contemplated how we got here. We had been out of work for months while the bills piled...
Snow White
by Dion Todd November 23rd, 2021
Come now, and let us reason together, says Yahweh: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land Isaiah 1:18'19 WEB.As I looked out over the fresh snow covering our home, smoke slowly rose from the chimney. It was an extremely rare day in South Carolina when...
Holes in My Moneybag
by Dion Todd November 21st, 2021
Holes in My Moneybag from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.
There are many things in scripture that have been misunderstood or blown out of proportion over the centuries. Two of them are prosperity and abundance. There are many promises of God concerning these, but it's a bit deeper than "name it and claim it" or "blab it and grab it." We have to be submissive to Him and obedient for His promises...