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But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place,...

Such a Time as This from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. The preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "I believe that in dark times God is making lamps with which to remove the gloom." For every Goliath that appears, the Lord has secretly prepared a David, an Elijah, a You. A young Jewish girl in the Bible named Hadassah was living as an exile in Persia. Her father and mother were dead, and she...

But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11'12 WEB.We can't impress God with the things we have accomplished, for it's by His grace and mercy that we are breathing at all. He's not impressed with how many people you led to the Lord, for He drew them first. He's not impressed with how many people...

Hope and Despair from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. The difference between life and death often has less to do with the strength of our physical body than our mental health. Prisoners of war who survived had something to look forward to outside the barbwire fence. Those who lost hope in the future fell into despair, curled up in a ball, and died. Viktor Frankl was a psychiatrist who survived...

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today, Yahweh will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you, and take your head from off you. 1 Samuel 17:45'46 WEB.It was early morning, and we were polishing brass plumbing faucets at our buffing...

Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. Acts 9:18'20 WEB.Young Saul was a hardcore Christian hunter. He was there when Stephen was stoned to death in...

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 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) ...

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"...

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 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,...

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...

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...

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 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...

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 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...

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,"...

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...

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 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,...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...