Recent Blog Entries

  • 6 hours ago
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not yo...
  • Thu at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that?" Joshua 7:10 WEB.Joshua lay prostrate before the ark of the Lord all that evening. Yesterday, he had been a mighty warrior. Now Israel had lost the battle at Ai, all because one of the men with him had become greedy and brok...
  • Wed at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Don't fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel." When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshap...
View All
  • March 25, 2022 - led by Lynn Brown
    This 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!
View All

Avoiding Vaccination

  • I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and dont know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; Revelation 3:15 WEB

    The needle hurt when they gave me the shot. It was vaccination time again and everyone had to get them before school started back. They gave you a little bit of the virus and then your immune system built up a defense against it. It kept you from getting the real thing.

    Many today learn a little about the Lord Jesus, but then go no further. Their life does not change and slowly the fire dies within them. They are neither cold nor hot, and are the hardest of all to reach because they think they already know about Jesus, but they do not. The one scripture that scares me the most in the entire Bible is Matthew 7:23 which reads, Then I will tell them, I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who work iniquity.

    Can you know a lot about Jesus, yet not know Him? Yep. I did for years. How do we fix it? John said, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we havent sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:710 WEB). We sin, we ask for forgiveness, and He cleanses us from it.

    Dont take your relationship with God for granted. I have seen many marriages end because a spouse began to think they would always be married no matter how they behaved. That is deception. You had better love them and treat them like you would like to be treated, if you want to keep them.

    In the same way, Jesus said Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:20-21 WEB). Your actions speak louder than words. Meaning to do something for years, just means that you havent. God loves us, but our response is to live a life pleasing to Him. Here are some notes about marriages, and our coming marriage to Jesus:

    It is not once saved, always saved no more than once married, always married. This is an ongoing relationship and you need to keep that fire burning. When you mess up, be quick to ask for forgiveness. Admit being wrong, it is ok. Tell them that you love them every day. Dont let your eyes wander where they should not. Watch your mouth because what comes out of it, you cant call back. Be nice.

    Rekindle the fire. Dont stop learning about Jesus. Dont let the fire die. Dont grow cold. Get serious. Keep praying, keep on pressing in. Yes, it is hard sometimes, but life is short when compared to eternity. Do not become a vaccinated Christian that is immune to His presence when He is standing right in front of you.

    Prayer: Father God, forgive me of my sins, wash me clean and deliver me. Come into my heart Lord and guide me into a deeper personal relationship with You. I want to know You Lord. I want more of You. I want to really know You and not just about You, in the name of Jesus I pray.

    Note: For any who did not see the announcement, the new Bible Study is now available! Here is the link: http://www.refreshinghope.org/blogs/1/313/luke-chapter-11. We look forward to your thoughts :)!


Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.

 

Social Sharing

55 comments
  • 0
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Chikela  Cruse
Chikela Cruse Amen
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Melchorita Fahey
Melchorita Fahey Amen
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Mike Parker
Mike Parker " It is not once saved, always saved no more than once married, always married." Pastor, I need clarity on this statement. Thanks.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu Amen, thank you and good morning
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!!
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Mike OBryan
Mike OBryan Prayer Praise Walk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I want to share this message with the world, Pastor Todd! Yesterday, you wouldn't believe how much time I put into your Bible study--I recommend it to everyone who has the inclination to know Jesus better.And, here you have it in writing: I declare that when my book, "Prisoner of Hope" sells, YOU will get a percentage of my profits! Yes, that is how strongly I feel regarding this site.Thanks so much for supporting me through one of the darkest, most painful times of my whole life! (And to think--the pain was generated by the same two people who bore me in the first place!)
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Dion Todd
Dion Todd What I am saying is that you can come to Lord and then return to your old life. I have seen that happen too many times to count. Think of the following verses (Matt 7:21, Luke 12:35-47). The Israelites firmly believed that all Israel would be saved, just because they were born an Israelite. But Jesus told them not everyone was going to be saved. To me, there are far too many scriptures that warn against apathy and lukewarmness to believe that you can invite Jesus into your life, then live it like you don’t know Him and expect to be saved. That is extremely risky. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 ESV)  (Luke 12:35–47 ESV) Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk,the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating.”
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you for reading and taking the time to encourage us Kathy :)
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Mike Parker
Mike Parker Thank you for your response.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Reinhard Blefgen
Reinhard Blefgen Amen 
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Please let us know when your book is ready, Kathy, looking forward to reading it!
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Albert Chau
Albert Chau  I never knew you..... that's my worst fear .... However, I read this book about this lady who went to heaven and back after dying for 9 min, I realize it is not what we thought. Her life is not perfect and full of mistakes and sin, but one thing she did do right is to pray all the time and talk to Jesus on daily basis.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin So true, somehow is seems worse for me when I can't seem to learn a lesson I know already, I do ask for forgiven, I am learning about the Full Armour Of God, so I can see the little subtle ways we are being deceived....It's a lot....Thanks Pastor......a work in progress every day.......
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Charmaine Jackson
Charmaine Jackson Preach! Such an amazing word.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Carol Pady
Carol Pady The more time we spend in prayer ( conversation ) with the Lord the stronger our relationship with Him grows. He knows our weaknesses and He only wants our Devotion to Him . He will convict as we will repent until He has finished the good work He started in us . Then we shall breathe our last breath upon this earth and meet Him face to face !
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Thank you Pastor Todd.For this word and prayer..I really need Jesus in my life everyday,With out him I am nothing.I can face each day with him,still wanting to know more and having more of Jesus  ,in my life ,and less of me  ;and have a closer walk with Jesus.Sadly I have seen people reject Jesus after opening their hearts to him.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Dianne Freeman
Dianne Freeman Amen!!#
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I know that if, I know who I am in Christ Jesus, It makes it easer to trust God, and to know that God will finishe what He started in me. It is Gods work not mine. Some scripture that has meant so much to me is Ephenians Chapter 1&2, Knowing who I am in Christ Jesus. I am loved, blessed, chosen, adopted, accepted redeemed, forgiven, sealed, I am a daughter of Abba  Father(Gal. 4:1-7. Also  Romans : 5 and 6. I know that I have died to self and have been raised to an new life in Christ Jesus, not because of any thing that I have done, but what Christ Jesus has done in my place. I thank Jesus for His faithfulness in going to the cross for me, dieing for me and then God raising Him from the dead. I have died to sin and have been raised to eternal life. God sees me as all this. I want to thank Him in advance, that my life will please God.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Agree on that, Albert, it's about relationship!
June 23, 2015
  • 0
katrina harrell
katrina harrell Amen 
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Carol Sorsdahl
Carol Sorsdahl It IS once saved, always saved.  Some people who truly repent of their sin and receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord fall into sin and then feel that they must be saved all over again. This is not the case. The Bible says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). Also, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  “Christian conversion is the transformation which we experience when we are born of God. Since one is not born over and over again, we must think of Christian development in two phases: birth and growth. A child, for example, is born once. True, he falls down many times, but when he falls he doesn’t need to be born again. His falls, his bumps and bruises are all part of growing. So it is in the Christian life. Birth is sudden, once and for all, but development is the work of an entire lifetime. We can be converted in a moment: the precise moment that we accept Christ. But it takes a lot of prayer, Bible reading, church-going, and Christian service to make a mature Christian.” - Billy Graham
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Me too Kay, I am a work in progress everyday.  I am not perfect none of us are.  
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen to that Albert
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin It is scary when you know a little, but not enough, I wonder if this is the mustard seed he plants and then we go about our life until it blooms in us....I see all the different ways things play out in people lives and it really is more then I can understand.......I just have to trust, he is the Father that knows best......I just feel like I could have saved myself some heartache......but maybe this was the plan.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Yes Brian I know people like this as well, so then I ask them about the Holy Spirit who is suppose to be convicting the them, when you have the Spirit it will tell you when something is not right....but they still have free will and choice. The bible does talk about God turning people over to a reprobate mind. Matt 19:14,  I know for sure you can not serve two Masters....
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Agnello Sagar
Agnello Sagar Amen!!!
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Yvette Cantrell
Yvette Cantrell I Definitely desire to Know You, Lord, on a Closer, Deeper Level. I Need YOU 
June 23, 2015
  • 0
H William Lewis
H William Lewis I respect your opinion on eternal security but I must disagree with your conclusion. Jesus is holding my hand, I'm not holding his. I could let go, but He never will. I Corinthians 3:11-15 says that a person can build on the foundation of Jesus Christ with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or staw. The sturcture will be destroyed by fine but the builder will be saved -"even though only zx ond escaping through the flames." (MIV0. In God's eyes all sins are equal. Therefore If a Christian tells a lie and drops dead before he can confess and repent that person will not go to heaven. Sorry, but I can't live like that never knowing what offense will cause me to lose the salvation that was written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the foundations of the earh were laid.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle Amen and Amen, and it takes work, and a daily commitment :)
June 23, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member I love this message, I truly want to nurture my relationship with Jesus everyday, so He can say welcome my child, you have been faithful, please enter in to heaven, not to say depart from me.
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, draw me nearer to You, Dear Lord. 
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Many times we don't understand why things, might have went a different way than we thought it should, but Jesus has a perfect plan if we trust in Him and know that if we make a mistake, we can ask for forgiveness and He will forgive us and then we try to do better not to make those mistakes again, but if we fall, we must ask and believe for his forgiving grace and know that He will help us through our testing times.
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin The Bible declares that a true Christian will  not  live a state of continual, unrepentant sin 1 John 3:6 ). The Bible also says that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he was never truly a Christian ( 1 John 2:19 ). He may have been religious, he may have put on a good show, but he was never born again by the power of God. “By their fruit you will recognize them” ( Matthew 7:16 ). The redeemed of God belong “to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God” ( Romans 7:4 ).  I guess the real question is to determine if a person is saved or pretending......but no a true christian will not, can not lose salvation. He will always be striving after God's own heart, not taking it for granted. Matthew 7:23 Jesus is talking  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a beautiful way to feel, God bless you 
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, we are all a wonderful work in Christ everyday, because He loves us so, He will be right there holding our hands all the way.
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, I thank The Lord for working with me each day and working on me each day, so that I will know how to draw closer to Him.
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member What a blessing you are.
June 23, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 0
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler I never want to be lukewarm..... I want the Holy Spiriy to keep me filled with nuggets!  I know I do not want to neglect the word or devotional reading.  Nudge me Holy Spirit.
June 23, 2015
  • 0
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler You are a good teacher...Blessings to you!
June 24, 2015
  • 0
J D  Williams
J D Williams I PRAY THAT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU FATHER WILL BE AS CLOSE TO THE RELATIONSHIP THAT LORD JESUS AND YOU SHARE....
June 24, 2015
  • 0
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord, Help me to die to myself!
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Candy Waggener
Candy Waggener Like you Mike I would like some clarity also. This statement goes against everything I have ever been taught.
June 24, 2015
  • 0
H William Lewis
H William Lewis I agree with that 100%. The person was never a believer in the first place, not a believer who lost his or her salvation.
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Patty Martin
Patty Martin Thank you, Pastor Dion, for this teaching.  It's so true that our relationship with Christ is much like a marriage.  After all, the Bible tells us that we are Christ's bride.  I lost my own marriage from being so busy caring for my granddaughter, working weekends, and going to college full-time.  I guess I took my marriage for granted, hoping that he could wait just a bit longer for "us," but my husband strayed.  I forgave many times, but he kept straying and drinking. Our marriage fell apart. I remind myself often of a failed marriage of 24 yrs. to the marriage I have with Christ.  I have learned that I must NEVER be too busy for Christ.  I must strive daily for the best I have to offer Him who loves me.  We have a relationship that requires my attention and committment so it will grow and thrive.  Not that He will ever leave or forsake me...He won't.  But I need to always remember that Christ is #1 in my life and nurture that loving relationship.  It is then that I will grow closer to Him, understand Him better, and continue to include Him in all of my words and actions.  I needed this reminder today.  I am a teacher, fully committed to the children in my care.  I often get too busy and too tired to open the Bible throughout the week but I talk to Christ daily.  I must remember to NEVER be too tired and busy, as I am His bride.  Amen.
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin I remember when I was 15, I read the stories about God, learn the Romans 8:28, said the words to accept him, went on my merry way, doing all kinds of nonsense,was I saved or not? I would say no, I didn't try to live a life that reflected nothing of God. Now I know I am because I am a seeker of his nature. For me this is the difference.....
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Shunta Chaney
Shunta Chaney This is great teaching. Thanks Pastor
June 24, 2015
  • 0
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd For those with questions and/or disagreements about the "once saved, always saved" line in this message, Dion is working on a teaching on this subject to address this subject, and we'll post the link as a note in the devotional when it's ready, possibly tomorrow :). We believe it's a subject that can't be addressed in the length of a comment and is worthy of having a permanent spot in our teaching section anyway. Stay tuned!
June 25, 2015
  • 0
Kay Rushin
Kay Rushin Waiting with bated breath! this has been interesting for sure!!
June 26, 2015
  • 0
Allie Ponzo
Allie Ponzo I am just loving all these comments this can be a very touchy and tuff subject.
June 27, 2015
  • 0
Allie Ponzo
Allie Ponzo I will go to the study Pastor Dion put up next, thank you so much for doing it and I know all is done in love and much thought and prayer is put into it.
June 27, 2015
  • 0
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the message!
July 17, 2015