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Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle on you. Isaiah 43:1–2 WEB

November Newsletter - 2015

Thank you for reading our devotional and being a part of Refreshing Hope Ministries. This is our monthly update on what has been happening here during the last month and I hope that you will take the time to read it.

While praying about the theme of the newsletter this month, I heard “Walk in the fire and you will not get burned.” Then I immediately thought of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who would not compromise their faith, but stood on the word of God. Physical laws and circumstances were set aside when they intentionally stood on their faith in God (Daniel 3:23).

John said “I indeed baptize you with water, but He comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). We are to be purified through the fire. The writer of Hebrews wrote “Who makes his angels winds, And his servants a flame of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7). God Himself is called a “consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:18). “For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2–3).

The safest place on earth is walking right in the fire of God. When God allowed the three Hebrews to pass through the fire, only the things that bound them were burned away (Dan. 3:25). The plagues always seemed to start on the outskirts of the Israelite camp, the furthest away from God (Num. 11:1). Jesus would rather us be hot or cold than lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). Let us be hot.

We determine how close we walk with God. “You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). It is time to put God at the center of our lives, to take salvation seriously, to stand on our faith, to keep the fire burning and become a people of passion. Let us walk in the fire of God.

 Here is a recent selfie from Myrtle Beach State Park

Online church news: We have grown to 2,686 members and the group participation is growing. There are groups for cooking, crafts, dreams, photography, military, testimonies, support groups, and more. We have a chance to fellowship with each other, and it will strengthen all of us as a whole. One of our members called it, “an electric flock”, and I think that is a pretty good tagline for what we are doing here.

We have reworked the chat system to be more robust and user friendly. It also will notify you when you get messages and friend requests, of course you have to have an account and log in first. We hope to add a question and answer section soon where people can ask questions and well, we can answer them. In time it can grow into a searchable resource.

We are financially about 3/4s of the way towards our video teachings and look forward to getting started. I want to thank all of those that support us and pray for us. We could not do any of this without you. We are buying it one piece at a time as we can. It is all in God’s timing, we are in no hurry and when He provides the means we will be there and get underway.

There are some exciting things happening with RHM and Guideposts, and there will be more to come on that soon. Thank you so much for sticking with us, and for all who have supported us throughout the month with prayer, encouragement and financial resources. We have had to extend our prayer wall to hold all the cards and letters that have been sent. We are learning as we go and mistakes happen. When we fall, we just try and get back up and do it better next time.

I pray that the Lord richly blesses you and that you are covered with His presence as you read these words. May He guide your every step and fan the flames within you. May the Lord lead us all into everything that He has for us as we follow Him one step at a time, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

Pastor Dion