The Unseen Realm from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. I often find abandoned ruins intriguing. Some structure that people poured so much time, labor, and money into creating. Then it's just left to return to nature, time moves on, and it is forgotten. Everything in life that you see around you is temporary and will return to the ground it was taken from. Yet, there is another realm unseen to...

Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but out eyes are on you. All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 2 Chronicles 20:12'13 WEB.While under the reign of Jehoshaphat, Judah began to have a small revival, and they returned to the Lord for a season. Then the Ammonites...

He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those...

They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them. He charged them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread." Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is...

The Lawnmower in the Rain from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. When you neglect something, it begins to deteriorate. Whether it is a lawnmower sitting out in the weather, a relationship, or a gift that God has placed in your life. Many will look at themselves now and say, "What gift?" You are not the first. The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth: (1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV) ...

High Anxiety from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Something we see on the rise in the church is anxiety. It's true that we live in a perilous time. Wars are raging, and nations are under severe financial stress. There are random earthquakes, wildfires, and going to the grocery store can expose you to a plague. Yet, we are here for such a time as this and need to keep our emotions under control....

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face." Job 1:9'11 WEB.Job was a righteous man who feared...

However you are just in all that is come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly; neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you did testify against them. For they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and fat land...

Knock Knock from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. The hustle and bustle of life can get a bit overwhelming at times. There are often so many things pulling at our attention, yet there is something that you need to make time for. (Revelation 3:20 NKJV)  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with...

Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "You don't know what I am doing now, but you will understand later." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet!" John 13:5'8 WEB.It had been over three years since Jesus...

Fire Salt from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. I have a tendency to get deeply involved in the churches we attend. I always start out planning to sit in the congregation as invisible as possible. Still, almost inevitably, our technical background pulls us into the spinning gears. Soon, we end up as exhausted full-time volunteers once again. We have met some wonderful people by doing so, the...

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...