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  • 3 hours ago
    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...
  • Tue at 3:01 AM
    Posted by Dion Todd
    But Naaman was angry, and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leper' " 2 Kings 5:11 WEB.Naaman stared at his new skin with amazement when he came up from the muddy wa...
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  • 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!
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Broken Hedges

  • Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Havent 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 WEB

    Job was a righteous man who feared God. It also reads that God had built a hedge of protection around Job and all that he owned, and God blessed the work of his hands. There were many times when satan wanted to test Job, or sift him as wheat like Peter (Luke 22:31), but he could not get to him because of this divine hedge that God had put around him.

    It was that hedge that I want to talk about. In a sense, God was proud of Job (1:8) and knew that Job could pass this test. God even told satan Have you considered my servant Job? There is none like him in the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. To which satan sneered, "yea but take away his stuff and he will curse you to your face." God basically said, "test him and you will see", and then removed the hedge.

    When the hedge was gone, satan went after Job and his family in full force, but that was not enough to break Jobs spirit. So satan came back wanting even more access, to be able to touch Jobs physical body. Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give for his life (Job 2:4) were the words that he used. Again, God gave him access through the hedge. The test was to see if satan could make Job curse God, and it got really bad. But in the end, Job passed the test and God restored double everything that Job had owned before (Job 42:12).

    That said, not everything that we suffer in life is a test. Some things we bring on ourselves by making bad choices. Paul wrote Dont be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Solomon wrote that whoever breaks a hedge, may be bitten by a snake (Eccl. 10:8).

    God puts a hedge around each of His children, but just as a parent can warn a child not to touch a hot stove, it is up to the child to obey. If you dont believe this then why did God tell us to not commit adultery? It was because we can choose to commit adultery. We are not a mindless robot and we get to choose our path in this. When we choose bad things, the hedge is broken.

    Stay the course and keep a positive attitude about what you are going through. When you fall, be quick to get back up and dont wallow there. Yea, though it seems like hell on earth, it is only temporary. Resist the temptation to get angry at God. Learn to be content in your circumstance like Paul (Phill 4:11). When this is over, the enemy will have to restore double of everything that he took from you.

    Prayer: Father I pray that You repair the hedge around my life. I am sorry if I have broken it and ask that You forgive me of anything that I have ever done wrong. Wash me Lord, and I will be clean. Guide me and I will follow. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: Good morning, RHM family! For any who may not know, we have a free Christian radio station available on the website, via our friends at JIOS radio. Dennis Hubbell, who is a good friend of ours, leads the station and has kindly allowed us to play it here. Just go to the "Music" link on the website menu and click on the headphones there. It will open into its own window, so it can play while you do other things. Have a blessed day!

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Social Sharing

51 comments
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor for the great message!
August 20, 2015
  • 2
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Thank you Thank you! I love the story of Job. I feel his hedge sometimes and other times I panic that the hedge is gone. Thank God I realize most the time that the panic is a lie from satan to keep me from Gods truth and I can reason my way out of panic easier and into Gods peace and calm. Always a work in progress but the good Lord holds me up. Thank you Lord for this message from you today, thank you for pastor and his wife being such wonderful servants to you. Every message you send through them seems just for me and just what I need. Yesterday was hard and it felt like my hedge was gone, but I know you are right here with your arms wrapped around me and I can feel it now so thank you. Thank you for all your healing work on my friend, I know you will hear our prayers & she is going to be ok. I pray you restore my hedge fully. I am sorry if I broke it some how, forgive me for my weaknesses and wrong doings, wash me , guide me, I will be clean, I will  follow. In Jesus sweet name ~Amen~  Blessings Pastor Todd and thank you for your prayers yesterday.
August 20, 2015
  • 2
Kealtis "Key" Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin My sister Dianna, know that God never will leave nor forsake you. Take comfort in the fact that He holds you in His mighty arms on a constant basis, & if/when we are still long enough we can feel Him. 
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Father, I pray that you please grant Dianna your peace and free her from the attacks of the enemy on her mind, in the name of Jesus, amen!
August 20, 2015
  • 2
Darletha Kitchens
Darletha Kitchens Thank you Pastor I needed to hear this for I am battling a demon now. I want and need to stop smoking so I need your prayers and ii am asking God to mend the hedge around me and help me with this demon. Please pray for me
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Kealtis "Key" Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Darletha, you are not alone. I too have battled that demon, and by the grace and mercy of God, that battle shall be won. Your body is the temple of God, and know that He's going to give you the power to quit so His temple can be clean and smoke free. I battled that for 40 years, and have finally won, praise God! 
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praise The Lord for His mercy and grace. God is so good to us and He loves us so.
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Prayers being sent your way right now. Believing for deliverance from the things that you are battling and pray that a hedge will be about your life, that satan can in no way come through in Jesus Name. Amen. Love and prayers sent to you, Tamara
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Father, I pray that you please bless Darletha with greater grace with this smoking and set her free from the spirit of addiction. I thank you and look forward to a good report from her, in the name of Jesus!
August 20, 2015
  • 2
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson Amen!! God is our protector and guide. Thank you Father for never leaving me or foresaking me! Forgive me a sinnner for my transgression. I thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ my Savior and my friend. I'm blessed by your love always! Amen!!
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Kealtis &quot;Key&quot; Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Amen, amen, put and amen again! 
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Christine Thompson
Christine Thompson Amen! 
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen.
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Kealtis &quot;Key&quot; Austin
Kealtis "Key" Austin Father God, You and only You know our need for the day You have created just for us. You are the One who fashioned those days Father, before You created us in our mother's womb. You know what's going to happen before we do, You know our thought afar off. You catch us before we call, and answer before we call. That's why You supply all of our need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus!  I am so humbled by Your love, care, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and Your protection. I thank You for Your humble servants like Pastor Todd and Mrs Sylvia. May You please continue to strengthen, as well as bless them and all of Your children everywhere. In Jesus mighty name. Amen WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE! 
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Christine Thompson
Christine Thompson Amen! 
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, Key, and amen!
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Amen 
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome Amen    
August 20, 2015
  • 4
Christine Thompson
Christine Thompsonedited: August 20, 2015 Amen! Thank you Pastor for your word. You always seem to write a word related to what is presently going on in my life. I have lost my apartment and I am still searching for a place to live after being denied from 4 places so far. And I have been so down,  wondering if God has forgotten me. I listen and read the word and continue to pray but I felt abandoned.  I will not give up,  I am trying again and asking God to show us favor. My family and I need a home and we need to get out of my mother's one bedroom apt. We are all uncomfortable . I know God has a plan and your  word has lifted me up as always. God Bless you.
August 20, 2015
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Carol Policastro
Carol Policastro God be with you and your family Christine.  I hope today is the day that your prayers are answered!  In Jesus' name, Amen.
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Christine Thompson
Christine Thompsonedited: August 20, 2015 Thank you Carol,  God Bless you and I thank you so much for your prayers 
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, keep trusting Jesus and He will see you and your family through this storm. Praying for you and your family. Love,Tamara
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Christine Thompson
Christine Thompson God Bless you Tamara, thank you.
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Father, I lift up Christine, and pray that you please draw her to you and provide for the needs of her and her family. Please guide them to the home and job that you have planned for them, in the name of Jesus, amen.
August 20, 2015
  • 3
Karen Juhl
Karen Juhl I can surely relate to this.  In August 2007 I fell and broke my right leg. In September my husband fell while getting me something to drink. (He was 91, I was 67).  our daughter took him to the hospital. Because I couldn't drive a friend drove me to the hospital.  Ken was in the hospital for five weeks undergoing a lot of tests trying to find the cause of his fall. Tests showed Ken had vasculitis.  He was then sent to a nursing home to try rehabilitation.  By that time he was too weak to do anything. We brought him home and Hospice took over his care.  All this time I have my leg in a boot and must rely on friends to get me to andd from the hospital and the nursing home.  After about a week at home his condition began to fsil and Ken was taken to a Hospice facility where he passed on to Glory about 10 days later.  The day after he passed, my three children decided they wanted nothing to do with me.  It has been eight years and I have seen one of my chiLoren once...no explanation was given me except I was too interfering in their lives.  In other words they didn't want any contact with me.  I have two, maybe more grandchildren I have never seen.  I was so distraught, I sold our home and moved to Arizona to be near friends.  I lasted three months and came back home.  In 2010 I met and married who I thought was a Christian man.  We weren't married six months when he wanted a divorce because we had a difference of opinion...I was his fourth wife! Do you think I should have suspected something?  We moved seven times in less than three years..we separated once for five months.  He emailed me and said God told him we were to reconcile. I found out later he really wanted the rest of my money..we finally divorced in 2014.  Through it all I depended on God to see me through. There were times when I doubted Gods love for me, but I never gave up on him.  During all this my grandson, more like a son, became addicted to pain killers.  My husband would have had my grandson living under a bridge, but I knew he could get well.  He has become a born-again Christian. He is well, drug free for three years and has a good job and plans to get married.  Sorry for the long message, but I want people to never give up on God...He was with me all the time..he has never failed me and never will..God is good...all the time
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen, yes, He sure is. Thank you for sharing your testimony. God bless you.
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Debbie Bible
Debbie Bible Thank you for your testimony. Prayers for you!
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Linda Masters
Linda Masters I have found that our TESTS are God's greatest TESTIMONIES!!! Praise Him and Bless you for having the courage to share!!
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much for sharing your story, Karen. You have indeed been through the fire <3. I pray that the Lord blesses you and grants you great peace and guidance, in the name of Jesus.
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Debra lynn Hubbard
Debra lynn Hubbard Amen  sister....You are a strong woman... God has a wonderful warrior in you... And a blessing... You have received a wonderful gift from God his peace... You are in my prayers God bless
August 21, 2015
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Blessings to you Karen!  I hope you found a church to be part of in the home you are living now.  Glad you made your way to RHM.  May you be more encouraged in your walk.  Cheryl Hepler
August 21, 2015
  • 2
Celestina Ndunda
Celestina Ndunda With what we are going through in the family lately, i think the hedge around us has been broken. It is my prayer that the Lord may repair the hedge around all of us in the family. If there is any sin that we have commited willingly or unwillingly, knowingly and unknowingly, Lord Jesus forgive us and make us whole again. In Jesus Precious Name Amen.
August 20, 2015
  • 0
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Amen.
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen, great words pastor these words are so comforting to me today, as I say I need the word of God everyday of my life.
August 20, 2015
  • 2
Karen Fletcher
Karen Fletcher I am so grateful for this ministry. We all could be sitting in a church and never know the struggles each is going through. Pastor Dion, by your touchable spirit in sharing your own struggles in life gives many hope. The wisdom God has given you is so healing to many. The sacrifice of both you and your wife is beautiful.  As a result of this ministry many are being prayed for far more than before. I love reading some of the postings and seeing such spiritual growth.  Thank you. May God continue to grow and supply for RHM
August 20, 2015
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Beatrice &quot;Raye&quot; Huth
Beatrice "Raye" Huth Totally agree that Pastor Dion opens up his own struggles to help us work through our own.  THANK YOU to GOD for providing this platform to you!!  Once you speak of what is going on; then you can be guided to a solution.  
August 20, 2015
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<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Thank you for this message this morning. God bless.
August 20, 2015- Edit- Delete
  • 2
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt This is one of the best devotions I have read on this site. Paster Dion, God has blessed you so much and gifted you to be able to minister to so many people. I know God has a hedge around me, and that I am in Gods domenion, not satans . God protects me even if I make wrong decions, He tells me to not live in the past, but He picks me up and the Holy Spirit guides me and teaches me all things. I need to remind myself that I am a this instead of a that, I need to act like a this, and believe God, and believe that I am who God says that I am. 2 Corthians 5:17, If any one is in Christ there is a new creation; Old things have passed away, and look new things have come.
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! Sometimes we trim or hedges and other times we almost burn them up, yet He never completely removes them. As we turn back to Him in repentance and we pray and fast it nourishes and regrow our hedges of protection. Jesus is the landscaper of our lives and the Father is the keeper of our garden of hedges. 
August 20, 2015
  • 2
Shelby Casey
Shelby Casey Thank you Lord for your Word and those that bring it to our attention in devotions like this. We do need to remember that you have a hedge around us that is your grace, love and goodness. We don't need to fear when trouble comes our way, whether it be a test or a consequence of something we have set in motion by our bad choices. You promise in your word that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Bless all those who are going through trouble at this time and ease their minds, bodies and sprits to know that you are God, the Great I AM. To you be all the honor, glory and praise in Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Shelby!
August 20, 2015
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Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli AMEN!!!!
August 20, 2015
  • 1
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith Amen. Amen. Amen.
August 20, 2015
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Albert Chau
Albert Chau How's about the unbelievers? I know many are doing quiet well in everything they do including their children. Does God provide hedges around them too? Not sure but it seems that some are doing better than others regardless of their believes or religions.
August 20, 2015
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Dion Todd
Dion Toddedited: August 21, 2015 If you read the book of Job, you will see that satan was not interested in "unbelievers", they are already his and why would he attack his own? A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. On the other hand, he was interested in Job. When you try and live right and dedicate your life to Jesus, you will become satan's enemy and a threat to his kingdom. Then you become a target. That is the context of this message. 
August 21, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield Thanks as always for the special words of wisdom today! I usually read these devotions first thing in the morning, but my post-op recovery has not gone well today. Now I have an infection  and it's making me very tired! But I really neeeded to be reminded of what Job went through. He didn't give up, and neither will I! Blessings, Kathy
August 20, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Forgive me Lord, and help me to walk upright.
August 21, 2015
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Rosemary Marsh
Rosemary Marsh Amen.Paise Our Almighty God.He will never leave us nor forsake us.He will strengthen us and build us up,as we go through each storm.Knowing that He is in control .
August 21, 2015
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Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler Love praying hedges of protection around my husband, home, children & their homes and all the Lord has given.  Pray to walk according to His Ways not mine.  Loved all of it Pastor Todd!
August 21, 2015
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Elena Vasquez
Elena Vasquez Amen. thank You Jesus
August 23, 2015