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God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. Gen 1:16 WEBHe also made the stars. I read this verse sometimes and am amazed by how much the Bible packs into a single verse. Scientists estimate they are around 300 sextillion stars now and that number keeps growing as they develop devices that let them see further. That...

1 John 5:7-9: For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about His Son.  Fear is an opportunistic hunter. Fear is the only trick the enemy has to get you in agreement with him. You see, we have to continually be in agreement...

 Our Beloved Pastor’s devotion entitled “Thunderstorms" inspired me to write about trust and patience.  Patience is a hard one, but a lesson I'm in the middle of now, as I try to patiently wait on the Lord’s timing and open doors of opportunity. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised....

Acts: 3:19-Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Coping is a man-made way of dealing with something...

Hebrews 4:1-10- Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,...

Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, 'Yahweh has not chosen these.' Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are all your children here?' He said, 'There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.' Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.' He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance....

Colossians: 3:3-  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Romans 6:4-We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what...

 How did I become known as the “Queen of Hearts”? It all started through a season in my life where I was struggling to cope with all that life was throwing my way. I felt lost and broken; World/National news was tragic; I was having a hard time accepting truth about a loved one’s fatal illness; I had already lost loved ones I was still grieving for; work was stressful…...

He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? If you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? Luke 16:10 WEBIt was a cold day and the wind coming in off the...

     “Resist him (the devil), standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever...

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 WEBMany saints and martyrs in the past have faced terrible trials and death with a peace in their hearts that no one could explain. Some sang hymns on...

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go Philippians 4:13: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Admittedly you can find both of these scriptures on a daily calendar in just about any Christian household across American and probably most of the world. They...

Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, 'Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.' John 8:10 WEBOne day while Jesus was teaching in the temple, the religious leaders brought in a woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery and stood her in front of the crowd. They asked Him...

Psalm 41:1-2: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? John 14:6: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. I'm sure, and there is no doubt that we have all seen the first signs of spring recently. We are reminded...

 Spring has sprung, and with it unpredictable weather. California has been blessed with much needed rain. A LOT of rain!  The prayers of many were answered as this rain is bringing an end to the drought that has plagued our State for too long. As much as we need this rain… it’s seems to go on forever. Thankfully the Lord has also shown us mercy with a few days of sun to warm...

All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:11 WEBWhile at school, I learned to read and write, add and subtract, and much more. However, many times it was after school that the learning really began for me. Dad would tell us 'That electric fence will shock you so...

Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 WEBWe can become so withdrawn sometimes and begin to feel that it is us against the world, and that no one seems to care or even notice what we are going through, or currently struggling with. Even in a crowd, we can feel alone and all...

God is Real! My epiphany By David Wyles  One morning I was lying in bed, thinking about God and groaning inside myself over the burden of sin (Romans 8:23). This had been going on for about 6 months, the moaning inside how it was unfair that we were born into sin and had no choice. The only one ever to have a choice was Eve, and it was not her fault. It was Satan’s!  Then it happened. ...

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.   Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He...

Amos 7:8-9: And the Lord asked me, What do you see, Amos? A plumb line, I replied. Then the Lord said, Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. The high places of Isaac will be destroyed and the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined; with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam. Galatians 1: 6-7: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting...

Acts 5:15-16: As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.   Psalm 91:1: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in...

He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.' Simon answered him, 'Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.' When they had done this,...

John answered them, 'I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don't know. He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen.' These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!' John 1:26 WEBAdam...

Yahweh spoke to Manasseh, and to his people; but they didn't listen. Therefore Yahweh brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him; and he was entreated by him, and heard his...

“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 WEB March Newsletter - 2016 Hello there, 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 thank you for taking...

Amos 5:4-5: This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.    Seek the Lord in all things. You would think that would be all that it took for Amos to say to us through the Holy Spirit. Why did the Spirit speak to Amos about...

1 Chronicles 22:2-4: So David gave orders to assemble the aliens living in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. he provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and...

Yahweh said to Joshua, Get you up; why are you thus fallen on your face? Joshua 7:10 WEBJoshua lay on his face before the Lord while praying. Israel had sinned and as a result, they had lost the battle at the small town of Ai. The first town that they had come to in the promised land was Jericho. The walls fell down after marching around it seven times, and it was not a difficult battle.They were supposed...

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NIV  I have a confession to make... I once didn't talk to my mom for five long years! The same Mom who hugged me when I...

1 Chronicles 25: 3- As for Jeduthun, from his sons: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.  Prophesying is about speaking into life that which the Lord speaks to you directly. It is about the future, and to affect the lives of others. There are many...