Recent Blog Entries

  • 1 hour 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

The Fourth Watch

  • Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, 'Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid.' Mark 6:48 WEB

    Peter, James, John and the other disciples were in the boat struggling to row against the wind. It was now late night and the wind and waves beat against the boat. They had entered the boat to cross to the other side just as Jesus had told them, but now they were faced with a relentless, opposing wind.

    God's path for them was on the other shore, which would take them right through the storm, and Jesus was not there for He was on the mountain praying. They were facing the storm alone, but in the darkest, coldest part of the night, Jesus came to them and said 'Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid!.'

    At the pinnacle of their struggle, Jesus appeared and calmed the storm, but they did not understand for their hearts were hardened. Hardness of heart is a lack of spiritual perception, that lack of 'readiness to learn' that followed the pharisees and scribes. Jesus could teach them nothing because they were too busy trying to correct His error and bring Him back inline with their teachings.

    The disciples suffered from some of this as well (52), just as we all do in various areas. We need to stay teachable, stay flexible, for we serve the Living God Almighty who is infinitely intelligent. We still have more to learn about God than an ant setting out to build a space station.

    The fourth watch of the night is 3 A.M. to 6 A.M. This is when Jesus came to them. Jacob wrestled with God during the fourth watch (Gen. 32:24). Have you ever gone through a season where you wake up each night at 3 A.M.? I certainly have. I remember an entire week where I woke up at 3:33 A.M. each morning. Around this time your mind has finally slowed down, your body is resting and the Lord attempts to speak to you.

    So if things are dark and the winds of life are blowing, do not be surprised if you wake up around this time. If you do, try praying and listening for a moment. Many times after this I will have a dream, a vision, or an impression come to me. If you have a problem with God speaking to someone, remember to stay teachable. Jesus told us, 'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me' (John 10:27).

    Prayer: Jesus, teach me to recognize Your voice. Speak to me in a clear way that I can understand and guide me today. Lord, please calm the storms in my life for a single word from You makes everything OK. Fill me with Your peace and presence and grow stronger and stronger in my life.

    Note: Good morning and happy Friday! The highlighted group for the week was just created this week: "Spiritually Single". This group is focused on supporting those who are married to "pre-believers" and have to deal with the special challenges involved. If this is you, please do go to the Groups link on the site menu and join! Have a blessed day :)!

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

 

Social Sharing

28 comments
  • 4
Susan P
Susan P The Lord has woken me up between those hours for a long time now. It is rare to sleep through them anymore. Am so thankful for those special, quiet moments with the Lord before the world around me starts stirring.  
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Uwalaka Dorathy
Uwalaka Dorathy Amen.
November 13, 2015
Comment deleted
  • 4
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wyles Amen! Thank you. I am up by 3 am every night... it's rare to sleep past 2. I simple use the time to read my devotionals, pray and meditate on God's goodness :) That's why you see me here this early every morning. I wish I could say I hear his voice always...but I am still working on that one ;) I can say I hear it sometimes... mostly I get this gentle nudging feeling  saying I should be doing this or that. It always feels like a God thing and if I ignore it, it get's louder and more urgent until I stop ingoring the feeling and pay attention. I have learned to not ignore those feelings as much now :) Thanks again and Blessings to you :)
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer Yes Lord,amen. 
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Heidi Chiandussi
Heidi Chiandussi Amen !
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Penelope Rhome
Penelope Rhome thank you Lord for blessing me this day amen
November 13, 2015
  • 3
Randy Branson II
Randy Branson II Thank you Pastor Todd for this encouraging word! I have been reading your devotions for about 2 years, and they have definitely helped me on my walk with the Lord! Thanks again!!
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Randy. Have a blessed weekend!
November 13, 2015
  • 4
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson  Lord help me to block out the noise so I can hear you clearly. Thank you for the love you show me everyday and for the blessings you give me.  I want to hear you always.  May everyone have a peaceful and blessed weekend.  Amen!
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Myrna Gonzalez
Myrna Gonzalez edited: November 13, 2015 Amen,Thank u Pastor Todd for your devotionals they keep me going .May u all have a blessed wknd n let us pray for each  other.
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Joey Smith
Joey Smith Amen, thank you Pasttor Dion for sharing the word of the Lord it is always a blessing to start the day with wors from the Lord.
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Norman Glaze Sr
Norman Glaze Sr Amen.
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Samantha Greer
Samantha Greer Amen! I so needed to read this! Thank you for your daily devotions and creating a God friendly environment. ☺
November 13, 2015
  • 2
Iris Parlin
Iris Parlin Thank you Lord! Amen!
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Twila Stierwalt
Twila Stierwalt I am so thankful that Jesus is my shepard, I pray that I will know His voice and to keep following Him.
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Love that :)
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady Amen! I hear His small still voice in my dreams sometimes. On those occasions I wake up feeling joyful and blessed. He is so good to me!
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Amen!  Since I am not perfect, I know I need to listen more.
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Maria Madrid
Maria Madrid Me too.. I tend to talk a lot but haven't been listening.
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Karen Pasquinelli
Karen Pasquinelli Thank you for sharing Maria and God Bless
November 14, 2015
  • 1
Kathy Banfield
Kathy Banfield I was speechless after reading this devotional. The same thing happened to me this past January! For an entire month, I really believe God was speaking to me between 3 a.m and 7 a.m. A few days, I was actually in a trance-like state and felt the strong presense of the Holy Spirit; I kept a journal of all the things I heard and wish I could sense God's Spirit again! If anyone else can relate, please email me, as I'd love to coorespond with others who reveled in the "Fourth Watch." I really thought I was going crazy that month!
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Maria Madrid
Maria Madrid I used to wale up now and then between this hours, but ever since my cancer diagnosis in 2013 to the present it's almost been every night, I usually watch some tv but also speak to Jesus in my mind and in my heart, now I know that he's been trying to speak to me. I also have dreams that for some reason are different than others and mean something specially right now.
November 13, 2015
  • 1
Marcia Bailey
Marcia Bailey  I do awake during those hours in the morning and just taught I'm not getting a proper night rest.Thank you so much for today's word,  I love it
November 14, 2015
  • 1
Ticardo Williams
Ticardo Williams Amen.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Lord Help me to walk in connection with You Today!
November 14, 2015
  • 1
Dorene Glaze
Dorene Glaze Amen!
November 14, 2015
  • 1
Heide Garner
Heide Garner well God sure knew this hit homeforme a storm that,s roaring alright as let fear worry be a descenin  base bease I,m afraid oh Iwish I was  not so afaid of the unknow time cahanges the emeny knows are old ways are with us if take are eyes off him were in trouble whoops.
November 15, 2015
  • 1
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor, for the great message!
November 16, 2015