Dear Beloved in Christ,
Good morning!
As I think about our current situation I am realizing to think less of the circumstances and more about Christ, His marvelous plans and His kingdom work. May God bless you as you look to Him this glorious day.
~~~
Psalm 136:1-4
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever.
~~~
Song
Romans 11 Doxology
Prayer
Scripture Reading Acts 27
Song
New Every Morning
In Acts 27 we see the Apostle Paul living his life in an ungodly, tough sinful, unbelieving world. Paul’s world was full of war, corrupt governments, power hunger, lust, hatred, greed, prejudice, selfishness, poverty, disease, slavery, pride, deceit and idolatry. How did this man of God survive in a world much like ours today? Seeing him in Acts chapter 27 will help with that question.
Ask yourself a few questions about the narrative in Acts 27 and you will understand more about your God, your circumstances and your life. When this happens the truth will set you free as it did the Apostle Paul.
Was Paul called by God unto salvation? Yes.
Was Paul a godly man? Yes.
Was Paul called to serve God? Yes.
Was Paul in the center of God’s will? Yes.
Did the world listen to Paul in verse eleven? No
Was Paul afraid to confront the men on the ship who did not listen to him? No.
Was Paul concerned for their lives? Yes.
Was Paul trusting in the promises of God for his life and well being? Yes.
Did Paul believe he could prematurely die? No.
Did Paul believe his life was in the hands of men? No.
Did Paul believe his life was in the hands of God? Yes.
Did Paul believe God was sovereign? Yes.
Did Paul believe in the providence of God? Yes
Did Paul have enemies, misunderstood, experience hardship, pain, suffering, loss, and fatigue? Yes.
Did Paul question or think as a child of God he should not experience this trauma? No.
Did Paul lose his focus on God and the purpose of his life? No.
Did Paul believe that God would or could forsake him? No.
Did Paul lose faith and truth in Jesus because of the shipwreck? No.
Was Paul shaking his fist at God in bitter anger saying, “God why me?” No.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
...in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
In Romans 8:18 Paul says,
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Did Paul believe what God inspired him to write in Romans 8:28? Yes.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
If you know Christ as Lord and Savior is Paul’s God your God? Yes.
Trust Him!
~~~
2 Thessalonians 3:16,18
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
God bless you.
Pastor Steve
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When you have a few minutes this is worth watching and passing on.