Acts 27:22-24 (NLT)
"But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night, an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ' Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness had granted safety to everyone sailing with you."
Praise the LORD everyone truly it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord! There is more reason to give Him Glory and Honor because of who He is. The Bible declares, "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they existed because you created what you pleased" Revelation 4:11 (NLT).
Today, I'm excited to encourage you, in spite of the storms we face in life, we are not forsaken no matter the trial. We are living in the last days, and nothing we see around us and in our lives should catch us by surprise. Paul the Apostle, a servant sold out for Christ, encouraged Timothy, a young man who he took under his wings, as his son to, "Keep a clear mind in every situation. Dont be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you" 2 Timothy 4:5 (NLT). Troubles, persecutions, trials, sorrow, and pain are expected to cross our path, but the Lord wants to prepare us to be ready at all times.
So, how can we be ready? Day by day, it's imperitative to meditate upon the Word, pray, fast and desire a hunger for more of God-that His voice becomes the compass in your ship. We must also encourage one another and "preach the word of God." Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching" 2 Timothy 4:2, (NLT). For in times of storms, you might be "Shipwrecked but not forsaken."
My dear brothers and sisters, I love you with the love of the Lord and desire that we all walk in His marvelous light. "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT). Glory to God! This is the Word from the Lord.
During my recent travels, cruising on the Atlantic Ocean, I was able to see God's beautiful creation. One night, as I looked out on my deck at the deep blue sea, I started imagining the depth of the sea. Imagining all the creatures that resides below the ocean, and then my imagination took me even further to wonder what if someone gets stranded on the ocean, who would they turn to? Can you imagine?
This brought my mind instantly to Paul's journey during his mission in Acts 27. Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit not only saved his life, but the lives of others who were on that ship.
Acts 27:30-32, states, "Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers to cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away." The Holy Spirit will direct our steps, if we yield to God's commandments. Paul's confidence in Christ, allowed him to not rely on a life boat but he allowed his God to be his compass in the time of a storm. Paul received the Word by the angel to take courage because none will lose their lives, even though the ship will go down.
It was confirmed that the ship was going to be wrecked, but all would survive.
Saints of God, Paul took joy in spreading the good news in spite of the Shipwreck. Let us be encouraged to do the same. The Promises of God stands above all our circumstances. For "we are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God"( 2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Let us continue to take joy, although Shipwrecked but not forsaken, our hearts will sing, whatever my lot, God has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul! Our lives are in the hands of the Lord. Take courage!
May the Lord continue to bless and keep you always. Let your light shine so that the world will know the way to eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Be blessed🙏🏻
2 Corinthians 5:11-13
Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the Psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke."
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