The big turnaround
And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. ~ Acts 27:35
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every person around us could come to heaven with us when our time on earth is done? Imagine if everywhere you went, people not only heard the message of salvation but also received it. That is exactly what happened with the apostle Paul. No matter where he was or who he was with, he shared the good news of Jesus. Some believed immediately, and others received seeds that would grow up later.
In today’s reading, something remarkable happened. Paul went from being the man on the ship whom no one listened to, to being the one who influenced every decision that was made. When he reminded the leaders that his earlier advice to stay in the last port would have been a better decision and told them an angel had stood beside him, he suddenly had the credibility he needed to make a difference. From that moment forward, his voice led the entire crew. He kept prisoners from escaping, encouraged everyone to eat, prayed with them, and ultimately helped save every single life on that ship from a watery grave. The very people who ignored him at first were now hanging on his every word. This was a huge turnaround in the voyage, and if they had continued relying on their own thinking instead of listening to Paul, the outcome would have been disastrous.
Paul trusted God to get him through the storm, but he also did his part. He didn’t simply give orders, he shared exactly what he heard from God. The instructions were not always logical, comfortable, or easy, but he followed what the Lord showed him and he spoke what the Holy Spirit placed in his heart.
You can experience a big turnaround too. When you make the choice to press in and listen carefully to what the Holy Spirit is speaking today, you open the door for immediate change in the direction of your life. And the people around you will be affected by that shift. Even if they haven’t received God’s love for themselves yet, they will see transformation happening in you. Following what the Holy Spirit speaks or what He highlights in scripture may not make sense to others, and sometimes it may even stir up resistance. But when you stay the course, you will avoid the traps the enemy tries to set and walk straight into the victory God planned.
Below are some ways to apply this passage and how to get started:
- Pause today and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to hear before making decisions
- Choose to obey even when the direction does not seem logical to others
- Strengthen your heart by reading scriptures that point toward God’s peace
- Notice when God is trying to give you credibility, courage, or influence in a situation
- Spend time praising and worshiping to quiet distractions so you can hear Him more clearly
- Thank God in advance for the turnaround He is preparing in your life
- Stay consistent in the small steps He gives you so you don’t miss the path forward
Today I want to encourage you to step toward your great turnaround. Spend time getting close to Him today by praising, worshiping, and listening for His direction. Even if the storm does not stop immediately, His peace will rise inside you. Ask Him for His empowering grace and thank Him that your turnaround is already moving toward you.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:27-38
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
Journal:
- What area of my life feels like it needs a turnaround right now?
- What has the Holy Spirit been whispering to my heart that I need to follow?
- What scripture brings me peace and direction today?
- How have I seen God give me influence or credibility in past storms?
- What step of obedience can I take today toward the direction He is pointing me?
The Daily Dose 