The Daily Dose

His-Story

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”   Revelation 1:3

Finally!  The book of Revelation!  The last book of the New Testament and the Bible.  I am so excited to go through this book with you all and I pray you will be blessed!  For years I avoided it for a few reasons.  1. I told myself “I won’t be here when it happens, so it doesn’t really apply to me”.   2. I felt like it was a mystery that I could never understand.  However, when I realized that the meaning of Revelation is revealing, I was pretty sure God was not trying to hide His revelation from me.   3. I was mostly afraid of what I vaguely knew about it and didn’t want to think about things to come.  I didn’t realize that right at the beginning of the book in verse three, there is a special promise of blessing for those who read it, heed it and keep what is written in the book of Revelation.  You are assured the special blessing of God on your life when you take the time to read this book, listen to what this book is revealing to your heart and then hold on to that revelation in your daily life.

I came to this realization many years ago when I was listening to the books of the Bible on my Bible app. When I got to Revelation, I was hesitant to listen, but then I thought maybe listening to it would make it easier to understand.  As I began to hear the words and continued through each chapter, I began to notice that it seemed to keep coming back to the recurring theme that the plans of the “Antichrist” (God’s enemy) were being continually prevented.  My perception up to that point had always been that Revelation was a book about Satan tormenting God’s people.  Finally, it dawned on me . . . Oh, the book of Revelation is still His story!  Revelation is not a shift in the Bible from being God’s love story to Satan’s hate story.  It is still God’s story and still His Book!  The entire book of Revelation is written from heaven in the presence of God and He continues to interfere with the enemy’s plan, who is trying once again to rule over God’s people and creation.  The book of Revelation is the climatic ending of epic proportion of God’s book where His enemy is finally put away forever, never to be heard of again.  It’s the ending of the best book ever written God’s Book!! (The final battle scene)

This realization stirred up such a hunger in me to listen to it over and over again.  Until the point that now it is my favorite book in the entire Bible.  Then, just over five years ago, I completed a verse-by-verse study of the book.  So much I have learned from it.  My perspective has totally changed, and I no longer have any fear of God’s coming events.  It truly is a book of Revelation and a book of God’s blessing!

So today I want to invite you to join me as we venture through the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. If you have previously been of the mindset that I was, thinking it’s not for you, today I challenge you to take a closer look and see what blessing He has for you in it.  For me, the blessing started when I realized it was not the Antichrist’s book, but the conclusion of God’s love letter where He will put away His enemy and mine for all eternity!!  I pray each day that you will be blessed as we walk through this prophecy of Revelation, section by section. Please take time to pray over it each day for the revelation that He has for you in it.  Read through it slowly, and I can promise you a special blessing will come out of it, but don’t take my word for it.  Take God’s!  He’s the one that promised you would be blessed for reading, hearing and keeping it until the end is here!

Today’s scripture reading:  Revelation 1:1-3

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 

2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 

3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Unstoppable Faith

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.  Acts 28:30-31

In today’s dose, we are finishing up the book of Acts.  I hope you have enjoyed reading through this book. It is one of my favorites because of the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit that inspired the first Christians to walk out their lives and calling with unstoppable faith. This book always motivates and energizes me to follow the examples of these believers. Acts shares many details of the establishment and growth of how the Christian faith began. It also shows us how Christianity was able to spread to the nations of the world.  It is much more than a history book of Christian faith.  It is the foundation for living a life of faith in God successfully.  Below are four points for us to look at today and decide if our relationship with our Savior is based on these foundations.

1. Walking out God’s mission in the middle of adversity –Jesus told the disciples at the beginning of Acts to go tell the good news to all the nation.  There was little if any warning about the objections and trouble they would face while on the mission.  Having ministered with Jesus for the three years before, the disciples had already experienced trouble being part of the journey.  They held on to Jesus’ command and persevered through the opposition and kept focused on the goal of reaching the lost.

Our objective and assignment is the same today.  As God’s people, we are to grow up in our faith so that we can help and lead others to Him. We may not have three years of walking closely with the Holy Spirit and growing up in the things of God like the disciples did, but we can always encourage others along the way.  In the growing process, troubles and tests will come, but keeping our eyes on the One Who sent us will empower us to overcome every obstacle that tries to trip us up.

2. Be confidence in God’s Promises – All through the book of Acts, the people of God continually encouraged and reminded each other of the promises of God in the scriptures and that Jesus gave them.  Holding on to these promises resulted in the joy and rewards of carrying out the mission they were given.  God’s promises were what they turned to when fear tried to break into their peace and stop them. 

The promises of God are with us still today in His word.  That is why it is essential to spend time with Him and His word each day.  The more of God’s promises you hide in your heart, the more you will be reminded of them when you feel the pressure to give up or move on from the work you are currently doing.  When the onslaught of fear and anxiety threaten you, turn immediately to the peace of God’s promises.  Stop the spirit of fear in its tracks before it comes out of your mouth.  Instead, speak out what God says and your faith will be put into action instead of the fear.

3. Continue in prayer – The Christians of the first church met often together to pray and encourage one another.  Many times, they came together daily.  In taking time to connect and pray together, their commitment to the mission was strengthened and as they prayed for boldness to share, the Holy Spirit’s power was released to allow them to be persistent and never back down in their message of the truth of God’s love for all people.

In the same way that it is essential for us to spend time with God and His promises (scripture) each day, it is equally important for us to get together with other believers in person to connect and pray for one another.  We need each other and it is so powerful to share with other believers what you are struggling with and also what you have been able to overcome.  Your stories will inspire others to boldness and theirs will motivate you to keep up the good fight of faith.  Then take time to pray together and continue to pray for each other when you are apart.  Coming together for weekend services and regularly getting together in a small group setting is not negotiable.  It is vital to the life of your mission to take the time to reconnect with others that also need your presence to keep them focused when life happens.

4. Always be watching for divine appointments – As the Christians in Acts shared the message of salvation and came together to minister to one another, God continually orchestrated divine appointments.  The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of people that would be in place at just the right moments to hear the word of God’s love.  These early Christians welcomed all who came to them, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without being hindered by the circumstances surrounding them.

God is still arranging these appointments for us today.  By positioning ourselves to meet with Him each morning in prayer and worship, we can be more aware of these divine meetings when they happen.  Always be on the look out to encourage and bless others as opportunity provides.  Whether an inspirational word, an invitation to a group or weekend service or even quietly slipping a $20 bill to someone in need.  These acts of love coupled with the hand of God’s Spirit can be the very seed that pulls someone’s heart closer to their decision to receive God’s great salvation.

Today I want to encourage you to consider and learn from the book of Acts when challenges come.  Embrace God’s calling and assignment with unwavering faith and courage.  Don’t pray for opportunities to go away or to be hidden and protected away from the world.  Instead, pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to persevere in prayer and in boldly proclaiming the goodness of God’s love while remaining open to divine appointments.  Despite the obstacles you may face, trust God’s promises and press forward with unstoppable faith, knowing that He is with you every step of the way.  Allow the inspiring examples of the first Christians to ignite a fire of faith in your heart to propel you forward on your journey of courage and conviction.  Embrace God’s calling with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit knowing that nothing can stand in the way of His purposes being fulfilled in your life when you do.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 28:17-31

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 

18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 

20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 

22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 

24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 

25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 

26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’

28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 

31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Who’s next

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 4:12-17

Here we go!  Jesus begins His public ministry and surprisingly, His message is the same as John the Baptist’s was.  Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is coming.  I like the wording of this in the NKJV because it says the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Jesus told the people of His day that the kingdom of God was within their reach.  When Jesus finished His ministry here in the world, he passed the torch to the disciples who also preached the kingdom of heaven.

So, what exactly is the kingdom of heaven that John, Jesus and those after them were talking about?  Were they talking about the place where God lives in Heaven beyond this world and universe?  Were they talking about when Jesus will set up His kingdom here on the earth?  No, the kingdom of heaven that they were talking about is kingdom principles that govern the life of a person who is submitted to the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is why they taught the people that kingdom living was with in their reach right here in this world.  Sure, sin is still here and will continue, but the body of Christ, the people of God, live and operate in a different kingdom.  The kingdom of light.  So now we shine the light right in the middle of the darkness.  We live in the dark world, but the Light of the kingdom of heaven lives in us.  When we live our lives the way Jesus lived His life, we are the light that this dark world is desperately seeking.

Not only are we the light by loving the lost and hurting people of the world, but we also have the same message that Jesus had.  We tell others about the life of repentance and living by the kingdom of light so that when we are gone, they can continue the work that Jesus started thousands of years ago.

Today I want to encourage you to be the light wherever you go.  Don’t gossip and complain like those without a Savior do.  Instead, be kind, loving and generous to those who are outside so that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)  Then teach them how to share the message of repentance and to love others the kingdom of heaven way, so that they will continue this work long after you are gone from this world.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 4:12-17

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,

14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

The Sword of the Sprit

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”  Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’  Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”   Matthew 4:4,7,10-11

These verses in Matthew were taken from the passage when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.  I wanted to highlight Jesus’ responses because He responded with divine wisdom, but not beyond what we can do.  He is our ultimate example, and if we follow what He did in His life we can be successful in our life.

So, in this passage, He gives us such a clear path to follow when we face temptation.  First of all, if Jesus was tempted, we know it isn’t sinful to be tempted.  It is only sin when you yield and give in to temptation.  Next, Jesus is clear on how to resist it.  He doesn’t argue with Satan, He doesn’t ignore or avoid the temptation.  He cuts it down with His Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Eph. 6) Each response He gives to all of Satan’s temptations are quotes from God’s Word.  That is why the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:13 that with every temptation, we have a “way of escape”.  That “way” is the Word of God!

When you read this passage in full, notice that Satan also quoted Psalms 91 (He will give His angels charge) to Jesus to try to trick Him.  But the power of God’s Word was only released when spoken in faith from the mouth of Him who believed it,  Jesus.

God’s Word has that same potential for power when we speak it in faith, but we have to believe it.  We know that faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God according to Romans 10:17.  That is why it needs to be spoken out loud.  So, we continually “hear” it to grow our belief and faith.  The verse doesn’t say faith comes from reading and reading the Word of God, we must hear it.

Today I encourage you to start overcoming temptation by speaking God’s Words every day, then believe what you hear.  The difference is speaking in faith and believing, not simply knowing what God said!  Follow the example Jesus gave us and draw your Sword of the Spirit to take down temptation as soon as it comes.  Speak the truth of God’s Word to the enemy’s lies and defeat him every time!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.

3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Finally

Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.  Acts 28:16

Have you ever been on a long trip with young passengers that inevitably ask that dreaded question, “Are we there, yet?” Sometimes it comes very early on in your travels.  Children just don’t seem to understand time and distance and get impatient when they have to sit still for a very long time.

I wonder if the apostle Paul ever felt this way as he traveled to Rome.  It was not just a few short hours or days.  His journey took months to reach his destination.  When he left Caesarea, it was probably a few weeks before they landed at Fair Haven, which was before they ran into the 14-day storm.  Then after swimming ashore at Malta, they spent another three months there for the winter.  Finally, they boarded a ship and headed for Rome with another series of stops that added over another week to the journey.  Through it all, I didn’t once hear Paul say, “Are we there yet?”  If fact, I don’t even know if her was really ready to reach Rome.  It was an uncertainty for sure.  Except, he knew that God was taking him there for a reason and he was ready to tell others about the way of salvation when he got there.

Notice, all along the way as he traveled, he did the same thing that he was called to do at Rome.  Preached the love of God in the gospel message.  He didn’t wait until he got to Rome to start up his ministry again, he just continued to do it wherever he was forced to be at the time.  Through many test, trials, setbacks and even shipwreck, he used each opportunity to lead others to Jesus.  There was no, “Are we there, yet?” questions because to Paul, he was always there.  Wherever he was, he was there to do ministry and fulfil his mission.

Finally, he made it to Rome, and once again, time to get to work.  Not time to wait until he went before Caesar, but time to lead others to the Lord Jesus.  Paul really didn’t know that when he arrived at Rome, he would be separated from the rest of the prisoners and be permitted to live by himself with his own private bodyguard.  Of course, his friends, Luke and Aristarchus were with him also.  It really looked like God had thought of every detail because He did.

This leads me to ask the question to myself.  Do I get impatient on the journey of my life, or do I just do what I am called to do each day no matter where I am on the journey?  Ideally, I recognize the hand of God on each step I take and proclaim His goodness and empowering grace wherever I go.  I don’t want to get impatient and ask, “When are we going to get to the good part?” or “When will things start to be easier?”  I want to enjoy where I am each leg of the journey knowing that my God is with me and taking me through every storm and shipwreck that may happen along the way.

Today I want to encourage you to love and enjoy the life you have been given.  Live each day on your mission and purpose.  Don’t let stress of the unknown weigh you down, instead, trust that the Holy Spirit is leading you and making each step to take plain and clear.  When it feel like it is taking a long time to get to where you want to be, don’t complain about having to sit and wait.  Praise God right where you are and make ways to do your ministry no matter what is going on around you.  I want to leave you with this final encouraging scripture in 1 Peter 3:10-12 that says: “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.  Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do and speak evil.”

The actual formula for loving life and seeing good days:

1. Refrain your tongue from evil speaking, complaining and speaking lies and deceitful words.
2. Turn aways from evil ways and do good acts of kindness and love.
3. Seek peace in every situation and chase/pursue after it.

The rewards of loving life and seeing good days:

1. God’s eye of protection and grace will be on you.
2. His ears will be open to your prayers and requests.
3. His face will not be against you but for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 28:11-16

11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 

12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 

13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 

14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 

15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

kindness has a cost

And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.  Acts 28:2

 When Paul and the rest of the shipmates arrived on the island of Malta, the natives there showed them unusual kindness.  They all made it to shore, which was great, but once there, it was about to turn into another decision.  Now what?  I’m sure they wondered when they got there, what do we do next?  But just on time, the natives showed up and showed kindness and hospitality.  We know this was not their normal response because the passage says that it was unusual kindness, meaning it didn’t usually happen.

As I read through the passage, it struck me that each group of people there had a part and they all contributed in some way to what was playing out.  Notice first, that the natives welcomed them to the island by using their resources to supply heat and a dry place for all to dry out after swimming to shore.  Keep in mind that there were 276 of them that made it to land.  It must have been quite a big fire to be able to reach 276 people.  Even Paul got involved by putting more wood on the fire.  He was not the host or even someone working there, but he helped out with kindness by giving of his hand.

This is not an isolated instance for Paul, throughout the entire chapter, we have seen that Paul was a worker and always gave of his time and resources.  His kindness to others was demonstrated by valuing people no matter what the cost.  That’s what kindness is.  It is giving of your time, resources and energy to make others feel more important than the things around you.

I have never thought of kindness as a gift.  The scriptures tell us that it is fruit that shows up when the Holy Spirit is present.  However, the gift part is when giving kindness.  When you show kindness to others, you are giving and giving is the way that we become and example of Who Jesus is and what He gave to save us.  He spared no expense in His act of love and kindness to give everything He had down to His last breath so we could be reconciled to God our heavenly father.  Now we are the ones that spare no expense to show others the love of God in our lifetime.  You cannot be kind without giving something.  Don’t set a limit on what you will give to show others God’s love today.  When you are willing to give it all, kindness will show up where ever you go.

Today I want to encourage you to do your part in being kind to all people.  Don’t let selfishness, pride and lack of resources stop you.  Instead, give of your time, energy and money to invest in the eternity of those around you.  When you do, you will begin to understand that this is the reason you have been given life, health and resources, to help others in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 28:1-10

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 

2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 

4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 

5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 

6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 

8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 

9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 

10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

Suffer Loss

And the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Acts 27:44

 A couple weeks ago I was editing a project on my computer. The program that I was using did not have an “auto save” option so I purposefully remembered to select the save button regularly so I wouldn’t lose all my progress.  I was down to the last day after a week of shifting, correcting and enhancing when I was about to make one last change, the document had disappeared.  When I finally found it, I immediately selected save to make sure that I wouldn’t lose the work I had done the week before.  A message box appeared and said that I was about to change a saved document.  In my panic, I said “yes”.  Before I realized what I was doing, all the adjustments I had made were gone and the document saved back to it’s original form.  I was frantic now as I searched my history and all of the places, I could have possibly saved a backup copy.  Still nothing.  I sat hopelessly looking at my computer, totally giving up all hope of recovering the important report I had spent so much time on. I thought about praying and even did some, but I knew that I had caused the error, and I also knew there was little chance of finding it again.  I felt like crying, and I thought about other times when this had happened to others and even myself. 

In the grand scheme of things this was really a very little matter.  The only person that it really affected was me.  I considered my options and came to the conclusion that I would just have to start over again.  My greatest concern was that I would remember all the changes I had made and be able to duplicate them. With God’s help this would be possible.

I am sure we have all experienced the loss of possessions or even important documents at different times in our lives.  Some of the bigger things that I can think of was when my son lost his first car in an auto accident.  Of course, I was so thankful that he was completely without injury.  Yet it deeply hurt to watch him go through the disappointment and even regret of how the situation could have been different and he would still have his car.  Of course, now, many years later, he never even thinks about that car and has had many since.  Things are replaceable, yet they still cause great disappointment when they are gone.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul was finally off the weather-beaten ship that had now broken apart in the storm.  Everything on the ship was lost and although Paul was technically a prisoner, I am sure he had some belongings with him.  He also had some friends with him, Luke and Aristarchus, who also made it to shore safely.  I think about what personal items they may have lost along the way and the potential that they could have lost some of their writings.  Especially Luke who documented accounts of their journeys daily and Paul wrote letters often.  How devasting if those were lost.  At the time, I am sure they had no idea that those documents would encourage and lead the church for years to come.  I am so thankful that God protects His words so that they will never be lost.  In the grand scheme, I know they were thankful to be alive and although they probably felt bad about losing some things, they still trusted God to restore what they needed.

I am so thankful for the things I have in life that make ministry possible and quite frankly make my life easier.  If I were to lose my comforts, would I still be thankful for my life and use it to the fullest or would I sulk because of the things I no longer possessed.  God is not against us having things, but he is against things having our heart.  He knows that material belongings will always wear out, get broken and disappoint us.  However, when we give our heart to him, He will always provide what we need to get His purpose accomplished. That is where our greatest joy and fulfilment come from.

Today I want to encourage you not to cling to earthly things.  Yes, they can make life easier and even more enjoyable, but they can never fill the empty space inside of each one of us that was made for God to live in.  Invite Him each day to sit on the throne of your heart then when you suffer loss, whether it is something big like a vehicle or as small as a document, He will comfort and supply you with whatever you need to get through those times.  Get a “big picture” view today and realize what is most important in this world . . . your life saved and all others.

If you have never received God’s great gift of salvation, do that today.  You can ask Him to come in right now and sit on the throne of your heart.  Pray this prayer from your heart and He will come in and save you.  He will provide everything that you need to accomplish the plan He has designed you for.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:39-44

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 

40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 

41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 

43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 

44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

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 great in this life if you could take everyone around you to heaven with you when you go?  That everywhere you went, all people would have the opportunity to hear the message of salvation and then receive it?  That’s what happened with the apostle Paul, everywhere he was, he told everyone there about the good news of Jesus.  Some received salvation and some received seeds, but all receive something.

In today’s reading, it is truly amazing that Paul went from being the person on the ship that no one would listen to, to being the one making all the decisions.  After he spoke up and told the crew that an angel had stood by him, and reminded the leaders that his advice was to stay at the last port for the winter, he gained great credibility.  Now he was able to keep prisoners from escaping, got everyone to eat, prayed with them all and every life was saved on the ship.  Everything he said, they did because they believed his words. This was a big turnaround in this voyage.  If they had continued to go by their own wits and not heeded Paul’s advice, they all would have lost their lives out in that storm.

Paul depended on God to get him through the storm, but he also did his part.  He didn’t just tell people what to do, he told what he heard from God.  It didn’t always make sense and it wasn’t always easy, but he followed what the Lord showed him and he spoke what the Holy Spirit told him.

You can have a big turnaround in your life too.  By pressing in and listening to what the Holy Spirit is showing you today in your life, you can have an immediate change in your direction in life.  You will also bring those with you along.  Even if they have not yet received God’s great love for them, they will watch as your life transforms in front of them.  Following what you hear the Holy Spirit speak to your heart or what He shows you in the scriptures will not always make sense to those watching.  In fact, you may even experience some resistance as others give you feedback but stay the course and you will avoid tragic outcomes that your enemy is trying to lead you to.

Today I want to encourage you to move toward your great turnaround.  If you have been caught in a storm for a while or even if you just don’t have His peace in every area of life, step close to Him today by spending time praising and worshiping and listening intently to the direction He is pointing you.  Your storm may not stop immediately, but you will have His peace. Then ask Him for His empowering grace to get you through to your victory and thank Him that your great turnaround is on the way!

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.

Encouraged in your storm

Saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  Acts 27:24

Sometimes the storms of life rage so violently that it can be hard to hear anything not to mention the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit on the inside.  When the craziness of life turns things upside down, if often feels like all you can do is panic.  Trying to make good decisions in that time of urgency can almost feel impossible, but you got to do something, right?  If you are anything like me, you pretty much feel obligated to do something in those stressful seasons to try anything possible to calm the storm, but the truth is, you can actually have peace right in the middle of it.

In today’s reading, the ship Paul was sailing to Rome on got caught in a storm and could not get out.  It was days, even weeks that the crew battled to keep the ship on course.  Everyone on board was seasick from being tossed around in the winds for nearly two weeks.  The passage says that they were at the point where all hope of surviving the tempest was gone.  They had given up the fight because all hope was lost.  Finally, Paul heard from God.  He had sent an angel to stand with Paul and encourage him.  Paul was given peace right in the middle of the storm and he was able to share that peace and message with the entire crew.  He encouraged them to cheer up and eat so they could have enough strength to make it to shore.  Nothing really changed in that moment, the storm didn’t go away.  Yet, they were all given hope that changed the way they were thinking.  That is when they got up, ate and pressed on until they were able to get to land.

That’s what happens when you hear from the Holy Spirit on the inside of your heart.  Nothing is going to change in your circumstance until it first changes in your heart.  When you hear something on the inside or a scripture resonates with your spirit to let you know that God is with you and will take you through to victory.  That is when peace comes.  Though the storm may still be raging and the winds still blowing you around, you have hope and now you have something to anchor it to . . . the “word” that He gave you.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever storm you are in, to press in to what the Lord wants you to hear and say about your situation.  Wait there with thanksgiving until you hear those encouraging words that bring peace.  Then take hold of that scripture or Word and begin to thank Him for it.  Thank Him that He has given you hope and peace and thank Him that He is calming the circumstances around you.  Then continue to thank Him every time you think of the storm or see the results of it.  It won’t be long at all when you begin to see a shift and the end in sight.  Thank Him for the victory that He has planned and prepared for you because you know He will always take you there.  Then remember and even write down how He rescued you so that you are ready when the next storm comes to try to push you around.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:13-26

13When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 

14But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 

15So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 

16And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 

17When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 

18And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 

19On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 

20Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 

22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 

23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 

24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 

25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 

26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

Well pleased

But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.  Matthew 3:15

John the Baptist objected to baptizing Jesus, but when I think about this I wonder, who else would have done it.   There was no one else around that had the revelation of baptizing people.  At least not that we can see in scripture.  He finally agrees to do it with a little coaxing from Jesus. Jesus tells John that this is the way God the Father planned it to work out.  When Jesus came out of the water, there was a voice from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I whom very pleased.”

I always thought that God was pleased with Jesus because He was perfect and was better than everyone else.  However, the real reason Jesus pleased the Father was because He fulfilled His plan and mission in the world.  Yes, He was perfect and never sinned, but God the Father was glorified in Jesus submitting His will to God each day.

Think about it, why did Jesus need to be baptized?  He didn’t have an old sinful nature that needed to be put to death, buried, and raise up with Jesus.  Jesus hadn’t even died yet, so He couldn’t be baptized into the body of believers.  Jesus was baptized because it was a step of obedience in the assignment He was given to complete here in the world.

We too have an assignment and mission while we are here in the world.  When we submit to our Father in heaven each day and walk out the plan He made for us, He is well pleased with you and me in the same way.  Psalms 139:16 tells us that God planned everyday of our lives before we even took our first breath.  You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Today I want to encourage you to submit every area of your life to the plan God has written for you.  Thank Him for His good plans and that He knows you so well to put together such a unique and special assignment.  Then thank Him for making it clear and plain so that you can follow that path and accomplish all that is in His heart for you.  Glorify His name as you reach others and impact your world for the Kingdom of Heaven and look forward to the day at the end of your deployment to hearing those words: “This is my precious and love child in whom I am well pleased!  Well done My good and faithful one!”

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”