The Daily Dose

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.”

Ministry of baptism

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matthew 3:11

John the Baptist was baptizing people to repentance before Jesus stepped out into His public ministry.  These were not believers, but they were people ready to dedicate their life to following the Messiah when He came.  This was a new concept.  There was no one else baptizing at that time.  John was the only one and as He was baptizing people, he told them that the Messiah was coming at any time.  He spoke of the Messiah as if he knew Him personally and He did.  They were actually related, they were cousins.

Interestingly enough, John didn’t tell people who the Messiah was before it was the right time.  Even though John had known Jesus for his entire life, he wasn’t going around telling people that his cousin was the Messiah.  He did tell people that he, John was not the coming One and there was One coming after him that was greater than John.  John kept himself in check by remaining humble when he could have been boasting about their connection.  He kept the focus on the one that was coming after him and said he wasn’t even worthy to tie up his sandals.  He also said that when the Messiah comes, He will baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Now this was something that got attention.  Up until that point, only prophets and sometimes kings and priest had the Holy Spirit.  Now they were hearing that they too could get baptized with the Holy Spirit and His fire.  This was something to get excited about back then and it is for us today, too.  As believers and Jesus followers, we sometime forget the supernatural work that He did when we invited Jesus into our lives and made Him Lord.  We were a walking dead spirit brought to life by the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit of God.  Oh, that we would revel in knowing that God has done an amazing supernatural work and transformed us into a new creation that never existed before.  Think about it.

Today I want to encourage you by first of all saying: Messiah has come and paid the penalty of the sin of the world!  Take some time to think about and cherish the relationship you entered into at the point of your salvation.  Now think about how that relationship has grown over time and you are so much closer to Him today than ever before.  Lastly, share that repentance message with someone today and tell them how they can know Him personally.  Keep yourself humble and submit to His ways and you will see the work of the Lord show up in supernatural ways each day.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 3:7-12

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Missed opportunity

And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.  Acts 27:12

I wrote earlier in Acts about alternate endings.  When the apostle Paul was trying to go to Asia to preach the gospel, but it wasn’t working out.  Then he had a dream about someone calling him to go to Macedonia.  If Paul had pressed through and ignored the Holy Spirit, the results would be a totally different world than what we live in today.  There definitely would have been an alternate result of his ministry.

In the reading today, once again there could have been an alternate ending.  Paul was on his way to Rome and the ship that was taking him there needed to harbor for the winter.  However, because the majority of the crew did not find the harbor suitable to stay for that length of time, they decided to try to get to a harbor in Crete.  If they had heeded the warnings of Paul, they could have saved their cargo and their ship, not to mention spent the winter there with Paul and significantly impacted that region with the message of salvation.  As we know, anywhere Paul was there were signs, wonders and salvation.  This crew could have spent the entire winter becoming disciples of the good news message instead of almost dying in the great sea and losing all but their lives there.

As I consider alternate endings today, I sometimes see them as missed opportunities.  Many times, when following the plan of God, they are missed opportunities for failure, which I am happy to miss.  In the case of the passage today, it was a missed opportunity to spend time with Paul and mission out on learning much about the revelation he had been given in his lifetime.  We often do not recognize the opportunities we are missing because we are moved by the things we can see and figure out on our own.  If we would instead be led by God’s Spirit, we could capitalize on every opportunity He brings our way.  No matter how outlandish it may seem. 

Today I want to encourage you to be on the lookout for opportunities your heavenly Father may be trying to get you to step into.  One way to recognize them is if you are constantly being offered the same thing over and over.  For example, a job opportunity or a move of some kind that has some questions or even looks like a step backwards.  Often times, God is rerouting your life, and it can look like backtracking when it is actually a set up for a turn around.  Listen closely for the subtle hints He is giving you and when you have opportunities, don’t make your decisions based on your own understanding or what you think that others would expect you to do, or they would do themselves.  Instead, wait until the direction is plain and clear from the Holy Spirit, then ask Him to increase your faith, give you His empowering grace and strengthen His peace inside of you as you take steps in that direction.  Most times the steps will be slow and subtle so you can see things working out as you are faithful to get there.  We have an advantage over those in the world of the Holy Spirit inside of us.  Let’s start following His direction instead of following the blind leaders of the blind.  Before long, others will be wanting to hear how things always seem to work out for you and you can tell them about your secret weapon of your divine connection.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 27:9-12

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 

10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 

11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 

12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

Out of Control

And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.  Acts 27:1

 If you are anything like me, you like feeling as if you are in control of most things in your life.  Even if it is just on the surface, I feel safest when I am the one who is determining the choices I will make.  Many years I made decisions based on what was popular or what I wanted to do at the time, but I always seem to get myself in a place where I had little or no control over what happened next.  It was not wisdom that I followed or based my choices on, so often I would have to bear the consequences of foolishness.  It was very frustrating at times because I would have to call out to someone for help, usually financial, because I lived my life only thinking about me and mine.  In that position, it would have been easy to fall into a victim mentality, and sometimes I actually did.  But mostly, I was determined that I had gotten myself into the mess and it was up to me to get out. Thank goodness I had enough sense to call on God even when I was leaving Him out of most of my life.

Now I try to make my decisions base on God’s direction.  When I don’t know what is the right thing to do, I don’t go asking other people who don’t follow the Lord, I get godly counsel and especially press into to my heavenly Father for the plan.  He is faithful to be there and He always has a plan but what I do after that is follow it.  Most times it is totally different than I would have thought of and always it requires faith steps to believe that God is going to do His part after I make the way doing mine.

So in the reading today, it looked like Paul was up against some circumstances that he had no control over.  First of all, he was a prisoner, and most prisoners were at the mercy of the guards watching over them.  However, because Paul was trusting God and actually on the path God had planned for Him, there was favor with him wherever he was.  A man name Julius was in charge and actually showed kindness to Paul and those traveling with him.  Paul was even given permission to see friends and receive care and provisions from them.  This is amazing!  He was completely released on his own while they were in port at Sidon.  Even though he was obviously not in control, he was given freedoms.  Of course, we know this was only because he was living step by step following the plan of God for his life.

This is great news because we can have the same kind of favor and freedom right in the middle of storms and places that we are obviously out of our control.  Think about it at your job or when you go out any place in public.  Or those times when you are in a troubling trial, God’s favor can even reach you right there in the middle.

Today I want to encourage you to get in line with the plan of God for your life.  Listen and follow the directions He is speaking to your heart.  Then when you have times in life that are out of your control, you will see the One who is in control show up right in the middle of your struggle.  He will give you favor, and He will get you through to victory.  You can really only control one person in your life and that is you. Decide today that you are not going to make any more decisions without God’s help from His Spirit and His Word.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:1-8

1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 

2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 

3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 

4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 

5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 

6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 

8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

Except for

Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29

All of us have exceptions in our lives.  We all have things that we would not want others to have to carry or deal with.  Ideally, our job and goal is to duplicate ourselves in others.  That’s what discipleship is.  We teach others to love God and to tell others about His love for them.  Our job is to make disciples and hopefully, you are the kind of Christian that others want to be like.  Then there are the things that we don’t want to pass on.  Things like insecurities, pride, bad attitudes.  These are habits that most of us have but try to keep hidden for the most part.

In today’s reading, Paul makes a statement that is probably in the heart of each one of us.  He said to king Agrippa, that he prayed all who heard him would become like him…except for.  His “except for” was not a personal trait, but a conditions or position that he was in at the time.  He wanted all people to be a Christian and a witness, a preacher of the gospel, but not a prisoner. His desire for others was all the good and none of the bad.

Each day we all are faced with opportunities to be bold about our witness and also to make disciples, but the only way to have that bold spirit is to be filled up with the love and desire to make an impact on the lives that we encounter each day.  Paul had a deep desire for everyone to have a close relationship with his heavenly Father.  He knew how God had changed his life and wanted all people to know the unconditional love of God and that all would have an encounter like he did.  His desire to see people saved was so great that he prayed for others to receive, everywhere he went.

What about us today?  Are we the kind of witness that is so filled up with God’s love that we want all people to come to the knowledge of the truth?  Are we praying for people every where we go to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus?  Is it our hearts desire that all people know God’s unconditional love for them and experience it in their every day lives?  If not, we can start that today. We can make disciples and in the process we will not be focused on our “except for” just like Paul didn’t focus on his.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to pray for hearts to be ready to receive wherever you are, then pray for the boldness to speak the good news in love and kindness.  Ask for supernatural opportunities and ways to share.  He has given you everything you need to be a witness and a testimony, but it is up to you to take the steps.  Start today to be the kind of Christian that duplicates and desires all people to be like you, except for the chains that are holding you back.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:24-32

24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”

25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. 

26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; 31and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”

32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Obtain help from God

_{Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—Acts 26:22}

  I have had many opportunities in my lifetime to call out to God for help.  He was always faithful to rescue me, despite the self-inflicted reasons that I was in trouble.  Most times, God’s help didn’t show up the way I would imagine it would be. I would dream up some elaborate and excessive plan that I could see as a possibility, but His ways were usually simple and subtle.  One example is the many times I got behind on bills as a single mom.  I would always imagine a sudden and large flow of cash coming in so that I would not struggle in that area again.  But the help I obtained in those times was always just the help for what I needed in that moment.  Of course, I was thankful, but I didn’t really understand why He didn’t bring me a landslide income.  Now as I look back, I can see that He stayed with me every step of the way and in meeting my needs one at a time, It was for sure that I would keep calling on Him as needs came up.

Now I call on Him before the needs come.  I talk with Him each day, first thing so that I don’t have to worry about the supply of whatever I need that day.  I know He is with me and I know He is providing, step by step.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul, talking to King Agrippa, said he obtained help from God.  I am quite sure when he called out for help, he never imagined that the help would be being dragged off to prison.  This doesn’t look like much help at all.  But the help that Paul got from God in these times was God’s empowering grace to continue to walk out God’s plan, right in the middle of his circumstances.  Paul obtained help from God to:

1. Be obedient to the heavenly vision from Jesus to declare the message of the gospel to all peoples.
2. To turn to God in repentance
3. To do good works that displayed his repentance

All these things Paul did with God’s help wherever he was.  He didn’t pray for deliverance from oppression, although that often happened.  He didn’t pray that he would never get arrested again, either.  He only called on God for the grace to continue doing the will of God that he was called to.

What about you?  Do you obtain help from God in times of trouble?  Chances are it often looks different than you imagine it will.  God shows up when we call on Him, but it is rarely in the timing and process that we can imagine.  However, His grace flows to us to be strong in all our weak times and that is the greatest miracle of all.  He shows up and doesn’t conquer for us but gives us the strength to be more than a conqueror and be the overcomer that He designed us to be.

Today I want to encourage you to obtain help from God.  Calling on Him when you have trouble is good, but calling on Him before you have trouble is better.  Start each day with asking Him to go before you to make the way straight and clear, yes.  But also ask Him to be with you in any trouble that may come up.  He doesn’t cause the trouble, He just gives you the grace and everything you need to get through to your victory every time!

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:19-23

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 

21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 

22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 

23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Make a straight path

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ Matthew 3:3

This is an Old Testament scripture that prophesied the ministry of John the Baptist. His ministry came before Jesus’ to get people ready for the coming of the Messiah.  However, it is the same thing we are doing today.  Even though Jesus ministry started 2000 years ago, the ministry is still going on today and once again, we are looking for the coming of our Savior.  Many believe that as Christians, we only need to sit back and wait for Him, but I believe there is a work to be completed before He returns.  We are in that time right now and we are preparing the way for our Savior to return.

John’s message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is coming.”  We have the same message today.  Now more than ever, the world needs to know that Jesus is coming, and He wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (see 1 Timothy 2:4) They don’t need to hear a condemning message; they need the message that God loves them and doesn’t want anyone to perish.  2 Peter 3:9 says The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, and it’s not His will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  God wants all people in the world to know that He has made provision for them to be with Him for all eternity.  He never intended for people to go to hell.  That place was made for Satan and his demons, not for the people that God loved so much that He gave His only Son to connect us back to Himself and save us all.

So, what are we doing about it?  I doubt most of us are as loud as John the Baptist was and quite frankly, I don’t think he had a great revelation of the love of God.  However, He was effective, and many were drawn to him because he had a message of hope.  Hope for a future and hope that their salvation would soon be there.  We too have a message of hope and that is exactly what the lost people of the world need today.  We have the answers to the hurting, depressed, searching and afflicted people of society, so let’s fill our lives up with God’s love for these people so we can lead them to the answer to all their ailments, that is Jesus.

Today I want to encourage you to take a small step in faith toward someone who is lost and needs a Savior.  Share the message of salvation by telling how He saved you.  Share a scripture or a prayer with someone who is sick or hurting in some way or invite someone to attend weekend service or a small group with you.  You can even give extra offerings to missions abroad to reach others far away or support a local ministry that helps people get off the streets.  Seek the Lord’s direction and ask Him to send people your way that you can help.  He said: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  So don’t just sit around waiting for Jesus to come back, become a laborer today and get out there in the fields that are ready to be gathered in.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 3:1-6

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”

4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him

6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.