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Through the storms!
'THE WEATHER CHANGED ABRUPTLY, AND A WIND OF TYPHOON STRENGTH... BLEW US OUT TO SEA' ACTS 27:13
Paul travelled a lot and so he knew that at any time the conditions might change for the worse. It wasn't just the weather he had to watch out for either; people's attitudes towards him changed too. Even some of his closest friends walked out on him (2 Timothy 4:9-12). So what lessons can we learn from this?
1) Life involves storms but they do pass. 'When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved' (Acts 27:20 NIV). There will be days when you'll wonder how you're going to make it but by God's grace you will!
2) Storms show how well you know God. 'Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul,"' (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). It's the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.
3) True leaders stand out in an emergency. In this story the ship's crew had to throw stuff overboard and then in an attempt to get to dry land they got stuck. Paul stood up and spoke words of faith that enabled everyone to carry on.
4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach the island of Malta with the Gospel. Notice what happened to Paul as he left the island: 'When the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip (Acts 28:10 NLT). Stop worrying, God will provide what you need; you're His child and you will get through the storms!
written by Bob Gass
'THE WEATHER CHANGED ABRUPTLY, AND A WIND OF TYPHOON STRENGTH... BLEW US OUT TO SEA' ACTS 27:13
Paul travelled a lot and so he knew that at any time the conditions might change for the worse. It wasn't just the weather he had to watch out for either; people's attitudes towards him changed too. Even some of his closest friends walked out on him (2 Timothy 4:9-12). So what lessons can we learn from this?
1) Life involves storms but they do pass. 'When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved' (Acts 27:20 NIV). There will be days when you'll wonder how you're going to make it but by God's grace you will!
2) Storms show how well you know God. 'Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul,"' (Acts 27:23-24 NIV). It's the tough times that reveal the strength of your God-connection.
3) True leaders stand out in an emergency. In this story the ship's crew had to throw stuff overboard and then in an attempt to get to dry land they got stuck. Paul stood up and spoke words of faith that enabled everyone to carry on.
4) Often the worst thing that could have happened turns out for the best. God used this shipwreck to reach the island of Malta with the Gospel. Notice what happened to Paul as he left the island: 'When the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip (Acts 28:10 NLT). Stop worrying, God will provide what you need; you're His child and you will get through the storms!
written by Bob Gass
