Acts 27 - 11.8.23

Scripture

Acts 27:30-32 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Observation

Paul was a prisoner but he lived his life in such a way that people listened when he spoke.

Application

In the previous chapter, Paul had made a request to present his case before Caesar. So he, along with other prisoners, soldiers, sailors, etc., were on a ship to Rome. During the long trip, they encountered a large storm that threatened to kill them all.

Now it gets interesting. The sailors (the experts in the situation) know the ship is going down, so they try to sneak off in the lifeboat. Paul, not a sailor (aka expert), warns the centurion and soldiers (the guys in charge) that if they let the sailors leave, then everyone will die. Instead of listening to the experts and jumping into the lifeboat themselves, the soldiers listened to Paul. And they let the lifeboat free. LIFEboat.

Paul’s whole life was about serving God. And because of the way he lived his life, people could not help but notice. Not everyone who came in contact with Paul immediately believed, but they were impacted because God was so clearly evident in every facet of his life. They might not have believed yet, but they could clearly see something different about Paul, and they respected him for it. There are other stories in the Bible of people who had favor with those in power because GOD was in and on them.

The people around us are watching to see if our actions match our words.

Prayer

God, I want to follow you so closely that people are pointed to you without me even saying a word. Please speak to me when I need an adjustment – to make sure that my life and my actions are reflecting you in all I do.

- Debbie Dunn

Psalm 5 - 11.7.23

Scripture: Psalm 5:1 – 3

Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.

Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Observation

God is so amazing! Just this last week, in preparation for this journal, I was reminded by the Lord to seek him in the morning.  Lately I’ve been convicted and encouraged to seek first the Lord. My thoughts went to “I must do it first thing in the morning!” God then shows me why in Psalm 5.

This Psalm begins with David’s prayer to “consider my lament.” Another word for lament is wailing or to cry out in great grief. He pleads with the Lord “Hear my cry for help.” David had a lot to pray about during this time. He was a great and mighty King but his own son, Absalom, was trying to kill him. Absalom wanted to overthrow his father’s throne. Can you imagine the betrayal and utter heartache David felt? I can see why he was lamenting and crying out before the Lord.

Application

David sees the importance to begin his day in prayer because he knows “you hear my voice.”  It’s also a time to “lay our requests before you.” When we pray, we can take comfort to know He hears our voice, also that we can lay our requests before the throne – to a God that loves and cares for you. What a great comfort to know the God of heaven hears our voice when we pray!

The end of verse 3 includes a key component to his prayer: the action of waiting “expectantly.”  The definition of “expectant” in Meriam-Webster Dictionary is “one who is looking forward to something” like expecting the birth of a child. David’s outlook is focused on the exciting results of the prayer not his current circumstances. He knows God is faithful. In waiting expectantly, he knows God will provide an answer. Sometimes the prayers are not answered exactly how we’re thinking but God’s ways are always perfect. He is God!  When we pray, we can be excited and expectant for what God will do!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for listening to my prayers. Help me seek you first every morning.  Seeking you first is my heart’s desire. Forgive me when I let the world’s busyness get in the way of spending time with you.  I will wait expectantly and excitedly for how you will answer my prayers because you’re a loving and good God who cares.

In conclusion, there’s a great worship song based on Psalm 5. It was originally sung by Maranatha Music in the early 1970s and then a short time later Love Song / Chuck Girard. Take a listen and worship the Lord through Psalm 5:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZGtokHzKQ

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 4 - 11.6.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

‭‭

Observation

This is a Psalm of David; a song to be sung with stringed instruments. King David was in distress when he wrote this. He was petitioning the Lord for relief and speaking out the truth of who he knows God to be. God hears and is trustworthy.

Application

Petition and worship the Lord when in distress. He hears us, is trustworthy and makes us dwell in safety. Also, share your stories with others!

For a few days last week (Wednesday night to Friday afternoon), I would say that I was in distress, worrying about the stomach pain of my daughter. She had to miss 2 days of school because of the pain and long story short, without Jesus, I would have been an utter mess. It is hard seeing your child in pain and not being able to do anything about it, but cuddle and encourage them through it.

Moses and I fasted and prayed on Thursday. I was singing the hymn “It is well with my soul” over myself and meditating on this verse through the peak of her pain.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This situation also encouraged me how important it is to reach out to others with Christ’s love for them. I do not know how the lost could deal with hard circumstances without Jesus and a church family. All the prayers, encouragement, SOAP journal posts last week and Pastor Katie’s sermon on Sunday strengthened me to get through those few days.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving me peace and helping me lie down and sleep through hard circumstances and distress. You are the only One who keeps me sane through hard situations. I pray for those going through distress right now. I also pray for those who don’t know You and that I would be bold to share my stories of how You’ve helped me and continue to help me through it all. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi