Acts 27 - 8.24.26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:21-26
“After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” “
OBSERVATION
The Apostle Paul was on a ship headed to Rome to appeal to Ceasar and was arrested by the religious leaders for spreading the Gospel message of Jesus. Paul was among other prisoners and soldiers on the voyage, and they set sail from Crete after leaving Judea at a wrong time in face of a storm that would destroy the ship. The other passengers were panicking, but Paul knew that God would ensure his safe passage to fulfill His Word. Paul not only gave the crew members, soldiers and prisoners encouragement, but he testified of the faithfulness of God even through the storm.
APPLICATION
Paul was truly walking by faith. I believe that the Lord put the Church in Rome on Paul’s heart. He wrote the Epistle to them saying that he wanted to visit them, and God was making Paul’s desire come to pass. Acts 23:11 states: “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” “
Jesus appeared to Paul and gave him instructions on what needed to be accomplished. This opportunity would give Paul closer proximity to the Church of Rome. If we know God’s will in our lives, we should not fear that any obstacle will hinder or stop God’s plan. If we receive a word from the Lord, that should be the driving factor that it will be completed. Another example is David who was anointed as king by Samuel before he fought Goliath. David did not have to fear for his life as he fought the giant because God already declared His will in David’s life to be king and a forefather of Jesus. If God has a calling in our life, we can expect that Satan, the world and our flesh will get in the way but will not overcome God’s purpose!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, your word in Isaiah 55:10-11 says
“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire.”
I thank You for the surety of Your word and promises in our lives. I thank You for reassuring us over and over again in our walk with You. Every promise that You have given us is a guarantee that it will come to pass. I pray that we can cling onto Your promises and remember it when we face the difficult times in our lives. You gave Paul a word and strengthened his faith during the most dangerous of times, and I know that You will do the same for us!
- Darrence Hamilton
Proverbs 11 - 8.21.26
Scripture: Proverbs 11:3-6
“The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.”
Observation:
Integrity is a good guide. Those who are upright, faithful in following God’s commands, will know the way to go when you are true to yourself and who God created you to be. You will know what is right to do, even if no one is watching. In contrast the unfaithful are destroyed by their deceitfulness and double-sided approach.
When judgement comes wealth will be worthless. Being right with God because of Jesus redemption saves us from death.
Righteousness makes paths straight, but the wicked are defeated by their own wickedness.
Application:
God cares about me so much. I need to realize when wondering which way to go that integrity will guide me. God will deliver me and make my paths straight. I need to pursue righteousness and be faithful to what God has called me to do.
It is important not to focus on the unfaithful and the wicked. Their ways will bring them to ruin. They are trapped by their desires. I am thankful for freedom.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for your truth. It is the perfect guide. Thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for my sin and redeem me so that I can walk in your righteousness. I am grateful that you deliver me and make my paths straight. I look to you for guidance. Thank you that you proved direction. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Acts 23. 08.20.26
SCRIPTURE
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)
OBSERVATION
Paul was a man well acquainted with persecution. Upon his conversion, Jesus had made clear to him that “he would be afflicted and endure suffering for HIS Name’s Sake” (Acts 9:16). Up to this point in Paul’s life, he had been stripped and beaten severely with rods, locked in dark underground prisons in chains (16:24), and dragged out of a city by an angry mob and stoned—left for dead, though he survived (14:19). Paul had been flogged, had nearly escaped death, was falsely persecuted, and run out of town countless times.
Here he is in Jerusalem on a mission to share all the amazing things God had done. Countless Gentiles received salvation. These Gentile believers sent their gift with Paul to give to this impoverished and persecuted Jerusalem church. There is little mention of this gift (24:17). Instead, there is a request for Paul to perform a ritual to appease the legalistic Jews who believed he had diverted and strayed from “the Law.” Paul graciously agrees, but the plan doesn’t work.
“Many are the plans of the human heart, but it is the decision of the Lord that endures.” (Proverbs 19:21 NAB)
In this one portion of the story, we see how many times God supernaturally intervenes:
1. At the Temple, Paul is being beaten and is about to be killed. But God sends a Gentile Roman commander—at just the right time—with a squad of 200 to stop the mob. They must chain Paul between two guards and lift him onto their shoulders because the mob is so intent on killing him.
2. Paul stands before the Jewish Council. “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say by the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 10:19). But God inspires Paul to speak about his belief in the resurrection. This stops the meeting in its tracks when a violent conflict breaks out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, who hold opposing beliefs on resurrection. The Roman commander intervenes again, removing Paul to safety and returning him to his cell.
3. Paul could be easily discouraged at this point. But God lovingly and mercifully comes to Paul in a vision, saying, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” (Acts 23:11) In the midst of the storm—Jesus supernaturally comes to encourage Paul.
4. A small, important nugget. Once again, there is a plot underway to kill Paul, orchestrated by a band of zealots in league with the Jewish council. Paul’s sister and young nephew learn of it.
But God. God uses Paul’s young nephew (a boy we have never heard about before—and never hear about again) for this one special assignment: to go tell the Roman commander the details of the assassination plot. The commander listens, believes the young boy, and has Paul immediately and safely transported that evening out of Jerusalem to Caesarea.
APPLICATION
But God
The series we are currently in has caused me to understand a perspective I haven't focused on before: everything in our life is, "But God." I see it in this Scripture and I see it looking back over my life.
I wanted, and fully intended, to be an actress, following in my mother's footsteps. I got a part-time job at Broadway Northridge in sales. Nothing about that job would have deterred my plans, except that one day a cosmetic beauty advisor called in sick, and I was given the opportunity to work in Cosmetics. It changed my life.
For the first time, I had the opportunity to put everything I had learned from studio makeup artists into action. I sat everyone in my chair and told them how beautiful they were. It became a mission for me because I grew up with a gorgeous mom and never felt pretty myself. I saw the difference I could make in how women felt about themselves. That afternoon, the manager came down with a sales report and loudly announced that I had sold more than anyone else in the department.
Long story short, I went to Joseph Magnin and secured a permanent part-time position in Cosmetics while finishing my degree. Six months later, they created a Department Manager position for me. I went on to spend 27 years in Executive Management.
When I became ill, God wasn't done with me. He moved me into sewing. My husband and I started a small cottage business teaching heirloom sewing. During that season, God allowed both of us to minister to people through our work. Looking back, I can see He was preparing me for ministry.
I served on staff at Church on the Way for four years as an administrative assistant, and later, when I came to Desert Streams, I joined Pastor Gary on staff. Now I am in my fifth year serving as a remote Chaplain to more than 19 companies.
I am in complete awe of what God has done. I never saw it coming. I wanted to be an actress. That was my dream from the time I was a little girl. I am so thankful that God had a better plan. But God.
Even when everything seemed to be going wrong—even when I was diagnosed with an incurable auto immune disorder—this thorn in my side allowed me the blessing to be home to provide caregiving for both my mom and mother-in-law for nearly eight years. But God.
In my twenties, I went through a brief season of drifting when I dated someone who was not a believer. Our relationship became serious, and we talked about marriage. But God. I am so deeply thankful that God intervened in a supernatural way to close that door and end the relationship.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and HE chose them to be like His SON…” (Romans 8:28-29)
God will give us His Holy Spirit utterance—when needed, God will give us His Encouragement when needed, God will bring people at that right time and right places to assist us, sometimes even using those who might seem least likely or inexperienced. God is Sovereignly Moving—working out every single detail of our lives—and preparing us for Eternity. Where Real Life Begins.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth—Store your treasures—in heaven” (Matthew 6:19,20)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for Your Love that will always be greater than I will ever be able to comprehend. Thank You that Your Plans are perfect. Your Plans are so much better than anything I will ever understand. As the heavens are Higher—so are Your ways. Thank You for teaching me through Your word. Thank You for so many godly examples of faithful servants—and for so many new things to learn no matter how many times I read. There is so much to learn. Help me to lay down my expectations of how I think things should look. Help me to surrender to You. How will I ever experience Your Supernatural treasures if I am not willing to wade into the deeper waters. Help me to continue to be walking further and further away from worldly ties that seek to bind me; ambitions, earthly treasures, may they not have a hold on me. I desire to live for You. Show me the Way—Jesus—in this new season. Melt me, Mold me, FILL me, Use me.
In Jesus Name, amen.
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth to and fro—searching for those whose hearts are fully committed to Him—that HE may fully support them.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Tina L Kudelka