Devotion Acts 28:17-22 Faithful To The Call Part 2
Acts 28:17-22 – Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
“For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” Paul told them that he was in chains because of the “hope of Israel.” This was a term they would have understood. The hope of Israel was the Messiah. What Jews longed for, what the devout Jew hoped for, more than anything else, is for the Messiah to come and rescue them from Roman rule and for them to live in peace. (Isaiah 11:1-5, 9:6-7, 32:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 61) So Paul was telling them that hope of Israel, the Messiah, had not only come, but that He died for the sins of the people and that He was resurrected and is living and makes intercession for all His people. (1 John 2:2, Hebrews 7:25) Paul was telling them that he had great news for them. He sincerely hoped they would embrace the Truth. He hoped that they would listen to and embrace the Good News that they Messiah had come and that He is still available for everyone to come to Him and be saved.
“They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.” The Jewish leaders replied that they had not heard anything bad from Judea about Paul. Were they honest? It seems dubious that they would hear that people are talking everywhere about the The Way but had not heard about Paul and about his conflicts with the Jewish leaders. It seems, maybe too improbable that Jerusalem, who hated Paul so deeply, knowing that he was going to Rome, would not have alerted the Jewish leaders in Rome. Yet, it is possible. After all, they did not come to Rome to pursue charges against him. But it is presumed that they reason they didn’t is because they knew that had no influence in Spain. They could intimidate local authorities, but not Caesar. Another possible reason that they may not have been alerted is that a letter from the Jerusalem leaders to the leaders in Rome could have been on the ship that was destroyed and had all the cargo thrown overboard.
Another consideration is that the leaders in Rome were not anxious to cause any waves. About 49 A.D. Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from the city of Rome. The Roman historian Suetonius recorded the reason they were expelled is because they had caused disorder (riots) in the city because of the teaching of Chrestus. Many think this is a reference to Christ Jesus. So they were causing riots over their war against Christians. So, if that is so, yes they already knew about Christians, but not because they heard about this “sect” but because they had already been thrown out of Rome because of disorders surrounding their hatred for the teachings of the Apostles and disciples of the Lord.
Either way, they were not violent toward Paul. They were willing to listen. Which again would suggest that what they said was true, they had only heard of Christianity and wanted to know more about it.
Paul was not a perfect guy. He was subject to anger. He was not Jesus, but he is one of the best of all Apostles or disciples of Jesus that ever lived. He had a strong and very personal relationship with Jesus. The Lord spoke to him. And Paul was an expert in the Word. Paul wrote a large part of what would become the New Testament. He loved God. He loved the Word of God. To serve the Lord was what burned in His heart. It is easy to say that serving the Lord also burns in our hearts, but do our lives bear that out? Or would a jury say there was not enough evidence to prove that? Or would the jury be a “hung jury?” More importantly than what we think, or other people think, is what does God say? What would our God who knows everything about everything say concerning our passion for Him? Oh Lord, help us to be all that You want us to be.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 28:17-22 Faithful To The Call
Acts 28:17-22 – Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” 21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
“Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.” Paul, as was his custom, had barely arrived when he asked for the Jews to visit him. He was under house arrest and it is thought that he could not freely roam, but he could freely have visitors. Therefore, instead of Paul going to them he invited them to visit with him.
These Jewish leaders readily accepted his invitation. It is very likely that they saw Paul being brought in with a large following of Christians with him. He was a prisoner, but was not forced to stay in prison. Obviously there was something special about this man. Of course, it is likely that they heard of Paul’s missionary journeys in which he contested for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having heard of this man, and seeing the large group that visited him, and upon finding out that this was the famous (perhaps infamous) one who upset many Jewish leaders, and he was inviting them to come to meet with him, of course they came.
Right away Paul’s speech begins with an olive branch. He calls them his brothers. Which we know was not a only a tactical effort on his part, but something that flowed from his heart. (Romans 9:3) He truly did love his Jewish culture, the history of them, and of course the people themselves. He wanted them to know that he did not think himself an enemy of them, but rather, one of them.
He continues by clearly saying that he has done nothing against “our” people, or against the customs of “our” ancestors. Yet, he was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Some protest that he was not handed over by the Jews to the Romans, but rather they took him from the Jews to save him from them, at least until the commander could understand what was going on. (Acts 21:31-32) They tried to kill him, and so the Romans had to save him. Then they brought charges against him before the Romans. The Word may not specifically say that the Jews handed Paul over to the Romans, but in Paul’s mind, by all their actions and plots, he was in the hand of the Romans because of them. To him it all amounted to them delivering him to the Romans. Surely they drove him there.
Paul states that the Romans wanted to release him because he had done nothing wrong as he had testified (Acts 25:8). He had no charges against him deserving death. (Acts 25:25)
“19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.” The Jews not only objected, but they had planned to kill him if they could. He had been through three trials and found guilty of nothing criminal and he did not want to go through another trial in Jerusalem, where the trial would be rigged. If he were released, the Jews would have laid wait to kill him. So Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar and that is why he was now in Rome.
Paul told them that he was in Rome not to testify against his own people, but because of the actions of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Of course, Paul knew the deeper reason was that God wanted him there to present the Gospel.
Again, Paul was absolutely tenacious! If I had gone through was Paul had, I’m not sure I would have persisted trying to preach to the people that were always trying to severely harm or kill me. I probably would have heeded the “shake the dust” principle and not approached them any further. (Matthew 10:14) Yet Paul persisted. Out of love yes, but also because it was his calling. (Acts 26:17) In our times we tend to think that if we run against opposition that it is a sign that we are not called to do what we thought we were called to do. Yet, we know that the enemy opposes us and causes us trouble. So, we ought not to think that trouble, that hard rowing, is a sign we are on the wrong road, but quite contrary, that we are on the right road. Which of the people of the Lord did the devil did not oppose? The devil even fought against the Lord and thought that by killing Him the victory would be his. Yet, he was wrong because in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the failure of the devil sealed and made manifest. (Colossians 2:13-15). So when we think God has given us something to do, let us know for sure that we have been directed by Him. Then, after having that sure knowledge, let nothing deter us from walking in the footsteps he has prepared for us. If the winds are against us, it is likely that we are right were God wants us to be. And being there, we could not be in a better place. God is in control. In God we trust. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Open Channel
I am owed nothing,
I owe everything.
To no man do I owe,
To every man I owe.
For all my blessings I praise God,
And Him foremost.
My blessings belong not only to me,
But also to others, and this I owe.
May I be a an open channel,
To others,
Of the daily rich blessings of God.
Freely I received,
Freely I am required to give.
May I be an open channel,
And not a dam.
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Devotion Acts 28:1-15 He Did Not Doubt Part 4
Acts 28:1-16 – Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
“After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” After the rough seas of the winter had settled down Paul and his shipmates were ready to get on to their destination. They found another ship from Alexandria to transport them. The figurehead on this ship was images of Castor and Pollux who worshiped as the patron gods of sailors. Per Greek Mythology they were the twin sons of Zeus. The irony is that the shipmates of Paul may very well have vainly prayed to these two to save them in the high seas, but it was the one true God, the God of Paul, who saved them. Things went exactly as the God of Paul had told them. Whether the irony of sailing on this ship with the two false gods on it was thought of by the sailors, we don’t know. We also don’t know if Paul brought it up. But it would be a little surprising, knowing Paul, if he had not at least made a passing remark about these gods showing up only in smooth waters while God Almighty was with them through smooth waters and rescued them through the roughest seas. It was He who had kept them safe.
When they arrived in Rome they found out that brothers and sisters from Forum of Appius (Forty-Three Miles from Rome) and the Three Taverns (Thirty-three miles from Rome) had heard he would be arriving and so they traveled to meet him there. Including with those who greeted Paul were Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-15). What a testimony to the centurion and the soldiers who had traveled with him. The care and love that Paul received was certainly a witness of how the saints of God loved him. That in itself likely impacted them and confirmed that Paul was thought of as a true man of God. What a wonderful witness!
Paul thanked God for his fellow saints who came to greet him and minister to him. It is true that servants of God minister first to please God and because of the love of God within them. It is also true that those who truly love God love His people. (John 21:15-17) Just as Paul was greatly encouraged by knowing that he was loved and not forgotten, still today are men and women who are being used of God likewise encouraged. What a great blessing for Paul!
The NIV translates V16 “When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” The NKJV gives us greater detail “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.” The centurion completed his assignment when he delivered Paul to the captain of the guard in Rome. This captain was likely a captain over the emperor’s bodyguard. Which makes sense since Paul was brought to appeal his case (though not formally charged with any crime against Rome) to Caesar.
Paul came to Rome as a prisoner who was appealing his case to Caesar. It is how God had opened the door to speak to Caesar. It Paul had come to Rome as a free man, of his own idea, none of the officials of high rank would have granted him an audience. Certainly not Caesar. However, God had found a way to bring Him to Caesar to present the Gospel. The devil often thinks that he has a winning hand but God has it all under control. It is God’s plan that wins out, and that is always true! (Proverbs 19:21) We don’t always walk on soft soil or on a sandy beach, sometimes we walk over uphill paths filled with sharp stones and thorns. Yet we trust God. We know we that God is in control. We know that more than the reality of a difficult patch of the road is the reality that God is always good and that He loves us. Oh our good God loves us so much more than we can imagine! We hold onto that. In that is our peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). It is the peace that only God gives and that the world cannot give, because it is powerless do so. Family, everything is going to be alright. Better than that, it is all going to end perfectly! Let us rest in the words that Jesus gave us “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Yes Lord, we trust you and thereby we have peace. Thank you Lord! We love you Lord! We praise you Lord God Almighty! Ah, the peace of God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 28:1-15 He Did Not Doubt Part 3
Acts 28:1-16 – Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
“There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” Since Publius was a common among Romans it is likely that this “chief official” was Roman. The title of “chief official” is derived from the Greek word “prōtos” which means basically that he was first in any succession of things or persons. Publius was the man in charge.
Publius must have been affluent to offer this large group his home to stay for three days and to give them “generous hospitality.” Isn’t this how we find life? Paul and his shipmates had been through treacherous times in the Mediterranean Sea, but after that time, they were now on the Mediterranean Island of Malta and warmly welcomed to the home of the chief official who fed them. From the roughest sea to the calm of a large estate in a beautiful setting. Paul’s life, and so often ours, can seem like river rafting floating by beautiful sights, and other times rushing in and through life threatening rapids. The Lord knows how keep us, and how to grow us. His wisdom is so beyond ours and that makes us wonder why we would ever doubt Him.
The father of Publius became dangerously ill. Surely Publius had heard of how Paul was bitten by a viper and suffered no ill effects. With hope, Publius inquired of Paul to minister to his father. Paul went in to see the man and after Paul had sought the Lord in prayer, he placed his hands on the man and the man was healed. Of course the word of the healing spread and as a result many of the sick on the island were brought to him and they were healed. What is curious about all of this is that it is not written that any came to the Lord. Some had taken that to mean that none did. However, based on what we know of Paul we can be pretty sure that he shared the Gospel. The healings were God given evidence that God was with Paul. The healings were a ringing bell to bring people to the man of God who would in turn bring them to the feet of Jesus. No it is not specifically said, but it seems, knowing what we know how the Lord used Paul, very logical.
The people welcomed and blessed Paul and his shipmates. Paul, like John and Peter in Acts 3:1-10, did not have silver and gold to pay back the people of Malta for their hospitality, but what he did have he gave to them. He shared with them the power of God and many were healed. Surely that led them to know what, or who, did Paul have that allowed him pray for the sick and they were healed. As the ship left Malta the people made sure that they were well stocked for their journey. Paul had given them more than they had given him. Like God has given us so much more than we could ever give back to him. Paul gave to the islanders out of love, not obligation. He gave as his Lord had given to him. We should also give to others as our Lord has given to us.
Jesus said that trials would come our way. Yet the times of trouble and peace are like the ebb of flow of the ocean. How true Proverbs 3:1-8. Peace and troubles have a time and a place and each are packed with God’s lessons to us. Tough times harden our bones and toughen our skin. Yet, if we heed the spirit, as our chins grow stronger our hearts grow softer and our minds wiser and discerning. The tough times remind us to be grateful to He who keeps us through them. He also gives us good times that allow us to catch our breath. In the bad times we learn of the faithfulness, goodness and love of God. In the good times we pause to think about how good God is to us. In the tough and the good times we grow in godly wisdom as our gratitude is given to God in praise and obedient service. Then, our hearts are more full, our joy more overflowing, and our peace more imperturbable. Our God is wise beyond our understanding. Our God is wholly good. Our God loves us beyond our comprehension. The more we know these things, the more joy and peace will fill our souls. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion 1 Corinthians 2:19 Surely Answered Prayer
1 Corinthians 2:19 – These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
James 1:5 – If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
It has been said that nuggets of God’s truth are discovered by hammering away at the Word through prayer. I offer that we need no hammer, we need discipline, faith and love. We need discipline to first seek God and to ask Him to unveil His Word to us. We need faith to believe that God is good and that He loves us and because that is so, He will reveal His Word to us. Prayer is not a hammer to bang loose nuggets of truth from His Word. That is too much self-effort. Prayer is designed to be regularly used and the more it is used the more proficient at it the user becomes. Prayer is a God designed device and faith is the oil that lubricates it. We do not need to bang or pry God’s truth from the Word. We need to remember that The Lord wants us to have the riches of His wisdom and knowledge. It’s why He gave it us His Word in the first place. He freely gives it to those who love him and seek Him. So we pray that the Lord will reveal His Word to us, then we open and read it, knowing that God has heard our prayer, found it to be good, and He gives us what we have prayed for. Easy Peasy! He loves that! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 28:1-15 He Did Not Doubt Part 2
Acts 28:1-16 – Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
“But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” How convinced was Paul that no matter what came against him he would be in Rome to give testimony about the Lord? Well from the verses above it seems that he was unconcerned about the viper latching on to him. The natives thought that surely he was about to swell up and die. But to Paul, with the assurance from God of a destination (Rome) for him, the snake was only an inconvenience, like stubbing your little toe on furniture. Did it hurt? We know it did. Was he worried? No, he shook it off just like we would after bumping our toe on the furniture. His enemies stoned him, they beat him with rods, they whipped him, and they tried to literally pull him apart. The devil raised treacherous seas to drown him and thereby be rid of this mighty warrior for Christ. Nothing swayed, nothing deterred Paul from continuing on with the work of God that he was called to do. Nothing. This man, walking in the Spirit of God, protected by God, was invincible, until God was through with him. Then he got the reward that he most wanted, he went to be forever with the Lord. Praise God! In this life, walking with the Lord, we do face opposition, but ultimately, in fellowship with our God, we win, we win, we win and then, we get the final victory of going to live forever with our God. When viewed with Godly perspective, we only win. Praise God!
Two frogs, it is told, fell into a can of cream.
The sides of the can were shiny and steep. The cream was deep and cold.
“Oh, what’s the use?” croaked number one.
“Tis fate, no help’s around. Goodbye my friend, goodbye cruel world.”
And weeping still…he drowned.
But frong number two, of sterner stuff, dogpaddled in surprise.
All the while wiped his creamy face and dried his creamy eyes.
“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he cried, or so I’ve heard it said.
“It really wouldn’t help the world if one more frog were dead.”
An hour or two he kicked and swam, not once he stopped to mutter.
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked…
And hopped out via butter.
Family and Friends, no matter what we face, never stop, never give up, always persist! Always trust God. He knows what is just ahead, He knows what is around the corner, and we do not. And He has really good plans for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) Sometimes the giants before us seem unbeatable. Sometimes the sea looks too big to cross. But we know that though the army of Israel was afraid of Goliath, a young skinny kid named David defeated the giant because he did not face the giant relying on himself, but on God. (1 Samuel 17 (Vs 45-47)) Sometimes the sea is impossible to cross, until God parts it. (Exodus 14) Or the overheated furnace that the enemy means to throw us into is impossible to survive, until, “but God.” (Daniel 3:8-30) Family, like Winston Churchill once said to his people “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. … Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Family if a man calling on people to rally in their own personal strength, in their collective human strength, can issue words that powerfully resonant in the hearers, how much more so should we listen to God and let His Spirit strengthen and enable us. How much more should we trust God? Psalm 112:7 “He is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting tin the Lord.” Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed in you, because he trust in You.” Know God. Since we know God we trust God. Since we trust God His peace is within us. Peace to everyone. Not the peace of this world, but the peace of God. Believe Jesus our Savior and Lord “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Don’t doubt but praise God! Always praise God! As we praise God we are encouraged and edified. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 28:1-15 He Did Not Doubt Part 1
Acts 28:1-16 – Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. 11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” After their harrowing ride on the cyclonic sea, and the wreckage of their ship on the sandbar of the sandy Malta beach, they were at last safe. But where were they? They, upon arrival did not know where they were at. (Acts 27:39) They were just happy to be on land.
The islanders showed them a high level of kindness. How wonderful after all they had been through. The word here translated as “islanders” is the word “barbaros.” Luke was actually calling them barbarians. However, the word did not mean what it might mean to us. It was not because of how they acted or dressed, but because of their language. They were of Semitic ancestry from Phoenicia. Barbaros was a word the Greeks used to describe people who did not speak Greek. To the Greeks their language sounded like “bar, bar, bar” and thus, barbarians. Unfortunately, the Greeks would consider these people inferior because they did not speak Greek, though we see by their gracious welcome to those stranded on their island, they seemed of a superior nature in what mattered most. They not only extended a hand of friendship, but made a fire to warm the soaked shipwreck survivors. Too often in our days, when people immigrate to our country, they have been mocked because of their inability to speak the language, or inability to speak it well. Many of these immigrants end up proving to be great citizens and people of high integrity, and often, employers. Think about it.
“Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”” The strength of Paul is amazing. After all he has been through over the last two weeks, after surviving the raging seas and the destroying of their ship, he did not leave it to the islanders to serve him, he started helping right away. Nothing keeps Paul down! Oh to be so mature in the Lord, oh to have the inner strength he had!
As a result of him wanting to help, he was bitten by a viper. Family, we can be sure that if want to help the devil will strike, and he used the viper to try to kill Paul. This brings to mind the saying “No good deed goes unpunished.” Sad, but too often true. Yet we must not become discourage if we are bitten by the one we serve. Ultimately, it is God we serve. It is He we seek to please, it is His pleasure that is our reward.
The islanders were well familiar with the snake. Likely, friends and family of theirs had been bitten and died. They fully expected Paul to also die. As was common for that time, they believed that misfortune, and an early death, were likely received justice for wrongs committed. They knew of the Greek goddess Themis whose name meant justice, and who was supposed to be the divine being who brought justice, law and order. They thought that Paul, being a prisoner, was likely a condemned murderer who had escaped death by the sea and that he was bitten by the viper because justice could not be denied. Even today we know that superstitious thought of karma still exists. Yet, we know that all who are left with only their bare actions, all of them, to testify before God on judgement day, will not escape righteous judgement.
God was gracious to Paul and his shipmates. They survived the seas and were blessed to come to an island with gracious natives.
Doesn’t it sometimes feel like we move from one trial, or one danger, to another? Sometimes troubles come like the waves of the ocean, one after another and seemingly unending. We can’t catch our breath before another wave crashes over us. Family and Friends, the devil never gives up. If he can’t wear you down to commit suicide, he’ll send something else against you. If a life-threatening incident is survived, he will try to kill you in the car ride home. If someone hurts us emotionally, and we recover, we can be sure someone is right behind that person. The devil does not give up. But neither do people like Job, or like Paul. Some people are just strong. One of my aunts lived through many health crises’ after another. She lived for years and years on kidney dialysis. She survived several strokes while on dialysis. She lived through many disappointments in life. I marveled at her strength, she never gave up. I thought several times “Oh, I don’t know if I would want to continue on.” She was strong. She always resisted. Yes, it was her nature. But it was strength that was multiplied when she came to Christ. She knew she was going to heaven. She fought hard for this life and she looked forward with joy to the next. My Tia Lupe, a strong fighter to the end. To this day I am amazed at her. I am amazed at Job and at Paul. You won’t read a book about my Tia Lupe, but rest assured that God looked down and was pleased with her, His precious daughter. Was she perfect? Oh no, she would tell you that. She did her best and trusted God to bring her home. So Family, let us keep in mind Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Also let us keep in mind Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Yes, Paul wrote that. He kept his eyes focused on the prize and on his God. (Philippians 3:14) He trusted in Jesus and He was never let down. Now, He is with the Lord. And so will all of us likewise be if we continue in faith in Jesus. In that day, we will walk in the reality that our troubles, our sufferings on earth, were nothing compared to eternal life with God. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 27:27-44 The Wild Ride Gets More Wild Part 5
Acts 27:27-44 – On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 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. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. 33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. 39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
“When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach.” The sailors and all those on board did not recognize the bay with the sandy beach but they saw it as their best chance to survive. They cut loose the anchors and dropped them into the sea. This sandy beach appeared to be a safe place to beach the ship. They raised the main sail to allow the wind to drive them toward the land. Likely, their hopes were rising as they headed for a chance to get out of the raging sea.
“41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.” A sandbar, or also called an Offshore Bar, is sand that is built up by the offshore breaking of waves and the resulting swirling water. So before reaching the beach, they became stuck offshore with the waves pounding the stern (rear) of the ship. The strength of the violent waves was breaking their ship apart. They had wanted to land on the sandy beach and pull the ship onto the land to save it. It would not be so. They were in a desperate situation and needed to act quickly.
“The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.” The soldiers had a duty to fulfill. If prisoners escaped it would then be them who would be in peril, not from the sea but from Rome. They felt they could justify killing the prisoners, but could not justify having let them escape. To keep them from escaping they planned to kill all the prisoners, including Paul. Yet, just as Paul knew the deadly sea would not kill him (because of God’s prophetic word to him (Acts 23:11), he knew these men likewise would not kill him. It is the purpose of God for our lives that will not fail, the purpose of men often will. If God is with us, indeed, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31, Psalm 91:9-16) Paul wrote those words and he witnessed the reality of them many times in his service to the Lord. (2 Corinthians 23-27) Rest assured, Paul knew he needed no weapon to defend himself, his protector was God and not himself. (Psalm 34:19, Psalm 138:7) Was he in danger? Well the potential for them killing him was there, but Paul knew that potential would fall like fruit that falls to the ground and rots. God was watching over him and so He would be safe. And Paul knew that absolutely.
The centurion must have been a strong and respected leader as he, at that chaotic and perilous time, could assert his command and make it so. We don’t know his integrity before this journey, but if how he treated Paul was an indicator he was a compassionate and strong leader. It seems likely that the men trusted him and also dared not cross him. The centurion was wise enough to at least know that Paul was a man of God and so no harm would come to Paul if the centurion could stop it. At this point, are you like me in hoping that the centurion came to the know Jesus as his Savior and Lord. We don’t know, but I hope so.
The centurion ordered that those who swam well would swim to the beach before others left the ship. From there they could spread out and make sure no prisoners could escape. The centurion knew Paul’s mindset. He knew Paul was certain that God was calling him to Rome and so Paul would not seek to escape.
Thinking we have a hold of God’s plan for us, thinking that we have it the “endzone” in sight, we hurry forward with excitement. Then we run aground on a sandbar of life. Not quite reaching the goal. Will His plans for us still come true? Can we still trust Him? Has all the provision and protection stopped? No, no, no! His love for us never wanes, never fades, never stops, and so His provision for us and protection of us also continue. (Psalm 100:5) Paul saw many times, having been beaten, stoned, almost being physically torn apart that God is worthy of His trust. (2 Corinthians 23-27) He knew that God would keep Him until He would bring him home. (2 Timothy 1:12) Family, we must keep our minds on who God is. We must remember all His goodness and faithfulness to us. We must remember who He has revealed to us that He is. We must keep our minds on these things. Our hearts must belong firstly to the Lord. Our eyes must be set upon our Master for His guidance. Then, through all times and all circumstances, we may have the same confident assurance in God as Paul had. God is in control and His will shall be done. Let us find peace, rest and comfort in that, to the praise of our God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Acts 27:27-44 The Wild Ride Gets More Wild Part 4
Acts 27:27-44 – On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 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. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away. 33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. 39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.
“After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.” Family, this is how we should respond to non-believers, to saints who are shipwrecking their faith, and even to our kids. Paul gave them the message from the Lord. He told them what they needed to do. First, repent and change so that they do what they know they should be doing. Then, upon turning toward The Way, we should encourage them to enjoy the freedom, the liberty, and the many blessings that come to those who love the Lord. They needed encouragement and they needed food. When one of us slips up we need to be encouraged to start to do what we know is right. Sometimes it takes a stronger, but true warning. Other times a gentler hand. This can depend on the wrong action, or upon the heart of the person. We remember that first and foremost the Holy Spirit is at work. We are merely the rainbow reminding them of God’s promises. But always, we react with truth, love and encouragement. The end goal is always for a turning from error to Truth. If our hand is too heavy for the situation or person, we may lose their desire to hear anything we have to say. The good thing about children is that, they forgive our mistakes. When dealing with their error, let’s be the same to them.
After eating to full satisfaction, they were encouraged, and likely believing the message from God that Paul had given them (that none would die) and so they threw the rest of the grain into sea. Family, that is faith in action! If God said they would all live, then they would all live. So they did what they knew best to do in their situation by lightening the ship. Isn’t that what God calls us to? We are to first have faith in God, to absolutely, completely, without-a-doubt believe God, even over our own thoughts (Most of all?). Then we do what we know to do best and trust that God will bless our efforts. Family, through all circumstances, at all times, let’s absolutely believe God, let’s throw overboard the security blankets (idols) we cling to and instead trust God. He is good. He loves us. He is able in all and through all. Let us push into God who is pulling us in. Be at peace. Let joy flow. Let love flow. Be happy, our God loves us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
by Bob withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /homepages/4/d182552187/htdocs/b4g/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 399
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