Acts: What Jesus Started
Prayer-Psalm 43
3-4 Give me your lantern and compass,give me a map,
So I can find my way to the sacred mountain,
to the place of your presence,
To enter the place of worship, meet my exuberant God,
Sing my thanks with a harp,magnificent God, my God.
Monday –Acts 27:13-15
Was this storm a natural occurrence or a judgement from God? We should not be quick to distinguish between natural occurrences and sovereign acts of God. God was, in some sense, responsible for this storm, but there is no indication this was an expression of judgement. In fact, we repeatedly find God working to protect the life of every person on the ship.
Tuesday – Acts 27:21-26
Paul is speaking with quite a bit of authority here in these passages. He’s spoken to an angel and he’s commanding those in charge to run their ship around. That’s quite impressive. Paul’s courage is clearly from God. How can we also gather this same courage? …or should we begin to ask God to grant us courage in simple and difficult times?
Wednesday – Acts 27:27-32
Paul was a religious man who repaired tents. He was NOT a fisherman or sailor, yet with God’s help, he spoke with great authority. Could you image standing in Paul’s shoes and suggesting that the lifeboat be cut away? How does one gain a faith like that?
Thursday – Acts 27:33-38
Why did Paul’s captors listen to him? Paul’s court appearance in Jerusalem and Caesarea showed him to be a cordial, persuasive personality. His reputation preceded him. In the course of their journey, Paul had warned the ship’s officers not to sail from Crete because of the harsh seasonal storms. Although ignored, his advice was valid. As the journey progressed, Paul’s credibility climbed. Might there be strong argument to use love and kindness with those who disagree with you? How would you want to be treated? Golden Rule?
Friday – Acts 28:1-10
Admittedly, THIS is an interesting bit of scripture, accounting for the strength of Paul’s faith and the power of God. So… did God miraculously protect Paul from the snakebite? Why not?!?! Paul’s confidence in God protecting him was evident from accounts in Acts previously. Are there times in your life when friends or family look at you in disbelieve because you live your life with confidence in a saving God? Have you ever witnessed an extreme situation that miraculously ended positively? Frequently we hear people use words like, “you were lucky.” True? Or… blessed?
Saturday – Jonah 1:1-16
Although Jonah was not shipwrecked, he certainly had an interesting story that took place upon the sea. God sometimes allows us to respond to him in dramatic ways. …and sometimes they are small and seemingly insignificant. Do you think that God sometimes uses large and small moments in life to make significant impacts on your life? We don’t want to take either for granted. Make a list. Share with a friend or loved one some moments where God challenged you and made a difference for you or others