Acts 27:27-44
27 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.
So did Paul have a choice in all of this?
Apparently Paul had a gift of prophecy. Did that desert him?
Philippians 2:23
I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
The answer is the same for Moses as Paul. And Samuel. Moses spoke rashly and watched the Children of Israel go into the Promised Land 40 years later. Very sad, but very necessary. The Exodus was not an action of Moses. This is a Complete Work of God.
90 Minutes in Heaven has a very, very important point. The same as the Exodus, in fact.
Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
The Exodus could easily have had Father God not only part the water for the Children of Israel, but fly them like the Rapture to Israel.
The answer is the Process. Life has a purpose.
What part of the Prodigal Son will you play?
Samuel was tested. His faith was tried. Samuel was tested???
1 Samuel 3:19
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground.
Samuel begged the Lord not to have him anoint another king and none of the villagers were glad of Samuel's visitation.
So did Paul have a choice? Was he doomed to martyrdom on a cross for participating in the martyrdom of Stephen?
God was Boldly giving Paul chances. Boldly.
Recall with me, many people testified to Paul to stay out of Jerusalem telling him this was his doom.
Paul did not put off their information as incorrect, Paul agreed and said this is his Love for Jesus.
Are we doomed to see Christianity in America die
and are we all preparing ourselves and grandchildren for the end of our faith?
Are we all Paul in our styles of Evangelism?
Do we all truly hope for our loved ones to live with us in God's Eternal Mercy and Favor?
No - God is in Charge and our Jesus loving and Bible believing Churches are teaching us to think of speaking up about Jesus. And GOD is still in Charge and God doesn't worry.
I remember one of the best message of Evangelisms I know:
A nurse, Tricia, saved her husband from heart failure. God had made her able to understand all the medical explanations of heart failure. He underwent just the right procedure and his heart was fully healed. He had been bed-ridden and failing.
Salvation is still - a Work of - GOD.
Did Paul have a choice to be an Evangelist?
Yes again and again and again. He escaped the Caesar's Prison in Rome one time. He was imprisoned in Caesarea as well. He was told what would happen in front of the Prophetic many times.
Are we Paul? Was Paul Barnabas? Did Jesus ever point to a Disciple and say "Be more like Peter.." Or why can't you be more like John?
How will we answer our obligation to Jesus for our salvation.
We cannot create salvation. We cannot earn our salvation. We can share the delight God brings us in comfort, answered prayer, His Goodness, the Joy in seeing Blessings. The idea we want our loved ones in our Heaven. We can forget to be embarrassed and self-centered to speak of His Promises. Love wins our soul, we are just sharing Love.
The truth is, we are told we are all unique in the Body of Christ. Some will do medical research. Some will help in the kitchen. Some will proclaim the joy of the Christian Radio station and a recipe for Joy every day. Some will provide good teaching skills by encouraging and affirming the People God has given them.
This applies to all of us - regardless of our talents - and leans into baseball "Wait for the Good Pitches" and teachers might say "Wait for the Teachable Moment!"
Because this is so important - we wait for this with prayer and expectation -
1 Peter 3:15
In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
Psalm 130:7
Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Father God, Dear Father God,
We pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. When we ask for forgiveness of our wrongs and sins, You forgive an earnest soul. And when we believe You, You count us as righteous.
Father God, we lift up to You the continued faith of those who believe You. We give You gratitude and praise for the One's we love. We will pray for the people You have given us. And rest, knowing that You are the Father and we live by Your Word that supports all Life, here and eternally.
We will rejoice, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and all 12 Gates are Open. We are praying for Elliott to be healed.
Thank You, Father God, that Edward enjoys each day and has peace and joy and comfort.
Praise You, Father God.
We ask for more Heaven on earth. Amen in Jesus and Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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