December 14, 2017. Acts 27, 28.

 

Where are you sailing to my friend?

And whom shall we say is the Captain of your boat?

How will you prepare when the storms come, or the Northwest winds become a threat along the journey?

Paul is on his way to Rome as a prisoner, along with 275 other voyagers.

(Acts 27:6) There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.

The time of the year they are sailing will prove to be a dangerous time. The harbor they had arrived to, called Fair Havens, would not be a save and suitable place to wait out the season.

Along our journey there will be danger and harbors that will not be safe to wait out our season in. We will be wise to be cautious and ever present in the choice of which way to go. Sometimes decisions in life will leave us to only two unsure options…with a heart that knows there is no perfect direct path.

The storms of life will try to darken our days, and beat on us as hope seems lost, and tempting us to give up.

(Acts 27:20) Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

When hope seems at a loss who can we look to?

When we choose Jesus as our captain He will remind us where we have been and where we are going! He is our guide in the night of the storm. Keep your eyes on the captain….for His love won’t be undone….He carried the cross….He feels our pain…don’t hide your face from Him…He won’t forsake you in the storm!

If we believe in God…we are urged to take heart…and to Not Be Afraid!! Drop the anchor and pray for day to come. Trust God’s plan….

There is a sure confidence when complete trust is in Jesus. With faith God is able to bring opportunities of leading others in the storm.

It is not a natural instinct in times of crisis, to make a priority to nourish ourselves. Or to praise and give thanks to God, in the presence of others. But this very act will encourage others around you to feed themselves and help to lighten the heavy load we try to carry alone, that tends to weigh the ship down. (Acts 27:35-38)

Believe not only in God, but believe God!

Beware of disbelieve: Go to the people and say; “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing. And their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” (Acts 28:26, 27)

Lord speak to the sails of the wondering heart to Come Sail Away with You!