Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
Well a good Sunday morning mih Neighb’s, wherever you are in God’s great but troubled world! And if today is when you celebrate the Sabbath, I implore you to get out and fellowship with others; raise your voices in thanks and praise, in gratitude for the unconditional LOVE, mercy and forgiveness He’s bestowed upon us. Selah! Even if it’s only two or three gathered together in His Name, Jesus has faithfully promised His Holy Spirit will be there. So let’s be sure we put aside that one day a week to rest, pay special attention to Him, and not let the cares of the world drive us crazy. Bruh Paul seemed rather adept at that, for little appeared to ever fluster him. Now some time after his case was heard by King Agrippa, they loaded him and some other prisoners on a ship under the safeguard of Julius, a centurion, and set sail along the coast of Asia; eventual destination Rome. With Bruh Paul was Luke, the writer of Acts, and ‘one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.’ The second day out, they landed at Sidon, where the centurion was nice enough to let Bruh Paul leave the ship and visit friends. Afterwards they continued the journey, staying close to the coast of Cyprus because of contrary winds. Then at Lycia, they found a ship of Alexandria headed for Italy and embarked on it. But progress was real slow cause of light winds. ‘Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and the ship but also of our lives.’ (Acts 27:9-10) But the centurion believed the captain and owner of the ship, who obviously said that everything would be fine. It was now late Sept, early Oct, as per Bruh Paul’s mention of the fast, referring to the Day of Atonement. (Lev.23:27-32) That meant winter was fast approaching, but the harbour they were then in wasn’t suitable for wintering, so they decided to try and reach Phoenix, a safe harbour in Crete and winter there. ‘And when the south wind blew softly,’ they set sail for Phoenix, staying close the coast of Crete. ‘But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.’ (Acts 27:14) A southeast wind that stirs up waves. And Bruh Paul’s prophetic words began to come true. They couldn’t control the ship, so fearing running aground, they took down the sails and let the wind drive it. The second day they threw out stuff to lighten the ship. The third day they ditched the ships tackle. ‘And when neither sun nor stars in many day appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was taken away.’ (Acts 27:20) That’s when Bruh Paul rose to the occasion: ‘But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. (disaster) And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar, and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.’ (Acts 27:21-26) Oh Friends, how can you not LOVE Bruh Paul eh? In the midst of the raging storm he gets up and through the power of the Holy Spirit assures them that nobody would die, they merely lose the ship and be cast upon some island. Hn! Wish I had Bruh Paul with me a few years ago, instead of some drunken friends, when we got caught at night in the middle of a storm on Lake Ontario. But on night fourteen the storm had not abated, the ship was still been tossed about. At midnight though, the sailors thought they were near land, and after twice checking the depth found it to be fifteen fathoms. But fearing they’d run aground in the dark, they threw out four anchors over the stern, ostensibly waiting for daybreak. But then they went up to the front and pretended to be letting down anchors there too, but it was really the life boat they let down, intending to jump ship and leave the passengers stranded. But again they reckoned without Bruh Paul. He recognized the ruse and said to the centurion and the soldiers; ‘Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.’ (Acts 27:31-32) Ah Friends, when I was first introduced to Bruh Paul, I considered him an upstart, a boastful, educated loudmouth. But the more I learn about him, the greater my respect grows. With that in mind, I’ll just let him take us home today, for he is indeed worthy to be respected and praised. ‘And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then they were all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.’ (Acts 27:33-36) Oh Friends, one must admire Bruh Paul’s confidence and courage under fire! Oh that we could be blessed with even a small amount of that real faith, trust and surrender that he exhibited! We’d move mountains in our day! Now, unlike him, I can’t guarantee that not a single hair will be lost from your heads, but I can assure us that if we stand steadfast and strong, be of good cheer and invoke the Holy Spirit of Christ in any trials we’re currently undergoing, the Most High God Jehovah will keep His promise and bring us safely through it all. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Much LOVE my People!…put your faith to the test…stand strong…and see the salvation of the Lord…
Well a good Sunday morning mih Neighb’s, wherever you are in God’s great but troubled world! And if today is when you celebrate the Sabbath, I implore you to get out and fellowship with others; raise your voices in thanks and praise, in gratitude for the unconditional LOVE, mercy and forgiveness He’s bestowed upon us. Selah! Even if it’s only two or three gathered together in His Name, Jesus has faithfully promised His Holy Spirit will be there. So let’s be sure we put aside that one day a week to rest, pay special attention to Him, and not let the cares of the world drive us crazy. Bruh Paul seemed rather adept at that, for little appeared to ever fluster him. Now some time after his case was heard by King Agrippa, they loaded him and some other prisoners on a ship under the safeguard of Julius, a centurion, and set sail along the coast of Asia; eventual destination Rome. With Bruh Paul was Luke, the writer of Acts, and ‘one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.’ The second day out, they landed at Sidon, where the centurion was nice enough to let Bruh Paul leave the ship and visit friends. Afterwards they continued the journey, staying close to the coast of Cyprus because of contrary winds. Then at Lycia, they found a ship of Alexandria headed for Italy and embarked on it. But progress was real slow cause of light winds. ‘Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and the ship but also of our lives.’ (Acts 27:9-10) But the centurion believed the captain and owner of the ship, who obviously said that everything would be fine. It was now late Sept, early Oct, as per Bruh Paul’s mention of the fast, referring to the Day of Atonement. (Lev.23:27-32) That meant winter was fast approaching, but the harbour they were then in wasn’t suitable for wintering, so they decided to try and reach Phoenix, a safe harbour in Crete and winter there. ‘And when the south wind blew softly,’ they set sail for Phoenix, staying close the coast of Crete. ‘But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.’ (Acts 27:14) A southeast wind that stirs up waves. And Bruh Paul’s prophetic words began to come true. They couldn’t control the ship, so fearing running aground, they took down the sails and let the wind drive it. The second day they threw out stuff to lighten the ship. The third day they ditched the ships tackle. ‘And when neither sun nor stars in many day appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was taken away.’ (Acts 27:20) That’s when Bruh Paul rose to the occasion: ‘But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. (disaster) And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar, and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.’ (Acts 27:21-26) Oh Friends, how can you not LOVE Bruh Paul eh? In the midst of the raging storm he gets up and through the power of the Holy Spirit assures them that nobody would die, they merely lose the ship and be cast upon some island. Hn! Wish I had Bruh Paul with me a few years ago, instead of some drunken friends, when we got caught at night in the middle of a storm on Lake Ontario. But on night fourteen the storm had not abated, the ship was still been tossed about. At midnight though, the sailors thought they were near land, and after twice checking the depth found it to be fifteen fathoms. But fearing they’d run aground in the dark, they threw out four anchors over the stern, ostensibly waiting for daybreak. But then they went up to the front and pretended to be letting down anchors there too, but it was really the life boat they let down, intending to jump ship and leave the passengers stranded. But again they reckoned without Bruh Paul. He recognized the ruse and said to the centurion and the soldiers; ‘Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.’ (Acts 27:31-32) Ah Friends, when I was first introduced to Bruh Paul, I considered him an upstart, a boastful, educated loudmouth. But the more I learn about him, the greater my respect grows. With that in mind, I’ll just let him take us home today, for he is indeed worthy to be respected and praised. ‘And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then they were all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.’ (Acts 27:33-36) Oh Friends, one must admire Bruh Paul’s confidence and courage under fire! Oh that we could be blessed with even a small amount of that real faith, trust and surrender that he exhibited! We’d move mountains in our day! Now, unlike him, I can’t guarantee that not a single hair will be lost from your heads, but I can assure us that if we stand steadfast and strong, be of good cheer and invoke the Holy Spirit of Christ in any trials we’re currently undergoing, the Most High God Jehovah will keep His promise and bring us safely through it all. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Much LOVE my People!…put your faith to the test…stand strong…and see the salvation of the Lord…
SCRIP-BITS 