Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross despising the shame." James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (perseverance). But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing.”

TESTIMOMY: This last Christmas season gave opportunity for God to reveal to me the maturing He truly did and is doing through the storms of my life. It was another financially tight Christmas, another Christmas with missing loved ones, and another transitional time that left me with two options. I could surrender to my emotions; my doubts, my fears or I could “look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.” Being as this study has been in my thoughts and prayers (amazing how He works J) His lessons were fresh and by His grace I looked to Jesus, the rock of my salvation.

THE OUTCOME: (from a note to a dear friend who saw and pointed out to me the amazing grace that I was still to numb to see.)
“The children (I dislike calling them 'kids'") were very gracious with their simple gifts. The biggest blessing for me was Eryck's (my husband) brave heart. He has such a giving heart and the lean Christmases of past were discouraging (to him). The Lord showed me how my frugal, light -hearted response in the past along with my impatient attitude towards his discouragement were hurtful to him. He never has said a thing and has always encouraged me as a blessing in his life. So, between my changed heart and God's grace we weathered this 'storm' much better than the past.”

It is a blessing to prayerfully share testimony of God’s work through His word in my life though my greatest desire is to point to the testimony of God’s word. For it is His letter of love to us, and our greatest nourishment.

There are many characters and lessons in Acts 27. For the most part we will focus on Paul and his examples to us. God’s grace was very real in Paul’s life. God had transformed Saul (“destroyer”) -a persecutor and murderer to Paul (“little”) -a proclaimer of truth and messenger of life. Though his name meant “little” his faith was far from it.

These are the main questions that came to my heart and will be the topics of our future studies.

A.	Why was Paul aboard this ship? Was God aware of Paul’s destination? (Acts 27:1-8)
B.	Did Paul have control over his own life at this point? (Acts 27:9-13)
C.	What responses do we see in the midst of the storm? (Acts 27:14-26)
D.	Abandon Ship or Lead in Hope? (Acts 27:27-38)

PRAYER:
Abba Father, please take this study through Acts 27 where You will and for Your glory. I ask that you would keep out my thoughts and words. I know there is no word more true and powerful than Yours. Please keep my sisters hearts. Holy Spirit only let the truth prevail in every reader’s heart setting us free for the Fathers glory.

Open your Bible to Acts 27, to the storm that God caused all to “safely escape” (v 44) to land through.

Acts 27:1-8 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. So entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends to receive care. When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair havens, near the city of Lasea.

Why was Paul aboard this ship? Was God aware of Paul’s destination?
To answer this question we go back to Acts 21:

“... a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”
Acts 21:9-10

“Then Paul answered, ‘ What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’"
Acts 21:13

Paul had entered into a relationship with Christ, a covenant relationship (one of promise sealed by the blood of Christ). He was fully committed.

“…For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

My biggest struggle amidst the storms (or perhaps it caused a few storms or intensified them) was/is my unwillingness to truly be surrendered to the Lord Jesus. Am I willing to be bound by relationships whether husband, children, church, work, family? Or to be bound to circumstances/trials? It hurts to love. Never will we hurt as much as He did. His love for us took Him to the cross. Oh Precious Lord, help us to be willing to yield to the life circumstances you allow, to the relational struggles you allow knowing you will walk beside us, that it is not about us but about You. Help us to remember that after every cross you call us to bear comes resurrection, to remember that our greatest joy is seeing you glorified- is seeing your kingdom of love and mercy shed abroad in our hearts and into others hearts.

Have you entered into this relationship? Life has its sorrows and joys whether we are with or without Christ. How much sweeter to rejoice with the Creator in the joys and how much more hopeful to lean on Him in the sorrows. He has come that we might have life, abundant and eternal, that He might have a loving relationship with us.

If you are unsure of or long for this relationship then please CLICK HERE to learn how "God’s love can change your life”.

If you have entered into this blessed relationship with the Father, through Christ Jesus remember His words:

“If any (woman) come after me, let (her) deny (herself) pick up (her) cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save (her) life will lose it, and whoever loses (her) life for My sake will find it.”
Matthew 16:24-25

(The parenthesis are meant to help make the scripture more personally applicable)

So, why was Paul aboard the ship? Because, he had made a commitment for which he was willing to suffer and die for. Why are you aboard your ship? Are you there for the same reason as Paul or perhaps like Jonah (because you are running)? Either way God desires to get you safely to land and to accomplish His purposes in your life.

Was it smooth sailing? Note the words describing the wind/sailing conditions.

V4	winds were contrary
V7	sailed slowly many days arrived with difficulty wind not permitting us to proceed

Have you experienced this? You’re going along doing the right thing and here comes the contrary winds pushing you in the opposite direction of where you know God wants you to go. You press on sloooooowwwwly, maaaaaannnnnny days. You arrive with difficulty because the winds of circumstance did not permit you to proceed. Are you experiencing it now? Remember the words of Jesus. It is just as He said.

“In this world you shall have tribulation but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Did God tuck in little blessings?

V3	“…Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.”

So often we have limited vision. We see only the pain, the bad stuff. He will always place someone on board with us (prayer partners do count). Sometimes it is just Him and that is okay because He is the only true source for life that we have.

Lord, thank you for being our truest friend for always being available to give us care and thank you for the double blessings of the special friends you send along the way to be your hands, feet and heart to us. Help us to look up and to call out when we need the help. Help us to express gratitude to you and those with whom you bless us.

V8	“…we came to a place called Fair Havens…”

Our precious Lord, help us to see and take shelter in your fair havens. Your name is a strongtower we can run to and be safe (Proverbs 18:10). Yours are the wings that provide shadow for us to hide under (Psalm 17:8). Yours are the everlasting arms that uphold us (Deuteronomy 33:27). Help us to not accept nor turn to any substitute. Help us through these storms, strengthen our faith in Your goodness, in Your power and might, in Your mercy and grace. Mature us in You and for Your glory. Enfold us in the shelter of Your wings, be our shield and the lifter of our heads (Psalm 3:3) and guide us with Your loving eye (Psalm 32:8).

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