Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Paul had been promised by God that he would preach the gospel in Rome. Paul ended up reaching Rome as a prisoner. Even though Paul was a prisoner, God blessed Paul by allowing him to be a prisoner in his own rented house rather than be a prisoner in some prison. Because God blessed Paul, Paul was able to preach the gospel for two years while waiting to be released in prison. Granted, Paul could have preached in Rome once he was released, but God had a plan for Paul and he enabled Paul to obey HIM even though he was a prisoner.

As long as Paul was a prisoner, he was not free to go where he wanted when he wanted. Instead, Paul was forced to stay in one place and preach the gospel to those whom God brought to him. When God did not bring people to him, Paul was able to write letters to those whom he had ministered to in the past so as to encourage them to walk in the ways of the Lord.

What would you do if you were required to stay in your house for two years without being allowed to leave? Would you be able to find a way to serve God? How would you spend your time, would you spend it wisely or would you squander your time selfishly pursuing the lusts of your flesh?

It did not matter that Paul was not free to go where he wanted when he wanted, Paul understood that he was accountable to God and that he had to serve God right where HE had placed him. Paul was patient with God and even though his day in court did not come as quickly as he desired, God put his time to good use.

You do not know how long God is going to keep you in your current situation. Maybe you have vision to doing all sorts of wonderful things for the Lord but the real question what are you doing to serve HIM today. Are you faithfully serving God right where HE has placed you today? Are you looking for opportunities to serve God today?

It is easy to focus on the future and say that when God blesses you with x, then you will do y. it is easy to demand that God do something for you first before you agree to serve him. Too many of us are looking for all the circumstances to be perfect before we serve the Lord. Paul did not have perfect circumstances but he still found a way to serve God right where he was placed.

God is not going to give us what we want when we want. We must first learn to be faithful in the little that God has given us before we can expect HIM to bless us with the great visions that we have. Prove to God that you can be HIS faithful steward and you will soon see many new exciting ways that God can bless you.

Paul did not know if he was going to be released or if he was going to be killed. For all he knew he was going to be spending the rest of his life under house arrest. Paul could feel sorry for himself or he could allow God to be God and put all his faith in God.

Maybe God will bless you one of these days by giving you the desires of your heart and open the doors for you to minister unto HIM just as you desire. However, before that happens, you first need to be patient with where God has placed you and you need to look for opportunities to be faithful in what you consider least.

Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Paul was in Rome and many of the Jews set a day when they could all come and listen to Paul speak about the hope of Israel. The Jews had heard about the sect called Christians and they did not have a favorable response to them. However, they were willing to spend the time to listen to Paul and make a decision on their own.

On a set day, many Jews crowded into the house where Paul found himself in house arrest and they listened to HIM from morning until evening. Paul explained to them who Jesus was using the law of Moses and the prophets. At the end of the day, some of the Jews believed while others did not.

We have a duty to God to obey, but the results of our obedience is in the hands of the Lord. Just because everyone who came to listen to Paul that day did not believe in Jesus did not make Paul’s efforts worthless. Paul was not a failure because he was not able to persuade everyone to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul understood that just because God had called him to preach in Rome, it did not mean that everyone whom he preached to would accept Jesus Christ. Paul understood that just because everyone did not believe, it does not mean that the blessing of the Lord was not upon HIM. Paul did not have unreasonable expectations of God for his life. Paul understood that it was his duty to obey God and it was up to God to determine how everything would come together.

We sometimes have unreasonable expectations for God and our life. We think that whatever we put our hands to do, God needs to bless it as we believe HE should bless it. If we are working for a company, we feel that the company should constantly be promoting us and giving us raises.

In the same way that Paul did not expect a 100% conversion rate with those whom he shared the gospel with, so also we should not believe that God is going to give us everything we wish or think for just because we are obeying HIM.

David was obeying God by serving Saul, but that did not stop Saul from trying to kill David. Elijah was obeying God by killing the prophets of Baal and praying for rain, but that did not stop Queen Jezebel from trying to kill him. Joseph was faithful to God in rising to a level of authority both as a slave and a prisoner, however that did not automatically mean he was released from slavery or prison.

Duty is ours, results are the Lords. Yes, there are stories in the Bible were immediate obedience resulted in great blessings. Jesus once told the disciples to cast their net on the other side of the boat and their obedience resulted in a great catch of fish. When the disciples obeyed and stayed in Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Ghost, we find that the first sermon by Peter resulted in over 3,000 being saved. When Joshua commanded the priest to carry the Ark into the Jordan River, we see how upon their obedience the Jordan River parted.

There will be times when we see supernatural results as we obey God and there will be times when we obey and do not see the fruit that we desire to see. It is our responsibility to be patient and not be focused upon the results. God knows what is best for us and it is our duty to simply obey what God tells us to do and then patiently wait and see what HE brings to pass.

Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Paul was in Rome speaking with the Jewish leaders. Paul was explaining to them what had happened in Jerusalem and how he ended up appealing unto Caesar. Paul summarizes his current condition by stating that he was in chains because he pursued the hope of Israel.

The hope of Israel was that one day the Messiah would come and deliver them. The Jews had heard the prophets and they knew that one day, the Son of God would come and save them. Paul understood that Jesus was the Son of God and because he believed that the hope of Israel had come, he was preaching a different gospel than the Jews who were still waiting for their Messiah.

Because the Jews were looking for the Messiah to come in a certain matter, many Jews completely missed the fact that their Messiah had in fact come. The Jews had a certain set of preconceived notions and they were living out of the will of God because of the hardness of their heart and their unwilliness to allow God to be God.

How often are we just like the Jews? We have a certain preconceived notion as to how God should bless us and when HE does not grant our every wish just as we think HE should, we ignore the direction that HE is giving to us. How often have we missed the perfect plan of God for our life because of the stubbornness of our heart.

It is easy to judge the Jews and say how ignorant that they were in failing to see that Jesus was their Messiah. Nonetheless, be careful lest with the same judgment that you judge, you also might be judged. Maybe the desire of your heart was for a certain job. You had your heart set on that job and you spent hours praying and reading the Bible waiting anxiously for God to open the doors to your dream job. However, that dream job never materialized and in the mean time, you turned down the opportunity for another job because you were anxiously waiting for the job that you desired.

We must learn to be faithful in that which is least. We must learn that just because we ask God for something, it does not mean that HE has to answer the way we think HE should. Just because God has spoken to us in HIS still small voice and told us HE is going to do something, it does not mean that HE is going to do it in the way that we think that HE should fulfill HIS promise.

God gave to the Jews hope that one day the Messiah would come. Generation after generation anxiously hoped for the day that God would reveal HIMSELF to them by sending HIS Son. There were godly men like Simeon who had such a close relationship with God that he knew that Jesus was the Messiah before Jesus spoke his first words. The religious leaders had all the scriptures to guide them but what they were lacking was a personal relationship with God that they were able to hear HIS voice and follow HIM.

Be patient with God and allow God to direct your steps. Listen to HIS still small voice so that you can obtain the hope that HE has promised unto you. Do not be like the Jews who became so entrenched in their thinking that they missed the thing that they hoped for because it did not come as they expected. Satan is a master at trying to deceive us into thinking that God is not fulfilling HIS promises in our life. Do not be deceived, God cannot lie. Listen for the voice of God and you will not find yourself missing out on the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

During this time of Roman history, if a prisoner escaped, the guard that was watching him would be killed. The captain of the guard did not know Paul from any of the other prisoners, but by the grace of God, Paul was given extra freedom. God wanted Paul to be available to preach the gospel in Rome and this would be much easier if Paul was in house arrest verse being held in some prison.

The captain of the guard must have heard the testimony of Paul from the centurion and based upon what the centurion told the captain of the guard, he decided that it would be safe to allow Paul to simply be under house arrest. Escaping from house arrest would be much easier than escaping from some well guarded prison and thus, the likelihood that solider could lose his life would exponentially increase.

God was with Paul and because Paul had demonstrated his desire to do the perfect will of God, God arranged the circumstances in such a way that God received the glory. Would you say that Paul was cursed because he was a prisoner for a crime he did not commit? Or would you say that Paul was blessed because he did not have to live in the prison but instead he was able to serve his prison term doing house arrest.

Too often we become so focused upon the terrible things that are happening to us that we fail to see how God is blessing us in the midst of the trial. When we are focused upon circumstances, it is very easy to miss how God is protecting, directing, and providing for us. We somehow have a misguided notion that if God is not rewarding us with riches, a peaceful family, and a great job that somehow God is to be blamed.

God desires to use the difficult times in our lives to prepare us for HIS perfect will. God can use these difficult times just as HE can use times of great abundance. While we naturally would prefer times of great abundance, we must understand that we are not God and we do not fully understand HIS perfect plan for our life. Do you really think you would be as dependent upon God if HE blessed you with a million dollars then you would be if every day HE provided just what you needed to get through the day?

When life is difficult and we are facing trials that we would rather not face, we need to stop and learn to see the good things that God is doing for us during the current trial. Just because God is not blessing you in the way that you think HE should, it does not mean that HE is not blessing you in other areas of your life.

Be patient with God because you do not know the people that HE desires to bring into your life tomorrow. Be patient with God because you do not know how the trials for today will enable you to do something even greater for HIM tomorrow. Be patient with God because you do not know the trials that you are avoiding because you did not receive what you thought were the desires of your heart.

Paul tells us that he had learned to be content regardless of where God had him. We need to reach the same mindset. Every day we need to thank God for the good things that HE is doing through us. Each day we should thank HIM for how HE has taken care of us.

Acts 28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloddy flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

Do you appreciate how the Lord directs our paths to bless others and to draw their attention to HIM? Paul was a victim of a shipwreck and then found himself bitten by a snake. On the island that Paul was ship wrecked upon, the father of the leader lay sick. Had Paul had his way and the ship not sailed into the storm, Paul would not have been where he needed to be in order to help this man.

We do not understand all the ways of God. We serve a God who can do the impossible. We serve a God who can take the strangest circumstances and use them for HIS glory.

How often does something terrible happen and all we do is complain about how unfair life is? We need to understand that God has a purpose for allowing us to face a difficult trial. We will rarely know right away what God has in store for us, but if we learn to trust in HIM, HE will direct our steps so that HIS glory is revealed in us.

God desires us to learn to be patient and trust that HE knows what is best for our life. Rather than complain about all the bad things that supposedly happen in our life, we need to change our attitude and understand that God has a purpose for what HE has allowed to happen to us.

God always writes the last chapter, and we must understand that maybe one of the reasons HE allowed something to happen to us is so that we can bless others. Rather than complaining, we should start looking for how we can serve HIM right where HE has placed us. God has a reason for allowing us to go through the trial and the sooner we learn what that purpose is, the easier it will be for us to have a grateful heart.

The next time you experiencing something that you were not expecting, stop and see what God is trying to do with your life. God does not make a mistake. Elisha was a man of God and all of a sudden, he found that there was this woman who was showing great kindness to him by building a room for him to stay at. Elisha asked his servant what he could do for the woman and it came to his attention that the woman did not have a child. Elisha used his special relationship with God to bless this woman who was blessing him by performing a miracle that the woman had a son.

Be patient with God and understand that HE desires to arrange events in our life so that HE receives the glory. Whether good or bad, there is a reason. Maybe there is something you really desired but God did not give it to you, do not complain, instead praise God and seek for ways that God can use you right where you are at today. When something really good happens in your life, God has a purpose and you should be looking to see what God desires to do through you.

It was not an accident when the butler and the baker both had a dream the same night in Joseph’s prison. It was not an accident when the butler forgot about Joseph for several years. It was not an accident when the butler all of a sudden remembered his transgression and that there was a man in the prison who could help Pharaoh.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. When something great or when something terrible happens in your life, God has a purpose for it. Change your focus from your circumstances to how God can use your circumstances for HIS glory.

Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

How do you respond to a tragedy in your own life? Do you make sure everyone knows that something terrible has just happened to you or are you cool and deliberate like Paul was in this passage because of his faith and trust in God?

Paul was able to be cool and deliberate because he understood that his life was not his own. Paul understood that God had a perfect plan for his life and a part of that perfect plan was that Paul was going to share the gospel in Rome. Paul did not have to be concerned about the poisonous snake that was attached to his arm because HIS God was the God who created the snake and as such, HIS God was more powerful than the snake.

Paul understood that God had a job for him to do before he was going to die. As such, when an obstacle arose that seemed to make it impossible for him to do the perfect will of God, Paul was able to be patient and wait and see what God was going to do in order to overcome the obstacle.

Paul could run around like a chicken with its head cut off, but it would not prolong his life at all. Paul had complete trust in the Lord. Paul saw the snake for what it was, it was simply another opportunity for God to show HIMSELF strong in the life of Paul. Paul had seen how God had worked on his behalf in the past and Paul understood that God would not forsake him now.

Because of the perfect trust that Paul had in his life, he did not have the response to the snake bite that most of us would expect. Paul understood that God provided, protected, and directed him in the way that he should go. Why let a little distraction like a poisonous snake distract him from the more important things in life.

Most of us would be honest and say that if a poisonous snake all of a sudden bites us, we would not be able to be as calm as Paul. Most likely we would frantically start calling 911 and getting the doctors taking care of the bite. We might also call all the prayer warriors that we know and get them to pray on our behalf.

While such a response is not in and of itself wrong, it could be wrong if God was using this trial in your life to demonstrate HIS power to the world around you. If you called the doctors and they were able to get all the poison out of your system, the world would not praise God but would praise modern medicine. It does not matter that you had a team of prayer warriors and the chance of survival was 1 in a 100, the world would still give credit to the doctors and would give limited credit to God.

How often do we take matters into our own hands and see how we can overcome the trials of this world in our own strength? When something happens that we do not like, rather than turn to God in prayer, we instead, see what we can do with our own strength. God allows everything to happen to us for a purpose and rather than run and try to solve the problem that you perceive, we need to first stop and patiently wait on God to show us why we are facing the problem.

When we understand why God has allowed certain trials to encumber our life, then we are in the position that we do HIS perfect will so that HE receives the glory. As long as we think we live this life by our own strength, we will never have the strength to patiently wait to see how God desires to use trials in our life for HIS perfect will.

Acts 28:4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

How quick we often are to judge others based upon the limited details that we have. In this passage, Paul was just shipwrecked when he went and gathered wood so that others might be warm. In the process of serving others, a poisonous snake bit Paul. Those on the island who knew nothing of Paul automatically assumed that Paul was a guilty man and that the gods were seeking vengeance.

God did not allow Paul to be bitten by a snake to punish Paul, God allowed Paul to be bitten so as to show the inhabitance of the island HIS power. God used this difficult situation to open a door so that Paul may share the truth of the gospel with those who were lost and needed salvation.

God chose to bless Paul by allowing him to be bitten by a poisonous snake. Most of us naturally would have wondered what we had done wrong to cause God to allow us to be bitten by a snake. However, Paul had learned that regardless what happened to him in his personal life, God was in control and God had a reason. God had a reason for him being shipwrecked on this island and God had a reason why HE allowed Paul to be bitten by a snake.

Paul did not have to wait to see what God was going to do with the shipwreck or the snake to understand that God was in control. God had told him that he was going to preach in Rome. For whatever reason, God wanted to make it more difficult for HIS perfect will to be completed. Paul had learned to trust God and to thank HIM for whatever the Lord brings into his life.

Paul was just bitten by a poisonous snake and those around him where quick to judge Paul. We need to be patient and see what God is doing with others. Do not assume that just because someone is going through a financially difficult time that God is cursing them. God may in fact be blessing them and you just need to be patient to see how God writes the last chapter.

Job was a man who feared God, yet he lost his entire wealth as a test from God. We have much to learn from the patience of Job. We cannot jump to conclusions to automatically assume that God is judging someone just because they are facing a trial. Instead, we should allow God to be God and wait patiently to see how God writes the last chapter.

It does not matter if someone you know or if you yourself are going through a difficult time; be patient with God and see what is going to happen. Do not assume the worse. Instead, ask yourself what God’s purpose is for the particular trial. If God shows you it is a punishment, then repent, if God shows you the trial is a result of HIM desiring to demonstrate HIS power, then rejoice for great is the glory of God.

Christ commanded us that we are to judge not least we be not judged. We do not want others to be judging us when we are going through a trial for HIS glory so why should we judge others when God is doing the same with others. Be patient because God has a perfect plan. As you learn to trust God, you will grow spiritually and you will be less likely to make the mistakes that so many people make in assuming a trial is God’s punishment upon someone. We need to be patient with God and understand, that HE is in control.

Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Paul was on the island of Melita. He had been on a ship bound for Rome when they encountered a storm which resulted in their ship wrecking on this island. The people on this island could have killed Paul and all the people on board the ship but instead, they chose to show kindness and help take care of their needs.

How many people are shipwrecked around us and we are so busy with our daily life that we fail to stop and lend a helping hand? The people on the island of Melita could have decided that they were too busy to take care of these shipwrecked victims. Remember, it is cold and rainy, they needed to take care of their own homes and families.

The people of Melita were not concerned about their own problems but instead they saw that they had an opportunity to show hospitality to some people with real needs. They did not know who Paul was, let alone his relationship with the Lord. They did not know how Paul would be able to heal the father of their leader.

The people of Melita helped someone in need even though it was not the best time for them. As a result, God blessed them by the life of Paul. Had they not first reached out and helped the shipwrecked victims, they probably never would have been blessed by God by the ministry of Paul.

A little hospitality can go a long way. Who knows how the person you bless today will be able to bless you tomorrow? God has a purpose for the people that HE brings into our life. Are we alert to what God is doing around us or do we have our head buried in the sand?

You do not know the battles that others are going through. If you continue to not reach out to those around you, you will probably never know. However, if you stop and spend a little time with those who God has brought into your life, you will be amazed at the opportunities that God opens for you to minister.

When Abraham was 99, he was sitting in his tent on a hot day looking down the road. Abraham saw three men walking towards him and Abraham ran out in the heat of the day and insisted that these men eat dinner with him. Little did Abraham know that when he was running out to these three men that he was running to meet God and two angels. Abraham could have easily missed the opportunity to share dinner with his Maker.

Sometimes we are so busy that we fail to see what God has for us today. We need to be patient with God and slow down so that we can observe what God desires us to do. We will fail to hear HIS still small voice if we continue to rush around trying to fulfill our personal agendas.

Stop what you are doing and ask God to open your eyes to the needs of those around you. Be ready to be used of God in a new and powerful way. Stop being so concerned about yourself and fulfilling your agenda and start seeing what you can do to fulfill God’s agenda for your life. God does not make mistakes and HE has brought certain people into your life for a reason. When God opens a door for you to minister, do that and do not worry about how God is going to meet your needs in the future, HE already knows how HE is going to meet your needs tomorrow.

Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome. When the ship that he was traveling on crashed, the guards desired to kill all the prisoners for they knew that if one escaped, they would lose their life. The guards would rather kill the prisoners and save their own life then risk that any of the prisoners might escape.

The centurion who had observed the life of Paul during this entire ordeal desired that Paul should live. Because of the testimony of Paul, all the prisoners were allowed to live. But for Paul living a life dedicated to Christ, these prisoners would have died.

God used a Roman centurion to save the life of Paul and the prisoners. It did not matter that this centurion was an unsaved man; God was able to use him to fulfill HIS perfect will. It was the perfect will that not a single soul would be lost on board the ship and God used the unsaved centurion to bring about his perfect will.

God can use both the godly and the ungodly to fulfill HIS perfect will for your life. It does not matter if you have an ungodly boss, God can use that ungodly boss to direct you in the way you are to go. We are told that God controls the heart of a king, so also can HE direct the hearts of our ungodly leaders.

There is nothing too hard for God. If God desires that you move and do something else, HE can use those in our life to ensure that we abide by HIS perfect will. Do not think that you need righteous people in your life in order for God to direct your steps.

When God desired to give Moses special training so that he could be a ruler to HIS people, God ensured that an ungodly princess found Moses floating in the Nile. When God desired Joseph to be a ruler in Egypt, he used an ungodly forgetful butler to remind Pharaoh about the talents of Joseph.

Do you understand just how powerful of a God we serve? Do you understand that while we have a choice whether we obey God, God know what circumstances to bring into our life to encourage us to go down the path that HE desires us to go down. We have a choice to obey God, and if we determine in our heart that we will do so, God will use HIS word, use HIS still small voice, and will use those in our life to ensure that we know the path that HE has for us.

Nothing is impossible for God. Just as God was able to use a centurion to save the life of Paul so that Paul could preach in Rome, so God can use the people in our life to direct us in the way that HE desires us to go. Do not be discouraged when you face difficult times because of the people in your life. God can do the impossible and God is using these people in your life to guide you in the way you are to go.

You will face many trials during your life. You need to be patient with God because God is using these events to direct your paths. God does not make a mistake and HE is putting those people around you who are necessary so that HIS perfect will can be done. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Those unusual circumstances are not a happenchance but are a part of God’s perfect will for your life.

Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome. However the ship ended up being caught in a terrible storm. After 14 days, they finally saw land and they anchored the ship for the night in the storm. Once it became day, the crew determined to sail the ship towards the unknown island with the hope that they could make it up a certain creek that they could see.

It did not matter that there was a huge storm, the sailors were determined that they were going to use all their strength to try to get the ship to land. The sailors set a path regardless of what would happen. The sailors knew that once they let go of the anchors, there would be no turning back, they would either crash the ship or they would sail safely into the creek.

When we face the storms of life, are we as committed as these sailors? Do we look at our lives and determine that we will do the perfect will of God regardless of the costs. We understand the consequences of what might happen if we completely trust in God, but are we willing to commit ourselves entirely to doing the perfect will of God regardless of the cost?

We often become comfortable with our storms. Yes we complain about how rough our life is, but deep down, we actually find a little comfort in our misery. Yes we would love for God to remove the storm from our life, but we are not willing to commit ourselves completely to God and see what HE could do with our life.

What happens if God does not come through? What if we trust in HIM and we fail? Yes, there may be great glory that occurs if we trust and it succeeds, but what happens if things fail tends to be on the forefront of our mind.

We would much rather stay in the storm where we can be certain of what is going on then to dedicate ourselves to a path that God desires us to go down when we do not know what is around the next corner.

This is not the way that God wants us living our lives. God has promised us that HE will never leave us or forsake us. While God does not tell us what is going to happen tomorrow, HE will bless us in ways that we never imagined if we would only obey. It does not matter if you are a king or a pauper, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you to be if you commit your ways to HIM. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you if you commit your ways to HIM.

You may not know what God will do with your life if you commit your ways to HIM, but one thing is for sure, if you trust in HIM, you will be in a better place then where you are right now in the midst of the storm. We must learn to understand God, God is not going to tell us everything we want when we want, but HE is going to be with us every step of the way regardless of what happens.

Be patient and allow God to direct your path. Be obedient to God and allow HIM to show you the way. Commit to follow HIM regardless of where HE leads. Do not worry about the results of your obedience, just trust in HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Do not grow comfortable with the storms but allow the storms to drive you to the center of HIS will.

cts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome. However the ship ended up being caught in a terrible storm. After 14 days, they finally saw land and they anchored the ship for the night in the storm. Once it became day, the crew determined to sail the ship towards the unknown island with the hope that they could make it up a certain creek that they could see.

It did not matter that there was a huge storm, the sailors were determined that they were going to use all their strength to try to get the ship to land. The sailors set a path regardless of what would happen. The sailors knew that once they let go of the anchors, there would be no turning back, they would either crash the ship or they would sail safely into the creek.

When we face the storms of life, are we as committed as these sailors? Do we look at our lives and determine that we will do the perfect will of God regardless of the costs. We understand the consequences of what might happen if we completely trust in God, but are we willing to commit ourselves entirely to doing the perfect will of God regardless of the cost?

We often become comfortable with our storms. Yes we complain about how rough our life is, but deep down, we actually find a little comfort in our misery. Yes we would love for God to remove the storm from our life, but we are not willing to commit ourselves completely to God and see what HE could do with our life.

What happens if God does not come through? What if we trust in HIM and we fail? Yes, there may be great glory that occurs if we trust and it succeeds, but what happens if things fail tends to be on the forefront of our mind.

We would much rather stay in the storm where we can be certain of what is going on then to dedicate ourselves to a path that God desires us to go down when we do not know what is around the next corner.

This is not the way that God wants us living our lives. God has promised us that HE will never leave us or forsake us. While God does not tell us what is going to happen tomorrow, HE will bless us in ways that we never imagined if we would only obey. It does not matter if you are a king or a pauper, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you to be if you commit your ways to HIM. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you if you commit your ways to HIM.

You may not know what God will do with your life if you commit your ways to HIM, but one thing is for sure, if you trust in HIM, you will be in a better place then where you are right now in the midst of the storm. We must learn to understand God, God is not going to tell us everything we want when we want, but HE is going to be with us every step of the way regardless of what happens.

Be patient and allow God to direct your path. Be obedient to God and allow HIM to show you the way. Commit to follow HIM regardless of where HE leads. Do not worry about the results of your obedience, just trust in HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Do not grow comfortable with the storms but allow the storms to drive you to the center of HIS will.

cts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome. However the ship ended up being caught in a terrible storm. After 14 days, they finally saw land and they anchored the ship for the night in the storm. Once it became day, the crew determined to sail the ship towards the unknown island with the hope that they could make it up a certain creek that they could see.

It did not matter that there was a huge storm, the sailors were determined that they were going to use all their strength to try to get the ship to land. The sailors set a path regardless of what would happen. The sailors knew that once they let go of the anchors, there would be no turning back, they would either crash the ship or they would sail safely into the creek.

When we face the storms of life, are we as committed as these sailors? Do we look at our lives and determine that we will do the perfect will of God regardless of the costs. We understand the consequences of what might happen if we completely trust in God, but are we willing to commit ourselves entirely to doing the perfect will of God regardless of the cost?

We often become comfortable with our storms. Yes we complain about how rough our life is, but deep down, we actually find a little comfort in our misery. Yes we would love for God to remove the storm from our life, but we are not willing to commit ourselves completely to God and see what HE could do with our life.

What happens if God does not come through? What if we trust in HIM and we fail? Yes, there may be great glory that occurs if we trust and it succeeds, but what happens if things fail tends to be on the forefront of our mind.

We would much rather stay in the storm where we can be certain of what is going on then to dedicate ourselves to a path that God desires us to go down when we do not know what is around the next corner.

This is not the way that God wants us living our lives. God has promised us that HE will never leave us or forsake us. While God does not tell us what is going to happen tomorrow, HE will bless us in ways that we never imagined if we would only obey. It does not matter if you are a king or a pauper, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you to be if you commit your ways to HIM. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, if you trust in God, you will be where HE needs you if you commit your ways to HIM.

You may not know what God will do with your life if you commit your ways to HIM, but one thing is for sure, if you trust in HIM, you will be in a better place then where you are right now in the midst of the storm. We must learn to understand God, God is not going to tell us everything we want when we want, but HE is going to be with us every step of the way regardless of what happens.

Be patient and allow God to direct your path. Be obedient to God and allow HIM to show you the way. Commit to follow HIM regardless of where HE leads. Do not worry about the results of your obedience, just trust in HIM and HE will make your paths straight. Do not grow comfortable with the storms but allow the storms to drive you to the center of HIS will.

Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you did everything in your own power to change your circumstances? The shipmen had reached that point, they knew that the ship was lost and while they heard that Paul foretold that everyone was going to be saved, these men thought that the best way to save themselves was to sneak away using their own strength.

Maybe you have not been in a life altering situation as the sailors on board this ship were, but most likely, at some point in your life, there has been something you desired to do and no matter how hard you tried, it just was not going to be done. In this case, the sailors were only going to be saved by trusting God and letting the boats go. The sailors were only going to be saved by not relying upon their own strength.

It does not matter what it is in your life, there is most likely something that you have been struggling with God over. You just do not trust God to be able to work everything together for good. Instead, you insist that you must help God out by using your wisdom and your strength.

The only way the sailors were going to be saved was complete trust in the God of Paul. There will be many times in our life where the only way we are going to see the desires of our heart is if we learn to let go of our own boat and stay in the boat that God has put us in. We have to learn to be patient and trust that God really knows what is best for our life.

In this passage, it was not the sailors who cut the ropes to the small ships but it was the soldiers. The soldiers evidently had learned to trust Paul and they saw that Paul had a special relationship with God. They were willing to cut the ties to rescuing themselves by their own strength so that they could see how God could save them.

We must understand that there will be storms in our life. It does not matter what the storm is, we must understand that God is strong enough to get us through the storm. During the midst of the storm is not the time to be getting into smaller boats and trying in your own strength to save yourself. Instead, when we are in the storm, we need to stay in the boat that God has put us in and learn to trust HIM with all our heart so that HE can give us the desires of our heart.

One of the hardest things in the world to do is to stop fighting with your own strength. Human nature is that we have to do it with our own strength. How many people have toiled many an hour in prayer with the mindset that the only way they are going to get the desire of their heart is by being so persistent in their prayers that God will have to give them what they want.

This is not the way God works. God desires that we develop a relationship with HIM. A prisoner does not love his prison guard just because they spend 8 hours a day with each other. So also, just because you pray 5 hours a week does not mean that God is going to give you what you desire. You cannot just force yourself upon God and expect that HE becomes your personal Santa Clause.

We must learn to be patient with God. God puts us in the boat and God is in control over the storm so if we stay in the boat, God will bring us out of the storm and to our destination in HIS perfect timing. Learn to trust God with all your heart and stop doing it by your own strength.

Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

Paul is a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome. The ship on its way to its destination encountered a storm which resulted in almost everyone on board the ship fearing for their life. For two weeks, the crew did not see either the sun or the moon. This storm was so severe that the crew had thrown overboard almost everything possible so that ship would be as light as possible.

The reason this ship was caught in the storm was due to bad planning on the part of the owner of the ship. The owner knew where he wanted to go but he did not leave in enough time to get there before the storm season. The owner knew that he would have to winter his ship in a good harbor but he did not start his trip in time to do so.

The crew had been told by Paul that an angel had told him that they would all be safe. Now the crew sees that they are near land and they are forced to throw out anchors in hope that in the light of the day, they can plan a safe route in which to guide their ship to land.

We would consider the actions of these sailors as prudent. These sailors understood that if they rushed to land, they could not only destroy the ship but many people could die or be injured. While one would naturally applaud the patience of these sailors, we in the same breath curse God that we have to be patient in our own life.

While an expecting mother cannot wait for her newborn baby to come, everyone knows that the baby needs to be in the womb for a set period of time so as to enable the baby to properly develop. Even when the baby is born, no one expects the new baby to feed itself, take care of itself, let along go out and start earning a living with a full time job.

We do not put a cake in the oven and expect it to be cooked and ready to be eaten in two minutes. We do not plan to eat stake and expect that it will be ready to eat in fifteen minutes. Why is it then that we are always expecting immediate results from the Lord?

Why is it so hard to be patient? Patience is what happens between the promise of God and the fulfillment of that promise. God tells us that we are supposed to delight ourselves in HIM and HE will give us the desires of our heart. We read that verse and then go spend a few minutes reading the Bible and we think that might be enough to please the Lord.

A young man will never win the heart of a young lady if his idea of spending time with her is just a few minutes a week. If we desire to see God give us the desires of our heart, then we need to rearrange our schedules and start spending enough time with God so that we start learning who HE is and what HE expects of us.

Why don’t you sit down and plan a project that will draw you closer to God. Maybe you will spend the next year and learn about prayer or learn about joy. Maybe you need to establish rules for your life that before you turn on the television, you first have spent 30 minutes studying the word of God.

God desires to get a hold of our lives and we need to be patient with HIM. We need to do those things so that God can speak to us and we learn to trust HIM with all our heart.

Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Paul is speaking to those who are on the ship with him. The ship is in one horrific storm and it has been about two weeks since the crew has seen the sun or the moon. No one on board the ship is eating and the crew has already thrown overboard everything possible so as to lighten the ship.

How would you respond to a prisoner who tells you everything is going to be fine because God has spoken to him? This prisoner is not a sailor. Furthermore, this guy is a prisoner so if he really had communication with the gods, what would this man be doing in chains. Surely if this man really could speak with God, there would be no way that anyone could put him in chains.

God was with Paul and Paul understood that. Paul understood that God does not lie and that if God told him that everyone would be safe, then there was no need to be afraid because God was going to deliver them.

The nation of Israel had been in Egypt for many generations. However, they all knew the promises of God and how HE was going to bring them back into the Promised Land. By the strength of God, the nation of Israel saw God turn the heart of Pharaoh so that they were released. However, even though this nation had just seen God do many miracles to get them out of Egypt, they feared when they saw the Egyptian army bearing down on them.

The nation of Israel lost sight of the promises of God and they feared that which they could not control. God had a special plan for HIS chosen people but HIS people did not understand that what God promises, God must bring to pass. If God could get the nation of Israel out of Egypt, then God could deliver them from their enemies.

God had told Gideon that he was to lead the nation of Israel in battle with the enemy. Gideon heard the words but he did not believe them. God sent sign after sign to reassure Gideon but even the day before he was to fight, Gideon was afraid. Gideon did not have the confidence in God as Paul did. Gideon did not understand how to obey God and leave the results in God’s hands.

When God speaks to us, we need to listen. When God speaks to us, we need to obey. When God speaks to us, we need to stop worrying about the results and start trusting that God will bring to pass the fulfillment of HIS calling.

It is our natural response to be like the nation of Israel and Gideon. It takes faith to follow the example of Paul. Nonetheless, there is a great reward for those who can patiently wait on God and allow HIM to direct their paths. Paul was not perfect but he did understand who God was.

God does not work on our timetable. Nonetheless, if God promises you something, you can be assured that God will bring it to past. This means that while you may need to be patient and allow God to fulfill HIS promise in HIS timing, you should stop worrying and be of good cheer because God will fulfill HIS promise in a way that HE will be glorified.

It is not easy being patient with God. It is not easy to not worry about the things that are going on around us. Nonetheless, as your relationship with God grows, so should your trust in HIM. It is your duty to serve God and you must allow God to do the impossible in your life.

Acts 27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul: thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Why is it that we have some super hero mentality about the men and women of the Bible? Why is it that we believe they had some sort of super human strength that enables them to have complete trust in the Lord? The men and the women of the Bible are just like us, they had their strengths and they had their weaknesses.

God may have told Paul that he was going to preach in Rome, but God had to send another angel to tell Paul that he was going to stand before Caesar. Put yourself in Paul’s shoes. It had been over two years since God had first told him that he was going to preach in Rome. Now Paul found himself in the midst of a huge storm with really very little hope for survival.

Paul must have been discouraged. Paul desired to obey God, but Paul could not see how in his own strength he could ever get to Rome. God sent another angel to speak to Paul and to encourage him that what God had promised, God would fulfill.

It had been 14 days since Paul and the rest of the individuals on the ship had eaten. Paul now had reassurance from God and he now was able to encourage everyone else to eat. God speaking to Paul gave him the encouragement that he needed to live his life the way God desired him to live.

When we think of faith, we often think of Abraham as the father of our faith. God promised Abraham a son and God fulfilled that promise. What we often forget is that there is 25 years between the initial promise and the fulfillment of that promise. What we often forget is that there were at least six times that God reminded Abraham of the promise that HE had given unto him.

We will often go through difficult times on this earth before God gives us the fulfillment of HIS vision for our life. When we get discouraged about why we are not seeing the fulfillment of HIS promises, we must understand that many of the great saints of the Bible had to be patient just like we have to be patient today. Just because it is only a couple pages in your Bible between the promise and the fulfillment, it does not mean that the 25 years Abraham had to wait or the 2 plus years Paul had to wait was easy on those men.

God has promised us that HE is with us and that HE will not forsake us. What God has promised unto us, that God will fulfill. When we become discourage because God is not fulfilling HIS promises to us in the way that we think HE should, we must understand that God is bigger than us. We must learn to trust in HIM and allow HIM to direct our paths.

The times of waiting are never easy. There will be times when the storms blow so strong in our lives that we will naturally doubt the promises of God. It is during these times that we need to cry out to God for strength. We need to ask God to comfort us and encourage us so that do not sin and fall short of the glory of God.

Abraham sinned when he tried to fulfill God’s promise in his own strength. How easy do you think it will be for us to sin and try to fulfill God’s promise in our own strength? When God is not fulfilling HIS promise in the way that we think HE should, we are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy and it is during times like this that we should go back to the promises of God and lean on them for they what we need to patiently wait through the storms of life.

Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

Paul was a prisoner on his way to Rome. Because of the time of year it was, Paul had warned the centurion who was guarding him that there would be much loss if they would continue their trip. The master of the ship disagreed with Paul and when he saw that the south wind was blowing, he proceeded on his trip.

How often do we act like the master of the ship in this passage? We hear what we want to hear and do what we want to do. The master of this ship wanted to spend the winter in Phenice so when he saw that the wind was favorable to him, he took off. The master saw what he wanted to see and assumed that the blessings of the gods were with him so he then followed his heart’s desire.

The master of the ship was not concerned about the consequences to others if he took his intended trip. The master of the ship felt justified in his decision once he saw some sort of tangible evidence that he was right and Paul was wrong.

Too often we reach ideals in our own head and form opinions as to what we think is best for our lives. We might wait a little while, but as soon as we see something that causes us to believe that the blessings of the Lord are upon our actions, we start down that path. We must remember that God causes it to rain on the just and the unjust and even though it appears that God is blessing you today, it does not mean that you are in the center of God’s will and that you will receive HIS blessing tomorrow.

The nation of Israel was commanded by God to go into the Promise Land and destroy the enemy. However, when the 12 spies came back, 10 of them had a bad report which resulted in the people complaining and God pronouncing that they would wonder in the wilderness for 40 years. All of a sudden, several people decided that if God wanted them to go into the Promise Land, it was better than wondering in the wilderness so they went and fought. However, they had waited too long and God was not with them.

We must learn to be patient and listen to the voice of God. We must learn to hear the cautions of the Lord and stop even when we do not think it is wise to stop. We must learn to go even when we do not think it is wise to go. The master of the ship had all sorts of excuses why it was not safe to spend the winter where they were at so he went and his ship was destroyed. The nation of Israel decided that the enemy was to strong so they did not go and once they heard the consequences of their actions, they tried to change but it was too late.

It is not easy to understand the perfect will of God for your life. It is not easy to put aside the desires of your heart in order to follow God’s perfect timing for your life. However, when you follow the perfect timing of God, God will be glorified in your life and you will be protected from harm that you never imagined possible.

God has promised to us patience as one of HIS gifts to us as believers. While we may not like to wait, God has a plan and when we follow that plan, HE will be glorified through us. We must remember that it is not by our might nor by our power but by HIS Spirit. We cannot live a life pleasing unto the Lord without learning to patiently wait on HIS perfect timing.

Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

Paul was on his way to Rome, a prisoner for a crime he did not commit. For over two years Paul knew that it was the will of God for him to go to Rome and finally he found himself going in the direction that God desired him to go.

Paul warned the centurion who was in charge of his transportation that the weather was such that they should not continue to Rome. Paul understood that if they continued their travel at this time, much harm would come to the ship and those on board. However, the centurion did not listen to Paul and chose to listen to the master and owner of the ship.

As much as Paul desired to obey the Lord and preach in Jerusalem, Paul understood the importance of going in God’s timing. Paul had already waited for over two years, what would be a couple more months. Paul was not worried about a shipwreck because he knew that God wanted him to preach in Rome. However, Paul was not going to tempt God and rush to judgment.

How often do we hear the voice of God and mistake HIS direction on our life for immediate action? We hear what God desires us to do but instead of waiting for God to direct our timing, we rush into things and make a bigger mess of things than they already were. We need to learn patience with God. Just because God told Paul that he was going to preach in Rome – that did not mean that he was going to preach in Rome the very next day.

Our timing and the Lord’s timing are two different things. Paul was a wise man who understood that he served a God who could do the impossible. If God desired him to preach in Rome, an entire army could not stop Paul from preaching in Rome. Furthermore, if God desired him to preach in Rome, God could part the Mediterranean Sea and allow Paul to walk to Rome.

Paul served a God who knows all things. Paul served a God who could rearrange events to make sure that Paul was in the right place at the right time. Rather than worrying about what he needed to do to make the perfect will of God come to pass, Paul chose instead to concentrate on the perfect will of God for his life and allow tomorrow to worry about tomorrow.

We love to worry about the future whereas instead we should follow the example of Paul and be concerned about those who God has entrusted us with today. Are we properly looking after the needs of those around us today? The centurion made a mistake because he was listening to the wrong people. While it was the centurion’s choice in who he listened to, he never could say that he was not warned. Paul had been obedient in warning the centurion about the consequences of his actions.

We need to be patient with God because God does not work on our timetable. Instead of constantly working ourselves up into a tizzy over what needs to happen next and organizing our life so that everything falls into place, we need to stop and open our eyes to the ministry opportunity God has for us today. Our life is not our own, when we dedicated our life to God, we chose to submit our will for HIS will. God knows what is best in our life and HE knows when the perfect timing is to fulfill the desires of our heart. We may have big dreams but if we yield them to HIM and HIS perfect timing, God will never make a mistake.

Acts 26:32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you wish you could go back in time and do something different? You have probably heard the old saying that hindsight is always 20/20. It is easy to look back on your life and see the mistakes that you made and what you should have done different. Maybe you should not have said what you said or maybe you have thought of something different that you should have added.

In this passage we see where if Paul had not appealed unto Caesar, then he would have been set free by Agrippa. When Paul appealed unto Caesar, he was being judged by Festus and Festus was contemplating sending Paul to Jerusalem. Paul knew the will of the Lord was for him to be in Rome so he appealed unto Caesar so that Festus would send him to Rome rather than Jerusalem.

Based upon the information that Paul had in his possession at the time and based upon what HE knew the will of the Lord was, Paul chose to appeal to Caesar. Now Paul finds himself in a position that if he had not appealed, he would be a free man and he could go to Rome at his own pace and with his own schedule.

King Darius once made a decree that no man should pray but only to him for 30 days. When it was discovered that Daniel had violated this decree, Darius all of a sudden wished he had not been talked into the decree. King Darius spent all night trying to discover a way that he could save Daniel from the lion’s den. God proved greater than the lions and Daniel was spared.

We cannot afford to live our lives in the past. If we spend our time thinking about what we should have done, then we will quickly find ourselves taking our eyes off of God and putting our trust in our own strength. Paul could have spent 30 days kicking himself over how stupid he was in appealing to Caesar or he could spend his time seeing whom God brought into his life and making sure he ministered unto those whom God desired him to minister unto.

There is only one man who lived a perfect life, Jesus Christ. We all are going to make mistakes at some time in our life. The thing is, when things go wrong and it appears that we have made a wrong decision, we need to cry out to God for HIS grace and we need to allow God to work through us so that all things can work together for good.

The fact that Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den turned out for good. When Joseph was sold as a slave, God turned that into good. When Samson’s father in law gave his new wife to his best man, God used this situation in the life of Samson to encourage him to fight the Philistines. Scripture is full of examples of bad things that occur in people’s lives and how God turned those situations into good.

We need to learn to be patient with God. Most likely we have experienced situations where God took something bad in our lives and turned it into good. The same God who was with us in the past is the same God who is with us today. When we make a mistake or when something bad happens in our life, we need to understand that God is in control. Turn your problems over to God and see what HE can do with your life. Until you take your hands off of the reigns, you are not ready to see what God can do with you in your present situation.

Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Paul understood that it was his duty to preach the gospel to those whom God had brought into his life. Paul did not care if he was preaching to a king or if he was preaching to a peasant. All Paul was concerned about was whether he was doing the perfect will of God. It is much easier to preach to a king because it makes you feel more important. When you talk to someone important, you naturally want to go and tell everyone you know. However, it is much harder to spend the same amount of time with the bum in the street.

Scripture is clear that we are to be respecters of no persons. The religious leaders were very quick to dismiss anyone who took time to speak with Gentiles. The religious leaders saw foreigners as not worthy of their time. However, these same religious leaders know about Ruth and Rahab, both foreign women who accepted the God of Israel.

The religious leaders wanted nothing to do with the Gentiles and they wanted to destroy those who did take the time to preach the gospel with the Gentiles. The religious leaders were respecter of persons and they were not ashamed of it.

While scripture never tells us that Paul had a hard time preaching to the Gentiles or the less desirable people of the world, in this passage, Paul does tell us that he had to obtain help of God. There were probably times in his life that he would have rather gone to the nice houses and had dinner with the rich and famous. Paul was well educated so he could probably be a great dinner guest in some of the nicer neighborhoods. However, Paul understood that he was here on this earth to do the perfect will of God so he took the time to hear the voice of God and do his perfect will.

It is hard to do the perfect will of God in your own strength. It is easy to do our own will in our own strength. The problem with us is that we like to be in charge over our lives. This means that even when we know the will of God we like to take charge and try to make the will of God happen as we think it should happen.

It is a great thing for a farmer to use his talents to grow a crop to feed 5,000 men. However, Jesus did the impossible by taking a couple of loaves of bread and a couple of fishes and feeding 5,000 men. The difference between the farmer feeding the hungry and Jesus feeding the hungry is that God received the glory when the impossible was done.

When we are relying upon our own strength, we get the glory even if we are doing the perfect will of God. That is why it is important to fast, and pray in such a way that God receives the glory. We need to spend the time on our knees so that God gives us the strength to do HIS perfect will in our lives. As we learn to rely upon HIM, then we can be like Paul who went out and did both small and great things because he understood that he was doing it for the glory of God.

It is important that we learn to rely upon the strength of the Lord. It does not matter how big or how small of a decision we need to make, we need to trust in God. We need to be patient and learn to wait on HIM so that HE receives the glory for our lives.

Acts 26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Festus was in an interesting position. He had Paul bound in chains but he could not figure out what crime Paul was guilty of. Festus understood that the Jew had issues with Paul and Festus was willing to send Paul to Jerusalem to allow Paul to be judged by the Jews. However, Paul as a Roman citizen demanded his right to be judged by Caesar. Festus now had to send Paul to Rome, but he had no idea what crime Paul had committed.

Festus spoke with Agrippa and Agrippa proclaimed that he was willing to hear Paul’s case. When Paul was before Agrippa, he let Agrippa know that the reason why the Jews hated him was because Paul was preaching the fulfillment of the promise that God had made to the nation of Israel.

As soon as Adam and Eve had sinned and found themselves naked in the garden, it was foretold that God would send the perfect sacrifice to be an atonement for our sins. Time after time God reminded the nation of Israel that one day the Messiah would come. Generation after generation hoped against hope that the Messiah would come during their lifetime.

The Messiah had come but the religious leaders failed to see the Messiah through their lust for power. Paul’s crime was teaching to the Jews that the Messiah had already come, that HE had died and that HE had be raised from the dead.

God had promised to the nation of Israel that the Messiah would come. God did not lie; God fulfilled HIS promise. What promises of God are you hoping for? Is there something that God has promised you that you desire with all your heart?

We need to be careful that we learn to wait for the promises of God in the right way. When God makes a promise to us that is something that will be fulfilled in the future, we need to diligently serve the Lord right where HE has placed us today. Joseph is an excellent example of this. Joseph was called to be a great leader but while he waited for that day, he became the leader of his master’s house and later he became the leader over the prison.

When there is a promise of God that you desire to come to pass, you need to spend time drawing closer to God. Do not be afraid to spend long hours praying and reading the Bible. The closer your relationship with God is, the easier it will be for you to see the fulfillment of God’s promise in your life. If you are too busy pursuing the things of the world, you may be like the religious leaders and you will totally miss that which you were waiting on.

God does not lie. What God has promised you, God will bring it to pass. Sometimes you will have to learn to patiently wait on God. While we do not like to wait, waiting is a part of God’s plan for our life to draw us closer to HIM. Patience is just one of the precious promises of God that HE gave to us so that we can be more like HIM.

If you find yourself in a time of waiting, make sure you spend the time reading the word of God every day. God desires to speak with you but you must learn to listen. Paul found himself in trouble not because he was doing something wrong but because those around him had lost touch with God and no longer were able to hear the still small voice of God.

Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

Paul had just been asked by Festus if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to answer for himself in Jerusalem. Paul had been a prisoner for two years. Paul could have been nice and accepted the invitation of Festus to be judged in Jerusalem, but Paul understood that God desired him in Rome, not Jerusalem.

What if God had not told Paul his focus was now to be to preach in Rome? Before Paul had gone to Jerusalem, many of the believers were trying to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem because he might be beaten. Paul told them that he was willing to be beaten and if necessary killed in Jerusalem. Paul had only preached a couple of messages in Jerusalem and as such, most likely, if God had not shown him otherwise, Paul would have accepted this invitation and gone back to Jerusalem.

God did not want Paul in Jerusalem, God desired Paul to go to Rome. God still had much work for Paul to complete. Had Paul gone to Jerusalem, there were a group of men ready to kill him on the road to Jerusalem. Paul’s natural desires to go to Jerusalem could have resulted in his ministry being shorten by a few years and we would not have had all of the Pauline epistles that we have.

God had shown Paul what was to happen next so that he would make the right decisions. God desired Paul to focus on the next location rather than focus on the past. Paul understood what God desired him to do and as such, Paul made decisions accordingly. Rather than accept the invitation to go to Jerusalem, Paul instead appealed to Caesar which would result in him going to Rome where God desired him to preach.

The day Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha was constantly persuaded to leave Elijah’s side. However, Elisha would not leave Elijah and as a result he saw Elijah taken up into heaven. Elisha received a double portion of the power of Elijah because he remained focus upon what was God’s perfect will for his life.

There are going to be occasions when people try to persuade you to do something that is contrary to God’s will for your life. Satan is very cleaver in how he brings these trials into our lives and quite often, the persuasion will come from someone that we trust or respect. Elisha was persuaded to wait by Elijah.

It is our duty to be patient and wait for God to bring to pass the fulfillment of HIS direction to our life. Do not let man persuade you from doing anything but the perfect will of God. If God has shown you what you are to do, then only God can direct you on a new path. If God has given you a direction in which you are to go, do not be surprised when someone comes along the way and tries to direct you a different direction.

Paul was not persuaded to go a different direction because of the smooth words of a ruler so also we should not be persuaded to go a different direction then the one God has directed us. Be patient and remain focused upon what God has shown you and one day, God will bring HIS perfect will to pass in your life. Times of waiting are never fun, but the time you wait should be used by you to draw you closer to God and to fulfilling HIS perfect will for your life today.

Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Paul was a prisoner in the house of Felix. Paul had received instruction from God that just as he has preached in Jerusalem, so would he also preach in Rome. However, Paul did not find himself taking a trip to Rome, instead, he found himself a prisoner. To make matters worse, Felix knew that Paul was innocent but in order to release Paul, he first desired a bribe.

There are many excuses that Paul could have used in paying the bribe. He could have justified it by saying that the Roman Empire had provided a defense for him when they got him out of Jerusalem. Paul could have justified the bribe by saying the money he was paying was for room and board. However, for two years, Paul chose to do the honorable thing and not do anything that could taint the name of Christ.

For two years, Paul chose to patiently wait in prison. God was good to Paul and he causes Felix to give Paul some latitude to allow visitors to come and see him. We do not see in any of the writings of Paul that he became bitter as a result of being in prison. Instead of becoming bitter, Paul used his inability to go where he wanted to go when he wanted to go to write several of his letters. Paul may not have been able to preach in person, but he was able to write great spiritual truths that continue to touch the lives of believers to this day.

John Bunyan was a preacher from England who refused to stop preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result of his refusal to stop preaching, John Bunyan found himself in prison for 12 years. John Bunyan could have curled up in a ball and complained about how life was unfair. Nonetheless, John Bunyan chose to write a book called Pilgrim’s Progress. The book Pilgrim’s Progress has touched the life of millions and next to the Bible, is one of the most purchased books in the entire world.

Life is not fair. We may have plans for our life but that does not mean that God has to follow our desires and cause everything to happen just as we desire. Instead, we need to learn that God allows certain things to happen in our lives to direct us in the way HE desires us to go. Both Paul and John Bunyan would have rather been free men out preaching the gospel. However, God allowed them to be imprisoned in order to force them to have a lasting impact on the world around them.

What are your dreams? What are your ambitions? Maybe God will open the door and allow the desires of your heart to be fulfilled one of these days. However, until the Lord opens those doors, you have an obligation to serve God right where HE has placed you today. What can you do today to encourage others to draw closer to HIM? Maybe you can write a letter, maybe you should bake a cake and take it to the neighbor, maybe you can help an old man across the street. There are plenty of things you can do today to serve the Lord.

It does not matter what it is that you desire to do that God is not blessing you with, rather than pity yourself for what is not happening in your life, you should stop and thank God for everything HE has done for you in the past. We need to change our attitude from God owes us something to how much we owe HIM. Count your blessings, name them one by one. God has a purpose for everything that HE allows in your life.

Acts 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

Paul was just whisked away from Jerusalem and is now in front of Felix. Paul was in Jerusalem because God had instructed him to go and preach in Jerusalem. Paul recently had been told by God that just as he had preached in Jerusalem, so also would he preach in Rome. Paul direction was to go and preach in Jerusalem but Paul found himself a prisoner.

As much as Paul desired to be doing the perfect will of God, Paul understood that there were some things that were simply beyond his control. Paul understood that he had a duty to obey his civil authorities. As such, it was not an option for him to try to come up with some creative way to escape so that he could obey God by preaching in Rome. God had directed Paul’s steps and now Paul had to simply wait on the Lord to bring to pass that which HE had promised Paul.

God had shown Paul that he was going to preach in Rome, but what God did not show Paul was the things that were going to happen between when God had instructed him to preach in Rome and when Paul actually reached Rome. God spoke to Paul and showed him what was going to happen so that Paul could rely upon the promises of God when the storms arose in his life. Paul understood that God does not lie and that what God promised him, so God must bring to pass.

We do not always know why God does what HE does. We must understand that God has a purpose for everything. Just as Paul found himself waiting for the perfect will of God to be fulfilled in his life, so also we need to be patient with God and allow HIM to direct all of our steps.

Paul desired to preach the gospel but he found himself a prisoner in the house of Felix. It was told Felix that Paul was innocent, yet Paul was not free to go where he wanted when he wanted. Most of us would look at what was going on in the life of Paul something that was completely unfair. However, God had a purpose for this trial that Paul faced and we must understand that God never promised us that life would be fair.

When life is unfair, we need to turn to God and we need to ask him to give us the grace to patiently wait for God to fulfill HIS promises in our life. We need to stop looking at our circumstances and instead, turn our eyes upon God and ask him to open our eyes to show us what HE desires us to do today.

God has a purpose for our life today. Are you seeking the Lord and trying to discover what HE desires you to do today. Most of us are looking into the future and because our focus is not where God has us today, we fail to serve HIM as HE desires. How many wasted opportunities have we missed because we are more concerned about serving God in something big in the future that we fail to serve him in something small today?

It is much easier to dream about tomorrow then to focus upon what God desires you to do today. It does not matter what great promises God has given us about tomorrow, we cannot let tomorrow get in the way of today. We need to be patient about tomorrow and every day ask God to show us what HE desires us to do for HIM today. Are we HIS faithful servants? Maybe the reasons HE does not bring to pass the fulfillment of our visions is because we have not yet finished serving HIM where HE has placed us today.

Acts 23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

The chief captain of the guard in Jerusalem is writing to Felix in Caesarea. The captain has just heard that there is a group of 40 men who desire to kill Paul the next day so the captain decides he is going to send Paul to Caesarea with 200 solders, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen.

In the captain’s letter to Felix, he states that he sees no charge worthy of death or bonds. However, the captain has not released Paul. If the captain really believed that there were no charges worthy of him holding Paul, why did he not simply let Paul go at night and let Paul fend for himself. The trip from Jerusalem to Caesarea was approximately 75 miles and would probably mean that his soldiers would be out of Jerusalem for over a week.

Paul had just heard from God and had the chief captain let him go, we can assume that Paul would have headed to Rome as quickly as possible. Paul of course would have made stops along the way encouraging the local churches.

Nonetheless, even though the chief captain thought that Paul was innocent, he did not let him go and sent him to Felix where Paul remained in custody for approximately two years. Paul then was placed on a ship which was shipwrecked resulting in Paul being delayed several more months before they were rescued.

God had shown Paul what was next in his life, but Paul had to be patient in waiting for the will of the Lord to be fulfilled. Just because the chief captain thought Paul was innocent, God did not allow the chief captain to let Paul go. Instead, Paul experienced bondage as he waited to see how God would arrange things so that he would end up in Rome.

Have you ever seen someone say one thing and do the exact opposite? I am sure we all have seen someone who was a huge hypocrite. We must understand that God does not make a mistake. God knows what is going on around us and nothing is too hard for God. God used a hypocrite like the chief captain to coordinate his perfect will for the life of Paul and God can use a hypocrite in our life to prepare us for HIS will for our life.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us that there are seasons in our lives and that there is a time and a purpose for everything. Solomon instructs that there is a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. Solomon shares with us that there is time to weep and a time to laugh. In this passage, Solomon teaches us that everything that happens to us has a purpose by God and that God will take us through seasons as a part of that purpose. Even the season of love is directed by God according to HIS purpose.

What season of life are you in? Are you in a season of sowing or a season of reaping? Are you in a season of preparing the soil or are you in a season of waiting for winter to be over? God has many seasons in our lives and we need to be wise enough to understand what season we are in.

If God has you in a season of planting, then plant. If God has you in a season of reaping, then reap. If God has you in a season of preparing, then prepare. If God has you in a season of waiting, then patiently wait. If God has you in the season of reaping, do not be caught sitting on the sidelines waiting for Lord to drop the harvest in your life, take action according to the season.

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

For the second day in a row, Paul had been drug out of a riot by a Roman centurion. The first time Paul was rescued by the centurion, Paul had been worshiping God in the temple. The second time, Paul was before the religious leaders giving an answer for the hope that lies within him. Some of the religious leaders heard the message of Paul and could find no fault in Paul while some of the religious leaders did not accept that the Messiah had come. As a result of the dissension among the religious leaders, a riot was beginning and the centurion raced in and took Paul out by force.

Paul had been called by God to come and preach in Jerusalem. In this passage, God comes to Paul and reveals to him that he will also preach in Rome. This is the second time that God has told Paul that he will preach in Rome. Paul probably was a little discouraged sitting in prison not being free to find the believers in Jerusalem and worship God with them.

God had a perfect plan for Paul. God had called Paul to come to Jerusalem, but Paul is just learning that his time in Jerusalem would be very short. Why was it so important for God that Paul come to Jerusalem only to preach two quick messages before being whisked out of the city by night? Clearly it was the perfect plan of God that Paul come and preach in Jerusalem, but if God is going to go to all that effort to bring Paul to Jerusalem, one would think that God would leave Paul there a little longer than just a couple of days.

We can only guess as to why God wanted Paul in Jerusalem for these two sermons. It could be that the second sermon to the Pharisees and the Sadducees was an important message that God used to reach several Pharisees. We do not know the hidden fruit that came from these two sermons in Jerusalem. What we do know is that God had a perfect plan for Paul in Jerusalem and once Paul had completed that plan, God came and spoke to Paul to let him know what God desired him to do next.

We should not be discouraged just because the results of our action are not what we anticipated. Our duty is to serve God and leave the results up to HIM. Paul understood this principle and thus while he may have been discouraged, Paul was faithful to obey God.

How would you like it if God came and spoke to you and clearly told you what HE desired you to do next? The thing that we must remember is that although Paul was told he was going to preach in Jerusalem, Paul did not know that he was going to have to patiently wait for two years and suffer many afflictions before he finally was able to obey God in Jerusalem.

Just because God reveals something to you, it does not mean that God is going to cause it to happen now. Throughout scripture, God sometimes showed what was going to happen in the future but rarely was it something that was going to happen the next day. Abraham was promised Canaan land but it was many generations before his descendants were in control.

God will direct our steps when HE knows that we are ready to hear and obey. God will speak to us and show us what HE desires us to do when HE knows that we are ready to focus on our duty and not on the results. God is in control and the sooner we are willing to patiently wait for HIS perfect timing, the easier it will be on us to fully appreciate who God is.

Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Paul was being judged for his actions that had resulted in a riot the day before in Jerusalem. Even though Paul had done nothing wrong, his presence had caused a tumult.

Paul looked at the group of religious leaders and he saw Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees held more to the law of Moses while the Pharisees not only followed the law of Moses, but they were the defenders of the oral law, or the traditions that had arisen over the years as man had interpreted the law of Moses.

Because of the traditions that the Pharisees had so often tried to enforce, when Christ was here on this earth, he often rebuked them. On many occasions, Jesus was attacking the Pharisees because of their traditions and their attitudes. While Jesus did attack the Sadducees, HE did not do it nearly as often as he did the Pharisees. Most likely this was because they were not as engrossed in all the Jewish traditions that were created by man.

While the Pharisees seemed to be much more liberal in their religion then the Sadducees, there was one doctrine that the Pharisees followed that the Sadducees did not. The Pharisees believed that after a Jew died, he would be resurrected and that there would be an afterlife. The Sadducees on the other hand did not believe in a resurrection and instead believed, that once a man died, he was dead forever. The Sadducees did not even believe in angels.

Paul was no longer a Pharisee in that he had abandoned that life when God had reached out and touched him. However, Paul had an opportunity to help the religious leaders understand the truth that he was preaching. The Pharisees believed that there was life after death just like the New Testament Christians believed. While the Christians did not believe in all the traditions that the Pharisees taught, there was one common doctrine that they could agree on.

Paul took the common doctrine of resurrection and he used that to open a door for them to be more receptive to his message. The Pharisees had no desire to hear Paul because they were so focused upon how Paul dealt with the Gentiles that they wanted nothing to do with Paul. Now that they understood how they were somewhat similar, they were more willing to hear out Paul which opened the door for some of them to be converted.

We need to understand that there are many people out there who do not believe in the truths of the scripture. However, if you are patient and if you take the time to learn a little bit more about your audience, you will probably find something that they believe in that can open the door for you sharing Christ with them. We must learn that we are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. This means that we should see what doors God wants to open and then follow them so that God can use our words to reach others.

There are many who have been persuaded by false prophets and false religions. A false religion often takes some truth and distorts it to create a new doctrine. We must learn to love these individuals who have been led astray and be patient with them so that one day, when God gives us the chance, God can use our words to open their eyes and their ears to HIS truth. Wait on the Lord’s timing and you will soon see conversions that you never thought possible.

Acts 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutes.

Do you realize just how patient God is with us? Do you fully appreciate how we do not experience the immediate wrath of God the second we sin and fall short of HIS perfect will for our life?

Paul was a zealous man who was out persecuting the Christians. Paul was zealous in the traditions of the Jews and he did not understand how by the death of Jesus Christ, some major things had changed. Paul thought he was fighting for God when in reality he was fighting against God. The first time Paul put in prison a believer; God did not strike him dead.

God was patient with Paul and eventually, God decided it was time to get Paul’s attention. God knew exactly what to do to get Paul to change from his wicked ways. The way how God responded with Paul is not the way he responded with Jonah, or King Ahab. God treats each one of us different.

Just because we sin and it does not appear like God has punished us, it does not mean that God did not see what we did. God knows what you do in private even when no one else in this world knows what you have done. God may let you slide for a while, but there will come a day when you will be held accountable to HIM for every action, every word, and every thought.

God knew back before Adam and Eve ever sinned in the garden that there would be a man named Paul who was going to persecute those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God knew that this man by his persecution would cause many believers to flee and thus result in the spreading of the gospel. God also know that one day this same Paul would be touched by God and that this man would become a dedicated servant of God.

God knew all the bad things that Paul was going to do before Paul even was conceived. Nonetheless, God allowed Paul to live his life and do those things that were harmful to the cause of Christ. God was patient with Paul and one day God reached down from heaven and spoke to Paul in such a way that Paul saw the error of his ways.

God knew who you were going to be before the beginning of time. God knows all the mistakes that you have made and all the mistakes you will make in the future. God did not immediately judge you the second you sinned and fell short of HIS glory. Instead, God loved you so much that HE sent HIS only Son to die for you so that HIS blood can wash away all your sins.

The next time you sin, you need to fall on your face and thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ. The next time you sin, you need to fall on your face and thank God for HIS patience with you. The next time you sin, you need to fall on your face and thank God that HE did not cause the ground to open up and swallow you up.

God is very patient with us and HE has allowed us to live our lives according to our own free will. Just like we cannot touch a hot stove and not burn ourselves, there are consequences for the sins that we commit. Nonetheless, God has shown great mercy to us to allow us to live even when we have sinned and committed such grievous sins against a Holy God. God has never sinned, yet HE still forgives us for our transgressions.

Acts 21:40 And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Paul was in Jerusalem because God had called him to come to Jerusalem and preach. However, once Paul reached Jerusalem, the believers instructed him that before he let the multitudes know that he was in Jerusalem, Paul should purify himself. It was during this time of purification that some Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple and they created a riot by falsely accusing Paul of bringing a gentile into the temple.

Paul was called by God to preach in Jerusalem and he took the time to listen to the believers about how he should prepare himself to do the perfect work of God. Paul knew that there would be trouble once he started to preach, one would have to doubt that he thought there would be trouble while he was quietly worshiping God in the temple.

Paul had been talking for some time about going to Jerusalem and preaching. Paul probably was a little disappointed when he got to Jerusalem and the believers instructed him that he needed to wait another seven days and purify himself. It had been a long journey and Paul was a man of action, a man who desired to do the will of God as quickly as possible.

Paul showed some wisdom when he chose to wait a couple of days before things heated up. It would be good to stop and worship the Lord. Paul probably assumed that once his days of purification were over, he would start preaching and then he would be arrested as had been foretold.

Paul ended up being arrested before he started to preach. However, once he was arrested, Paul was diligent to look for an opportunity to preach. Paul knew he was sent to Jerusalem to preach and since he was already arrested before he had the opportunity to preach, Paul was active in asking the centurion that he be allowed to speak to his accusers.

We like to have our life all planned out in advance. We think we know what is best for ourselves and we quickly start pursuing it. However, we must understand that just because we think we know what God is going to do in our life, it does not mean that God is under any obligation to make things happen in our timing or in accordance with our plans.

Paul was patient and he listened to those around him and first renewed his relationship with God. When we think we are about to go through a major life changing position, we need to stop and follow the example of Paul and renew our relationship with God. We do not know what God has in store for our lives, but when things start happening, the time we spent drawing closer to God will be helpful when we have to make split second decisions for the cause of Christ.

Unless we take the time to get alone and draw closer to God, our ability to seek opportunities to continue to do the perfect will of God will be weakened. We need to understand that if we put God first in our lives, then when life throws us a curveball, we will be ready to hear the still small voice of God and we will be in the position that we can make quick decisions that can bring much glory to the kingdom of God. Paul was able to make the decision to stop the centurion and ask to speak because he had first taken the time purifying himself and ensuring that his relationship with God was right.

Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

Paul was in the house of Philip the evangelist in Caesarea. While there, a prophet named Agabus came and told the believers that if Paul went to Jerusalem, he would be bound and delivered to the hands of the Gentiles. When the believers heard this news, they tried to persuade Paul to not go to Jerusalem. However, Paul told them that he was willing to die for the cause of Christ.

The believers were hearing the bad things that Paul would suffer if he went to Jerusalem and because something bad was going to happen, they thought it would be best if Paul did not go. It did not matter how hard they were going to try, they were not going to persuade Paul because HE understood that it was the will of God for him to go to Jerusalem.

The believers finally understood the concept that it was the will of God for Paul to go to Jerusalem and they finally stopped trying to persuade Paul from going. They understood that Paul was submitting to the perfect will of God and as such, they needed to stop looking at the results that they thought might happen so as to focus instead upon the good things that God had in store if Paul fulfilled the perfect will of God.

Do you think that you are going to persuade a woman who wants a child not to have a child just by telling her about the pain of childbirth? Yes there is pain in childbirth but the joy a mother receives in bringing a new life into the world will quickly dissipate the pain as she holds her child in her bosom for the first time. The woman understands that the joy comes after the travail.

Paul was not focused upon the evil that would happen to him if he went to Jerusalem. Paul understood that Paul had called him to Jerusalem and that God had a purpose for his life in Jerusalem. Paul knew that the joy of doing the perfect will of God would be greater than any earthly persecution he receives while serving the Lord. Just like many mothers are not going to be persuade not to have children because of the pain of childbirth, so also Paul was going to Jerusalem regardless of the pressure applied by others.

Too often Christians see persecution and pain and they run from it thinking God could not be in such a place. However, God may want to use a tough situation to draw us closer to HIM. God can also use our trials to bring new life to those around us.

Paul understood that his focus was not to be on the results, his duty was to keep his focus upon God. Paul was patient in that he did not expect immediately results. Paul was not looking for the pot of God underneath the rainbow; Paul was not expecting peace and prosperity everywhere he went. Paul served a living God and it was his duty to obey and leave results up to God.

We must learn to turn our focus from results to doing the perfect will of God. Rather than allow ourselves to be worked up over every unfair thing that happens to us, we need to allow God to be God and see what God can do when we stop taking the reins of our life.

Paul was willing to die for his faith if it meant just one soul would be saved from an eternity in hell. We should be willing to live in an unpopular neighborhood or work a job flipping burgers if that is what God has in store for us. We need to be patient with God and focus upon obeying HIM and allow HIM to worry about the results from our life.

Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. The last time we know he was in Jerusalem, he was there on important church business when the apostles were discussing circumcision. The time before that was shortly after his conversion and he had to leave the town because the believers did not trust him.

Paul tells us that he is bound in the spirit. Based upon the choice of words, Paul was going to Jerusalem because God had laid it upon his heart to go to Jerusalem. Paul was being obedient to God. Paul did not know what God had planned for him in Jerusalem, but what Paul did know is that it was his duty to obey and it was up to God to direct his steps.

Because Paul used the word bound, it appears that it really was not Paul’s desire to go to Jerusalem. Paul probably wanted to stay in the fertile fields of Asia where he had been seeing some wonderful fruit. Paul knew that he had plenty of enemies in Jerusalem because of his stand on circumcision and because of his association with the Gentiles.

Paul had spent many years dedicating his life to the Lord and HE understood that when the Lord told him to go to Jerusalem, then regardless of his desires, he needed to go to Jerusalem. In the same way that a slave must go where his master directs, so Paul had to go where his Master directed. Granted, a slave has the option of running away, but Paul had experienced the power of God and Paul chose to obey the Lord rather than have a Jonah experience.

It is easy to follow God when HE is directing you in a way that you want to go. However, it is much harder to follow God when HE is directing you to do something that you disagree with. Jonah was a man who was told by God to preach but instead of preaching, he ran the opposite direction. God dealt with Jonah in such a way that Jonah eventually obeyed God and did what God desired him to do.

We have the free will to disobey God, but when we sin against God, we will suffer the consequences. A young child can chose not to clean its room when his mother tells him to do so, but if the mother loves her son, she will discipline him for his disobedience.

We need to follow the example of Paul. It does not matter what God is telling us to do, we should cheerfully follow the Lord even if we do not know what it means. The Lord led the nation of Israel out into the wilderness for a long period of time. Even though the people did not know what God was going to do, God took care of them every step of the way.

We need to be patient with God. God will not always show us what is going to happen next. God may give us a bigger picture as to the direction we are going, but HE will rarely show us exactly what will be happening tomorrow. The apostles thought that Jesus Christ would be returning right away, however, it has been almost 2,000 years since Jesus left promising to return.

When God starts prompting your heart to do something, then you need to listen and obey. Do not try to question God’s direction for your life, instead seek ways that God wants you to obey HIM. Stop trying to plan how God will bring HIS plan to fulfillment and start living by faith so that God can bless you every step of the way.

Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Paul is speaking to the elders at Ephesus. In speaking to the elders, he mentions the fact that he has faced many temptations. When we think of the great men of the Bible, we often forget that they were human and that they faced temptations just as we do today.

Paul was a man who faced temptations. Just because we do not know all the sins of Paul, it does not mean that he did not sin. God revealed to us through scripture some of the sins of Paul before he was converted and HE revealed to us the changes to Paul’s life after he was saved.

Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life without sin. However, even the Son of God was tempted as we have been tempted. Jesus Christ demonstrated to us that it is not a sin to be tempted by Satan; the sin is refusing to resist the temptation and to flee. When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan after fasting for forty days, Jesus Christ used scripture to give HIMSELF the strength to overcome the wicked one.

We are human and have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. While we may be tempted to sin, we must remember that greater is HE that is in us then he that is of this world. When we are tempted, we must turn to the power of the blood and we need to rely upon the power of God to strengthen us to overcome the temptation.

Sometimes when we read the stories of the men and women in the Bible we forget that they were sinners just like us. Instead of following the example of David who yielded to the temptation that was before him, we should follow the example of Joseph who fled when temptation came.

Satan knows our weaknesses and he is going to try to tempt you so as to cause you to damage your testimony. We must remember that God does not allow us to face any temptation that we are not able to overcome. God allowed Job to be tempted but Job was patient and did not yield to the temptation to blame God for his problems.

Job remained faithful to God regardless of what happened around him. Many terrible things occurred in his life and he was surrounded with people who were not helping him draw closer to God. Job did not allow his circumstances to take his focus off of what he knew was right and he resisted the temptation.

The next time temptation arises in your life, we need to stop what we are doing and cry out to God. We need to flee from the temptation and we need to allow the strength of God to enable us to overcome the temptation. Sometimes a temptation may be short but sometimes a temptation may last for a long period of time as it did in the life of Job. When there is a temptation that is not easily defeated, we must be patient and understand that God has a purpose for what is going on.

While Paul is not clear what his temptation was, we know that there was a temptation of some kind. It may have been a temptation to get angry or seek revenge. Whatever it was, scripture does not tell us that Paul yielded to this temptation, just that he had to endure it. In the same way, we will face various temptations as we seek to serve the Lord. However, we do not need to yield to the temptation and instead we need to be vigilant for the cause of Christ.