I Believe in Miracles
Once our hero, Paul, and the other castaways washed up on the shore of Malta, we read what happened next: As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. When the local people saw the creature hanging […]
Warm and Friendly
The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could swim off and escape. But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to follow, some on […]
Have Something to Eat!
Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” […]
Cut the Ropes!
On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that […]
Grace: Told you so…
As we left Paul and his shipmates, they were in the midst of a terrible winter storm in the Adriatic. Before the ship wrecks, Paul has one last word of encouragement for them: Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to […]
A Strategy for Life’s Tempests
As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor […]
Storms in Life
When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose; they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. But not long afterwards, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way […]
Especially the gift of prophecy…
As Luke closes chapter 26 of Acts he adds a comment that is as much an editorial as it is a quotation of Agrippa: …“This man [Paul] could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32, NIV). Nevertheless, Paul, did appeal to Caesar, so he and Luke and some friends […]
Three Legs of Evangelism
But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment… “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:25, […]
Walking in Faith
As he was making his defense this way, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad!” But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment. (Acts 26:24-25, HCSB) Sometimes I […]
A Stooping God
In Acts 26 Paul is continuing the defense of his ministry before the throne of King Agrippa. After explaining how he ended up in chains in court, Paul says: “But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike…” (Acts 26:22, NIV). It’s […]
Faith and Works
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. (Acts 26:19, HCSB) Ever wonder what sets apart the great men and women of faith? I believe it is implied here: obedience. Interestingly, the word used here can mean “to obey” or “to persuade.” The two ideas are tied tightly together: Paul obeyed the […]
