Along for the Ride

 

Along for the Ride

Acts 27: ²¹ After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³ Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶ Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

 

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Being part of the team felt great. One person in particular was being groomed to run the entire company. He surrounded himself with a lot of people who would work hard and remain honest. I was on his team and was successful because he was successful.

 

• There have been people who protected me because of their success.
• There have been people who brought me with them because of their purpose.
• There have been people who raised me up from very low places.

 

Paul reminded the crew that they should have listened to his warning, but they did not and almost lost their lives. He then encouraged them even though there was no food and everyone was feeling low. He was told let them know they would be saved.

 

• GOD wants me to encourage people.
• GOD wants me to tell people “Do not be afraid.”
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIM because HE has given me a purpose.

 

When GOD gives a purpose to someone, it benefits many. I have seen people encourage the lost and their lives were changed for good. GOD wants me to do the same. HE wants me to live my life with purpose, bringing those around me to HIM. HE will do just as HE promises. In HIM I place my trust.

 

• What is your purpose?
• Will you stay stuck on the problem or look forward to GOD’s deliverance?
• Will you encourage people around you and love those who are hard to love, so JESUS can save you and them today?

Connected

Connected

Acts 21: After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. ² We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. ³ After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. ⁶ After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

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“Who will I meet and what will I eat?” were the questions that ran through my mind when I ventured on a couple of missions trips in other countries. I was nervous because I never had been out of the country of my birth.

After meeting up with a local church, a guy spoke to me and asked me about JESUS on the first trip. My fears subsided. The same thing happened in other countries on other trips.

• There were times when I worried about being in a strange place.
• There were times when I wondered about my comfort.
• There were times when I felt uncomfortable about speaking to strangers about JESUS.

Paul and the disciples sailed to several ports on the way to Jerusalem, landing in Tyre. There they sought out those who believed in JESUS as their LORD and Savior. Many men, women and children met with them. At the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT they urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. They were connected enough to speak with wisdom, not fear.

• GOD wants me to connect with people through the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to serve people based on the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to live my life with purpose based on the HOLY SPIRIT.

Being led by the HOLY SPIRIT means growing GOD’s kingdom versus tearing it down. JESUS died and rose from the dead, sending the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believe in HIM. When I listen to HIM, I get sent to those who need the connection, or who need to guide me in my journey. I am grateful for the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• Are you connected to GOD’s people through JESUS?
• Does your life have purpose to do HIS will?
• Will you accept what GOD is urging you to do and drop your answers to human issues to provide HIS solutions to the problems of others today?

Being With

Being With

John 17: ²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

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Figuring out what was wrong with each person, I found out ways to avoid people. “That person was too mean” and “That person is too snobbish” I said about the “In crowd.” After my evaluation of many people I found myself alone. I mean, they weren’t friendly anyway.

• There were times when I chose not to join the crowd.
• There were times when I looked at the differences in other people as a problem.
• There were times when I separated myself because I could not find anything I had in common with the people around me.

JESUS continues HIS prayer for all who believe in HIM. HE asks the FATHER for HIS followers to be “with” HIM, to see HIM in HIS glory. But what does it mean to be “with” JESUS.

• GOD wants me to want HIM.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways, especially when it is difficult.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM even when people around me do not.

Being “with” GOD means I stand for what HE stands for. HE sent HIS SON to save the world, yet the world turned their eyes away HIM. HE sees the disunity amongst humans and knows the hearts of mankind. HE draws those who truly believe in HIS SON so they can be “with” HIM in agreement. I am with GOD and I look forward to being “with” the SON in all HIS glory, someday.

• Do you agree with the way GOD handles things?
• Do you try make situations perfect so you can be with people?
• Will you allow GOD to change your heart so you can agree with how HE handles situations?
• Will you be “with” GOD today in faith instead of being against HIM with your own plans?