KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Chapters: Acts 26-28
Message: Set Apart For God
Hello My Friend,
I was promoting this product that looked similar to another product, whenever I said what it was I had to keep repeating myself because, even though it tasted different, they could not grasp the concept that it was different. You know, the life changing affect that Christ has on our body once our soul has Him is astounding, we look the same as the world, but we are different, and that is going to bring some mixed reactions. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” – II Corinthians 5:17-19.
When Paul headed back to Jerusalem he had no idea what would happen to him, he heard the rumors, and God even used several people to warn him not to go, yet he continued anyway because in his heart he believed he was supposed to die there. Even though this was not God’s plan He did use it to His advantage as Paul stood before, both Jews, Gentiles, and all the religious people to give his testimony. Paul, stood before king Agrippa and gave his testimony once again, with Festus right there trying to make a mockery out of his testimony.
“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 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: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” – Acts 26:19-25.
“but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.” Festus called Paul or anyone else who believed in Christ mad or crazy. People do not like to hear the truth about Christ because that means they have to admit they have sin in their lives. I was watching this movie that was supposed to be spiritual and bring people to the knowledge of Christ, but all they did was throw bits and pieces of truth with lies and it angered me because it gives a false narrative of Christ, one that the world sees Him as rather than who He really is. No one knows everything about Christ the second they get saved, it is a growing process, but we can tell what truth we do know, and that He is the sinless Son of God, who died on the cross for the sins of man, was buried, and rose up three days later to save all who believe in and receive Him. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – II Corinthians 5:21.
Something happens when we begin to walk in the likeness of Christ, we find ourselves being directed by the Holy Spirit even when we make some decisions that were not necessarily sin, but not in the will of God. While Paul thought he was to die in Jerusalem, Jesus told him that he must go to Rome and preach the Gospel there, and while I am sure that God never intended for Paul to go there as a prisoner, king Agrippa, who was ready to release him, granted his wish to appeal to Caesar and was now on a prison ship with two hundred seventy-six men headed for Rome. Once again, God used this situation to His advantage as the Roman commander put them on a ship headed straight for a storm.
“And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.” – Acts 27:6-11.
“Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship,” Paul warned them not to continue in the direction they were going, but the commander chose to believe the man who owned the ship and for fourteen days these men were in the middle of a hurricane, many were about to jump ship. Paul knowing that God had plans for him in Rome, knew that He would get him there, and speaks out to them.
“Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.” – Acts 27:29-36.
“Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Jesus is the ship that we need to be on in order to be saved from hell and the second death. We cannot avoid storms, and sometimes we create storms ourselves, but we can endure them as long as we stay on the ship. And while we in no way lose our salvation if we get off the ship we do lose our connection with God and our ability to endure the storm. We do not have to blend in with the world to be among them, I am the oddball who wears a long black skirt to work when everyone else wears pants (except one), of course, I look similar, but am different, and that is what I am supposed to be. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” – I Peter 2:9,15-16.
Paul never lost his faith in God being right there with him, he witnessed the Gospel to anyone God led him to no matter what he was going through. One of the main reasons why God brings storms in our lives is to remind us that He is always with us. While the ship tore apart and everyone ended up in the water, not one person lost their life, many getting saved themselves. Paul finally arrived in Rome, and while he still remained a prisoner he had his own place to live where he was encouraged to minister to the people, many getting saved themselves.
“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” – Acts 28:23-28.
“Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias” While Paul had a good testimony to give on how he got saved, he also knew Scripture and that helped him be able to minister to more people. While our testimony is great and is in every way capable of our leading someone to Christ, it is important that we read and study the Bible so we can be able to reach more people, and that includes both Old and New Testaments, too many religions teach you to stick to certain books, but every word of God is pure and it is just as easy to lead someone to Christ out of the Old Testament as it is the New. As Christians, we all have something to do for the Lord, let us embrace it and enjoy the fact that it is a good thing to be different. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” – Ephesians 4:11-13.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” – Acts 26:23.
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for loving me and never giving up on me. From the time I can remember, I knew I was different than those in the world, and You confirmed that when I learned the truth about Your Son and reason why I You allowed me to go through so many storms. Now, I know that while some of my storms were unavoidable, and I did stir up my own, but You put Your loving arms around me, hugged me, and helped me through each and every one. Lord, forgive me for ignoring You both in and out of my storms, I know that You love me and do have a purpose for everything I go through, even when I cause it myself or do not listen to your warnings. Give me Your power and strength to stay on board the ship, I know sometimes I may even take a detour, but You always see it as an opportunity to use it to Your advantage. And thank You for using me even when I do make those detours. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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