Word for Today.....Don't Panic!!!!!!!
Scripture: And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. Acts 27: 20
Be of good cheer...
What exactly is Paul's problem? Didn't he know that EVERYONE, including himself, was in danger of losing their lives? Didn't he remember that he and the group of people who were traveling together, (he being a prisoner), hadn't seen the sun or the moon for MANY days? What is it that Paul knew that everyone else didn't? HE KNEW GOD!!!!! Okay, let's go back a little bit. To give you a little insight on this passage of Scripture, the Apostle Paul is headed to Rome to stand before Caesar to make an appeal for freedom. He is under arrest and facing imprisonment and possible execution for preaching the Gospel. Paul was being transported by ship to Italy when a great storm called "Euroclydon" came upon them. Paul had warned the captain of the ship saying, "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." However, the captain of the ship listened to the owner and as a result, they found themselves in the middle of this great storm. (I won't even go into the NUMEROUS times I've listened to someone besides God and ended up in a big mess!) The storm tossed the ship to and fro and it was evident that the ship would not hold up against the storm. The men started to panic but Paul told them to not worry ("be of good cheer"). Now he sounded like an idiot. The ship is sinking; they hadn’t eaten in days and their lives were in danger, but Paul says, "be of good cheer". Why isn't he worried? Because he received a word from an angel who was sent from God which told him that he and the others would survive if they followed God’s instructions. Well, with nothing else to lose, the captain and his crew did exactly as Paul instructed.
Today, we are on the sea of life, in our own little ships, dealing with all types of little rain storms. What bills to pay or what bills we have enough money to pay? Are we going to get that promotion we want so badly? Will we be able to buy that car we long to drive? For the most part, we go through life riding on a sea that gives us a little toss here and there and we just ride it out because we know that all will be well sooner or later. After all, everything has worked out before. Then, one day, something happens that really gets our attention . . . "Euroclydon", a major storm, comes into our lives and threatens to tear our peace of mind apart and change our lives FOREVER! It could be Cancer. It could be AIDS. It could be divorce or the death of a spouse, child or parent. All of a sudden, just like the men on the ship, you steadily begin to lose hope and settle for death because it doesn’t seem that anything else is possible. Nothing you try works. You see everything coming unglued. Your peace of mind is being shattered. You don't know which way to turn. You ask me "what should I do?" My advice is the same advice that Paul gave. BE OF GOOD CHEER!!!! You say, 'now, YOU sound like an idiot, Evangelist Gordon. Can't you see I'm going through hell?' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! You say, 'the bills are stacked up, I've just lost my job and I'm going to lose my house.' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! 'The doctor says I have Cancer.' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! 'He says I'm going to die and not live.' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! 'My spouse left me for my best friend.' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! 'My child is dealing and using drugs.' BE OF GOOD CHEER!!! The Euroclydon of your life has come to 'rock your world' and you feel like you are sinking fast. It feels as if the sea of life is going to swallow you up and you're going down for the last time. God gave me a message for you! He says, 'FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU, BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM THY GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE, YEA I WILL HELP THEE, I WILL UPHOLD THEE, WITH THE RIGHT HAND OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS. WHEN THOU PASSEST THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH THEE; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW THEE; WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NEITHER SHALL THE FLAME, KINDLE UPON THEE.' (ISA. 41:10, 43:2).
And although, like Peter, it seems that you are going under, never to return again; if you holler, "LORD JESUS, SAVE ME", He will. For, whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved (delivered).Be Blessed!!!
Comments
This is a wonderful word of testimony. I just received word 20 minutes ago, that a 72 year old saint has been diagnosed with cancer, and I am going to send this word to them. A right on time word!
Thank God !
Posted by: Jeri Sprewell | May 1, 2008 07:12 PM