FEAR FACTOR

Acts 27:29-36

At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.

Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship.

But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.”

So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said.

“Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.”

Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.

Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—

You will not understand fear until you actually face it. I have not been on open waters for more than two hours, yet I had the feel of being stuck at the middle of the sea, when our boat stopped at high waters just for few minutes. These sailors and other people in the ship were facing great storms for weeks, they really had cause to fear:

Acts 27:14-15,18-20

But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea.

The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard.

The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard.

The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

They were so scared that even the thought of food left them:

Acts  27:21a

No one had eaten for a long time. 

For two weeks no one had eaten anything. I was shocked when I read that part. (May the Lord not allow us face this kind of unsettling trauma. Amen)

Then one individual who just sits in a comfort zone will quickly ascribe the title of "apostle" to themselves, what a jest. Selah

What brought them these troubles, they did not listen to Paul, they could not hear the Lord but Paul could, however, they did not know who Paul was, but they learnt the hard way:

Acts 27:21b

Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss.

The best thing to happen to a believer is to be able to hear from the Heavenly Father, if you have that, you have everything, what You do with it matters, for remember that when you hear and disobey it is rebellion remember what Samuel told King Saul:

1 Samuel 15:23

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. 

So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

This is why when my youths then wanted to jump forward, asking why God did not just empower them and give them privileged access to Himself, I told them of the risks, your intimacy with God is a great thing, but if you toil with it, it could be destructive, patience and maturity is needed. Grow . . .

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

Then when maturity begins, you go into strong meat:

Listen to Jesus:

Luke 12:47-48

“And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

We learn a lot from the life of Paul, we see how serious the mission work is, what He went through for us to enjoy the word today. Understand when I am hard on ministers, elders, and all those who claim authority in the church. It is a serious business, it is not secular but spiritual. We must wake up, teach the truth and lead the sheep aright.

Christ was so passionate about it that He asked Peter the question thrice.

Are believers being prepared to face the storm, my young niece asked a question last night during our devotional -"why can't everything just be perfect, no trouble or worries, why must there be challenges and difficulties?". We may also have asked this question many times as children. The truth is, that is how the world is.

One is asking for rain while the other is praying for sunshine and they are both in the same place, a third could even be asking for both or neither. Hello, since man fell, troubles began, we can't do anything about it, but we can hide in the shelter of the Almighty Psalm 91:1. We also remember the promise of Christ:

John 16:33

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Fear will come, but as Paul we will remain unshaken, for just as he wrote by the Spirit:

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

God got you covered!

We overcome: study the word, worship, evangelize and stay in prayer. All is well with us.

Never cease to do good, that is your nature.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher