Sometimes when I’m reading the Bible I hear one big thing from God about what I’m reading and other times, like today, I get a bunch of little nuggets from Him. Today is one of those days where I have a few things to share, so let’s get to it.

While I was finishing up the book of Acts today I was thinking a lot about the shipwreck on the Island of Malta and the circumstances leading up to it. Before the shipwreck, Paul spoke a prophetic word to the crew, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also” (Acts 27:10 NIV). However, “the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship” (Acts 27:11 NIV).

It only makes sense to listen to people who are experts in the field. Paul was a tentmaker and a prisoner. However, had the centurion been a Christian things could have been different. Scripture tells us to seek a multitude of counselors in our lives (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22). However, before we seek counsel we should always pray and ask God who we should seek counsel from. God puts people above us such as pastors, elders, deacons, and the like within the church. Parents, relatives, and friends are also in our lives too. Sometimes these people may want to give us direction about things they know nothing about. When we seek the Lord first and ask Him who we should listen to we’ll be able to listen with the discernment that comes from prayer.

In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.

Acts 27:30 (NIV)

Have you ever been going through something and you just want it to end? I sure have. There have been times when I’ve cried, “Make it stop! Make it stop!” and a door has opened for me to let me flee from whatever it was. Something I’ve noticed, after quitting from a hard time, is that things don’t necessarily get any better just because that situation changed. In this situation, here in Acts, we see men wanting to flee the ship in the middle of the storm. They were going to leave a larger ship to get into a smaller boat in the middle of the ocean in a terrible storm. That makes no sense to me, but we can sometimes do the same thing in our lives if we’re not attentive to what God is doing.

The Lord allows for trials to come upon us for many reasons, and the Bible is full of Scripture that encourages us and lets us know why we ought to persevere.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Whatever we might be going through we need to go through it in faith. James reminds us that we gain a persevering faith when we go through trials. Furthermore, our perseverance in faith allows us to become spiritually “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” When Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes” He was talking to the father of the young boy who was possessed by an evil spirit. However, He was talking about what is possible when we have faith in God. However, if we falter in our faith, and give up in the middle of a trial, how is that impossible thing done, except for the grace of God?

I’m thankful for God’s grace. Without it, I’d not be saved. However, I’d much rather have my faith built up so I’m spiritually mature, complete, and not lacking anything than to have to rely upon God’s grace in the middle of my failure. The worst thing about failing or quitting a trial is we’re probably going to have to go through it again! God doesn’t allow stuff to come into our lives because He feels like it. So many trials, at least in my life, are because of me. I’ve yet to learn something so I keep making the same mistakes. Each time, I have God’s grace. I’d rather be wearing the crown of victory, wouldn’t you?

Do you know God? God knows you and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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