How you doin? Man do I
love God. While praying this morning, I just felt an overwhelming
outpouring of love for Father God. An outpouring of praise for all that
He is. His sovereignty, grace, mercy, plan, word, patience, power,
authority, victory, reconciliation (through Jesus), and most of all His
love. Just to mention a few. Acts 27 today.
I could
have named this email "Human Understanding". I noticed the stark
contrast in Paul's version of the future and God's version of the
future. As I've said SO many times before, I believe/understand that God
is present future. We as people relying on our own understanding... not
so much. As Paul & 276 other men are sailing to Italy so Paul can
face more trial, they face many dangers and challenges (test). Paul
warns the men in verse 10, “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.”
The key words here are "I can see". That's a bad word. Paul on his own
paints a very human understanding picture (if that makes sense). That's
Paul's version.
Now let's look at God's version. Paul's still involved. Verses 23-25, "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." WOW!!!!!!! That's a good word. I love God's present
future. These men are facing death by sea and God says (my version)
"that's not my plan". COME ON!!!!!!! Paul was convinced that their lives
were at stake in verse 10. He has a visitation from an angel and now he
has "faith in God that it will happen just as he told me".
AWESOME!!!!!!! Paul believed the prophetic word he received. I'm sure
it's easier to believe when an "angel of God" is standing next to him. I
can certainly see why Paul had a new report for the men. God's in
control. He had a plan for Paul's life and Paul paid attention to Him.
DIG IT!!!!!!! I love this stuff.
What
does this mean for me. First, I must be willing and have a desire to
hear the call. The call comes in anyway God can get it to me. Then, I
must be willing to count the cost of following Jesus. I've never been
more willing to pay anything to follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!! I'm willing
to allow Him to draw me closer to Him. What once was the scariest
thought ever (the cost of following Jesus)... is now the most thrilling
intense desire I've ever had. SO GOOD!!!!!!! Last, I most be willing to
step into the process, cocoon, dark room, or what ever analogy works for
me at the time. I like calling it the process the most. I once was
irritated by the process, now I've learned to love it, because it's
fellowship with Him. I'm getting a little charged up over here. I
received a mind changing prophetic word from John Kirby on 4/5/2013.
I've also received a vision from God that comes in agreement with that
word. SO GOOD!!!!!!! So I'm going to keep up my courage, pay the cost,
and follow Him. COME ON!!!!!!!
The blood of Christ speaks a better word. Let's see what version prevails, Paul's or God's. Verse 44, "In
this way everyone reached land safely." God's version won out, because
He's in control and Paul had ears to hear, eyes to see, he paid
attention, and had faith. Now that's a good word. Go with God's version
today.
PS
Please be praying for Stacey. Prayers for strengthening and
encouragement. It's not easy being on the boat with hurricane force
winds.
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