Handling Troubles

Handling Troubles-Apostle Paul our Example
Acts Chapter 27 and 28

Background
Paul goes to Jerusalem and he is arrested. Paul appeals to see Caesar. He and other prisoners get on a ship to go to Rome. If Paul had not appealed to Caesar, Governor Festus and King Agrippa would have released him.

In the natural it would have been better for Paul to have not appealed his case. But in the spiritual God had other plans for Paul-to share the gospel in Rome.

It should be noted that Paul appealed his case because he was innocent, not guilty. God will not bless you if you lie to get set free or to appeal your case. You may think you are getting away with something, but God does not honor lying. Especially Christians who lie. A Christian who lies is taking the Name of the Lord in vain.

Start Reading Acts 27
Vs 10-11 Paul does not start a riot just because the centurion did not listen to him.

Vs 20-26
all hope of being saved was abandoned. What Paul had said in verse 10 was happening. Paul tells them they should have listened to him, but instead of condemning them, he comforts the men. Here is the good news, because Paul was a man of God and had a destiny to be filled, the lives of others were spared.

Vs 31-36
The soldiers start listening to Paul. And Paul encouraged them to eat. He did not see the soldiers as his enemies. They were just doing what they were paid to do.

Vs 37 42-44
276 persons life saved because of Paul having the mind of Christ even if he was wrongly accused. And none of the prisoners escaped. This is amazing.

Chapter 28:3-6 Powerful portion.
The fire in the storm.

All of us are going to through the storms of life. At times our lives even get shipwrecked. It may all seem hopeless. But in the midst of the storm God will bring the fire of revival in our lives. The Holy Spirit kindles something within us. We feel like we have new life and sense His warmth. The fire needs to be stirred up more so we need to throw sticks in the fire. You know what the sticks are? They are the things of the past. Our failures, bondages, sins, unforgiveness, bitterness-whatever it may be. They must be thrown in the fire (consumed) if we want the fire of God to burn in our life. If we hold onto them the fire we will be drenched by our sin.

Here is something else to learn from this story. As Paul when to through the sticks in the fire, a viper attached itself to him. The serpent (satan) wants to attach himself to you. He wants to stop you from throwing the sticks in the fire. He wants you to get so focused on him and all his demons that you will forget about confessing your sins and repenting. He will try to get you back into doing the very things that need to be thrown in the fire.

What did Paul do? He shook the viper off. He did not get worried, he just shook the viper off and keep putting sticks in the fire. You need to shake satan and his demons off. Do it right now. Shake them off. Start confessing your sins right now. OUT LOUD. DO IT. EVERYTHING OUT IN THE OPEN AND INTO THE CONSUMING FIRE SO THAT YOU MAY BE WARMED BY THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD.

Here is something else to look at. Paul was the great Apostle Paul. Yet he is the one getting sticks to fuel the fire. He was humble enough to be used by God to help others to be warm. Don’t get prideful with what God does in your life. Be a vessel he can use. I meet guys all the time that are so spiritual in the jail and think they know everything and then they get out and fall flat on their face.

Vs 8-11 Because Paul was humble enough to gather sticks, and then shook off the viper when it bit him, God used him to be a vessel of honor who prays for the sick and they are healed. Everyone was getting healed. You see even though Paul was wrongly accused, he did not get into a pity party. He was a vessel of honor in ALL circumstances.

Vs 14 Because of Paul’s godly character, when they set sail again and arrived to shore, Paul was able to stay with friends for 7 days. That is the favor of God. Do you want the favor of God. Then be a holy vessel of honor. Walk in the character and power of God.

1 Peter 2:18-24 (NASB)
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. [19] For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. [21] For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, [22] who COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN His mouth; [23] and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; [24] and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

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