Shake Off the Vipers
A woman at our church has written and published three Women's Bible Studies. The one we are recently working on is called, The Unexplainable Church by Erica Wiggenhorn. It is a study of Paul's journey through the reading of Acts 13-28.
Today, we read Acts 27:39-28:10, where Paul is shipwrecked on the Island of Malta. After enduring treacherous seas for two weeks, the ship is about to crash onto a sandbar. But if that's not enough trouble for the 276 on aboard, the soldiers are planning on killing the prisoners so they can't swim to freedom once the ship wrecks!
But God uses the favor of a Roman Centurion to save Paul's life and the entire 276 men make it ashore alive, a miracle in and of itself. Once on shore the devil is working overtime with a viper striking out and hanging from Paul’s hand to kill or cause him illness, but God steps in and turns another bad scenario into a blessing for Paul and to glorify Himself. Erica asks this question, in response to the reading, “Is it easier for you to notice God’s care and provision in times of great crisis or in daily, run-of-the-mill life? How so?”
In other words, do you only trust God when the vipers are hanging from your hands, about to kill you with its venom, or do you have faith in God during difficult times and like Paul shake off the vipers and go about your journey for God and His purposes? Because Paul was following and believing for God's intervention and protection, not only was Paul protected, but so were the other 276 men onboard the ship. That's a powerful reminder that when we are walking with God, those around us are in a better place of protection then when we are wayward as Jonah was on his sailing expedition where all on board were in danger of dying.
It's scary to think that our vipers can bite us and poison those arounds us as well. It's time to shake off the vipers, if not for ourselves, for those that walk this journey of life with us. God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the antidote for all the sin in our lives, we need only to take Him into our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls in faith. Believing in Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead then asking forgiveness for our sins is our only way to shake off the viper, the devil, and be saved from death eternally.
Today, we read Acts 27:39-28:10, where Paul is shipwrecked on the Island of Malta. After enduring treacherous seas for two weeks, the ship is about to crash onto a sandbar. But if that's not enough trouble for the 276 on aboard, the soldiers are planning on killing the prisoners so they can't swim to freedom once the ship wrecks!
But God uses the favor of a Roman Centurion to save Paul's life and the entire 276 men make it ashore alive, a miracle in and of itself. Once on shore the devil is working overtime with a viper striking out and hanging from Paul’s hand to kill or cause him illness, but God steps in and turns another bad scenario into a blessing for Paul and to glorify Himself. Erica asks this question, in response to the reading, “Is it easier for you to notice God’s care and provision in times of great crisis or in daily, run-of-the-mill life? How so?”
In other words, do you only trust God when the vipers are hanging from your hands, about to kill you with its venom, or do you have faith in God during difficult times and like Paul shake off the vipers and go about your journey for God and His purposes? Because Paul was following and believing for God's intervention and protection, not only was Paul protected, but so were the other 276 men onboard the ship. That's a powerful reminder that when we are walking with God, those around us are in a better place of protection then when we are wayward as Jonah was on his sailing expedition where all on board were in danger of dying.
It's scary to think that our vipers can bite us and poison those arounds us as well. It's time to shake off the vipers, if not for ourselves, for those that walk this journey of life with us. God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the antidote for all the sin in our lives, we need only to take Him into our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls in faith. Believing in Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the dead then asking forgiveness for our sins is our only way to shake off the viper, the devil, and be saved from death eternally.
Acts 27:42-44
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan...44 In this way everyone reached land safely.
Sunrise on a new day brings hope and anticipation for what God has in mind for today.
Admiring Paul's faith. Nothing could stop him.
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