Weekly Devotion from Jesse

Wednesday, March 3     This Week
Week of:    Feb 21, 2010, Feb 14, 2010, Feb 7, 2010, Jan 31, 2010
Topics: GROWING IN YOUR FAITH, HANDLING CONFLICT, TRIALS

WHEN YOUR WORLD UNRAVELS

Passage Of the Day:

We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disasterous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.”

Acts 27:7-10 (New King James Version)

Insight - Application & Encouragement

Insight:

The apostle Paul was being taken to Rome as a prisoner in Acts chapter 27. The pilot and sailors on the ship, however, didn’t listen to his warnings about the weather. As a result, the headed into typhoon conditions and nearly lost their lives. Step by step, Paul walks the 276 people on the boat through the steps needed in order to survive the storm. Not everyone can figure out how to get through times when their world is unraveling. This chapter is a great example of how God can help in the most troubling situations.

Application:

In today’s world some examples of things becoming unraveled could include: when your parents get divorced or fight all of the time around the house, you fail a class in school, a friend of yours betrays you, there are false rumors spread about you, you get a report from the doctor that there is a problem, you run out of money, you get fired from a job, you drift far away from God and you are not even sure why it is happening.

Large Storms:
What is true and helpful to know about navigating through difficulties?
1) Pay attention to early warning signals: these early signs can come with your health, or your spiritual condition, or dating someone you know you shouldn’t. The Holy Spirit communicates and lets you know that something isn’t right. Look at the warning hints in Acts 27:4-9.
2) Don’t be too silent about avoidable disasters: If you are in the passanger seat and the driver falls asleep, it’s not good to ignore the issue or let them take a nap- you need to say ‘wake up!’. Look at what paul does in Acts 27:10.
3) Not all advice should have equal weight: Paul is in the minority but his advice is good- the majority in he boat are giving bad advice- check out Acts 27:11-15. Life can be like that. Read Proverbs chapter 2 and see how God gives wisdom to those who seek and revere Him.
4) Storms force you to decide what is actually most important: When push comes to shove, what will you really do in crunch time- follow God fully or only partly, honor your family or let them down? Forgive your enemies or look to get revenge? Take the high road. Decide what you will keep and what you will get rid of- Acts 27: 18-20.
5) Don’t act out of fear-stick with God’s plan: There will be a temptation to be driven by fear instead of faith. Is your motive fear or being faithful to God? Don’t let your fears swallow you up, continue to walk by faith. Acts 27:41-44.

Questions:
Have you ever felt like everything is unraveling? What did you do?
What advice to give your friends when they go through large storms?
Have you ever turned away from sin because of the pain you experienced?
Read psalms 17 and 18- how does David pray to God in the storms of life?
What are you afraid of- how can God help?
Is there a Bible verse that helps you get through the tough times?

Prayer:
Father God, I want to walk by faith, not by fears. Please help me to stay on track with You even in the storms of life. Help me to notice early warning signs and take the right steps to adjust my life. Keep me as the apple of Your eye God and hide me in the shadow of your wings. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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