SHIPWRECKED IN MALTA

copyright(c)2019Daneille Gray Snowden

2019

SHIPWRECKED IN MALTA

by Daneille Gray Snowden

What does your 'minds-eye' see when you read the word; SHIPWRECKED? I see a ship tattered, of personally being hurt & wounded, cold, wet, and alone. There is also a sense of hopelessness, with thoughts such as; 

"Is this it? Is this where my life will end? I was on a journey of purpose and now what?"

I recently heard of what is called the 

'KINGDOM-SEQUENCE'- 

1.) A season of multiplication. Saved, seeing doors open a newness.

2.) To a storm (& even more storms).

3.) Then a greater measure of miracles and purposes.

Take this into account with the life of Paul in the book of Acts. 

Paul is being 'sentenced-to-death' as he was innocent of the accusations laid upon him; but this was his journey.

Acts 26:31 "...and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”

YET Paul, still by God's sovereign Will, had to accept this path by trusting in His Lord.

What's incredible; Paul was STILL ON HIS WAY TO WHAT GOD CALLED HIM TO DO!

Our family was on our way TO WHAT GOD CALLED US TO DO as we went to Mozambique, Africa. As hard as it was (& we will return) - we knew that God called us there. 

There is nothing like a 'focus' on God's Purpose for our lives; we go regardless of the circumstances that are taking us there. 

Paul was a prisoner! He was in a stinky, cold, dark ship. If he didn't have sea sickness, I am quite sure others did! 

He was not respected for all his education and Roman citizenship. He was just a prisoner to others. 

Paul KNEW THE ONE WHO called Him into the life of a servant and apostle. He had to be where God told him to be. 

People, we must NEVER ALLOW what others may say or think; TAINT what God's purpose is for our lives. 

He made you, He formed you...you are His! He formed in your heart a person for a unique task to touch particular souls on the road He has created for you to walk. 

Let's read Acts 27 (click)

As we read in this journey we see that they had to steer their ships (for Paul took more than one) under the shelter of different land barriers; for the winds were blowing hard.

WINDS OF OPPOSITION

As we take our journey in God's direction for our lives; winds of opposition will blow. Many times they don't 'let-up!'. 

The enemy of God does not want His Will to be accomplished. He doesn't want souls to come to know Jesus as their Savior and for all to be encouraged. 

Thus; the oppositions do come!

-What are the winds of opposition for you?

⠈sickness ⠁people criticizing ⠁failure  ...etc??

We keep going ... (Paul - he even kept looking-up to the Face of Jesus).  LOOK UP my friend, Seek His Presence & His Voice!

SAILED SLOWLY & WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY! (v.7-8)

Oh my goodness...can we ALL identify here? The path of purpose, with it's winds of opposition is LONG and HARD!

PAUL WAS IGNORED! (v. 9-12)

Have you ever been ignored after sharing what you knew for sure was right? 

As I have become a bit older, and have walked some roads those 1/2 my age are now walking; I share warnings, or nuggets of wisdom to them. There are times I try to share when I am totally ignored and they listen to those who are in the same chapter of life as they. 

What happens...they get in a 'pickle!'  OUCH!

"Sometimes we are in storms because people ignore our warning!" (C. Houde)

THE SOFT WINDS 

13 "When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete." 

-UNDERESTIMATING A SOFT WIND:

We blow off the 'yank' of the Holy Spirit as He tries to pull us in the right direction. 

Here, the captain chose to listen to others instead of Paul (even though he did like Paul). 

     IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SOFT WINDS they put the ship out to deeper sea close to Crete. 

DRIVEN INTO THE TEMPEST

In this fierce storm that lasted for days; having to throw their supplies overboard and being without sustenance...

GOD SPEAKS TO PAUL!

                           -A REVELATION IN THE STORM! (v. 21-26)

Even when life is CRAZY...WHEN THINGS ARE COMING AT US FROM EVERY DIRECTION...GOD STILL WILL BRING YOU A REVELATION! 

He sends His messenger to Paul and he in turn encourages the others.

MY FRIEND...USE THE BOLDNESS GOD GIVES IN THE TIMES OF DIFFICULTY TO SHARE GOD'S WORDS OF HOPE!

God told them; they ALL will indeed survive! Yet, NOT THE SHIP! The vessel that was to TAKE PAUL TO HIS PURPOSED DESTINATION was going to be destroyed!

SOMETHING TO PONDER:

Think about this; we all know we are called to 'do this or that'...for us it's to be missionaries in Africa. We have to be carried there somehow...what if that vessel is destroyed?

   - it doesn't seem to make since does it...why would this happen?

  - But, it does sometimes; not all the time. Then what?

Paul took one moment at a time didn't he. 

He focused on the souls in front of him. Speaking words of hope and pointing to Jesus as the way the truth and the life!

  -We had to come home from Africa due to some issues with our daughters health. Plus other situations as well.

  -God is leading us one step at a time. He is in no hurry. In this path we do all we know to do:

 POINTING TO JESUS AND GIVING HIM ALL THE GLORY!

GOD SAID TO PAUL: "... saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar;" 

GOD WILL ALWAYS CONFIRM HIS WILL IN YOUR LIFE!

HERE'S THE TICKER...READY-

v. 26 "...we must run aground on a certain island.”

I will just have to tell you right now, if God told me ahead of time I would have to face some of the 'storms' in my life I have and my ship would be destroyed; I simply would have 'JUMPED SHIP!' 😊

Paul held firm on his HOPE in His God...and was used to be a source of strength, wisdom and hope to all the souls on this ship! 

v. 36 "Then they were all encouraged,..."

Stay-the-course dear friend; YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO!

Read Acts 28:1-8 (click)

MALTA

After all of this; God takes Paul to Malta.  

  - On an island of people who served false God's. 

  - Where Paul could not speak or understand the language.

  - Far from where he was called to be.

  - Cold & wet v.2

WHERE DO WE FIND PAUL? SERVING!

v.3 carrying wood for the fire

STILL SERVING GOD in any way possible. 

"a viper fastened upon him..." a poisonous snake basically BIT HIM!

"The heat (the fire) will always bring out the vipers!" (C Houde)

  - Heat of sickness, hurts, being betrayed, failures...all will come and BITE US!

"WE MUST SHAKE OFF THE SNAKE TO ACHIEVE THE SUPERNATURAL!" (C. Houde) 

The people WATCHED him! Paul (who couldn't speak their language) testified of God's great power just by his actions.

HE WAS APPROVED BY GOD!

WHERE DID THIS LEAD PAUL?

TO PUBLIUS - "a leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.  (v. 7b) 

   **From a prisoner to the house of the leader of Malta!

His pain and storms, all leading up to this moment.

  28:7-10  Where Paul prayed for Publius' father who was healed! And many more were healed as well.

"A wounded hand became a hand of healing!" (C. Houde)

  **Paul was in Malta for 3 months. A 3 MONTH MISSIONS TRIP! 

YOU SEE MY FRIEND...IT'S THE JOURNEY! 

It's a Malta in our lives; that prepare us. 

It's not just about 'us' too! 

It's those who are in the ship with us. Those who are at Malta and even those at Rome!

Paul

Was not focused on himself; but the plan of God! He was led by the spirit; serving others.

Let's see the 'other-side' of the shipwreck!