It Is Just Cargo!

"We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard." Acts 27:18

The storms of life are real and exhausting. The storms of life never end in this life. The storms of life come just because we live in a broken, fallen world. Sometimes we get beat up by life and its storms. Other people around us get beat up too. Very seldom are we the only victims of our storms, whether they are of our own doing or not. When such times come, it is important that we realize that the most important cargo is anything that is eternal. Such as people, values and principles. The rest of our stuff is not eternal nor is it irreplaceable. When in the midst of a beating we can be tempted to turn on others to share the pain or defer the agony.

Going With The Flow

"The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along." Acts 27:17

When I read a passage of Scripture from 2,000 years ago I have to remind myself that in a situation like this, in a sailboat caught by a storm and unable to head into the wind and having to just let it blow you wherever it is going.... oh yeah, its not like we can just turn the motor on and keep going. I know not all sailboats have motors, but many do. But we are significantly before motors at this point in history. What I am getting at is that they did what they had to do, given the circumstances.There are four key action words or phrases in this verse that illustrate how we deal with the storms of life.

Family Formation

"But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul." Acts 21:16

I find this verse very interesting. Paul is arrested and so tells him that he is to go to Rome and share his testimony. At the same time, some Jews are vowing to not eat or drink until they kill him. At the same time, the commander is trying to figure out just what to do with him. In the midst of this drama, his sister’s son overhears about the plots and goes to Paul to warn him. Wow, how intriguing. I think this shows three important things about the way life is and God works.

They Thought

"When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted…." Acts 27:13a

We sometimes misread the weather just like we misread people and situations. When you want to do what you want to do you start to feel all the indicators that justify your plan. I know I hear what I want to hear or see what I want to see to substantiate what I already believe to be true.

Should Have Listened to Paul

"‘But the Centurion instead of listening to what Paul said followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.’ ‘Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and water there.’" Acts 27:11

There is a lot of very interesting information here. Paul will get his "I told you so" moment during the shipwreck. I also wish I had listened to Paul a few more time in my life. Hey, they took a vote. This is democracy at work, majority rules. I don’t know who voted. There were 276 people on board. The captain thinks he can make it; the owner has cargo to push through, and passengers to please. I doubt the prisoners got a vote, but Julius decides he and his men and the prisoners are staying on board. The majority throughout history has more often than not been wrong. In addition, so have despots. I am not trying to make a point, it is interesting though how we make decisions in group situations. I am sure Julius doesn’t want to hang out for the winter with prisoners, right? (By the way, I hear a lot of folks still spend their winters in Phoenix, we call them "snowbirds", haha!) Whether the decision is made subjectively, objectively or democratically the decision is to sail on. We should not over-analyze what we would have, should have, or could have done. By the end of the voyage, Paul is way more interested in the message of Christ than being right again. So my advice today is threefold.

Slow Headway

"We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus." Acts 27:7

As Luke writes this, he has no idea yet what an adventure they are in for. Eventually they are going to face horrific conditions and shipwreck. Slow headway is not that bad. At least it is a headway. A difficult landing is not the worst scenario. At least they landed. We all say that after the fact or in reflection, but oh how we can moan and groan when things are slow, or there is minimal headway. Oh how we can complain when anything takes many days, much less weeks, or months or years. We don’t wait well, even on the Lord, much less humans. Some of us fly off the handle with any difficulty. Some of us are "loaded for bear" and just waiting for the opportunity to be negative or to throw in the towel. We are inclined to punt on third down just so we don’t get sacked again. If it is not smooth sailing, everybody is going to suffer. If we are put out at all, everybody feels it. Some of us are terrible traveling partners who love to share their misery with the whole company. We nag, we bellyache, we pick and if we aren’t happy, nobody is. If I am describing you, shame on you for the pain in the derriere you must be. Please count your blessings and ask for forgiveness. I pray for the folks that get stuck with you. We can all have a bad day or moment, but if you are a whiner or a professional critic, or just love to rain on anybody’s parade, I pray that you will be changed. Life if full of slow headway and things take many days. They just do…. And sometimes we have difficult landings. Get over yourself. Snap out of it. Turn to Jesus. Stop being helpless, hopeless, and hapless! God can change your mind and point of view. Let God and let God. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Whatever you need to hear to turn around, receive it from God no matter how hard it is or how hard you make it, God has ultimate control. The Bible says that Jesus says, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” No matter what, trust in Him, and he will take care of the rest. I feel better now, I hope you do too.

Ports O Call

"We board a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia," Acts 27:2

In Acts 27, the following places are listed or referred to.

Putting Out to Sea

",and we put out to sea," Acts 27:2b

Between the commas in Acts 27:2 is nestled a sailing term that carries a lot of meaning. As you may know, I love the ocean, and all that is associated with it, including sailing. To put out to sea is to leave the harbor. To put out to sea is to commit to sailing and to get underway. Deciding to sail is important, boarding ship is necessary, but putting out to sea is actually doing something that means you are going somewhere.

His Perfect Will

Matthew 12:39-40 shows the reaction of Jesus to the demands of the Pharisees for a "sign": But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

Boarding Ship

"We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail…" Acts 27:2

I love boarding ships. We recently spent 15 days aboard a ship that "set sail" from San Diego. We had purchased a cruise from Vacations To Go (a discount cruise agency) that arranged for us to board the Celebrity Millennium. Our cruise was to go through the Panama Canal and end up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We boarded the ship, we had no idea who would be on board. In life, whether you are a prisoner or not, you don’t get to choose your travel mates when you sail as a group. Paul boarded with Luke (writer of Acts and perhaps signed on as the ship’s doctor), Aristarchus (a Macedonian believer), Julius (a centurion of the Imperial Regiment from Rome and Paul’s personal guard) and many other prisoners being transferred to Rome. When you read the Bible accounts you can deduce many things. These are real people and real historical events. The Bible is not a story, it is an account of God’s work with real people. Just as real as Kevin and Cindy who were honeymooning on our cruise: he was widowed a few years ago, she was a new believer. They were totally blessed to be together and we enjoyed their company immensely. It felt like we had known each other for years. He was an elder at his church, we so loved talking shop, life and faith with them. Just like Paul, who I am sure met crew and passengers and found kindred spirits and new friends, opportunities to witness, and divine appointment. When we board ships, get on airplanes, are seated at restaurants, and attend events, we have these opportunities as well. Who does God have you seated with or traveling alongside? Every human encounter is a reminder of the divine plan for life and redemption. Why did God put them on that ship? Why did we get on the ship that we did? There are probably more divine appointments than we keep. God is orchestrating constantly. Let Him conduct the symphony of your life as you live day by day. What is God up to in your life today? Every encounter may be an opportunity from Him. When boarding anything, anytime, think about what He might be up to. There are no accidents with God.

Deciding to Sail

"When it was decided that we would sail for Italy…" Acts 27:1a

When you are arrested and in the system, you don’t get to make many, if any, decisions about your arrangements. In the hospital, in school, in church, at work even…you do get some choices. But under arrest, in jail, in prison, and to an extent even on probation/parole, you are pretty much at the mercy of the system. What you get to do and the rules, consequences and conditions are arranged by someone else. Paul was waiting to be sent to Rome for over two years. Maybe this is why he has such a heart for prisoners, who along with widows and orphans (whom we have far more compassion for) are lumped together as those who should be visited, prayed for, and especially ministered to. Jail is hard. But when you lose your freedom, rights, and choices, you are still responsible for how you handle it. Even when it is decided for you, you can still embrace the opportunity whatever the limitations are. Paul is falsely accused, wrongfully arrested, and unjustly punished, yet he still makes the best of his situation. He says that no matter what situation he finds himself in, he is content. Contentment can even come in confinement. It’s not easy, but when you truly trust God you can cope with faith and trust no matter what the circumstances. Luke is writing Acts and he is part of the “we” here in verse 1a. He stands by his arrested brother in Christ, Paul, and rolls with the decision to wait two years and then, all of the sudden, sail for Italy. Whether you are confined to not driving, or taking medication, or living with friends, or whatever your restriction, embrace it. See God in it. Let God lead you through it. His grace is sufficient. Jesus knows your pain, your trouble and your purpose. Let him guide you and comfort you and work behind the scenes and though the process. Yes, even through the system. Hey, sailing sure beats waiting, even with a centurion watching over you all the time. Paul shows us how to deal with it. Luke shows us how to roll with those who are dealing with it. We can learn how to embrace our situations and circumstances and make the best of them by trusting the Lord.

What I Am

"I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:29

These are basically Paul’s words to everyone, all the time. He wants all to become Christians, not in name only, but servants of the Lord. Like Paul, what I am is a child of the King. I am a sinner saved by grace. I am an ever grateful believer in the only true redeemer. I am part of the Body of Christ. I am part of the fellowships of believers that know Jesus is the way, truth and life. I am a living witness to the power of God to save. I pray God that not only you but all who are reading this today may become what I am. Paul ends his statement saying that he wouldn’t hope for anyone to be in chains or falsely accuses, or victims of injustice. Paul wants most of all for everyone to be free in Christ. I too, would rather you knew Jesus than be rich, free, successful, or anything else. There is no greater thing than knowing Jesus. It is the ultimate experience. It is the only thing that supersedes everything else. As Paul would say, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Just how sold out are you to Him today? Become what Paul became? Surrender to Christ. I have never regretted my decision for Christ. It was the most important decision of my life.

I Too, Am Out of My Mind

"“At this point, Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted. ‘Your great learning is driving you insane.’" Acts 26:24

The point Paul had just made was that Christ rose from the dead and proclaimed light to the Jews and the Gentiles. Festus has invited a lot of people to hear Paul, including King Agrippa and his wife Bernice. Agrippa was of Jewish descent and a direct descendant of Herod the Great. It is very complicated, but Bernice is his sister and also his wife. Part of the downfall of the Herodian Empire was their incestuous relationships. All that aside, this group of influential people is listening to Paul’s testimony and Festus says Paul is crazy. The “crazy-making” in the room is pretty thick, with a lot of intelligent people in desperate need of grace, and a Savior. The tension must have been measurable, so Festus makes his insanity claim to change the conversation.

This scene is repeated often throughout history. I have been part of intelligent conversations that changed course when someone felt so uncomfortable with the claims of Christ. You can talk about church, or history, or almost anything, but mention Jesus resurrected or on the cross, and people get edgy. It is an uncomfortable subject. Because we all have to answer the question, “What about what Jesus did?” It’s particularly uncomfortable is you are prideful, sinful, or lost. If Jesus was crucified, then why? If He resurrected, then how? It changes not only a conversation, it changes everything. As soon as the claims of Christ are made, we all must respond. What say you today? Jesus indeed was crucified for our sins, rose again, and that demands a response. Call me crazy too, but it remains the most important question. What have you done about what Jesus did?

In Kindness

"The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs." Acts 27:7

Julius is the centurion who has been given the responsibility to deliver Paul to Rome. Little does he know at this juncture what a harrowing experience this is to be. Paul had a knack of getting close to people and developing deep admiration and mutual respect. Even though we often read of him speaking out and raising a bit of a ruckus at times, behind the scenes in one on one relationships he befriended many. Julius was fast becoming his friend. Through trust and conversation, through coming troubles and cooperation, Julius will come to understand Paul and his quest. Even though Paul is under arrest, he firmly believes that he is to go to Rome and do whatever God tells him to do there. When they land at Sidon, Paul lets Julius know that he has friends there. Julius responds with an unusual kindness.

Aristarch​us

"Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us." Acts 27:2b

Bible people are fascinating. I mean people who are part of history. People who lived and died, had families, jobs and are mentioned in the Word of God. Aristarchus, by name is in the Bible five times. Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, Acts 27:2, Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 1:24. He is one of Paul's primary traveling companions on his third missionary journey. We see from this passage that he is a Macedonian and was from Thessalonica. Remember the reputation of the leaders are Thessalonica was that they were not as receptive to the teachings of Paul as the Bereans. But, I bet Aristarchus was. As a Macedonian I believe he probably was symbolic to Paul of the vision he had of the Macedonian man who beckoned him to Macedonia to witness. Aristarchus may have come to Christ during Paul's mission journey to that region. When this little eight word phrase speaks of 'us', it means Paul, Aristarchus and Luke the writer or Acts. They often traveled together and Luke served as correspondent and Aristarchus was Paul's aide.

How to Get at People

"There was a great uproar and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. ‘We find nothing wrong with this man,’ they said, ‘What is a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?’" Acts 23:9

Paul has been hauled in before the Sanhedrin (a council of Jewish leaders). He notes that he is a Pharisee and the Pharisees and Sadducees got into an argument with each other. Essentially, Paul divided his adversaries against each other. It’s an effective tact since at the bottom line, the dispute is so divisive and violent that Paul is sent to Rome for further questioning. This basically protects him from being the victim of mob violence. In this verse, the Pharisees do something we do that really hits below the belt. When they suggest that a spirit or angel may have spoken to Paul, they know that the Sadducees don’t believe in spirits or angels (or the Resurrection). So they pick at a core belief to make their point. This is a fact that we all see from time to time. You know, bring up a big bone of contention that is really unrelated to sway an argument. We do this with “hot topics” or “weaknesses” when we want to win an argument at any expense. We bring up a sore point to make our point. This is very loaded and always intensifies the argument. Paul knew this would happen and turned them on each other. When it means your life, I understand the tactic, but over little stuff, we can do the same thing. For example, someone says, “You forgot to take out the trash.” The response would be something like, “Well it’s not like I came home drunk!” Get the picture? We hail out a hurtful past big issue to deal with a current little problem. Lots of what we say is pretty loaded, if we think about what our motives are. Paul was strategically dividing his adversaries. The Pharisees were mocking the Sadducees’ beliefs. Why do you say what you say? I am convicted by this.

Say What?

"When they heard him speak in Aramaic they got very quiet." Acts 22:2

Paul was a bright guy. Not only was he learned, he was also wise. He had a way with the “right words” at the “right time”. Paul also knew how to talk to people. How he spoke to the Roman Commander was effective. It was different than how he addressed the crowd, which was different than how he spoke to the Ephesian elders. He knew how to connect without watering down the message or overly fearing being offensive. Paul could “speak the truth in love”. When he spoke to this crowd who had essentially turned on him due to confusion, mob mentality and misinformation, he was able to win them over by speaking more informally in Aramaic, their common, but personal language. When he spoke to the Commander, he spoke Greek. We can learn from this. We need to know how to talk to people. You can’t speak to seniors with loads of hip jargon, nor can you speak to youth with nonstop euphemisms. I must get on a knee to talk to a preschooler and to my mother-in-law who is in a wheelchair. I speak slower to someone who is learning English as much as I appreciate a Spanish-speaker slowing down for me. You get the picture. Paul sets us a great example of being “all things to all men, so that he might win a few”. Think about your audience, whether it’s a crowd or just one. Don’t talk all “churchy” to people who don’t know church lingo. Make an effort to connect without patronizing. A quick prayer to ask for the Spirit’s help is a good start. I said one as I wrote this devotion. I hope it doesn’t sound all “Greek to you”.

The Name of the Lord Jesus

"Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'" Acts 21:13

Paul had been warned repeatedly of the danger of his going to Jerusalem. Now, a prophet, Agabus, tells him he will be bound and arrested, even tying Paul’s hands with his belt to illustrate the point. Paul cannot be dissuaded. He knows he must go, whatever fate awaits him. He has been through a lot already and he fears nothing. He is literally “bound and determined” to go. In spite of certain trouble, he forges ahead. Why? Because he is ready to die, if necessary for Jesus. His faith and testimony are exemplary, what dedication and commitment. This kind of willingness is rarer today. At the first sign of trouble, we are more likely to scatter, or reconsider. We are inclined towards the easy way out or the way of least resistance. Paul carries through. He asks them not to break his heart with their tears and to trust God with him. They do. They agree together in verse 14 “The Lord’s Will be done”. But that’s another devotional…