In Acts 19 Paul decides to go to Jerusalem and in passing he adds, “I must visit Rome also”. I have learned one thing about Paul; he does what he says he will do. It takes him 5 months, but he eventually ends up in Jerusalem. And little did he know when he mentioned visiting Rome that he would arrive there in chains, but again, in another 2 ½ years, he finally arrives in Rome.
Paul had just finished a meeting with the leaders of the church at Ephesus. The ship he caught had a layover in Tyre. I like what Luke says; “Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them for seven days”. It made me realize . . . who we look up when we go out of town, says a lot about us. In another town, they “stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven”. What a cool reunion that must have been.
So, Paul is now on a ship heading for Rome. While in a severe storm, he hears these words, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar”. How often do the words we hear from God go so contrary to the situation we are in.
The next line is a little hard to write. “Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” It is so like life to have to run aground a while before seeing what God said we would see; and the test of faith while we are run aground to still believe what He said.
Paul does reach Rome, and “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ”.
How cool that God gave him a period of time ‘without hindrance’. Everywhere he went, he tried to convince people to believe that Jesus was the One they were looking for. Some believed and some didn’t. Those that didn’t caused him a lot of trouble. God finally gave him a break from that trouble, and for a while he enjoyed a time ‘without hindrance’.
Hunger and Thirst 
I love what you discover in His word. It speaks to me so much, pertains so well to my walk with Him. “Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Oh yes. Thank you for showing us all that, for helping us to understand that it doesn’t cancel out what God said we would see. Praying to still believe all He says, always.
God bless you and yours!
Since I’m going to be gone awhile (3 weeks with no computer) I’ll take this opportunity to share this thought from Mark 8. A crowd had followed Jesus and He said to His disciples; “I have compassion on these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat”. He didn’t want to send them away hungry because some had come a long distance.
Isn’t that a great picture into the heart of Jesus toward those who have sought Him. They had gone so far that there was no turning back. If He did not meet their need they would collapse on the way.
I love the question by the disciples, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them”? Is He not the specialists of providing what we need no matter how remote the place is that we are in?
The other day I commented on your post and mention that I pray regularly for restoration in all areas for my wife and I. Your reply reminded me of your daughter. For what it is worth, I just wanted to let you know that the Lord has stirred me a bit to add her/you to that praying.
Okay . . .I think there is a conspiracy going on. I’m in the middle of this time of brokenness . . .humbling. Every post just seems to hit me and minister to me. What you shared from Mark 8 has me in tears. He HAS provided for me. I know that, know that there is no way I should be standing here at all. I got gripe-y, critical for a few days . . .lost some of that joy. Which is funny, since I’m reading a book about finding joy and writing it down each day! ha! Then you being stirred to pray for my daughter and I . . .she’s been having seizures this weekend. So, more tears at how He provides and carries me. Thank you! Give your dear wife a hug for me/us. And have a blessed time away . . .:)
“What you shared from Mark 8 has me in tears”
I expected as much. I came close to tears writing it. And as far as the conspiracy, I looked it up. Though the dictionary uses it in the negative sense, I think it could be stretched to have a positive meaning. ‘an agreement by two or more persons to commit a
wrongful(good and right) act’ ‘a combination of persons for a secretevil(good and right) act’ ‘to agree together to do somethingevil(good)’.The Lord and I conspired this morning for something good for you and your daughter. It was an enjoyable time.
>>The Lord and I conspired this morning for something good for you and your daughter. It was an enjoyable time.
Mike,
I am walking in on a conversation that is none of my business, but those two lines you spoke have stuck with me.
What faith! What authority! Why can’t all of us speak so boldly?!
You “conspired” with The LORD for something to bless someone else. Amazing. Seriously, Mike, this is the kind of faith and relationship with God our Father that more people need to grab ahold of!
Wow!
I am just a follower.
Mike – I agree I love your point about the ship running a ground. It has been on my mind a lot lately how God ways aren’t our ways — God tells us one thing – and yet it can seem like we are going in the opposite direction – but it’s the perfect direction. This is why we have to trust Him at His Word and not try to make assumptions about what is happening by what we see.
Rachel
Another great message from God’s Word. Thanks for sharing this!
This could very well have been another post, but as it is primarily intended for one person, I choose to post it here as an additional comment.
For what it is worth . . . for over 3 weeks I have been praying. When the Lord stirs me to do something, I can’t quit at it until He releases me from it. So far He has not released me; in fact the stirring is stronger.
I thought about a piece I wrote a while back called ‘Sledgehammers & Antibiotics’. Faith is a lot like them. A sledgehammer may not bust concrete in one blow, but with repeated blows, it will. One antibiotic pill will not do much, but one for 10 days will do wonders.
On our way out of town, I thought about the parable of the mustard seed. It is really the same principal. I may not have the same amount of faith that Jesus had, but if my faith is even the size of a mustard seed – if I plant it and care for it properly – if I don’t abandon it and let it wither – that mustard seed of faith has the potential to grow and have the same effect.
I can’t tell you here, all about why I feel it is growing – that I think I will do later in the form of a post – but I do know that it is. I just wanted you to know. I hope all is well.
I am so humbled and blessed that you would do this. And Mike, about a week ago another blogger felt led to pray for her and I, and felt a growing excitement. Thank you so much for watering the seed, for not letting go. There is much for me to learn in this, much for me to do too! God bless you!