A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:83 We do not think to much about the effects of sin in our lives these days, but it is evident to the casual observer that; the individual, the neighborhood, the community, the state and the nation collectively suffer from something...it is time to get back to the basics!

Good Morning

It is 2 AM and I am changing a flat tire on Interstate 95 on the “S” curve in Providence. This is the first thing I remember. It was bitter cold and my hands hurt. “What am I doing here?” as I began coming to my senses. I find that I do not remember the drive or the flat, but here I am, cold wet and hoping that I do not get hit by a passing car. Finally the job is complete and I can drive home. I had no trouble remembering the rest of the trip home to Taunton, MA. since the cold and danger has cleared some of the drunkenness from my mind. Unsaved, but I know that it is the Hand of Almighty God that delivered my life to safety. In those days I seemed to be very aware of God's protective Hand. Looking back, I could have died many times. Once more, trying to hit on some girl who was with her husband. He went to his car and came back with a gun, I left in a hurry. As an unbeliever, I am a hurtful person, my characteristics were bent toward destruction and Proverbs nails it with this statement: “Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.” Proverbs 27:22 This simply means that if we try to clean ourself up, by self-help or designated community programs that we are only suppressing the foolishness. The ugly head of this bondage will surface again, even with more vengeance than the times before. I am not saying that self help and community based programs are not needed, any help is better than no help at all, but people like this need a life-changing experience. They need a conversion from God, through the LAMB of who died sacrificially for them. Matthew 11:28-30 is the right answer to this and many more problems we face as individuals who are held in bondage of some controlling sin. Some believers and all unbelievers are under some bondage that they cannot give up without a personal visit to the LAMB, then when you receive Him, He will be your LORD and He will make a permanent life change in you.

Acts 27

Acts 27:1-8 This reminds me of my Navy days. The storms on the seas are more dangerous than those on the ocean since the bodies of the seas are smaller. Seas present choppy waters like that of an agitator washing machine. This is because the winds usually travel lengthwise through the narrow seas while the water moves from one narrow shore to the next. causing this choppy effect. Even in our modern day, these storms still produce travel restrictions. Sailors like adventure so you will find a few foolish men willing to put out to sea under these conditions.

Acts 27:9-11 I find it amazing that these men stayed ashore until late September after the Feast of Atonement. Then they desired to continue their journey, but the apostle Paul seeks to warn them of the dangers of traveling so late in the year. The centurion does not heed Paul's advice but listens to a brag-amony from the ships captain and the helmsman. “Well I remember back in 29 it was much worse that this and we made it. We'll make it again this time; besides sailors belong on ships and ships belong at sea, mate.”

Acts 27:12 Also there are no sailor comforts in Fair Haven, really... sounds like a pretty fair place to me since the definition of this place is “Safe Harbor” It is really a nice little harbor on the Island of Crete. But, to sailors and soldiers this was not a place where they could be comfortable, Fair Havens was a place for vacationers. You know, like in Florida, snow birds. I am with Paul, lets stay the rest of the winter here. Well, that dosen't happen.