A Devotional Study of the Living Word of God

Psalm 119:85 Ever notice the number of pitfalls that seem to be surrounding the people of God. From the enemy these traps are obvious, but from a friend these traps are devious. Usually this happens when pride overrides grace! “The free gift” (Psalm 41:9)

Good Morning

I like what Adrian Rogers had to say about “stewardship” this being a theme that is relevant in these times of economical confusion. Some might call what he said as a play on words, but I believe that it goes a bit deeper than that. Here is what he said; “God's great gift to us is Jesus. His second greatest gift to us is time.” In this statement I see two existing worlds, the world of Jesus Christ where time does not exist and the world we live in, where time does exist. In eternity God's plan for the people is to give life and time. He gives salvation through grace by faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:1-9. God gives us purpose for living in time. Ephesians 2:10. Dr. Rogers also went on to say: “God does not take life from anyone, all He does is stop providing it.” Our time on earth is in God's hand, not ours, we have 86,000 seconds each day to live in time. Should He decide to not give you, just one of those seconds the rest would not follow. There is no reset button! What does this bring to mind? For me it really highlights Ephesians 2:10. As saints of God, God has given or ordained each of us to do “good spiritual works.” Works that He gives and that He prepared. A work of His own Hands created through Christ. God never stops giving what He has prepared “Beforehand” The path we walk is the path He provided. If we do not use His gifts properly; “All of which, belong to Him” Then we are not good stewards and just like the church in Revelation 2:5 we stand in jeopardy of losing the Lampstand. (The sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit). Stewardship is more than money since it also involves each second of the gift of life in time.

Acts 27

Acts 27:26-28 Sailors have a nose for the shore. The smell of the open sea is somewhat different than the smell of the shore. Even the water takes on a different pattern. A sounding line, or lead line (pronounced “leed&rdquo was in my early days used to measure the depth of the water. A rope with a four pound weight at the end and knotted every six feet (1 fathom) with some identifying mark or object at the base of each knot would determine the depth of the water when the weight was bounced off the bottom. These sailors are now confident that land is near even though the land cannot be seen. Fifteen fathoms equal 90 feet of water under the hull of the ship.

Acts 27:29-30 A ship in danger of running aground will drop anchors from the stern or back of the ship because the seas are pushing the ship forward toward the shore. To drop anchors from the prow or bow is a dangerous tactic since the vessel would swing on the anchors as the current would push the ship toward the shallow areas and rocks. The apostle senses the tactics of these cowardly sailors and and the Roman army saves the day.

Acts 27:31-38 Fourteen days without food, that my friends is one very strong storm. I have gone four days without eating because of a storm off of Cape Hatteras. I like what the apostle does here, a prisoner, but he really is the one in charge. Not only is he looked up to by the sailors and the soldiers as someone who can provide good sense to survival physically. He is also a witness of God to them, His love and understanding of God demonstrates to these men and to us, that to be a good steward of God's gifts is first, before anything else to give “thanks to God”. The giver and sustainer of life.