Paul was being sent by ship, to stand trial in Rome, the ship got caught in a storm and crashed on the Island of Malta. “Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, A VIPER, DRIVEN OUT BY THE HEAT, FASTENED ITSELF ON PAUL’S HAND. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “THIS MAN MUST BE A MURDERER (he is getting what he deserves); for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has NOT ALLOWED HIM TO LIVE.” But PAUL SHOOK THE SNAKE OFF INTO THE FIRE AND SUFFERED NO ILL EFFECTS. The people expected him to swell up or SUDDENLY FALL DEAD (that’s what happens when a viper bites you); but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS AND SAID HE WAS A GOD.” (Acts 28:1-6)
Paul assured to them that he was not a god and, “…the chief official of the island…welcomed us to his home…His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul placed his hands on him and HEALED HIM. When this had happened, the REST OF THE SICK on the island came and WERE CURED. They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” (Acts 28:7-10) Because of these miracles, “…we know that ALL THINGS work together FOR GOOD to those who LOVE GOD, to those who are THE CALLED according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
When we love God and recognize the calling on our lives, if you think you do not have a calling you must realize God does not save us to be bystanders, He SAVES US so we can SHARE the good news, that the Lord has come to keep us out of hell and preserve us so we can meet Him in the air, knowing the mystery, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall ALL BE CHANGED— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham