I AM PERSUADED THAT GOD IS ABLE!

I AM PERSUADED THAT GOD IS ABLE!

“…Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.... Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).

* 

Jesus made choices and decisions just like many of God's redeemed people do today. He did not have to choose to follow God’s DIRECTIONS, but he did. Jesus said, “… I lay down my life... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord(my own choosing)…” (John 10:17-18 KJV).

“….the ship was caught in … [the Euraquilo] … and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB). “… Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB). 

Apostle Paul, God’s mouthpiece, had delivered the message to Julius, but he did NOT heed God’s warning. “… Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice …” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is WIDE for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).  “ … Paul … said “ … you ought to have followed my advice …” (Acts 27:21 NASB).

To their benefit Apostle Paul, God’s righteous servant was among them. God will SAVE and BLESS a WHOLE household, or WHOLE country, or an ENITIRE ship.... for his RIGHTEOUS ONES!  He is “for” righteousness and therefore “for” the righteous who are on “his” side! “…The Lord was with Joseph … the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field …” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

“…Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten...” (Genesis 18:22-32 NASB).

One RIGHTEOUS servant of GOD, BLESSED a WHOLE ship load of DISOBEDIENT seamen!

God was MERCIFUL even when the centurion and the seamen’s CHOICES and DECISIONS led them into the WHIRLWIND. His LOVING, AMAZING GRACES sent another holy and powerful WORD through his righteous servant, Apostle Paul “…Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told…” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB).

Some of your own CHOICES and DECISIONS have you going through one of the WORST storms of your life, but there is HOPE. “….Don't put your confidence in … people (not even yourself); there is no help for you there….” (Psalms 146: 3 NLT). “…Don’t trust anyone—… I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. … For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light…” (Micah 7:5-8 NLT). “…To You [GOD]… they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED ... (PSALMS 22:5 NASB).

Sometimes the ONLY CHOICE you have or the DECISION you can make is to “TRUST” in God. “…Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “… [entrust yourself]… to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV). DEPEND totally on HIM.

A DEPENDENT is someone who RELIES upon another for some kind of support, assistance, or supply. The support, assistance, or supplies are necessary NEEDS.

The dependent can no longer rely on their own strength to meet their own needs. A dependent has to rely on the voluntary and willful assistant of some else’s benevolence.

A dependent, therefore, is NOT self-sustaining and is at the mercy of another. A dependent’s ability to survive is determined, contingent upon, or controlled by another. A dependent is no longer autonomous.

An autonomous person believes they do not need assistance, support, or anyone to help them. An autonomous person relies on themselves, but a dependent relies on another.

Some autonomous redeemed folks SAY they are dependent upon God, when they are really depending upon their OWN ways and methods, but eventually, they too, will be tested by a challenging life situation or circumstance.

Because of a challenging life circumstance, ALL SEAMEN inadvertently became DEPENDENTS on God. Paul said: “…I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. …I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told…” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB).

“… [The seamen could NOW] … do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (JESUS) … [they could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “….And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…” (Acts 27:44 NASB).

Whenever you find yourself in a storm because of your OWN CHOICES or DECISIONS, boldly CALL on God’s GRACE. “… Come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).

The seamen did everything, humanly possible, to hold onto their SHIP (their method of survival). “…They used supporting cables in undergirding the ship …they let down the sea anchor  … they began to jettison the cargo; and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands..…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). 

They were DEPENDENT upon their expertise, wit, and human efforts to get them to their destiny SAFELY. The conglomeration of their expertise, wit, and human skills “proved” to be UNRELIABLE. “….the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB). “…They lost all control of the ship…” (Acts 27:15 MSG).

The seamen’s CHOICES and DECISIONS took them to a DARK place. “…neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us …” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). Their expert, human knowledge, experience, and strength were USELESS. “…from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).

CHOICES and DECISIONS made apart from God will end up KILLING something. There will be LOSS and DEATH. “….THE WORDS that I speak unto you … they are LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU] … choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

“…Every man (woman) is tempted, when he (she) is drawn away of his (her)own lust (desires, wants, choices, etc.) and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…There is a way which SEEMETH right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death...” (Proverbs  14:20 KJV).

The seamen’s HOPE died. “…from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned (left, faded, or died).…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). They LOST cargo. . “…they began to jettison the cargo (provisions)…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).  They LOST tackle. “…they threw the ship’s tackle (equipment or material goods) overboard with their own hands…” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).

They LOST the SHIP (they lost what they depended upon to save them). “…They lost all control of the ship…” (Acts 27:15 MSG). They LOST control (they lost their autonomy). “….we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB).

There is a PRICE to be PAID when CHOOSING DEATH (your way) over LIFE (god’s way). “….THE WORDS that I speak unto you … they are LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death … choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

In the Old Testament the Israelites paid a price for CHOOSING their WAY over God’s WAY. “… Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country…   “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country…” (Deuteronomy 28:1-33 NASB).

Often CHOICES and DECISIONS are made from an individual’s OWN lifelong arsenal of expertise. “…you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition’…” (Mark 7:6-8 NLT).  “…You skillfully ….hold on to YOUR OWN tradition...” (Mark 7:9 NLT). “…they have stubbornly followed THEIR OWN desires…” (JERMIAH 9:14 NLT).

 When you are determined to HOLD onto the expertise of your “own” LIFE experiences, which you believe have given you autonomous CONTROL over your material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities, they will one day fail you. “…They used supporting cables in undergirding the ship …they let down the sea anchor  …” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). 

Material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities may be viewed as controlled blessings until an individual’s CHOICES or DECISIONS turn them into burdens. “…You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail…” (Hebrews 10:34 NLT).

The time may come when storms forcibly TAKE AWAY material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities. You have no choice, but to let them GO, because you have LOST control. “…and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. …” (Hebrews 10:34 NLT).

The CHOICES and DECISIONS made to sustain and maintain an individual’s material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities can, painfully, spin out of control at any time. “…. there is a grievous evil which I have seen … riches (resources) being hoarded (saved) by their owner to his hurt…” (Ecclesiastes 5:13 NASB).

However, material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities may be readily relinquished under overwhelming duress. “… they began to jettison the cargo (material comforts); and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle (provisional conveniences) overboard with their own hands…” (ACTS  (27:14-19 NASB). “….we gave way to it (routine normalities) and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB).

Independent CHOICES and DECISIONS can eventually turn into surrendered, dependent TRUST in the SOVEREIGN God. “ … Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride (autonomy) he is able to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land…” (Acts 27:44 NASB).

BAD CHOICES or DECISIONS that lead to a VIOLENT STORM will utterly challenge hope and shipwreck autonomy. “…all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned …” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). “….we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB).

When hope is challenged and autonomy is shipwrecked bad choices and decisions plunge an individual into deadly darkness. “…neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us …” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).

When bad choices and decisions plunge you into deadly darkness CONTROL and AUTONOMY is USELESS and INEFFECTUAL. “….we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB).

Material comforts, provisional conveniences, and routine normalities are meaningless in the STORMS of LIFE. “…all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned …” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB). “… they began to jettison the cargo (material comforts); and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle (provisional conveniences) overboard with their own hands…” (ACTS  (27:14-19 NASB). “…They lost all control of the ship…” (Acts 27:15 MSG).

It was God’s “holy and powerful” WORDS, out of Paul’s mouth, that RESTORED hope. “…I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship …” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB).

Apostle Paul was persuaded that God would SAVE him and all the other seamen. “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day…” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).  “…keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told…” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “…‘Do not be afraid, Paul … God has granted you all those who are sailing with you…” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “… All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons…” (Acts 27:35 NASB).

God, the ULTIMATE expert said: “…there will be no loss of life …” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “… And so it happened (as God, the expert said it would) that they all were brought safely to land…” (Acts 27:44 NASB).

God SAVED the WHOLE SHIP because of righteous Paul. “…The Lord was with Joseph … the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field …” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

“…Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten (righteous) are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten (righteous)...” (Genesis 18:22-32 NASB).

When you are persuaded by human expertise, alone, to make CHOICES and DECISIONS it could easily lull you into a stormy path or a false sense of security; GOD’s AMAZING, HOLY, POWERFUL, and EXPERT Word is your ULTIMATE guide. “…there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship …” (Acts 27:22-25 NASB). “… All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons…” (Acts 27:35 NASB). “…And … they all were brought safely to land…” (Acts 27:44 NASB).

“…NOT that we are sufficient OF OURSELVES to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day…” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).  

“…the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).  It is DANGEROUS to allow your CHOICES and DECISIONS to be persuaded by MERE human expertise ALONE.

“… choose LIFE …” instead (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).“….THE WORDS that … [God has spoken to you through Jesus] … they are LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).  “… By them Your servant is warned …” (Psalm 19:7-11 NASB).

“…I .. am persuaded that he is able …” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).  

I AM CONVINCED THAT "THE WORD OF GOD" IS ABLE TO DO WHAT IT SAYS IT WILL DO!  “…[God is] … watching over [his]… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB).  “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB).  “…He has granted to [you]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB).

“…Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).

“….the ship was caught in … [the Euraquilo] … and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along…” (Acts 27:15 NASB).

“… Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB). 

“…But the centurion was MORE PERSUADED by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul…” (Acts 27:9-21 NASB).

“…[God is] … watching over [his]… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and IT SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

“…And in the PROCESS of time IT (WHAT GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, SAID) CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

“…I .. am persuaded that he  (GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT)is able (TO DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO) …” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).