PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 27:13-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27:24)
I picked this verse because I want to explore how God’s blessing spreads.
God’s plans for Paul meant that those who were with him were safe as well.
God’s grace in one person’s life has an overflow impact on those around them.
One person’s story adds a chapter to other peoples’ stories.
As a Jesus follower, God’s grace is at work in me, and through me.
In me, God is changing me to be more like Jesus – and that affects others.
Others benefit when I am more patient, generous, kind, merciful, self-controlled.
This works for positive experiences (like this story), but even in negative stories.
God’s grace showing through Jesus on the cross impacted the soldier watching it all.
Imagine a ‘grace aura’ surrounding you as you go through each day.
That ‘aura’, or the presence of the Spirit, is graciously touching others too.
You may not know about it, but because of God at work in you, others will be blessed.
You may be just one small part of their story, but you are a part of it.
‘So keep up your courage, have faith in God that grace will happen!’ (Acts 27:25)
PRAYER
Lord, this is a great thought, to think that you are graciously impacting the many people I come in contact with every day. This encourages me to embrace grace even more!
God tells Paul that everyone on the ship will be spared but the ship ruined. So Paul says: “keep up your courage”. Its not goin going to be easy – they’re going to get wet and they may be in the water – but they are not going to drown – their lives will be spared! In the face of great difficulty – if you know you’re going to be alright even though it will be a struggle – it gives hope and strength. We need to remind ourselves that yes – we are going to face challenges – but we need not fear – Jesus will accompany us – his HS is given to us to help us! Lord, why then am I still anxious at times?? Yet when I look back I see clearly how I was blessed and was used to bless others – others are affected when Jesus affects me!