Warriors Arise: May 20, 2021
Acts 28:2-6 (NKJV) And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Paul went through some unbelievable situations to spread the Gospel. He had just survived a storm that brought their ship crashed to the depths of the sea. He was a prisoner on board, headed to see Ceasar. He had done nothing wrong but wanted to plead his case before Ceasar because he would not get a fair trial otherwise. They were lost at sea for more than a month. An angel of the Lord came and stood by Paul. He told them there would be no loss of life (Acts 27:22-27).
Paul survived all of then be bitten by the snake. I can almost think he looked at the snake and said, "Really? After the last month, you think I am going to be frightened of you!" Then he flung the snake from his arm into the fire. Keep in mind, Paul is a Pharisee of pharisees. He would have had the first 5 books of the Bible memorized. He knew of the curse upon Satan to slither on his belly like a snake. He might have talked to the snake as if it was Satan, himself.
Sometimes we need to remember what God has just brought us through so we are not threatened by the current bite of the enemy. This little snake was nothing compared to the last month. Paul had an angel stand beside him and tell him they would make it to shore, no life would be lost. Paul had not reached his destination yet. This was not his time to die and with what he just came through, he didn't need another angel to come and assure him that he would make it. Today is Paul's day to live.
There are times we need to know within us what God has called us to do. When we know what we are called to do, we can boldly advance His kingdom with confidence. Paul was on a mission. He was to share the Gospel with Ceasar. he had not forgotten what God revealed to him years earlier when he was blinded by the light.
Acts 9:13-16 (NKJV) Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.”
God told Paul he would suffer fo his name's sake. God told Paul he would bear witness to the name of the Lord before kings. After surviving the storm and being out at sea was not afraid of this snake. After what he had just been through, he would not entertain fear. That snake bit the wrong man because Paul was on a mission. Today was Paul's day. He was saved from the tempest. He survived the ship wreck. He flung fear into the fire. He trusted what God had told him years ago would not fail him today. Today was his day.
Father, You are amazing! I pray for You to speak to me. I haven idea how I would receive a word You gave to Paul. I am thankful I am not Paul. He was called in his time for all You had for him. The enemy tries to take away by hope and overwhelm me with discouragement but You are my God. You lead me through the valley of the shadow of death. You make a way for me to rise above the avalanche of adversity. You pick me spout of the mire and et my feet on solid ground. You have given ameansure of faith. I will not surrender my faith to embrace fear. I will fling fear into the fire and live the life You have put before me. I am who You created me to to be. I will advance Your kingdom with hope, courage, and faith. You are my God and I will not bow to another. Today, I will serve You and lift Your name on high in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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