“Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, ‘Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.’”
—Acts 27:9-10
The fact is that life is not full of gentle breezes and warm sun. There are turbulent times and tough times ahead. I am not a pessimist and I am not an extremist. I am a realist, and I can say with confidence because I’ve been looking through the lens of Scripture at human history that tough times are ahead and turbulent seas.
A coming storm is on the horizon for humanity and for our world. We need to be prepared and we need to be about the business of preparing others.
Paul warned of impending danger and disaster. And yet they did not take the advice and counsel of the man of God, but rather concluded among themselves that they should sail forward. Sure enough, just as Paul predicted, they found themselves in the midst of a terrible storm.
If you determine to follow Jesus Christ, the devil will be on your trail and he wants to stop you from doing the will of God. Therefore, expect opposition, expect difficulties, expect even dangers, but also, expect God to see you through.
If you belong to him, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, count on the fact that he will make a way for you. When all hope seems to be gone, even when you feel like the victim of someone else’s decision or someone else’s lifestyle, you will find your way through.
WE ARE SAVED IN THE STORM WHEN WE HAVE UNSINKABLE FAITH!
The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
Tuesday, May 07, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:1–4
Though he was born in Ireland, George Croley trained for the ministry and preached in England, primarily in London. Known for his commitment to the truth, Croley was asked in 1835 to go into a slum and reopen a church that had been closed for more than one hundred years. His powerful preaching began to draw larger and larger crowds. Wanting a new hymnal for his congregation, Croley gathered a number of hymns then in use as well as new ones. One of the hymns he had written himself: “Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart.”
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.
Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heav’n-descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.
The Christian life is utterly dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples not to begin their ministry until the Spirit came upon them. “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4). His presence in our lives and our churches is essential to accomplish God’s purpose for us.
Today's Growth Principle:
Nothing of lasting value, whether individually or corporately, can be accomplished for God without His Holy Spirit.
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