Purpose Revisited

Ok, I'm trying to stay on top of this blog and not get too far behind. I truly have so much I want to say but in an effort not to overwhelm myself or those who may possibly read what I have to say I will try to unload in small bits.  I came across a little devotional I had written for the women's bible study sometime back and thought it was worth sharing. One particular morning I had been watching a Pastor, don't remember who, as he taught from the book of Acts27:14-26


But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
 21 When they had gone a long time without food, then 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. 22 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. 23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on a certain island.”


When the storms of life rage against us it is hard to see what God's purposes for our lives are. Sometimes the devil would  have us believe that those storms are of God. Now storms do arise sometimes from our choices resulting in discipline or things not under our control. Whatever the case may be God can use any situation to draw us  near. Oftentimes as we are going through these storms we take our eyes off the Lord as Peter did and we feel as though we are drowning. It is quite the task to hold firm and fast to the promises of God when your marriage is falling apart, when your finances are all but none and your children are behaving  in ways that challenge your patience or sanity. The harsh reality is that as Christians we are told to take up our cross, to bear and follow Christ daily. There are two key things here-we do have crosses and burdens that we are to bear, but we are never alone. Let's do as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 We are to strive together and to not grow weary in well doing because we will reap a harvest as God's purpose and plans for our lives will be fulfilled. We must simply trust and surrender ourselves to Him.

Click on this link and listen to a song that I believe will help you on your journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUMRqJCV9Q4