Tag: encouraged
Encouragement through breaking bread!
Scripture reading for June 10th: Acts 27
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 27:34-37 “”Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he had said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat it. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board.”
Paul was a prisoner on a ship headed for Rome in the storm season of approaching winter. He had given the ship’s captain some advice–a word of knowledge about the fate of the journey. The advice was not taken and now trouble had come upon the ship and they had been storm-tossed for 14 days. Paul again gave insight by the Spirit about how to survive. They must all stay with the ship and they also must take some food. Paul demonstrated his faith and courage by taking bread, giving thanks, breaking it, and eating! This encouraged all on board and they all safely survived the breaking up of the ship!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers take notice the pattern of Paul: taking, giving thanks, breaking, and eating! This was the pattern of Jesus at the Last Supper! He did this in front of the whole company on the ship and they were encouraged! “He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.” (Psalm 105:39-41)
Your Work Will Be Rewarded!
Scripture reading for April 27th: 2nd Chronicles 13-16
King Asa was aggressive in doing good and what was right in God’s eyes. He removed foreign altars and tore down idols. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord and keep His laws. As he did these good things, Zerah the Cushite marched against him with a large army. As he took up battle positions, he called to the Lord. “Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in Your Name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.” (2nd Chronicles 14:11)
Pleased to respond to such a humble prayer, the Lord routed the Cushites before Asa and Judah. He also sent Azariah the prophet to meet Asa. Azariah gave Asa this word, “The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. . . .But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (2nd Chronicles 15:2,7) This word encouraged Asa to continue in the ways of the Lord and to work to bring Judah back to a full walk with God. His heart was fully committed to the Lord for almost all of his life.
However, after many years of peace, Baasha king of Israel came against Judah. Asa failed to seek the Lord but instead went to Damascus for help. Hanani the prophet came and reminded Asa of his earlier success and the promise of help if he sought the Lord. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, from now on you will have war.” (2nd Chronicles 16:9) It is interesting to note that at the end of Asa’s life, he had a disease of his feet and still would not call on the Lord!
We can learn much from this passage. Call on the Lord and depend on Him in every difficulty; He is watching for those who are fully committed to show Himself strong on their behalf! When we fail to pray, we set ourselves up for failure and trouble! Your work through prayer will be rewarded!