WHEN TROUBLE STRIKES

Proclamation:

“Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.”  Acts 28:3 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Paul was arrested by the Roman commander, (Acts 21:33) and ordered taken to the barracks, (Acts 22:24) he underwent a series of trials.  Paul testified in his defense before the Sanhedrin council, (Acts 23:1-10) before Governor Felix, (Acts 24:10-21) before Governor Festus, (Acts 25:6-11) and before King Agrippa. (Acts 26:1-31)  As a Roman citizen, Paul requested an appeal before Caesar and it was granted. (Acts 26:32)  As they sailed to Rome, the winds were not in their favor. (Acts 27:4)  Paul warned them not to continue sailing but they did not listen to him. (Acts 27:9-11)  The winds turned into a violent storm. (Acts 27:13-20)  After two weeks at sea in the storm, they struck a sandbar and the ship was broken into pieces. (Acts 27:27-41)  The crew and the prisoners all made it safely to shore. (Acts 27:44)  Altogether there were 276 people on board the ship. (Acts 27:37)  The people on the island of Malta welcomed them and helped them to build a fire because it was raining and cold. (Acts 28:1-3)  That was when Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake.  However, he did not die; he just shook the snake off and kept on working. (Acts 28:5-6)  Eventually, Paul healed every sick person on the island before continuing on to Rome. (Acts 28:7-9)

Application:

We will all go through various trials and tribulations along this journey called life.  At times bad things will happen to good people.  We just need to keep on telling people the truth and keep on doing the right thing.  When trouble strikes, don’t panic because that will only make things worse.  Just shake it off, count it all as joy, (James 1:2) and keep on working for The Lord.  He did not say that we would not have any troubles.  He said that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  There will be storms in our life but He will be with us during the storms and He has the power to control the storms. (Mark 4:39)  So, when trouble strikes, keep the faith and keep on doing what thus says The Lord.

WHEN TROUBLE STRIKES

Proclamation:

"Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.  The islanders showed us unusual kindness.  They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.  Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.  When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, 'This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.'  But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.  The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god."  Acts 28:1-6 (NIV)

Explanation:
Application:

Under the guidance of The Holy Spirit of God, Luke, the physician and frequent travel companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded this event which occurred after the ship wrecked during a severe storm on their way to Rome.  Paul was a prisoner on the ship.  He was being transported to Rome to be heard by Cesar because he had appealed the results of an earlier trial.  When the poisonous snake bit Paul, he did not panic.  He shook it off, and kept on doing what he was doing.

When trouble strikes, don't panic, shake it off, and keep on working for The Lord.  Don't panic, when we panic, we tend to get emotional, which clouds our judgment, and we tend to make bad decisions, which make our situation worse.  Shake it off, grabbing the head of a snake or trying to pull it off will do more damage to us.  Most of our troublesome situations will not be solved by force or the use of our strength.  We need to treat most of our problems like water on a duck's back.  Trouble, like most storms, won't last very long. (Psalms 30:5)  Keep on working for The Lord.  All of us are part of God's plan, and He has something for us to do.  The Church is the body of Christ, and all believers have a function to perform. (1 Corinthians 12:12 and 12:27)  So, keep on working, or get busy and start working for The Lord.  If we are doing His will, all things will work out for our good. (Romans 8:28)