​Let’s continue our examination of Acts 27:23-44. Today we focus on verses 33-44.
 
As we begin, lets reflect on the three anchors previously discussed.  The first anchor was God and the importance of being tied off to Him.   Being anchored to God stabilizes us on the Sea of Humanity. The second anchor is Faith, because without Faith it’s impossible to believe God.  We must allow the Word of God to operate in our daily life. The third anchor is Ship/Fellowship.  Remember you are the church! Stay connected, stay in your shipping lane so others know where to find you.  Finally, today the Fourth Anchor is Meat, “Take Meat…” found in Acts 27:33.
 
Having fasted for fourteen days, Paul told them that they would not be able to withstand the journey unless they ate meat for strength. Let’s turn off the engines and drop Anchor. The Word of God says, when you fast, NOT if. (Matthew 6:16, “Moreover when ye fast…”) For more information on why Christians fast, please visit the bookstore at restorationchurchintl.org. If questions remain, please comment on this blog.
 
In the 21st Century, I have noticed a different type of fasting.  Many of our members are fasting the Word of God. Just as Paul told his crew “meat” would strengthen them, a steady diet of the Word of God will make us spiritually healthy and strong. Acts 27:34a "Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health..." Note the other benefits of “meat”. 
 
It Will Bring Safety. Acts 27:34 "…for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you."  If not found in our daily rations, we may be found “Unfit for duty” and be defeated.
 
It Will Bring Solace (Cheer). Acts 27:36, "Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."
 
Those engaging in the Bible’s growth program will be in good spiritual health. They will weather the storm because the joy of the Lord is their strength. 
 
It Will Bring you to Shore. Acts 27:44,"And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so, it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land."
 
When you see a family, an individual, a preacher, or any child of God sinking in the sea of life’s turmoil, perhaps it is because he/she did not follow the general orders given. When in the “fog” of war not sure of what to do next, go back to the last “order” or direction given by God.  
 
Heeding His Word will give success no matter what kind of waters being travelled through; whether a narrow canal or on the open Sea, it is impossible to be defeated when allowing the Word of God to be our guide.
  
My prayer for you today is that as you are on your journey with Christ acknowledging Him as your Anchor.  If you are struggling, find a comrade (a best friend, pastor, spouse, coach, etc.) that you can confide in.  Begin to share and build rapport with this person(s).  You might just be surprised to see how God will use you in their life; and how He can become your anchor a little bit more fully each day.
When storms hit a ship, the force of the wind only forces the anchor deeper into the seabed. The more the ship is battered the tighter its hold becomes.  Similarly, when we face trials and tests, they force us deeper into God, and what the devil intends for bad is turned into good.

Action Step: Find a Ship you can board and set sail. Don’t go AWOL. Stay at your post until properly relieved. Maintain a steady diet of Meat (Word of God). Safety comes when you stay under your leadership and function in the Chain of Command. Allow His Solace/Cheer to strengthen you.  When you come to Shore, know that worship is your warfare and praise is your weapon.  ​

This week we pick up where we left off on Friday, the importance of having Four Main Anchors.
 
Let’s review two anchors discussed last week.

The first and most important Anchor is God.  Settle today in your heart and mind that God exists and that He created you for a specific purpose.
 
The second Anchor is Faith.  We know that without faith it is impossible to please God.  Who doesn’t want to please their Father and Creator.
 
Today, let’s discuss the third ANCHOR – SHIP.  
The SHIP I refer to is the local church…the local fellowSHIP.  What’s fellowship? That’s “2 or more fellows in the same ship.”  That’s where we gather together (congregate, assemble).  It’s where we learn God’s Word and learn to serve others. Don’t we love our fellowship?  Hmm, why do so many jump overboard?
 
The Purpose of the Ship.
Jesus organized His church during His ministry on the earth. Matthew 16:18-9 “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
 
Note the phrase “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”  He is not speaking to Peter, but to the New Testament Church. “...the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”  The New Testament (NT) Church is the vessel (ship) by which we preach the gospel. The NT Church is the vehicle (ship) by which we take the Good News to the world.  That’s the purpose of the ship!
 
Hear me now, salvation is not in trusting in the church, but in Christ. The church is the messenger. One of the reasons there are so many fragmented fellowSHIPS and confusion in the Gospel of salvation is that individuals have broken off from the NT Church.  They have begun a private presentation of the message of salvation. That is not God’s intent. The command to evangelize the world was given to the NT Church. We have to be part of a ship!
 
The Importance of the Ship. 
 
Some people place very little value and importance on the church/ship. They have too many of this world’s goods to be of benefit to God. The very blessings that they have received from God keep them from faithfully going to His house.
 
Let’s review some daily practices that some believers engage in.
        
They use the automobile He gave them to travel on the weekend, which takes them out of church.
 
They use the money He gives them to purchase unnecessary things that takes money away from the offering plate at church. The average Christian keeps himself in debt for things that are not necessary, working to pay those bills keep him from helping at the church.
 
They use the nice home He gave them to sleep in on Sunday and skip church.
 
What does it take to keep you out of Church or off the Ship? Sickness?  Employment?  Recreation? Family members? If you wait until everything is “just right” to join a fellowSHIP, sadly you will never join the crew.  
 
The bottom line, what keeps you from staying on the ship, faithfully serving and using your gifts and talents for the fellowship? Sickness, Employment (you know the job your prayed to get), your children, those God graciously gave you?  If the devil can get you to compromise once, he’ll keep providing you plenty of reasons to “jump overboard”.  Know that staying on course is the key to having success in you and your family member's lives.

​Action Step: Have you taken the Oath of Enlistment to join the crew of the Ship?  If not, you may make that commitment.  It’s as simple as ABC! Ask God to forgive you of your sins, Believe that Jesus was born of a virgin,  died on a cross for your sin, paid the penalty of death, and  Confess with your mouth the Lordship of Jesus in your life.  Share the news on how to join the crew and train others to serve on the SHIP.

In yesterday’s blog, I discussed the first Anchor, God.  Today we are building on our relationship with God. The Word of God says without FAITH it is impossible to please God.
 
The second ANCHOR is FAITH.  It sounds so simple to just say “I believe God.  Just keep the faith.” We all know it’s not simple navigating life.  It takes inner courage.
 

​The Word of God will be of little benefit to us unless we exercise faith in it. The key to our success is whether we believe God or not.  Depending on our answer, we can pray, “Lord help my unbelief.”
 
The Apostle Paul had no choice but to believe God for his entire converted life. I think of the time he and Silas were in imprisoned. They had been threatened, beaten and jailed.  They clung to the anchor of faith, as fully demonstrated when Paul and Silas sang praise to God in their midnight hour. (Acts 16:25-34)
Will we choose to praise God when there seems to be no way out? Will we believe God? 

​When the Apostle Paul was stoned at Lystra and left for dead, he was hanging onto that anchor of faith.  Has someone exited your life leaving behind the feeling of death? Ask God if you need to say goodbye or continue to pursue the relationship. If we believe God, it will be evidenced by our relationship with Him.
 
Who is it that I am talking to today that has been struggling with this matter of faith? You are holding on to the anchor of God, but that anchor of faith has been slipping and it seems you are about to lose your grip on it. Well, “Get a Grip”. Strengthen your grip by starting your day with God. Read His Word. Recite His Word.
 
Remember, God has instructed each of us to live our lives, and to raise our children according to His Word. This requires faith.  One may even say, Great Faith! According to Deuteronomy 4:9, “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them to thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.”
 
We are instructed by His Word to give our all to Him. That will require faith.
 
Paul said, “I believe God...” He knew that the same God that had delivered him from the prison and the firing squad in Lystra would deliver him again.
 
This same God will see you through also. Keep hold of that anchor of faith.
 
Action Step: When you feel that you are losing your grip, remember, Read the Word of God, Recite the Word of God, Relay to others what the Word of God is doing in your life and Rejoice and believe God!

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God...”
That’s right, you read it correctly.  We are sons of God, family name bearers! Don’t get caught in your gender just surrender.
 
John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

​Battleships are equipped to be at sea for long periods of time.  Therefore, they have all the supplies and manpower aboard to complete their journey. Today, we are discussing the main character traits that all sailors (sons) must possess; sonship, surrender, and servitude.
 
Sonship
A reoccurring theme in scripture from Genesis to Revelation is the two classes of humanity: those who belong to God and those who do not; those who will live with him forever and those who will not.
This simple yet basic truth is taught everywhere in the Bible, yet far too many people seem totally oblivious to it.  A number of believers, who don’t read their Bibles will argue with me for suggesting that there are two humanities.  If one watches the evening news, undoubtedly someone interviewed will claim that we are all God’s children.
We are not all God’s children. We are all God’s creation but we are not all sons until we change fathers.  Therefore, we need to be sons, then we will desire to serve.
 
Surrendering to the call of general quarters.
 
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. Mark 8:35
 
I surrender all. You have probably at least heard the song, if not sang it from the hymnal. “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give, I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I Surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee my blessed Saviour, I surrender all.”  Have you surrendered all to Jesus? Have you made him Lord of your life? Master, you are the one who steers the ship. 
 
Servitude
Exodus 21:6 refers to the Levitical servant.  “Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever."
 
Perhaps there is one here who would say, “I love God and I want to serve Him the rest of my life.”  If that be, then you must surrender that ear to be laid upon the door post and the awl making that binding agreement to your Master.
 
Have Christians laid down the position of servant, rather than their ear? They want to be served, rather than to serve. The people of God must be servants of God. Too many have the “Me First” spirit, or with some, “Me Only.”  When you look into the sea of humanity, do you see your own reflection or the many souls that are destined to be separated from God for all of eternity.

Action Step: Have you surrendered your pride to look foolish while telling someone about Jesus and how He has changed your life.   I challenge you to share your story.  Get started now by sharing your testimony with me.​

Acts 27: 23-24, 29-32
Fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.  And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 27:29-32

​Today, I want to ask you a direct question, are you drifting away from God, or are you cruising in the shipping lane with drive, destiny and determination to make a difference in your world? To be able to cruise in the shipping lane with purpose, you must know that you can rely on God as your anchor when, not if life’s storms come.
​
ANCHOR ONE – GOD.
Saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ -Acts 27:24 
 
Let’s say it together, out loud, it matters who you hang out with!
 
The Person of God.
The Omnipotent One. (Having unlimited authority or power). Everything hinges and depends on God, the self-existing One.  Our Creator, Maker, Saviour, Redeemer! The God of the universe. The Holy God. The Omniscient One (Having unlimited knowledge). God knows the end from the beginning and He’s the one who can set your life on course.
 
Our Position in God. 
Paul is stating in verse Acts 27:23, "Whom I belong and whom I serve."  that God owns him. We will not serve Him until He owns us.  Does God own you? Have you given up your free will to serve him? Who or what is keeping you from serving God will all your heart?  Sold Out!
 
The Proclamation of God. 
Acts 27:24a "Fear not."  Fear does not come from God.  This passage is speaking about Paul’s lack of fear while doing God’s will.
 
God is assuring Paul of safety, security, and supply. These things come from God; not only for Paul, but for all who were with him. Remember it matters who you hang out with.
 
 That verse stirs me to be with people that have God’s approval and blessing on their lives. There is where it is safe. As long as Paul focused on doing the will of God, he would be safe. He would finish his course.
 
The Plan of God.
Acts 27:24b, "you must be brought before Caesar."  God has a plan for you. 
 
Unhappiness comes when we are not in that plan. It will bring defeat and discouragement.
 
God’s plan may not always be enjoyable. Apostle Paul experienced persecution and severe hardships.  2 Corinthians 11:23-27 records beating, stoning, imprisonment, hunger, cold, nakedness, and fear.
 
Let me remind you that none of this was done in chastisement, but rather because Paul was fulfilling the plan of God, he was a servant.
 
He speaks of his bearing the marks in his body. "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Gal 6:17
 
I would venture to say that Paul was not rejoicing with laughter while he was telling these incidents. He is telling us there will be hard times while doing the plan of God.
 
It’s not always smooth sailing, and God didn’t promise us a storm free journey, but He did promise we would make it to the other side.  God is an anchor that will hold!