Obviously, somebody misunderstood! Or, did she? She really didn't want that shot, and whatever it would take to get out of it, was worthwhile. Acts 27 reveals a different attitude in Paul—he knew he was to go to Rome as a prisoner. He had most certainly been through manyAny devastation is but a tiny glimpse of God's final judgment against all sin!
storms—beatings, scourgings, and persecutions of all sorts—but there was yet another storm on the horizon. A few weeks ago, our gulf coast—and indeed the whole nation—experienced a horrendous hurricane called Katrina. Even as I write these words, the storm watchers are keeping an eye on yet another one—Rita. With all of the devastation, many find it hard to believe, let alone even say, that God is in control. But it is true! If God is truly God, He could have stopped it—right? But He didn’t! He must, therefore, have a purpose in letting it happen—He is most certainly trying to draw all of us away from our sin and into a powerful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul was evidently a storm watcher, too! There was no National Weather Service or Doppler radar, but he had use of the best forecasting and warning system ever—the Holy Spirit! Having been obviously warned by that Spirit, Paul told them, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives." (Acts 27:10) But the master and owner of the ship disagreed, and so did the centurion, the latter listening to their voices and not Paul's. In fact, the majority wouldn't listen to the warning, and decided to risk it and keep sailing. They wouldn't even say, "NO, THANK YOU,"—they just flatly said, "NO! NO! NO!" Oh, it began as a soft southerly breeze, but in due time, "there arose against (them) a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon." (vs. 14) This combination of Greek words refers to an east wind and amazing storm surges. These storms blow from all points, the danger coming in the uncertainty of its course. You got it—it’s a hurricane! Well, the ship got caught in it, and what a mess! They drew up "helps", or ropes, down under the belly of the ship to try to help support it in the crashing waves. The next day, they lightened the ship of all non-essentials. The third day, they even threw the tackling overboard—they were desperate! In fact, Luke even tells us, "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."
Well, there is no small tempest that has descended upon this land, and many don't even recognize it. The true Word of God has been ravaged. In recent years, several new translations have emerged, leaving out literally hundreds of verses. On purpose, too—some very crucial doctrines are minimized and even lost. My wife and I have been reading a devotional book compiled from the writings of Andrew Murray, but the editor has used the New Living Translation for its Scriptures. It is not even a real translation, but a paraphrase, and we have found it to be in error quite often. Remember—when the Bible is diluted, it is polluted! One of the worst is Eugene Peterson's "The Message." It isn't even close enough to call it a paraphrase—it is just what the author wanted it to say. I have personally compared many verses, and have found it to be way off base much of the time.
I thought the storm couldn't get any worse than that, but it has. Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and Eugene Peterson (mentioned above) have come together to produce the "The Renovare' Spiritual Formation Study Bible." In this "Study?" Bible, these New Age thinkers are leading many to embrace the satanic techniques of Eastern mysticism and use them in Christianity. Referring to "faith formation" and "spiritual discipline," which sound like noble endeavors, they draw the reader into meditation, visualization, and the occult. Years ago, before I was saved, I tried to use some of these things—super Christianizing them, of course—but they still had the same root, namely demonic efforts to empty the mind in order to possess it. (see Matt. 12:43-45) Foster even admits that he was taught these things by Agnes Sanford, who popularized "inner healing," which is a major source of occultism in the Charismatic movement. He even says, "Go deeper and deeper into outer space until there is nothing accept the warm presence of the eternal Creator. Rest in his presence. Listen quietly to any instruction given."
(p.27) This, my friends, is "astral projection," the occult technique used by shamans to contact their spirit guides. Watch out—this is nothing other than blasphemy!
Within the articles of "The Renovare'", Divine inspiration of the Bible is actually denied, relegating much of Scripture to myths, legends, and oral traditions that just happened to develop. In an effort to take away the truly prophetic nature of the Book of Daniel, these so-called scholars claim that, "We do not know who wrote it or exactly when it was written." The Bible itself answers these, but if you can say that something happened before the prophecy, then it isn't really prophecy—it is only reporting, and that doesn't take the Spirit of God. Many prophesies concerning Jesus, the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ, and the Millennium, among others, are made "figurative," making them "non-events." There are many other problems, but you get the point!
Well, the storm is even worse than that—without the power of the Holy Spirit, even the most accurate words have demonic influence. Remember—all order apart from God's Holy Spirit, no matter how good or logical it may seem, is satanic. A.W. Tozer once wrote, "Religious instruction, however sound, is not enough by itself. It brings light, but it can't bring sight. How many multiplied thousands have learned Scriptures and catechisms by heart and still wander in moral darkness simply because there has been no inward illumination by the Holy Spirit?"This storm is really raging, so every one of us had better watch it! THANK GOD—Paul gives a Spirit-led response. He begins with, "I told you so!" It sounds cruel, and even catty, but it must be said, for once the Holy Spirit states the case, the case must be stated by God's people. Others must know that they missed the warning. Paul then told the rest of the story—an angel had appeared to him and said, "Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." (vs. 24) What a powerful spiritual picture—if Paul would just stay focused on the Lord, those with him would be drawn to embrace the same God. It's true today, too—your seeking of the Lord will influence others! When land was seen nearby, "they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day." (vs.29) Pretending to let down more anchors off the bow, the sailors let down the life boat and planned to get out while the getting was good. So many today do the same thing, abandoning true Christianity when the seas look a little rough, not willing to stay together as the Body of Christ. But Paul told the centurion, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." (vs.31) What a call to recognize Christ's Body, and see "…how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." (Psalm 133:1) So, the soldiers cut the ropes, making it possible for all to be saved—not just the sailors!
After two solid weeks of struggling with the storm and having not eaten, all were quite weak. We can not make it through the spiritual storm without sustenance, either—the true Bread of Life, which is the Spirit-filled Word of God—even Christ! Once nourished, they lightened the ship even more—they dumped the wheat, a picture of their own natural strength—stored up and ready to be used. Then it happened—they spotted a creek and decided to try to thrust the ship into it. So they took up the anchors and away they went! It is interesting in the Greek—"The anchors having cast off, they left in the sea." Remember, they had already lightened the load—it is not likely that they would raise the anchors and store them. NO, THANK YOU—they were done with whatever held them back. We, too, must be done with man-made gospels and worldly ways—cutting them away, and making for shore. But when the ship hit a sand bar and started to break up, the soldiers plan was to kill the prisoners. But the centurion, having seen the power of God in both Paul and the storm, ordered that each must make their way on a piece of the ship. THANK GOD—the ship makes it, even in pieces, and all were saved! We are surely living in a stormy time—anybody hear the forecast for today?
