Channels of Blessing

Ministry sometimes has its challenges. Like Paul, we can be doing what God called us to and suddenly find ourselves on another route. An unexpected storm left his ship battered to pieces, forcing the occupants to swim to a nearby island, one inhabited by people who had never heard of God’s love and saving power. Bitten by a poisonous snake, they waited for Paul to die, but they thought him a god when he didn't, opening the door to introduce them to the only Living God. By his and his coworkers’ testimony, God healed the islanders physically and spiritually. After arriving in Rome, though released from his imprisonment, the authorities arrested Paul a second time for spreading the same message, lending the opportunity to share God’s Gospel with the guards.

A group of teenagers on a mission trip grew spiritually and closer together as they called on God, believing He would intervene in the life of a youngster bitten by a poisonous insect. He did, and the teenagers learned the significance of interceding on behalf of someone’s need. God reminded them and the chaperones of Christ’s grace and sufficiency and that our God can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Where, how, and when God chooses to work and carry out His purposes is His prerogative. He sees your circumstances; they may have taken you by surprise but not Him. You, too, can experience the grace and sufficiency of our miracle-working God. Each person must decide whether to receive the message that Jesus saves us daily from life’s problems and our souls eternally; the first step is to acknowledge your need, then invite Him to work in your life (Romans 10:9–10, 13). Like Paul’s message of Jesus’ love and saving power, some people believe, others don’t: “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not” (Acts 28:24). We tell the Good News. What people do with it is up to them.