The Nine Aspects of a Fruit

 Nine Aspects of a Fruit

 But the fruit of the Spirit is: 

LOVE, 

joy, peace, 

longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 

faith, Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

You can take an Apple or an Orange 

or a Grape or a Mango,
and analyse its parts and characteristics.
A fruit is hard and sour when it is raw. 
The fruit becomes softer, jucier and sweeter as it ripens.
It also applies to the spiritual fruit - Love, we bear as individuals.
The fruit should improve as we mature in CHRIST.

Luscious - LOVE

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8 

Pure agape love originates from GOD. It is the character of GOD. GOD's love is attractive and desirable. We receive this love through our relationship with GOD. GOD's love does not fail to satisfy our inmost being, dislodging all fear, bringing conviction that leads to repentance.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5 

Like an open cup placed below the spout of a tea pot or a tap, our heart fills with GOD's love when our mind is open and our heart is humble before GOD. Each of us needs to experience this love for ourselves by receiving the goodness of GOD with gratitude.

Juicy - JOY

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11 

This joy comes from the LORD and we receive it through our relationship with Him.

The juice is in the fruit. 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4

When trials sqeeze you from all sides, the pure juice of the joy of JESUS should pour out! 

 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9 

This joy is eternal, and is based on the hope we have in the LORD JESUS and not on our situation or circumstance. 

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 35:10

This joy will be perfected when we come to Zion and when sorrow and sighing will flee away!

Pieces of PEACE

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 

Real peace comes only from the Prince of Peace, the LORD JESUS. We receive this peace when we live in close relationship with Him.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 

GOD releases His peace to us when we trust Him each moment of each day. It is like enjoying eating small fruits or bite-size peices of big fruits - one at a time!
When our peace is disturbed, we must spend time with the LORD in prayer.  When we pour out our heart to Him, He will lead us to pray according to His will, which could be repentance, forgiveness or intercession. If we deal in this manner with each problem or situation we face, GOD's peace will fill our heart constantly.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Pectin - PATIENCE

 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
Exodus 34:6

GOD is very patient. That is His nature. He deals with us patiently and graciously.
Therefore patience is GOD's character produced in us by the Holy Spirit.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7-8

The Pectin in a fruit is a soluble fibre that improves bowel health. Hence Pectin enhances the ability of the body to digest and absorb the nutrition in the food we consume. Thus the body is nourished and strengthened by the food.

Similarly, the gentle Holy Spirit causes the word of GOD to be revealed to us and to be assimilated into our soul. Thus our soul is nourished by the word of GOD and in due time the word becomes flesh, as the Holy Spirit enables us to live out the word! But this takes time. So we need to patiently wait and give sufficient time to see this happen in our own lives and in the lives of others. 

Vitamin - GENTLENESS

You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
Psalm 18:35

The fruit has vitamins and other nutrients that have a gentle healing property on human bodies.  Vitamins are 'Vital Minerals' and gentleness is a vital ingredient of the fruit of the Spirit!

Gentleness is anoher word for kindness. Kindness, in the Hebrew language is 'chesed', which, when broken up into two words means 'compassion' and 'fetters'. 

 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 9:36

 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:32

GOD, in His kindness and gentleness, looks upon the people who are fettered and in bondage and reaches out to them, bringing spiritual deliverance and healing to souls and bodies.

GOD's gentleness is reflected in and through us as we reach out with compassion, to those in various types of bondages. 

 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 Corinthians 10:1

Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
Matthew 18:33-35

Even as the LORD sets us free, He expects us to set others free with compassion and the authority He gives us over the powers of darkness. 

 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:19

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19

Nutricious - GOODNESS

 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
Exodus 34:6

Just as the fruit has goodness in itself that nourishes others physically, GOD has goodness in Himself that flow out as blessings to people in every way.  

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Romans 2:4

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8

When we receive and partake of His goodness with gratitude, it brings health to your soul through repentance. 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You."
Psalm 16:2

 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:10

As we humble ourselves and take time to taste and be nourished by the LORD's goodness, we will bear spiritual fruit that will carry that same goodness to bless others! When we are blessed by GOD, we will be a blessing to others. Our life will consist of good works for the benefit of others.

Seed - FAITH

 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:11

The LORD JESUS said that the word of GOD is like a seed.  The word of GOD is sown in the soil of our heart when we hear it and receive it. Thus faith is planted in the heart. 

Our Christian life on earth begins and ends with faith. 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

Without the seed, there is no fruit. 

 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Luke 17:6 

The seed that is planted in the heart, when watered by the Holy Spirit, germinates and grows roots, having the power to uproot other undisirable trees growing in our own heart. 

The stem grows, producing leaves. Then buds show up that become flowers. The base of the flowers, in time become fruits. 

Thus the seed of faith in the LORD JESUS, sown in a human heart, watered by the Holy Spirit, nourished by the word of GOD, in due time will bring forth the fruit that is love!

 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Munchable - MEEKNESS 

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 Corinthians 10:1

The LORD JESUS is meek. We need to be meek to receive Him and His word into our heart.

 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 
James 1:21

The fruit is for others. It is selfless! Such selfless availability to others indicates meekness. 

Meekness is simply Me-less!

The flesh of a fruit is crispy or soft and it gives enjoyment and fulfilment to people, animals and birds.

If it hardens itself like a rock, others can't bite into it and enjoy its flesh and eat it up! Are we soft and humble enough for people to approach us? 

 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
Isaiah 50:6

Are we hardening ourselves against those who are evil and harsh? Are we blocking our ears from those who speak nasty words to us? The LORD JESUS stood in the gap meekly to intercede for the sinners. We need to be like Him to inherit the earth. 

 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Matthew 5:38-42

 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13

Skin - SELFCONTROL

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:9-11

Imagine a fruit without a proper skin covering! It will simply fall appart and the juice will drip out, because it is the skin that holds the flesh of the fruit together. Similarly, we need to bring our body and selfish mind under the control of the Holy Spirit.

While purchasing  fruits, don't we carefully pick fruits that have undamaged skin?

A fruit with damaged skin through which its flesh shows out, is not desirable. Such is a believer whose selfish nature shows up all the time! If you abide in CHRIST, all your relationships will be loving, healthy and beautiful 'In CHRIST'.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

 

The skin protects the fruit from insects and germs. When you live and walk in the Spirit, and do not allow your fleshly carnal nature to take over, you are protected from the devil's ploys. The devil can only get access to a believer through his carnal nature when he walks carelessly in the flesh and not in the Spirit.

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24

Therefore it is necessary for us to seek the LORD's guidance and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit every moment of our life. We must yield our plans to the LORD so that we can bear desirable lovely fruit for GOD's glory!

Let us live, move and have our being IN HIM.

The Fruit of the Spirit

The Best Fruit Ever!

Who doesn't like a good sweet juicy fruit?

A loving, joyous, patient individual who does good to others is like a fruit such as this!

Of course, the kind of fruit you expect from a tree would depend on the kind of seed you sow. Similarly, if we want to bear good fruit, we must sow good seed into the soil of our heart.

Are you happy or satisfied with the kind of person you are? 

Do you long to be one who will bring blessing and joy to others and not anger, pain and sorrow, especially to those you love?

 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:19-26

All of us are different like the variety of fruits. One may be like an apple and another like a banana and another like a pear! All differing in size, shape, colour, consistency, fragrance and taste. Yet, as children of the Most High GOD, having the same Holy Spirit working in and through us, we will bear good fruit that will bless others in various ways and bring glory to the LORD.

As we are all made different, let us not compare with each other nor copy one another. Let us also not compete with one another, but find fulfilment in bearing the specific kind of fruit the LORD has purposed for us to bear.

Strongholds

 Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.

1 Samuel 23:29

So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 24:22

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

Proverbs 21:22

 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

2 Corinthians 10:4

What Kind of man are you?

 What Kind of man or woman are you?

You might know many things about your physical body, your weight, height and your BMI. 

By the time you are middle aged, you would know something about your blood pressure and probably your blood sugar level. If you are an older person, you will not only know the range of your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, but also will be interested to regularly check not only your blood cholesterol level, but also your HDL and your LDL. Not only that, but as the medical system would want you to be aware of your blood k and Na, minerals, vitamins, liver and kidney functions and a list of unending letters and numbers. These would occupy a large part of your brain, which is already deteriorating, leaving very little space for rational thinking and a clear mind for day to day activity and necessary memory!

MAN

 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7

In certain portions of Scripture, 'Man' refers to a human being -  man and woman.

OUTWARD MAN, INWARD MAN

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

As human beings, we have an 'Outward Man', which refers to the physical body.

Every human being has a soul, which is the 'Inward Man'. The soul is the mind of a man that has the will, emotion and the intellect.

NATURAL MAN, SPIRITUAL MAN

 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:11-14

Every human being has a spirit, which is his deepest part. It is the spirit of man that GOD, Who is Spirit, connects with.

The 'Inner Man' is a 'Natural Man' until that spirit and soul are revived by the Holy Spirit when he is born again spiritually. Thus the 'Natural man' becomes a 'Spiritual Man'.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:1-11

OLD MAN, NEW MAN

 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:17-24

The 'Natural Man' is also referred to as the 'Old Man' and the 'Spiritual Man' is referred to as the 'New Man'. The 'Old man' operates according the 'carnal mind' while the 'new man' operates with a spiritual mind according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The carnal mind progresses into corruption according to the deceitful lusts of this world. The spiritual mind progresses towards GOD in true righteousness and holiness.

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17

NEW MAN, PERFECT MAN

 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:14-18

 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16

It is only by the grace of GOD revealed through JESUS CHRIST, that we are enabled to overcome our carnal mind to live a victorious life spiritually. As all of us, who walk in the spirit, progress to perfection in love and holiness and unity, we portray the glory of the LORD JESUS as 'One new Man' to a 'Perfect Man'.

WRETCHED MAN!

 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 
Romans 7:22-8:2

The apostle Paul recognised this tussle within himself. The carnal mind and the spiritual mind pulling his soul in opposite directions! The carnal mind that is selfish and that follows the dictates of the physical body. The spiritual mind that desires to follow the word of GOD and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul refers to the carnal selfish part of himself as the 'Wretched man'!

STRONG MAN, STRONGER MAN

 And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
Luke 11:14-26

One can also be possessed by and oppressed by a demonic spirit which is a strong man. Such a person would be totally influenced and ruled and controlled by the demonic force, displaying the same demonic activity of uncleanness, disorder and disability. When the Holy Spirit, Who is more powerful, comes upon such a person, the demonic spirit is ousted and the man is set free. It is necessary for that man to be filled with the Holy Spirit to prevent re entry of the unclean spirit.

THE MAN

 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"
John 19:5

 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5

We thank and praise GOD for His indescribable gift  - JESUS CHRIST, The Son of GOD, The Son of man. Only He could play the role of a Mediator between GOD and man!

 

SAILING - PART TWO

In the book of the 'Acts of the Apostles', there is much written in detail about their journeys and experiences while sailing, which is interesting. We can also learn many spiritual truths from these portions of Scripture.

Acts 13:4, Acts 13:13

• So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
• Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

In our lives journey, we must set sail, by yielding our mind and will to the leading of the Holy Spirit, in major and minor decisions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Acts 16:6-12                           

• Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.

The LORD has commissioned us to "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel..." and that is what we must do, unless the LORD leads us otherwise in certain situations like in the above passage. It is therefore very important for us to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even in interpreting and obeying the word of GOD.

The apostles were going about the work of the LORD and their motive was clear and yet they sensed they were not going in the direction of the move of the Spirit when they headed towards Asia and Bithynia. They did not assume that it was the devil who was trying to hinder them from fulfilling GOD's command to go into all the world and preach the Gospel!

Because they were sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit, they arrived in Philippi in Macedonia where Lydia and her household were prepared to get baptized. The slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination was set free and then the Philippian jailer and his household were saved.

Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and put into prison for preaching the Gospel. This suffering did not mean that they were outside of GOD's will. The LORD was with them and the Holy Spirit continued to guide, comfort and strengthen them.

We must run with the Spirit even if that path entails inconvenience, danger and suffering. It is the lifestyle of a true follower of CHRIST!

The Apostle Paul's journey to Rome for trial before Caesar.

Acts 27:1-44, 28:1-14

•  And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 

As Paul had appealed to Caesar, he was taken out of the Philippian jail, injured and wounded, and was being taken with other prisoners to Rome. GOD gave him favour in the eyes of the centurion. Aristarchus was with him and Luke the physician probably joined Paul at this point. 

•  When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. 

Luke, the author of this book, includes himself in this record.

Sailing with difficulty because the wind was contrary, probably reminded Paul of his life prior to his conversion. He may have realised the truth of those words of the LORD, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Acts 9:5

•  When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

The leading and the move of the Holy Spirit in Paul's journeys was very similar to the effects of the wind in this sailing experience! Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

•  Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives."

The Apostle Paul had learnt the importance of making decisions sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and the danger of not doing so, which could result in wasted time, mental stress, loss of possessions, finances, relationships and even losing out on  spiritual and eternal life. 

•  Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 

How easy it is to follow the worldly mindset and worldly wisdom, decide according to rational thinking, outward appearances and circumstances and take the counsel of the majority? 

 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island." Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. Then, 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." Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you." And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 

It was now obvious that Paul had heard from GOD because his word about the disaster came to pass and the sailors and soldiers respected Paul and listened to him.

When we are tempest tossed in life, we must secure the skiff - the life boat which depicts JESUS, our only hope. Like in a war situation when the enemy comes against us strongly, we will not be able to progress, but we must not lose ground. We must stand firm, facing the enemy with the whole armor of GOD, our soul anchored and undergirded firmly to GOD by the cable of faith. Thus we let ourselves 'Drive' by the Holy Spirit, totally surrendered to Him and resting in the LORD.

The next thing to do is to lighten our life by purposefully cutting off excesses of covetousness, diversions and distractions of worldliness to save time and energy to strengthen ourselves spiritually. We must learn to be content and thankful to GOD our Heavenly Father, Who has promised to give us our daily bread, clothes and all our needs. 

When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 

Our life is like a sailboat on the sea of the systems, philosophy, empty deceit, traditions of men, and basic principles of the world. How our eyes strain to see the shore and our hearts long to reach it!

Everything that holds us to this world including our physical body, will be cut off like the anchors of the ship and be left back in this world. 

At this point, the apostle Paul may have had a vision of the last lap of his life, in relation to the current experience with the ship. As the body of the ship, his body had already been broken and bruised but his soul was set to follow closely after the Spirit as he kept his focus on CHRIST. 

 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

•  And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

The natural selfish mindset operated in the sailors who had charge of the ship and the soldiers who had charge of the prisoners in the ship. The former planned to escape, abandoning the ship. The latter planned to kill the prisoners so that they might escape punishment. On the contrary, our LORD JESUS died that we might live.

Paul, as a servant of GOD, was an intercessor in that ship. The plan of the sailors and the soldiers were thwarted through Paul's intervention. GOD's grace was extended to everyone of them and they all escaped. 

Millions of souls are continuing to be saved spiritually, through the writings of Paul in the Scriptures!

As followers of the LORD, let us develop a selfless mindset to live for the LORD so that others might find life in JESUS CHRIST.

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

GOD's grace also gave Paul and the others favour in the eyes of strangers. 

• But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

The authority that JESUS gave to His apostles was enacted here and the heathen saw it and marvelled!

 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:19

• In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

A Scriptural principle is that those who bless servants of GOD are blessed. This was so with Publius with his father and the others in Malta.

• They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

When we serve GOD, our needs are met and we are honoured.

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:26
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

• After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
  

Thus Paul the unique and great Apostle of the LORD JESUS finished his journey on the sea literally. The rest of his spiritual journey was like sailing in the direction and leading of the Holy Spirit with peace and victory to victory!

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts 28:30-31 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8