A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
November 2,
2021
How many of our readers know that this saying on the Fisherman's statue in Gloucester MA is a portion of a Scripture text? (See Psalm 107:23)
"The Perfect Storm"
"When neither sun nor stars appeared for
many days and the storm continued raging, we finally
gave up all hope of being saved" (Acts 27:20). "May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
During the nineties we lived in New England
where I pastored a church in Taunton, Massachusetts. We
enjoyed that season of our lives taking many day trips
to relatively close places such as Boston, Plymouth,
Cape Cod and Newport RI.
North of Boston is the fishing village of
Gloucester where 30 years ago they experienced what Bob
Case, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service
in Boston, called the "Perfect Storm". A trio of
atmospheric factors came together to form a storm so
uniquely dangerous and powerful that its mesmerizing
development could only be described in one way: perfect.
*
Now he
didn't mean perfect in the sense of good, as the storm
was quite destructive and deadly, most famously the
tragic fate of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing
vessel from Gloucester, Massachusetts, that was lost at
sea with six crew members on board in the northern
Atlantic due to the storm. One time we had a minister's fellowship
meeting on Martha's Vineyard, a beautiful island off the
coast of Massachusetts, which requires a ferry ride to
get to. On the return trip we rode on a freight
ferry and the waves were so large they kept splashing
over the side of the ferry (about 15-20 feet above the
water). Several other ministers joined me at the
front of the boat and with each huge splash we sought to
imagine what Paul went through when he was shipwrecked.
This harrowing account is found in Acts 27 and
is an ancient rival to "The Perfect Storm", Today I
ponder on the phrase "we gave up all hope of being
saved". What utter despair there must have
been for the 276 men on board the boat as the
experienced sailors recognized the severity of the
situation. Even the chronicler Luke, who wrote the book
of Acts, includes himself among the hopeless, "We". But
Paul, who had earlier warned them not to take the
journey, now has a powerful word of hope and
encouragement for the crew. No life would be lost, only
the ship will be destroyed (27:22). And that's exactly
what happened.
Some
of you today find yourselves in the midst of a severe
storm. It may be a health crisis, a family meltdown or a
financial catastrophe. For all of us it may be the
chaotic world situation. You may even hear voices loudly
proclaiming, "There's no hope!". But
listen to me as I remind you, that is a lie. There is
always hope as we serve the God of hope. Receive this
Biblical benediction today, "May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
Some
of you today find yourselves in the midst of a severe
storm. It may be a health crisis, a family meltdown or a
financial catastrophe. For all of us it may be the
chaotic world situation. You may even hear voices loudly
proclaiming, "There's no hope!". But
listen to me as I remind you, that is a lie. There is
always hope as we serve the God of hope. Receive this
Biblical benediction today, "May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).Your situation may seem
hopeless and perhaps it is, from man's viewpoint. But
remember this, the God of hope does not work in the
natural, but rather the supernatural. Jesus said, "All
things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).
God's supernatural work is not limited to human
resources, earth's time clock, nor man's
understanding. Aren't you glad for that! Today let us
pray and hope for the impossible because it is in the
impossible realm that we can be certain that it is
truly God is at work even in the midst of the perfect
storm.
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Heavenly Father, when those aboard the
ship in Acts 27 were looking at the gloomy forecast
that appeared for many days their hopes diminished
day by day. So often that's what leads us to defeat;
we fear the raging storm and the damage it will do,
instead of looking to the One who controls the wind
and waves. We consider those suffering today,
reminding us that You are a God of the impossible;
bringing hope in the midst of devastation,
restoration in the midst of brokenness, comfort for
the grieving as You bring a message of hope, not
based on what we see, but in the hope we have
through the Holy Spirit as we trust in You. Amen.Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
Follow
Up on D.J. Paglia - Several weeks
ago we posted a prayer request for D.J. and his
wife, Anna Mary, who were in need of personal
care. So many nursing homes were turning them
away due to staff shortage. Well, our prayer was
answered on behalf of D.J. as he found a
permanent dwelling, in fact, an eternal dwelling
as he went to be with Jesus on Oct. 20th. at 94.
We are uncertain as to where Anna Mary is
receiving care at this time. Several responded
with suggestions and we appreciated your counsel
and concern and passed them on to their son
Doug. We attended his viewing last Friday
evening and were reminded of the love and
respect he had earned over the years in his role
as Dad, Pastor, Chaplain and friend.
"Praise
You In This Storm" Video Casting Crowns
"Eye
Of The Storm" Video Triumphant
Quartet
"Believe
For It" Video CeCe Winans
Move
the immovable
Break the unbreakable
God, we believe
God, we believe for it
From the impossible
We'll see a miracle
God, we believe
God, we believe for it
Break the unbreakable
God, we believe
God, we believe for it
From the impossible
We'll see a miracle
God, we believe
God, we believe for it
Follow
Up on D.J. Paglia - Several weeks
ago we posted a prayer request for D.J. and his
wife, Anna Mary, who were in need of personal
care. So many nursing homes were turning them
away due to staff shortage. Well, our prayer was
answered on behalf of D.J. as he found a
permanent dwelling, in fact, an eternal dwelling
as he went to be with Jesus on Oct. 20th. at 94.
We are uncertain as to where Anna Mary is
receiving care at this time. Several responded
with suggestions and we appreciated your counsel
and concern and passed them on to their son
Doug. We attended his viewing last Friday
evening and were reminded of the love and
respect he had earned over the years in his role
as Dad, Pastor, Chaplain and friend.
Route 322 in northern Lancaster County. When we travel this route it reminds us of our years in northern Pennsylvania.
Miners Village is near Cornwall in Lebanon County PA. (see here on google maps) These stone homes were built as company housing in 1865 for miners and furnace workers at a nearby quarry and iron furnace.
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Weber".Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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