Word for me day by Christian Education Forum

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 THE RESURRECTED CHRIST WHO ENCOURAGES THE DISPIRITED  

Acts 27:27-37 
Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair  from his head.” (Acts 27:34)  
Devotion  
Have you ever been caught in a severe storm, one in which the winds were strong and rain  poured down forcefully?  
Paul was caught in a similar storm while a prisoner aboard a ship heading for trial. For fourteen  days, this ship was tossed around in a powerful sea. Fear, uncertainty, and chaos filled that boat,  but Paul remained at peace. Unfortunately, Paul's words could not calm the others, as their fear  was already much bigger than their faith.  
Paul then encourages his fellow travelers to pause, eat, and take a moment of rest. By supporting  their physical need (food), he helped meet their spiritual need (trust in God). After blessing the  bread, all 276 people on board were satisfied and at peace. This helped them to think more  clearly, turning their panic into positive problem-
 solving .Sometimes, in the storms of life, we simply need to pause, refresh ourselves, and rest. In doing  so, we are better able to hear God's voice and function in confidence. Fear will cause us to run  and make impulsive decisions. Faith will help us stand firm and listen to God's directives.  
The Lord knows our needs and hears our desires. He has not forgotten us and will not leave us  stranded. No storm is too powerful to separate us from God's promises and protection.  
 
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have tried to find my own solutions and behaved reactively.  Help to rely on you and trust your promises in the middle of my storms. Thank you for meeting  my every need, big and small. Amen.  

Thought for the Day
 We must remain full of hope and peace because every storm will eventually pass, making way  for the sun to shine again.  

Betsy Chacko  
The Mar Thoma Church of Staten Island, New York

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