And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm ~ Acts 28:5.
Introduction:
Defeat is not really bitter, until you swallow it. Satan has no power to force anything on you if you learn to resist him firmly, walking by faith and not by sight.
In the evergreen story of Paul’s miraculous escape from the shipwreck on the high sea off the coasts of Asia, he and his companions eventually found themselves on the Island of Melita (Acts 27:1 - 28:10). And, there, a viper fastened itself to his hand.
That was an unusual trial of faith, but it ended in praise, honour and glory because the case was settled by ‘fire’. Today, every evil attachment around your destiny shall suffer the same fate. Since Satan could not stop Paul from finishing strong, he won’t be able to stop you, in Jesus name. Amen.
Telling you that you have ‘enemies’ waiting on the wings is just a reminder of what you already know. Telling you that you are in the midst of foes is like describing your obvious day-to-day encounter.
There are people who laugh with you, but do not necessarily wish you well. They are only waiting to rejoice when your dreams turn out badly, and then say, ‘we knew all along it would’.
If these facts appear like news to you, then please get ready to be shocked. The devil might choose to use some of your bosom friends to get at you. He may even make them become careless about your present pains, to disappoint you at your desperate moments. This is just a part of the realities of living in this world!
Nevertheless, there is a place called Zion — a place for supernatural revolution, where divinity imparts humanity for total deliverance (Obadiah 1:17-18)!
The deliverance ministry of casting out demons is a present day ministry of the Holy Spirit, and this is basically done through verbal commands and acts of faith (Mark 16:17; Revelation 12:9-11).
Surprisingly, some Christians walk by everything else, but by faith. They walk by how and what they feel. They walk by their emotions, their present circumstances, what their neighbours tell them, what they read on the social media, etc. These ought not to be so!
Storms and Vipers On Paul’s Journey of Destiny
By happenstance, Paul found himself on the Island of Melita, where he may never have been if not for the storm. But, from that encounter, we clearly see that even stormy winds can fulfill God's counsel, if we are only sensitive to God’s plan for our lives (Acts 28:7-10).
It was very cold with wintry blasts on the Island, hence Paul gathered sticks to warm up! (Acts 28:3). He was an industrious man, and would stoop to anything by which he might be serviceable to God’s kingdom, Yet, this viper of mischief sprung up!
The viper had laid quiet among the sticks, but when the bundle was laid on the fire, the viper became agitated and very uncomfortable. Thereafter, it sprung out and fastened itself on the hand of Paul.
Vipers are poisonous and highly mischievous snakes. They commonly lie to hide among sticks, under the green grass, and under the dry leaves. And, much more so are spiritual vipers (Matthew 3:7).
Indeed, the human life is exposed to so many perils. Even then, we must not panic or worry, but relax because God knows what to do to turn every negative situation around in our favour and for our good (Romans 8:28).
The experience of Paul in this encounter was like spiritual afflictions from ‘evil neighbours’ alluded to in the Bible (Jeremiah 12:14). Happily, God promised that He would “uproot” and “pluck them out,” with His irresistible force.
As you read this piece, I see the Holy Spirit swinging into action in your life, delivering you completely, and snatching you and your blessed lots from the tyranny of all invisible and evil neighbours, in Jesus name. Amen.
What the Barbarians Saw, Contrary to Their Expectations
From Acts 28:4-6, we can see that the Barbarians in Melita expected to see Paul die. However, God turned their expectations backward, and summarily cancelled the arranged party in hell: “Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.” (v6). Alleluia!
Our God specializes in nullifying the expectations of the wicked against His people. Remember He did this for David in His pursuit of the Amalekites, and for Samson against the lords of the Philistine! Certainly, He will do it for you, in Jesus name.
At this point, we must realize that the negative expectations of the Barbarians were dashed only after Paul shook the beast into fire. He allowed ‘fire’ to settle the dispute!
Whenever a believer, in the strength of the grace of Christ and with holy resolution, shakes into the fire of the Holy Spirit any satanic temptation or any form of evil attachment, he will suffer no harm, whatever the urge of the demonic beasts around.
New Songs, Even Among the Heathens!
The Melitans ‘looked for a great while and saw’ that Paul was uninjured, and miraculously preserved. Thereafter, they conjectured that he was a god (v6). In other words, they waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to Paul, they then changed their minds.
I believe God decided to make Paul remarkable among the Barbarians in order to make way for the gospel among them. Earlier on, they called him a murderer, and when God settled his case by ‘fire’, they ascribed deity to him, magnifying him whom they had vilified.
In conclusion, friends, please note that this wild, wicked world always looks for opportunities to gain advantage over human destinies! Hence, demons and all other wicked authorities of "no" must be overruled before sustainable progress of destiny can be accessed.
When you are sick, some people may conclude that your end has come. When your business seems to be ailing, all they may be waiting for is a time to see you begging for bread. Perhaps, your present delay in marriage, in childbearing and in breakthroughs, may be what some people take delight in, waiting for occasions to laugh and say "God don catch am". But in vain will they wait, forever, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Brethren in Christ, let this sink into your subconscious mind: for the fact that you are seated in the heavenly places in Christ, you are very far from misfortune. The Lord will confuse those who are waiting for you to fail, and confound those who are waiting for you to fall.
By the fiery energy of the Holy Spirit, God will disgrace those who want you dead. He will yet shock your enemies with your new level of glory and greatness.
I send the fire of the Holy Spirit against every hideous devil in your life. I charge that they all, whatever name they answer, become restless, even now. Your body or any part of your inheritance has become uncomfortable for Satan.
Henceforth, by the mercy of God, I proclaim: you are too anointed to be molested. This dispensation will favour you, and you will become a god to your enemies, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Sunday!
- Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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