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Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 11 2026 | Acts 27:21-26 KEY VERSE: “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27:24, NIV) MESSAGE: In the raging storm of Acts 27, it is easy to focus on the violence of the wind, the terror of the sailors, and the hopelessness of the prisoners. Yet Heaven’s attention was fixed on something deeper, God’s agenda. The lives on board were preserved because God had an unfulfilled purpose. Paul had to arrive in Rome, testify before Caesar, and take the Good News to the place from which it would reach the rest of the Roman Empire. God declared plainly, “You must stand trial before Caesar.” That divine assignment changed everything. Because God’s agenda required Paul to be in Rome, everyone connected to him on that ship became a beneficiary of divine preservation. Soldiers, sailors, and prisoners were spared because of the assignment Paul carried and where God was sending His Gospel. God knew the impact of Paul testifying in Rome would be immense and crucial. Rome stood at the heart of the known world, politically, culturally, and strategically. From there, the Gospel would spread with force, strengthening believers, emboldening the Church, and advancing God’s redemptive plan to the ends of the earth. The real issue in the storm is where God’s agenda stands in our lives. When our lives, time, resources, and purposes are surrendered to God, we become available for His will. God takes responsibility for what He assigns, sustains what serves His purpose, and guides what is yielded to Him. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Examine your priorities and give God’s agenda the central place in your decisions. Dedicate your time, finances, gifts, and plans intentionally to God’s purpose. PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, align my life with Your eternal agenda. When storms arise, help me trust Your unchanging purpose above the conditions around me. I surrender my time, resources, present, and future into Your hands. For Your dear Name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 131: 1 Chronicles 1–3 - A People Remembered Through Their Lineage DAILY word study: MUST Dei is the Greek word translated as “must” in Acts 27:24; it means it is necessary, required, or has to happen. In Scripture, this word often points to divine necessity, something held within God’s purpose. When God said, “You must stand trial before Caesar,” He was speaking beyond the storm. The word must shows that Paul’s journey to Rome was tied to God’s agenda. The wind could rage. The ship could suffer loss. The people could lose courage. Yet God’s purpose for Paul still had direction. This word reminds us that God’s assignment carries weight. What God purposes, He knows how to guide, sustain, and bring to completion. Reflect on this: What has God made necessary in your walk with Him? Ask Him to align your desires, choices, time, and gifts with His agenda. When God’s purpose becomes central, courage rises for the journey ahead.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 10 2026 | Acts 27:21-26 KEY VERSE: “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me” (Acts 27:22-23, NIV) MESSAGE: It often seems that the fowls, goats, and sheep we see roaming around belong to no one. Yet the moment you openly kill one, hidden ownership quickly becomes known. In the same way, we all belong to one spiritual reality or another, and ignorance of where or to whom we belong does not excuse our associations or our sense of belonging. In the midst of a dramatic storm, violent winds, relentless waves, and the fear of death, Paul stood calm and courageous. His confidence was grounded in his identity. Though he was a prisoner, he knew he belonged to God and served God. Our sense of identity feeds and strengthens our confidence in life. Paul did not define himself by imprisonment or danger. He saw himself as one who belonged to God. A clear sense of who we are and to whom we belong gives us security in the face of life’s challenges. Storms may shake our circumstances, yet our identity in God remains secure. Kingdom identity as children of God must connect with Kingdom responsibility as servants of God. Paul held these two Kingdom realities together and could therefore receive God’s assurance and speak confidently. For believers today, storms related to health, finances, emotions, spiritual life, and other areas may come. What matters is whether our identity in God and our service for God are secure. When they are, hope rises even when the ship of life appears doomed. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Affirm daily: “I belong to God.” Serve God faithfully. Recognise and pursue God’s purpose in every situation. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You that I belong to You. Root me firmly in identity and service. Grant me courage and clarity in every storm and use me to bring hope to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 130: 2 Kings 24–25 - Jerusalem Falls but God’s Purpose Continues DAILY word study: SERVE Latreuō is the Greek word translated “serve” in Acts 27:23. It means to worship, serve, or render devoted service to God. The word carries the idea of reverent service offered from a heart that recognises God’s authority. Paul’s service was tied to worship. He did not see service as duty alone. He understood his whole life as belonging to God and being offered to God. This gives the word deeper strength. Service is not only what we do for God in public. It is the life we offer to Him in every place, including storms, delays, danger, and uncertainty. Paul served God as a prisoner, on a ship, among frightened people, in a raging storm. His setting changed, yet his devotion remained active. Reflect on this: Where has God placed you today? Serve Him there. Let your belonging to God shape your courage, your words, and your usefulness to others.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 9 2026 | Acts 27:21-26 KEY VERSE: “After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: ‘Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.’” (Acts 27:21, NIV) MESSAGE: The words “I told you so” often feel heavy, loaded with judgment or regret. Many of us shy away from saying them, and we hesitate even more when we hear them. Yet in Acts 27:21, the Apostle Paul uses these words in a very different way. His words were meant to awaken the crew to the truth and prepare them for renewed hope. Paul and the crew were trapped in a fierce storm at sea. Earlier, Paul had warned them not to sail, sensing the danger ahead, but his advice was set aside. Now, after days of darkness, fear, hunger, and loss, Paul stood before them and reminded them that his warning had been true. Still, this was not a moment of blame. It was a turning point. His words prepared the way for encouragement and renewed confidence in God’s promise. At times, “I told you so” comes through trusted voices of wisdom, from parents, guardians, mentors, or faith leaders entrusted to guide us. Their purpose is to ready our hearts for what God wants to say next. Immediately after this reminder, Paul spoke life to the crew, assuring them that God had promised safety for everyone on board. In God’s hands, correction leads to comfort, and truth opens the door to deliverance. When received with humility, even rebuke becomes a gift that brings healing. How often does God lovingly speak to us ahead of time through Scripture, wise counsel, or inner conviction, seeking to protect us? When storms arise, we may realise that God’s guidance was meant to protect and preserve us. In such moments, the Holy Spirit brings God’s truth to remembrance and leads us back into alignment with divine purpose. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Let us choose to listen earlier, obey more readily, and trust more deeply, so that God’s reminders become testimonies of wisdom gained rather than memories of regret. PRAYER: Lord, give me a listening heart and a willing spirit. Help me cherish Your warnings as much as Your promises. When I stumble, thank You for Your mercy that still speaks hope. Teach me to receive Your correction so I may be healed. For Your dear Name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 129: 2 Kings 22–23 - The Book of the Law and Josiah’s Reform DAILY word study: ADVICE Peitharcheō is the Greek word behind the idea of “taking advice” in Acts 27:21. It means to obey, listen to, or be persuaded by proper guidance. It carries the sense of responding to counsel with action. Paul’s “advice” was not merely a personal suggestion. It was guidance that needed a response. The word shows that listening is more than hearing words. True listening weighs the counsel, receives the warning, and changes direction where needed. This adds depth to the verse. The loss they faced was connected to counsel they heard but did not follow. Reflect on this: What godly counsel have you heard but delayed in obeying? Ask God for a heart that listens early and responds humbly. His warnings are gifts of mercy.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 8 2026 | Acts 27:13-20 KEY VERSE: “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, NIV) MESSAGE: There are moments in life when everything seems to be working against us. Troubles come in multiples and in waves, one after another. In such times, our spirits and souls may become engulfed in deep darkness, leading to despair and a loss of hope. Such seasons may come even while we are living in obedience to God, but they can feel harsher when we know we have drifted from Him. Disobedience can deepen storms, darken discernment, and push the heart into greater darkness. The sailors, prisoners, and other passengers in our text were exposed to such harrowing experiences that any person would have cause to be alarmed. For many days, they did not see the light of the sun by day nor the stars by night, and the storm kept raging. In those circumstances, they “finally gave up all hope of being saved.” The stars by night could be used to determine their location, and the sun by day would have helped them see their environment. Our Christian faith gives us hope for this life and beyond the grave. We must not yield to the drift of hopelessness, even when darkness feels close. No matter the storms and no matter how dark the circumstances, there is hope in God, and He promises to guide us through the darkness. Yielding to Christ rather than to the challenges we face restores hope. The storm may rage, but the light of God pierces the night, giving us light and helping us reflect His light to others in the darkness of their own storms. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Refuse hopelessness when light feels distant. God is still at work. Call upon God to give you His light. When you feel hopeless, return to Christ through His Word and prayer. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, true Light of the world, when sun and stars disappear, lead me by Your light. Guard me from hopelessness and anchor my soul in You. Restore my hope in You, even in the fiercest storm, for Your dear Name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 128: 2 Kings 20–21 - Healing, Pride, and the Sins of Manasseh DAILY word study: SAVED Sōzō is the Greek word behind “saved” in Acts 27:20. In this setting, it means to rescue, preserve, deliver, or bring safely through danger. In Acts 27:20, “being saved” points to rescue from a life-threatening storm. The people could not save themselves by skill, equipment, or effort. They needed deliverance beyond what human strength could provide. This word reminds us that salvation is not only about escape from danger. It also includes God’s preserving hand when we are still inside the storm. Reflect on this: When darkness feels close, ask Christ to preserve your heart. He can rescue, sustain and guide you until light returns. Let hope rise again because your life is in His saving hands.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 7 2026 | Acts 27:13-19 KEY VERSE: “On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.” (Acts 27:19, NIV) MESSAGE: In life’s storms, under pressure, people often abandon essentials rather than optionals. Fear convinces us that discipline can wait, prayer is too demanding, Scripture is unnecessary, and fellowship feels expendable. The very tools God provides for endurance are often the first we discard. As the Northeaster storm raged, desperation deepened. First, cargo was thrown overboard. Then, on the third day, the ship’s tackle, the ropes, gear, pulleys, and tools used to manage the ship, were discarded. Without it, the crew reduced their ability to manage the vessel, leaving the ship more exposed to the storm’s force. Storms test not only faith but habits. Prayer may feel unanswered, God’s Word distant, and obedience exhausting. Like the sailors, we act “with our own hands” and throw away what steadied us. Yet discipline matters most in storms. Prayer is our lifeline, God’s Word stabilises, and fellowship safeguards the weary heart. Abandoning them does not lighten the load. It removes direction. Still, hope remains. Even when control is lost, God is sovereign. When we recognise abandoned disciplines, grace invites us back. The storm exposes our need for Him, not our disqualification. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Guard against abandoning discipline when pressure rises. Hold firmly to prayer, God’s Word, and fellowship, your spiritual “tackle.” Encourage the weary to cling to God’s tools for endurance. PRAYER: Lord, keep me from discarding the disciplines that sustain me. When fear tempts me, help me hold fast to prayer, Your Word, and obedience. Anchor my life in You, for Your dear Name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 127: 2 Kings 18–19 - Hezekiah Trusts the Lord in Crisis DAILY word study: TACKLE Skeuē is the Greek word translated as “tackle” in Acts 27:19. It means equipment, gear, vessel, implement, or prepared material used for a specific purpose. The word can refer to objects that have been set apart for use. The word skeuē carries the idea of usefulness and readiness. These were not random objects lying around the ship. They were items with a function. They existed to serve the journey. This adds a deeper layer to the passage. In storms, people may not only lose comfort or cargo. They may discard what once made them prepared, useful, and responsive. Spiritually, this invites us to ask: What has God placed in my life to keep me ready for faithful living? Reflect on this: Do not neglect what God has given to keep your heart ready. Return to prayer. Return to God’s Word. Return to fellowship. Grace invites you back, and God gives strength to continue.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 6 2026 | Acts 27:13-18 KEY VERSE: “We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.” (Acts 27:18, NIV) MESSAGE: On life’s journey, we carry cargo, principles, relationships, and possessions that we value. When trouble comes, we are sometimes forced to throw these aside to survive. After ignoring Paul’s warning, the sailors relied on human wisdom and now found themselves in a boisterous storm, the dreaded Northeaster, a violent storm that turned hope into desperate survival. So fierce was the storm that the crew threw precious cargo overboard. What once symbolised profit and success became a liability. Sad to say, many life journeys have been like this. When we heed voices other than God’s voice, storms we could have avoided may arise. They damage relationships, compromise integrity, rob peace, waste resources, and may even bring death. Worst of all, intimacy with God suffers. Yet not every storm comes from disobedience. Sometimes, even in God’s will, storms are permitted to force reflection and realignment. They strip away misplaced priorities and wrong cargo that we have brought on board. They teach us that nothing is more precious than obedience and life in Christ. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Let go of anything hindering your growth in Christ. Value eternal treasures above temporary possessions. Encourage others to see storms as moments of reflection and realignment before God. PRAYER: Lord, help me release what I cannot keep and hold fast to You alone. Teach me to value obedience above possessions and Your presence above all else. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 126: 2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel and the Cost of Unfaithfulness DAILY word study: CARGO Ekbolē is the Greek word behind the action connected to the cargo in Acts 27:18. It means a throwing out, casting away, or jettisoning. The NIV uses “cargo” to show what the sailors began to throw overboard during the violent storm. The cargo had value. It represented investment, trade, expectation, and gain. Yet the storm made it too heavy to keep. This word helps us examine what we carry through life. Some things may appear useful, profitable, or dear to us, yet they can become weights when they weaken obedience, peace, faith, or life in Christ. Reflect on this: Ask God to show you what you are carrying. What has become too heavy for your walk with Christ? Hold fast to Him. Life in Christ is greater than every cargo you may have to release.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 5 2026 | Acts 27:13-17 KEY VERSE: “As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. . . .” (Acts 27:16-17, NIV) MESSAGE: Careful observation of the human condition shows that human strength is fragile when storms intensify. Our pride and fanfare lose their appeal and effect when we face sickness, death, disappointments, and deep pain. We often try to “hold things together” with planning, wisdom, resources, wrong comforts, harmful dependencies, ancestral remedies, or alliances outside God’s will. Yet storms expose the limits of self-reliance. Like the ship, we need strength beyond ourselves. We need God’s sustaining grace, the right support for life. The Northeaster storm struck with such violence that the sailors feared the ship would break apart. To save it, they took an extraordinary measure: “they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together.” This was a well-known practice among ancient seafarers. To save wooden ships from breaking apart in a storm, ropes were used to bind them together. This is known as “undergirding.” It bound the planks from the outside when the vessel’s own strength was failing. The ropes in the undergirding slowed destruction, yet they could not finally preserve the ship. Human effort may sustain for a season, but only God truly preserves life. It is wise to live “the girded life,” safe and secure in Him before storms come and while storms rage. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Recognise the limits of human effort in storms. Depend on God’s strength when self-support fails. Encourage others to trust God when their “ropes” seem insufficient. Refuse to be deceived by “ropes” that only look secure. PRAYER: Lord, before storms threaten to tear my life apart and my strength fails, hold me together by Your Word and power. Teach me to rely not on my own ropes, nor those of culture or trends, but on Your sustaining grace. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 125: 2 Kings 15–16 - Unstable Thrones and Compromised Worship DAILY word study: HARDLY ABLE Molis is the Greek word behind “hardly” in Acts 27:16. It means with difficulty, scarcely, or only with great effort. The verse also carries the idea that the sailors had strength and skill, yet the storm made the task almost beyond them. The sailors were not careless men. They understood the sea. They knew what to do with the lifeboat. Yet Luke says they were hardly able to secure it. This phrase shows human effort under severe strain. It reminds us that challenges can press people to the edge of their ability. Reflect on this: When you are hardly able to hold things together, turn your heart to God. His grace can meet you at the point where strength, skill, and resources feel stretched. Let Him become your true support in the storm.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 4 2026 | Acts 27:13-17 KEY VERSE: “As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17so the men hoisted it aboard. . .” (Acts 27:16-17, NIV) MESSAGE: Storms can strip us of confidence in what we know. When the Northeaster struck, trained sailors found themselves “hardly able to make the lifeboat secure.” Their skills and experience were suddenly insufficient. In life, we rely on learned skills, reasoning, and planning, our “lifeboats” for survival. Yet storms can render these unstable. They disrupt clear thinking, logical reasoning, and the ability to apply what we know. What once worked no longer works. Decisions grow harder, confidence fades, and we resort to patchwork fixes to stay afloat. The sobering question is: what happens when the very things we trust to save us cannot be secured? Human reasoning and training have value, and overwhelming storms reveal their limits. The lifeboat, meant to preserve life, also needed to be secured. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Acknowledge that storms can overwhelm even your best skills. Develop deeper reliance on God, who remains faithful and reliable beyond changing circumstances. PRAYER: Lord, before storms overwhelm my thinking and strip me of confidence, help me trust You beyond skills and training. When reasoning fails and efforts slip away, remind me that You remain sovereign and steady. Hold my life together by Your grace. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 124: 2 Kings 13–14 - Mercy in Decline and Strength in Battle DAILY word study: HOLD IT TOGETHER Hypozōnnymi is the Greek word behind the action described in Acts 27:17, where the sailors passed ropes under the ship to hold it together. It means to undergird, bind underneath, or brace something from below. This was a known sailing practice. When a ship faced violent pressure, sailors could pass cables or ropes under the hull to strengthen it. The goal was to keep the ship from coming apart under the force of the sea. The word gives a picture of support placed where pressure is greatest. It teaches us that storms reveal the need for deeper strength beneath the surface. Reflect on this: Ask God to strengthen the hidden places of your life. Skills may help you manage daily tasks, yet grace holds you when pressure becomes too much. Let prayer, Scripture, counsel, and obedience become strong supports under your life.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 3 2026 | Acts 27:13-17 KEY VERSE: “The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.” (Acts 27:15, NIV) MESSAGE: The storms of life are inevitable in a fallen, sin-affected world. Some storms come because we live in a broken world. At other times, our own choices put us in vulnerable positions, making the impact of the storm even more severe. One dangerous effect of a storm-assailed life is losing control and allowing ourselves to be driven along. Instead of steering with purpose, we resign ourselves to survival mode, accepting whatever happens. Luke records twice in our text that the ship was “driven along” (vv. 15, 17), highlighting the helplessness and loss of control that can result from storms we may enter when we disregard godly warning and wisdom. Many people experience this reality today. Habits, addictions, unhealthy relationships, and ungodly patterns quietly take control, leaving individuals carried by circumstances rather than conviction. When storms come, they expose what truly governs our lives. Storms may affect movement for a season, yet our faith, identity, and hope must remain anchored in God. The storm must not drive our ship. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Examine areas where fear, habits, or pressure may be driving your decisions. Seek prayer, accountability, and godly counsel. Anchor your daily life in Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer during storms. Trust God’s direction when control feels lost. Stay connected to people of faith and take Spirit-guided steps toward wise living. PRAYER: Gracious and faithful God, when the storms of life rise, help me not to surrender to fear or helpless drifting. Strengthen my faith, anchor my heart in Your will, and lead me safely according to Your purpose. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 123: 2 Kings 11–12 - Joash, the Temple, and Covenant Renewal DAILY word study: DRIVEN ALONG Epherometha is the Greek word behind “were driven along” in Acts 27:15; it comes from pherō, which means “to carry, bear, bring, or move along.” In this form, it describes being carried along by a force stronger than oneself. Luke uses the word to show that the ship was no longer moving under the sailors’ control. The storm had taken over the direction. The same idea appears again in verse 17, showing how serious the situation had become. The word points to loss of command, forced movement, and helpless drifting under pressure. Reflect on this: Storms can push a person into reactions, habits, fear, and choices they did not plan. Ask God to show you what is carrying your life right now. Let His Word anchor your heart before pressure takes the lead.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 2 2026 | Acts 27:9-13 KEY VERSE: “When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.” (Acts 27:13, NIV) MESSAGE: The sailors, the centurion, and the others on board had already ignored Paul’s warning. When a gentle south wind began to blow, they interpreted this small favourable sign as confirmation of their decision to sail on. What seemed favourable became a misleading sign, leading them toward greater danger. How often do we interpret small positive happenings as justification for wrong decisions? When we choose our own way against godly counsel and clear wisdom, we may wrongly see temporary ease or small success as proof that we are right. Yet such pleasant “gentle winds” can set us up for storms that bring pain later. The lesson is clear: not every favourable circumstance is God’s approval. We must learn to discern the difference between divine confirmation and deceptive calm. The Spirit of God must guide us above fleeting winds. Temporary success in the wrong direction is not a lasting victory. Small comforts can draw the heart into bigger trouble when they confirm a wrong direction. God’s Word remains the ultimate compass, even when circumstances look favourable. True peace grows as we obey God’s voice, even when circumstances appear favourable. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Do not interpret temporary ease as divine approval when you are outside God’s will. Train yourself to test circumstances against the Word of God. Encourage others to seek God’s counsel rather than relying on favourable appearances. Choose obedience even when it seems harder than following the “gentle wind. PRAYER: Lord, keep me from being deceived by temporary comforts when I am outside Your will. Teach me to discern Your true guidance and to trust Your Word above circumstances. May I walk in obedience, even when the winds seem gentle but dangerous. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 122: 2 Kings 9–10 - Judgment Comes to the House of Ahab DAILY word study: GENTLE SOUTH WIND Hypopneusantos notou is the Greek phrase behind “a gentle south wind began to blow” in Acts 27:13. Hypopneusantos means blowing softly or gently. Notou means south wind. The phrase describes a wind that seemed mild, manageable, and favourable. It was not violent. It gave the sailors confidence that their plan could work. This is what made the moment dangerous. The wind felt friendly enough to make them move, yet it did not reveal what was ahead. Reflect on this; Gentle conditions can feel convincing. Pause when circumstances seem to support what you already desire. Ask God for wisdom beyond what looks easy, pleasant, or possible.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 1 2026 | Acts 27:1-12 KEY VERSE: “But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.” (Acts 27:11, NIV) MESSAGE: Paul, with spiritual alertness and wisdom shaped by God, warned the crew of impending danger. The centurion chose to trust the pilot’s expertise, the ship owner’s interest in the voyage, and the majority’s opinion. This decision shows how human wisdom, though valuable, can become unreliable when it replaces God’s counsel. The pilot in today’s passage reminds us of the professionals we often rely on when making life’s decisions. The owner of the ship may represent financiers and influencers who support or shape those decisions. The majority may reflect social pressures and popular voices that influence them. Each of these voices has its place, but none can replace divine counsel. Obedience to God’s voice is better than sacrifice. Ignoring His warnings leads to storms we could have avoided. The centurion’s choice reminds us that expertise, wealth, and popular opinion are limited. God’s wisdom remains the surest guide when human counsel becomes uncertain. Listening to God’s Word, His Spirit, and His servants can save us from unnecessary pain and lead us toward wisdom, protection, and peace. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Value professional advice, financial support, and public opinion, but never value them above God’s Word. Train your heart to discern the Spirit’s voice amid competing influences. Encourage others to prioritise divine counsel above human alternatives. Obey God even when His voice is unpopular. PRAYER: Lord, teach me to hear from You and to trust Your voice above all others. Guard me from relying on human wisdom when it contradicts Your counsel. Grant me the courage to obey You, even when the majority disagrees. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 121: 2 Kings 6–8 - The Lord Reveals, Protects, and Provides DAILY word study: FOLLOWED Peithō is the Greek verb behind the phrase “followed the advice” in Acts 27:11. In this form, epeitheto means he was persuaded by, trusted, or allowed himself to be convinced by someone. Luke’s wording shows that the centurion gave greater weight to the pilot and ship owner than to Paul’s warning. The issue was not the presence of many voices. The issue was which voice persuaded him most. Decision-making often turns on the voice we trust enough to follow. Reflect on this; Ask God to examine what persuades your heart. Expert advice, public opinion, and strong personalities can shape choices. Let God’s Word carry the greatest weight. When His wisdom speaks, follow with courage.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | April 30 2026 | Acts 27:1-10 KEY VERSE: “So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” (Acts 27:9-10, NIV) MESSAGE: The Christian life carries the privilege of being guided by God through His Spirit. We grow in spiritual sensitivity as we practice prayer, Scripture meditation, quietness before God, and obedience to His promptings. Paul, though a prisoner, was spiritually alert and able to perceive the danger awaiting the voyage. His warning reflected spiritual alertness, careful observation, and wisdom shaped by God. When we train our inner man, still our souls before God, turn away from inner and outer distractions, and cultivate sensitivity to God’s Spirit, we gain insight that guides us beyond ordinary reasoning. Paul announced what he perceived to the captain and centurion, modelling the responsibility of sharing Spirit-shaped insight with those it may affect. Wisdom in communication is as vital as the revelation itself. The God who speaks also gives grace to declare His word with clarity and courage. Like the prophets and apostles of old, we must learn to hear from God, discern His warnings, and act in obedience. Such spiritual attentiveness can help protect lives, guide decisions, and lead God’s people in wisdom. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Practice quietness before God to sharpen spiritual perception. Share Spirit-given insights with humility and courage, especially when others’ welfare is at stake. Train your inner man through prayer, Scripture reading, meditation, and obedience to the Spirit’s promptings. Encourage fellow believers to cultivate sensitivity to God’s voice in daily life. PRAYER: Lord, teach me to still my soul and hear Your Spirit clearly. Grant me discernment to perceive spiritual reality and wisdom to communicate Your revelation with grace. May my life be guided by Your voice, and may others be blessed through the insights You entrust to me. May Your Church not walk in darkness but receive guidance by the continued speaking of Your Spirit to the inner man. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 120: 2 Kings 4–5 - Miracles, Mercy, and Cleansing DAILY word study: SEE Theōreō is the Greek word translated as “I can see” in Acts 27:10; it means to observe, perceive, notice, or look closely at something. It can carry the idea of watching carefully enough to understand what is unfolding. Paul’s statement was not casual. He was paying attention. The word points to careful observation joined with perception. Paul saw more than movement on the sea. He recognised the danger associated with the voyage and spoke before the loss occurred. Reflect on this: God can sharpen your ability to notice what matters. Do not rush past what He may be helping you see. Look carefully, pray deeply and speak wisely.