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Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 14 2026 | Acts 27:33-38 KEY VERSE: “After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.” (Acts 27:35, NIV) MESSAGE: Amid life’s storms, individuals, families, organisations, and even nations can be thrown into despair, confusion, loss of hope, and lack of direction. Such moments can drain people of expectation and make a solution feel far away. In a similar difficult situation, Paul stood out as a man who believed the Word of God. God had already assured him that no life would be lost. Paul held onto this conviction firmly. He carried this faith openly and acted on it. Paul encouraged everyone to eat so they would have the strength to continue. Then he took bread, gave thanks to God openly before them all, broke it, and began to eat. This act clearly demonstrated his trust in God. Paul showed that true faith is spoken and practised. He gave thanks for bread in the storm and ate, believing that the promised deliverance would come. Believers are called to believe the Word of God personally. Our faith must rest on what God has spoken. Paul believed what God had said, and he acted with confidence. His example had a powerful effect. When others saw his calm faith and practical action, they were encouraged. They also ate and regained strength. His faith became contagious. When we lead by example, others are inspired to follow in confident obedience. Our trust in God can strengthen those around us. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Personally, believe in God’s Word in every situation, not just when things are easy. Act on God’s promises even before you see the results. Show your faith openly through your actions, not just your words. Encourage others by your confident trust in God. Give thanks to God even in the middle of difficult circumstances. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us assurance and hope. Help me to believe what You have spoken truly and to live it out daily. Teach me to trust You in every storm and to show my faith through my actions. Let my life be an example that encourages others to rely on You. Strengthen my heart to depend fully on Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 134: 1 Chronicles 10–12 - David Rises as God’s Chosen Leader DAILY word study: GAVE THANKS Today’s phrase is “gave thanks.” It is translated in the Greek text as eucharisteō, which means to give thanks, express gratitude, or acknowledge God’s goodness with thanksgiving. In Acts 27:35, Paul gave thanks before all the people on the ship. This was not a private whisper of faith. It was an open act of trust in God. The word eucharisteō conveys gratitude directed toward God. In that tense moment, Paul’s thanksgiving declared that God was still worthy of trust. His prayer over ordinary bread became a visible sign of confidence in God’s promise. Reflect on this: Thanksgiving in the storm reveals where your confidence rests. When you give thanks before the answer fully appears, you remind your heart that God’s Word remains sure. You also help others see that faith can stand firm, speak calmly, and act with hope.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 13 2026 | Acts 27:27-32 KEY VERSE: “Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.’ So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.” (Acts 27:21-32, NIV) MESSAGE: By the time we reach Acts 27:27–32, something had changed. The storm had not stopped, but the people had learned to value God’s Word in the mouth of Paul. When Paul warned that their survival depended on everyone remaining on the ship, even as some tried to play smart and escape, the soldiers did not argue. They did not delay. They acted immediately. This response of the soldiers is significant. Paul’s earlier advice was dismissed; now his instruction was obeyed immediately. The painful experience had opened the soldiers' ears. Their action in verse 32 shows maturity born, unfortunately, from hardship. They recognised that partial obedience was still disobedience. To survive, they had to commit to the instructions they had been given fully. Life often teaches us that repeated mistakes, avoidable troubles, and unnecessary pain frequently come from ignoring wise counsel. God speaks to us through Scripture, godly counsel, and the lessons of past experiences. When we pay attention, we grow. When we refuse, we repeat the cycle of pain and destruction. The question is not whether storms will come, but whether we will learn well enough to respond differently the next time. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Reflect honestly: was there a time when ignoring wisdom led to trouble? Recognise patterns: ask what God may be teaching through repeated experiences. Respond quickly when God gives a clear direction. Act without delay. PRAYER: Gracious God, thank You for Your patience with me. Help me to recognise Your voice not only in Scripture but also in the lessons of my past. Give me a teachable spirit, the humility to admit when I am wrong, and the courage to act on Your instruction without delay. Teach me to obey fully, so that my life may reflect Your guidance and grace. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 133: 1 Chronicles 7–9 - Preserved Tribes and a Restored Identity DAILY word study: STAY The Greek word for stay is “menō,” which means to remain, continue, abide, or stay in place. In Acts 27:31, Paul said, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” The word suggests more than physical location. It carries the idea of continuing where one has been instructed to remain. The sailors wanted another way out, but survival was tied to staying on the course God had set. Their safety required trust, restraint, and full obedience. Reflect on this: Sometimes obedience means staying where God has instructed you to remain, even when another option looks easier. A teachable heart not only hears God’s direction. It remains under it.

Rev. Enoch Thompson | May 12 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.” (Acts 27:22, NIV) MESSAGE: It is true that the challenges of life can wear down the human spirit and bring us to deep helplessness and loss of hope. Christian faith, as shown in Scripture and in the lives of the faithful of all ages, has shown that even when life’s storms strip away control and security, God’s Word brings hope. The storms of life may drive us along and sometimes make us lose some of our foundational stabilisers, but they cannot drive us away from God’s promises. In our text for reflection, Paul received a sure word from God, which encouraged him and enabled him to encourage those on board the troubled ship with him. Paul’s courage became contagious, and his faith steadied the fearful hearts of sailors and soldiers alike. Paul’s words of hope indicated that, though the ship was doomed, the lives of all aboard would be spared. This was divine assurance. God sent an angel to Paul, reminding him of his mission and promising safety for all who sailed with him. A word from God carries the strength of the promise it declares. We too must learn to anchor our hope in God’s Word. Storms may destroy possessions, plans, or ships, but they cannot destroy the purposes of God. In the darkest nights, God’s Word is the light that gives hope and shows the way through danger. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: Hold firmly to God’s promises when storms threaten your peace. Share words of encouragement with others who are fearful or discouraged. Remember that God’s purposes stand even when human plans collapse. Live with courage, depending on God’s Word and His presence with you in every storm. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your Word, written, spoken, sung, and made known to me in many ways. Fill my spirit with Your Word for every situation. Help me triumph in every storm by Your Word. For Your dear Name’s sake, Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING. SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!! The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 132: 1 Chronicles 4–6 - Generations, Prayer, and Priestly Calling DAILY word study: COURAGE Euthymeō is the Greek word behind the call to “keep up your courage” in Acts 27:22. It means to take heart, be encouraged, or be of good cheer. The word combines the idea of what is good with the inner life of the heart, mind, and spirit. Paul was asking them to receive a changed inner posture because God had spoken. Their outward condition had not changed yet. The sea was still rough. The ship was still in danger. The damage was still real. Yet courage could rise because God’s Word had entered the storm. This word shows that biblical courage begins inside the heart before the situation changes outside. Reflect on this: What word from God does your heart need to receive today? Let His promise steady your spirit. When God speaks, courage can rise even while the storm continues.

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.