Acts 28:7 says, In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. We see the hospitality of the barbarians displayed. The chief man of the island, named Publius, received them and lodged them three days courteously. He did not question whether or not they were taking advantage of him. Surely someone of less importance could meet their needs. He simply invited them into his home until other arrangements could be made. We need to learn, as God's people, to look to the need and the best way to fill it. We must never feel that it is someone else's responsibility, especially if it is because we feel that it is beneath us. Verse eight adds, And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him, Publius’s father was sick with a fever and a bloody flux. Paul entered his room, went to him, laid hands on him, prayed, and he was healed. Paul did not worry about the condition being contagious. He didn't say he was too tired after his ordeal. He didn't present himself as a god as they had assumed. He simply saw a need and prayed that God would meet that need. We need to be careful that we are not too concerned about how a person's condition might affect us, and we must never be too busy or too tired or just too indifferent to reach out to others in need. Then, when we do, we need to make sure that God receives the glory, no matter the outcome. Verse nine continues, So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed. After God healed the man through Paul's prayers for Him, the people began to bring others to him who were sick, and through his prayers and faith in God, many were healed. Verse ten states, Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. Paul and the others were honored with many honors, and when they left, three months later, they were laded with such things as were necessary. God was still watching over them. Paul had not prayed for the healing of the people so he might be rewarded, but he accepted their help while he was there and as he left. We need to learn to accept the graciousness of God in meeting our needs, but we must never expect material rewards for the things we do for God. If we begin to believe that God has to reward us materially for the things we do for him, remember that Paul was still a prisoner on his way to Rome to stand trial. God was simply meeting his needs along the way. Verse eleven adds, And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. After three months in the Militia, they found another ship of Alexandria heading for Rome. The ship, whose sign was Castor and Pollux, had wintered at the isle. Castor and Pollux were supposedly the gods of the sea. There are some who profess Christianity that might view this as a good thing. After just being shipwrecked, what harm could it do to have the protection of other gods. After all, this ship hadn't been tossed around for days until it sank. This is the thinking that lets other religious beliefs creep into Christianity. It is better to shipwreck under God's protection than to winter safely under the protection of other gods. God's protection is eternal. Verse twelve continues, And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. Verse thirteen says, And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: They sailed first to Syracuse, where they stayed for three days. Then they sailed to Rhegium, and after a day, the south wind blew, and brought them the next day to Puteoli. This is where they could have been with their ship intact, had they listened to Paul's warning from God the winter before. Again, when we try to run ahead of God's will, we can expect failure. Until we get back in line with His timing, we will find difficulty in all that we do. Verse fourteen adds, Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. At Puteoli, they found brethren, fellow Christians. We must acknowledge that wherever we find fellow Christians, they are brethren, or family. No matter their nationality, they are family. There are no borders with Christ. They stayed for seven days with the believers at Puteoli. God told Paul of his mission to Rome, but he never told him to ignore others along the way. If we get so focused on our mission that we have no time for people around us, we are not glorifying God. Verse fifteen continues, And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. We are told that as Paul and his group were on the way to Rome, the brethren came to meet him, as far as the Appia forum and the three taverns. If we hear of a great man of God coming to our area, especially if he is being brought under arrest, we need to go show him our support. It doesn't even have to be a great man of God, that is to say well known. Anytime this were to happen to any Christian, we need to show our support. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. Just like Paul, if we were to find ourselves in a bad situation in the eyes of the world, we should thank God if fellow Christians show up to support us, and we should be encouraged. Paul knew his situation was where God wanted him to be, but he was still encouraged by the support. We must remember that Christians were being persecuted at this time, so for them to openly come to Paul was a statement of faith.
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