Please read the following Bible verses:
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
Some rejected the message of the Gospel and have suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
Do you know the hymn, “Stand by Me?” My favorite stanza goes like this:
“When the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water stand by me.”
If you are experiencing way too much pain and drama in your life and are feeling overwhelmed, please read from the Book of Acts 27:27 – 28:5. Talk about the raging storms of life! The Apostle Paul weathered many storms: controversy, dissension, discord, and many others. Though he was loved by some, he was despised by others. But one of the most serious natural storms of life he experienced happened via a shipwreck. Please read the story referenced above. You won’t believe what he and others went through to proclaim the gospel of peace and love for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Consider this passage from 2 Corinthians chapter 11:
“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”
I have endured some rough storms in my life, but never anything like this. So many in our world encounter serious storms: Loss of a loved one, loss of a job, declining health, fractured relationships, and families that have become broken and lost.
Because Paul endured so many “real” shipwrecks throughout his Apostolic career, he often used the metaphor “shipwreck” to describe a person who once embraced the faith, but then when the storms of life came along, they soon abandoned all hope and went shipwreck with their faith.
Please know that during the week of June 17-21, we are going to form young hearts and minds to believe in the One who has believed in them since the day of their birth. God loves our children immensely. We at Trinity UMC love them, too!! We are going to equip them with biblical knowledge and insights about life so that when the storms come they will know who to turn to – Jesus, our Savior!
Love,
Rev. Jim