Step Into Your Destiny
Pastor Scott McDermott
From the Gospel of Luke through the Book of Acts, God commissions his people to represent the ways of His kingdom. God’s kingdom is the manifestation of God’s rule on earth. The kingdom of God is the in-breaking of tomorrow’s reality in today’s world. Not only are God’s people commissioned to represent the kingdom, they are empowered to live it. In the final chapter of the Book of Acts, nearly 30 years after the day of Pentecost, miracles and signs and wonders continued.
Now that the storm has subsided, and everyone aboard the ship made it safely to the shores of Malta, it only seems right that they would be greeted with exceptional hospitality from the locals of the island. In fact, they were extended hospitality by the chief official of the island named Publius. Remember that there are no accidents with God. Publius’ father-in-law happened to be sick with a fever and dysentery and Paul, seizing the opportunity, prayed in faith for his healing. Miraculously the man is healed. Revival is just one prayer away. Testimony to God’s goodness only creates a hunger to know more of it. Good news can spread just as fast as bad news. When people are changed, word has a way of getting out, especially in small villages. Luke records that the island sick came for prayer and all were healed (vv. 7 – 10)
Finally Paul makes his way to Rome. He is greeted by a contingent of Roman believers who greet him 40 miles from the city limits and escort him to his rented accommodations as he awaits trial before Caesar (vv. 15,16) In Paul’s appeal to Caesar he must assume all expenses for travel and accommodations. Luke records that Paul was kept under house arrest during a period of two years in Rome. It is possible that he was chained to the guard who was responsible for overseeing him. True to form, Paul does not allow his circumstances to dictate his life’s purpose. While his movement may have been restricted, his ability to share God’s purpose in his life was not. Many came by the residence where Paul stayed and listened to him as he taught from morning to evening explaining about the kingdom of God. Some were convinced. Others disagreed. Others, I’m sure, were changed.
These two years in Rome were some of Paul’s most productive years. During this time he wrote the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and first and second Thessalonians. House arrest and chains would not hinder the in-breaking of God’s kingdom. “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 31)
Your destiny will not be determined by how others treat you or how others perceive you. Your destiny is in God’s hands and God can use you anywhere. Step into your destiny!
Prayer: Lord, fill me and all Your people with Your Spirit. Empower us to do Your work everywhere and in every situation. Help us to serve, love, share, care, listen, pray, give. We open our lives to You and to how You will use us.
Check out the resource page for the PDF containing the questions I gave at the end of the weekend messages.
