This week I want to start off with some verses, Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. Acts 27:39-44, 28:1-10 Most people in Paul’s position right now would have been asking God why they were going through such struggles. He was in prison, on a prison ship on the way to Rome, shipwrecked, almost killed by the guards, and bitten by a viper. I mean was Paul having a bad week or what, but Paul was going through all of this and yet, he was not like woe is me, no he keeps picking up sticks to help keep the fire going. He was probably also sharing his faith with the other prisoners and natives. We can see from these verses that Paul had found favor in the eyes of the centurion. I think this is because Paul had converted the centurion to christianity with the help of the Holy Spirit. This is the same person we talked about last week who was killing and imprisoning christians all over Israel. We can see how God used Paul’s bad week to reach the native people on this island. Here are my thoughts on why I think that he was able to reach the native people for Christ, consistently throughout the New Testament when there is healing, people believe in Jesus and come to know Him. From what I know of Paul he would have counted his years in prison as a win, if even one of the people came to know Jesus. A lot of us feel like 2020 has been a rough year, maybe God is trying to let you reach someone who would not have listened to you in 2019, but will listen to you because of the uncertainty of 2020. So this week share the good news of Jesus with those who God puts in your path, rather they are in person or on the internet. A great way to do this would be by sharing this or another christian blog or sermon that shares the gospel with your unsaved friends or family. If you do not know Jesus you can know Him today by admitting that you are a sinner, by believing that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and confessing and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.