shake it off

SCRIPTURE
1Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

OBSERVATION
Paul went through all types of trials and tribulations during the time he was preaching the gospel. I think sometimes we think that being a christian and used by God is going to be easy and everything should go smooth. I believe that the enemy was trying to stop Paul from going to Rome and he tried everything he could to detour him. Some people look down on you when you are having hard times and think that God is punishing you. "Shake it off!" I know that Satan has been trying to stop some of us from doing God's will and he will try every tactic and scheme to disappoint you or discourage you from accomplishing your mission today. Do not let it happen! Shake It off.

APPLICATION
I often times I get plagued with hardship and disappointment and have the wrong attitude. Satan wants us to feel sorry for ourselves and give up. This is the time that we need to develop perseverance and long suffering. I recently had to shake off a bad attitude and discouragement. What is it that God is asking you to shake off today?

PRAYER
Lord, I pray that you will help us to be strong. Do not allow us to sink in the mud or have our faith falter. Send your Holy Spirit to help us and encourage us to press on. We pray that we will make it through all the trials and tribulations that the world has to offer and trust you.