Safe at Malta
1When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. 3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.
The people of Malta made a wrong assumption about Paul because of a snake bite. And when he didn't die they then thought he was a god.
Paul then prays for, lays his hands on the father of a prominent man who was sick and God heals him. God uses this healing miracle to bring others to Paul.
Paul had many witnesses from the boat and Malta, to teach about salvation through Jesus Christ.
What about you? Do you use the miracle in your life to bring others to Jesus Christ? God has given you a testimony. Do you use your testimony to witness to other people?
Think about your past and the way you were once were, a sinful person of the world. Is it not a miracle that you are now in Christ? When you look back and examine your sinful past. Were you not destined for hell? Have compassion for the lost souls as God had compassion for you. Use your testimony to bring others to Jesus and into the adopted family of the Father. Show them the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
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