DON'T OFFLOAD YOUR CARGO INTO THE SEA

"Next day, out on the high seas again and badly damaged now by the storm, we dumped the cargo overboard. The third day the sailors lightened the ship further by throwing off all the tackle and provisions. It had been many days since we had seen either sun or stars. Wind and waves were battering us unmercifully, and we lost all hope of rescue" - Acts 27:18-20 (MSG).

The storm of life is capable of luring people into things they may later regret in future. In the heat of the moment, people do things that they would not otherwise have done ordinarily. That was exactly what happened in the above bible passage where the people in the ship were offloading their precious possessions into the sea. In order to survive the storm, they threw caution into the wind and  embraced the "quick fix" approach. They don't seem to remember the wise counsel of an old and experienced seaman below: 

"During the fiercest storms the only way a ship can survive is to keep its nose pointed straight into the wind. If you try to turn to the left or the right, the ship may capsize. If you try to run from the wind, the waves can surge over the stern." (Unknown)

While searching for "quick fix" or "shortcut" in midst of a stormy sea, many precious jewels have been offloaded into the belly of the sea carelessly. Many sailors are now looking left and right for an easy way out instead of focusing on cruising safely to the finish line. They have become diabolic and callous. Some highly revered believers and religious leaders have offloaded their cargoes into the sea while searching for power, affluence and wealth. Their anointing have been poured into the sea and they are now nothing but celebrated herbalists, spiritualists and occultists. What a great tragedy? 

Beloved, I hope you have not offloaded any of your cargo into the sea yet? Is your cargo of salvation,  consecration,  sanctification,  holiness still on board or have you thrown it into the sea? Have you thrown your virginity, dignity and integrity into the sea? What about the seven locks of hair upon your head? Where is the aura of God's glory and presence you used to carry? Are you sure you have not offloaded it into the sea? If you have, I urge you to please retrace your steps to where you lost it. Repent and plead for mercy today because without genuine repentance, am afraid your ship will soon capsize in the middle of the sea of life. 

Friends, are you in the middle of a threatening sea financially, maritally, emotionally today? Have you already considered some of the "quick fixes" or "shortcuts" with the future negative consequences? Please don't do it!. Remember the wise counsel of Apostle Paul and that of the old seaman above. In the midst of the raging storm, please don't turn away from God. Don't look for "shortcuts" or "quick fixes". Don't offload your cargo into the sea. Don't offload your love for God. Don't offload your God given dream, visions and passion for His Kingdom. Don't offload your commitment to God and His Kingdom. Yes, please don't stop giving, witnessing, praying and fasting. Don't close down the house fellowship in your house. Don't offload your attendance at church and house fellowship. Don't even jump out of your boat. Don't blame yourself, your spouse, your parents for the storm. But rather, please act wisely  by turning towards God, seek His face and serve Him faithfully. Remember, things will never look up for you until you start looking up to God alone.

One special song that summarises the counsel of Apostle Paul to everyone on board the ship with him is titled " The Church Triumphant". 

THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT by Gaither Vocal Band (released Sept 8, 2009)

Let the church be the church, let the people rejoice.
Oh, we've settled the question,
We've made our choice.
Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant is alive and well

This ship's been through battles before
Storms and tempests and rocks on the shore

Tho' the hull may be battered,

Inside it's safe and dry
It will carry its cargo to the port in the sky

Let the church be the church
Let the people rejoice.
Oh, we've settled the question,
We've made our choice.
Let the anthems ring out, songs of victory swell

For the church triumphant is alive and well.

Is alive, is alive, is alive
For the church triumphant is alive and well.

God has always had a people.
Many foolish conqueror has made the mistake

of thinking that because he'd driven the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, 

that he had stilled it's voice and snuffed out it's life
but God has always had a people

The powerful current of a river is not diminished
because it is forced to flow underground.
The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight

after it has forced its way through solid rock. 

There are charlatans, who like Simon the magician
sought to barter on the open market this power which cannot be bought or sold
but God has always had a people;
men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase

"With our appetite for both food and life long gone, Paul took his place in our midst and said, “Friends, you really should have listened to me back in Crete. We could have avoided all this trouble and trial. But there’s no need to dwell on that now. From now on, things are looking up! I can assure you that there’ll not be a single drowning among us, although I can’t say as much for the ship—the ship itself is doomed"- Acts 27:21-22 (MSG)

This day, I stand like Apostle Paul to declare that from now on, things shall begin to look up for everyone in the middle of stormy sea financially, academically, spiritually, materially,  emotionally,  maritally in Jesus name. The Almighty God who specializes in calming raging storms will step into your ship today to rescue and help you to sail smoothly to your desired destinations even before this month is over in Jesus mighty name. And as the Lord lives, you and I shall be among those faithful ones that will reach the Golden Shore with our cargoes intact. The stormy sea of this world will not swallow our faithful service, rewards and testimonials in Jesus name.  

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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