Reading: Acts 28:1-10 NLT

Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.

As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.”

But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days.

As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Prayer: Lord Jesus- by your stripes we are healed. Give me the courage and boldness to pray for the healing of those who are sick. Teach me how to pray with conviction and confidence in the power of your name. Teach me how to listen to the movement of your Spirit in the cries of those who are sick and lost. And may you always be in the center of  it all… leading, guiding,  speaking, healing… all to your glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “The Power of the Cross” – Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn / Of the darkest day: Christ on the road to Calvary. Tried by sinful men, Torn and beaten, then Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain / Written on Your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin. Ev’ry bitter thought, Ev’ry evil deed / Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Now the daylight flees; Now the ground beneath / Quakes as its Maker bows His head. Curtain torn in two, Dead are raised to life; “Finished!” the vict’ry cry.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Christ became sin for us; Took the blame, bore the wrath- We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see my name / Written in the wounds, For through Your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death; Life is mine to live, Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow’r of the cross: Son of God-slain for us. What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.