Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved (Acts 27:29-31).

Thought for Today:

There's a lot of people leaving the church these days. Many have allowed their situations to pull them away from the church. Many have lost their hope of what the church can offer and do for them. Many don't seem to realize that outside of the church, they cannot be saved. The apostle Paul told the centurion and the soldiers,"Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved." You can't be saved outside of the church. Paul said, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-15).

The church is your safe haven. There’s going to be storms, but if you get out of the church, you can't be saved. Jesus pilots this ship. He is the Captain of the sea and He knows how to navigate us through the storm. Notice, that when Peter got out of the ship and began walking on the water, is when he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink; and he cried out to Jesus to save him (Matthew 14:22-32). Jesus took him by the hand and put him back into the ship. This lets you know that you can't be saved without Jesus (Acts 4:12) and you can't be saved and make it to the other side unless you stay in the ship. Let me encourage you by telling you that affliction will come in your life, but don't get out of the ship. The church has been constructed by Jesus to ensure your safety. So stay put. Once the storm passes by, you will see that Jesus always has your best interest at heart.