Shake off the viper

Acts 28 verse 3 "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and threw him on fire, a viper came out of heat, and fastened on his hand."

One Saturday morning, I read this amazing story of the Apostle Paul to be bit on the hand by a poisonous snake. The barbarous people who knew nothing of the power of God were watching. In their past experience, all those who had been bitten by this snake was dead. They saw up close, as Paul shook off the beast into the fire. When they saw that no harm had come to him, they decided that was not a murderess, but a god. Paul then prayed and laid hands on his father's boss, who was ill with fever and blood flow. The man was healed, and the power of God was manifested in a special way.

After reading this, I went out in my barn and was bitten by a black hand by a wasp. Within seconds, I had an allergic reaction, and could barely walk home. I went inside and crawled into the living room (my legs were beginning to have no feeling and could not walk). I lay on my back and began to pray: "Lord, help me." Immediately, the Lord brought to my mind the scripture I just read about Paul being bitten on the hand. I raised my hand and shook it. As I did, the pain fled, and I immediately rose to his feet, walked and praised God. What has he done for others will do it for you.

What is your snake? Shake it off the fire.

Acts 28 verse 5 "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm."

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier