SHAKE OFF THAT VIPER

SHAKE OFF THAT VIPER Acts 28 verse 3 "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand." One Saturday morning, I read this amazing account about the Apostle Paul being bit on the hand by a venomous snake. The barbarous people who knew nothing about the power of God were watching. In their past experience, everyone who had been bitten by this type of snake had died. They watched closely as Paul shook off the beast in the fire. When they saw that no harm had came to him, they decided he was not a murderer but a god. Paul then prayed for and laid hands on the Chief's father who was sick of a fever and the bloody flux. The man was healed, and the power of God was manifested in a special way. After I had read this, I went outside under my barn and was bitten on the hand by a black wasp. Within a few seconds, I had an allergic reaction, and could barely walk to the house. I went inside, and crawled to the living room (my legs were beginning to have no feeling and I couldn't walk). I lay on my back, and began to pray, "Lord, help me." Immediately, the Lord brought to my mind the passage of scripture I had just read about Paul being bitten on the hand. I raised my hand, and shook it. As I did so, the pain fled, and I immediately arose to my feet, walked, and praised God. What he has done for others, he will do for you. What is your viper? Shake him off into the fire. Acts 28 verse 5 "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier