Introduction

Good day to all, let us continue with Chapter 27 of the Book of Acts. This is one of my favourite chapters, mentioning the Euroclydon storm. If a person does not experience some storms in life, he will not know the power of God, and will always think he is somebody. Once he experiences a storm, he immediately becomes honest. Different people react differently to the same storm. Take illness as an example. Just hearing the word cancer is enough to overwhelm many people.

The year I took my university entrance examination, my mother was only in her forties. She went to the hospital for a check-up, and the results showed that she had cancer. My mother was someone who loved to live. Some might say that no one likes to die. But I am the one who likes to die. Compared to my mother's love for living, there is a world of difference. When my mother heard that she had cancer, she couldn't get out of bed. The whole family, and even the neighbours, were in turmoil when they heard that she had cancer. Who knew that two days later, the doctor came to the door and said that they had identified the wrong person, and it was not my mother who had cancer. As a result, when she heard that she did not have cancer, she immediately jumped up from the bed! The movement was as easy and agile as a high jumper. Then she immediately set up the mahjong table and played for four hours in a row, as if nothing had happened.

I think people are quite interesting. You can tell a lot about a person's reaction when things are about to happen. The saying take a piss and look at yourself can't reveal anything at all, even if you look in the mirror. But if you test it with this Euroclydon storm, you will know by looking at your reaction. That's why I always advise everyone to have Mingding Destiny. Many people still think that having Mingding Destiny is quite empty. In fact, it is not empty, because people have to know why they are living. However, many people do not know until disaster strikes that they do not know. Mingding Destiny is not a joke. After I finish speaking, if you still think that this has nothing to do with you, then you will know when it has something to do with you.

What I just said was just a small introduction. The theme of this chapter is that you must stand before Caesar, and God has given you all those who sail with you. When God first called Paul, it was to be a witness, and not just to ordinary people, but to be a witness to the ends of the earth, and even to testify before the emperor. Don't think it's easy to testify before the emperor. You still have to go through a Euroclydon storm. Let's take a look at how Paul had to stand before the emperor, and how God had given him all those who were sailing with him.

Blessed are those who meet people with Mingding Destiny

Blessed are those who can meet people with Mingding Destiny. Many people's destinies have begun to change because they met me. I am definitely not bragging. I also told a sister that she was fortunate to have met me, otherwise her life would have been over, because she had a cancer personality. Her father died of cancer, and her aunt and uncle also had cancer. She herself also had congenital heart disease, and her entire family had this disease.

One day, she suddenly called me from her rented house and said that her heart disease had relapsed. Most people would be at a loss when they heard this news and would want to send her to the hospital as soon as possible. But she called and said that she wanted to pray with me. At that time, we were all very nervous, because life was at stake. I was praying with her, but from the other end of the phone came a sound like someone was about to die. Her heart was hurting a lot. The landlord couldn't help but push the door open every now and then, asking her if she wanted to call for an ambulance. After praying for five hours, the exciting news was that her heart was healed!

A few days later, it relapsed, and it was cured with only one hour of prayer. When it relapsed again, it was cured with a few minutes of prayer. Later, it was cured with a few seconds of prayer. Later, when she felt that something was wrong, the demon behind the heart disease did not dare to come when she thought of calling me. I am her saviour. I am telling this story to remind her not to be an ungrateful person. I am not only a treasure in our family, but I hope that I can also be a treasure in the homes of the brothers and sisters.

The people you meet in your life determine many things for you. I am a person with Mingding Destiny, and I hope that everyone will become a person with Mingding Destiny. If you have Mingding Destiny, God will give you your whole family, and then you can slowly manage it, and your status in the family will definitely be high. If a person makes serving God his goal, he will become a man of God. If he makes serving God his Mingding Destiny, lives for it, comes into this world for it, and dies for it, then that is extraordinary.

Like Paul, all who meet him will be blessed, and everyone owes him a favour. Don't just think about owing me a favour. I hope that more people owe you favours. I am not advising you because I want something from you. I just want you to become a person with Mingding Destiny, so that all who meet you will say that you are a man of God. I also especially like people coming to me with problems. It's just a pity that my physical strength is limited, so I can only say thank God, but I will also try my best to solve this person's problem.

Much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion heeded the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. (Acts 27:9-25)

Paul had to testify before the emperor, this is his Mingding Destiny, can God ignore it? God will definitely take care of it! So God said that Paul must stand before the emperor, the Euroclydon storm is nothing, it can't do anything to a person with Mingding Destiny. The coronavirus is the same, it can't make waves in front of a person with Mingding Destiny. A person with Mingding Destiny can withstand any hardship. The whole ship knew that Paul was a man of God because they had all experienced the Euroclydon storm.

In fact, the centurions and commanders of thousands all knew that Paul was a man of God. Paul must have been busy during his two years in Caesarea. Not to mention those with sprained ankles or broken legs, Paul would heal them with a touch. Even those with difficult and complicated diseases would be completely healed when they came to Paul. The commanders of thousands and centurions probably owed Paul favours, otherwise why would they be so good to Paul? The centurion was a man of insight, and he had truly seen the power of God. If a person wants to see the power of God, it is normal to experience some small difficulties.

Many people have been healed through my hands, but there are also many ungrateful people, but it doesn't matter, I don't care. Don't think that it is enough to meet a person with Mingding Destiny. Wouldn't it be better for you to desire to become a person with Mingding Destiny yourself? If you feel that you are a person with Mingding Destiny, then others will be blessed when they meet you, that is smart. That's what I mean, everyone should run on the road of Mingding Destiny and persevere without giving up.

Let us climb the mountain of Jehovah together. Although it is very hard, it is even harder not to climb. The feeling of being crushed is not good. When climbing the first few levels, the arrows of the devil can still hit you. Face the mountain, exposing your back to the devil, being shot by arrows while climbing. But fortunately, a person with Mingding Destiny will not die when climbing the mountain of Jehovah, even if his back is pierced like a hedgehog, he will not be shot to death.

At this time, just continue to climb up. Once you climb to the top, the arrows will not be able to hit you, and at this time you will begin to deal with the demons. At the beginning, we were chased by demons, we are all the same, we have experienced all kinds of things, we have known God, and we have experienced God's grace. We must start to strive to climb the spiritual peak, because the days of not climbing are not good, so we must live a life of Mingding Destiny. Therefore, we must be a person with Mingding Destiny, so that those who see me and those who see you will see the power of God.

The centurion is a man of insight

Festus escorted Paul to Rome to see the emperor, waiting for the emperor to interrogate him and the judge to pass judgment. There were other prisoners traveling with him. The centurion had been stationed in Caesarea for more than a year or two. It is possible that he was the one who saved Paul and saw Paul perform a massive amount of miracles that year.

And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. (Acts 27:3)

This centurion treated Paul kindly and allowed him to see his friends. He was not worried that Paul would escape, nor did he send soldiers to guard him. Because Paul had made it clear to the centurion that he would definitely go before the emperor and tell the stories that he had told the centurion and the others. A person with Mingding Destiny knows what he is doing, he is not living for the sake of living, but is willing to lay down his life, so he will not escape casually. The centurion had never seen such a person before, and now that he saw Paul like this, he had insight. I am also saying weakly here: After seeing me, you have also begun to have insight, right? Because most people in this world are still afraid of death, and only a few are truly not afraid of death. Paul is simply a man of God. People live for money, for the sake of living, but Paul is not.

In the past few years, Paul would sit down with the centurion whenever he had the opportunity to chat and tell him about his experiences. I am the same, no matter who the other person is, whether their business is big or small, even if I meet a cleaner, I can quickly get along with them, and I also tell them stories. The stories I tell are also good, they are all interesting experiences. This centurion has insight because he has seen what a person with Mingding Destiny is like, he is absolutely trustworthy. Others will create trouble for the centurion, but Paul will not.

And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion heeded the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. (Acts 27:6-11)

A person like Paul, the centurion sometimes believes him, and sometimes does not. Although Paul is not the one who sails the ship, you have to know that a man of God is a man of God, he knows what dangers he will encounter on the road ahead. Since everyone refused to listen, they boarded the ship and set off, and as a result, they encountered the Euroclydon storm.

Experiencing the Euroclydon Storm

Paul advised against further travel, warning of damage to the ship, but the captain, owner, and centurion disregarded his words. This mirrors Peter's experience fishing, where he doubted Jesus, a non-fisherman, instructing him on where to cast the net. Peter questioned how Jesus, who had never fished, could teach him. Yet, upon casting the net as instructed, they were overwhelmed with a massive catch, proving the divine authority of the God-man. The owner, captain, and centurion of the Alexandrian ship, relying on their years of sailing experience, ignored Paul's warnings and continued their journey, only to encounter the Euroclydon storm.

Are you familiar with El Niño? It is quite interesting how names are given to winds, like Holy Infant or Mangkhut. Winds even have names; I am not sure who names them, but they sound quite pleasant. In Paul’s time, there was the Euroclydon storm, which Paul and his companions encountered.

This storm was particularly vicious, relentlessly battering the ship. During the storm, people reacted in various ways. Some lost their appetite, while individuals like Paul continued to eat and drink as usual. Similarly, Jesus, during a storm on a boat that was on the verge of capsizing, remained calm and asleep. However, we must be cautious and strive to become people with Mingding Destiny before the storm hits.

Never be without Mingding Destiny when the storm rages. Do not suddenly claim to have Mingding Destiny when the storm arrives, only realising why you live and begging God to spare your life. Only during a storm does one discover who is unprepared. Some say that the tide reveals who is naked. Both sayings describe similar situations; you must identify the problem and avoid arrogance and self-importance, as they are futile.

Altogether there were 276 of us on board. (Acts 27:37)

There were 276 people on board, including Paul, Aristarchus, and Luke, all individuals with Mingding Destiny. Why did Luke and Aristarchus accompany Paul? Because they were his helpers. Paul consistently made friends wherever he went, as do I. Paul went to testify before the emperor, essentially to face trial, with Luke and Aristarchus accompanying him and enduring the Euroclydon storm together. I believe Luke and Aristarchus, like Paul, were not terrified. The ability of individuals with Mingding Destiny to walk together suggests something significant.

During the Euroclydon storm, the others on board found each day unbearable. The ship was driven by massive waves, with water easily pouring into the vessel. The ship violently pitched and rolled, like a dangerous, unpaid roller coaster ride. Some pulled out photos of their loved ones, tears streaming down their faces, as life seemed about to end in the sea. How could one eat in such circumstances? There were no phones to call loved ones, and the thought of impending death and unfulfilled attachments brought tears. Without Mingding Destiny, one's courage to live is based on these sentimental attachments, even for a centurion.

For many days, everyone was unable to eat, and the cargo destined for Rome was thrown overboard. But Paul continued to eat and drink, highlighting the difference between those with and without Mingding Destiny. I urge you not to wait until a life-threatening situation to worry; by then, worrying is useless. Can Euroclydon or COVID-19 spare anyone? Abstaining from food and drink will not save you. Do not wait for such times to seek Mingding Destiny; where have you been all along?

Therefore, like me, I always buckle my seatbelt as soon as I get into a car, regardless of who is driving, and then I sleep. Some might say, The driver just got their license; aren't you worried? Actually, I am not worried, and I avoid being nervously bossy, which often leads to traffic tickets. I only offer advice if the driver is driving dangerously. Someone without a license bossing around a licensed driver only causes trouble.

What is your reaction when faced with the Euroclydon storm? Be a person with Mingding Destiny, sleep soundly no matter who is driving, closing your eyes without concern, as they will inevitably open. It is as if I am trying to gain something from you, but I only want you to live peacefully in this world, to be calm and stable whether or not you encounter storms, and not to be nervous all the time. As some say, You are already on the bus; what else can you do? Now we are all on the same ship, heading vigorously toward the kingdom of God. People turn to God when they are hopeless, but it is better to act as if you are hopeless even when you have hope.

Why do I want to be a person with Mingding Destiny? Because I have no hope in this world. Some people live with a lot of hope, often dreaming of buying bigger houses, decorating them lavishly, and turning them into tasteless displays of wealth. What is there to hope for in that? Do not be like my mother, who was terrified by a single lab result. People only realize they need Mingding Destiny when they experience the Euroclydon storm, but one must adjust oneself and crave Mingding Destiny even before the storm. Some immediately rush to a temple for a talisman, placing it in a small pouch and wearing it, feeling uneasy if they forget to bring it, but that is useless.

We must know why we came into this world and why we live. When you pass through this world, those who meet you should say they have encountered a man of God. Therefore, the greatest grace I can give you is to know Mingding Destiny, to live for God, which simplifies life. For a person who lives for God, God provides everything; nothing will be lacking. I repeat: do not wait until you are hopeless to think of Mingding Destiny! Instead, become a person with Mingding Destiny before you encounter hopelessness, and things will be simpler.

For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24)

Paul saw that everyone was struggling after not eating for over ten days and not being accustomed to fasting. The God whom Paul served saw that they were truly struggling and allowed them to experience what it means to have Mingding Destiny. Was the angel standing beside Paul perhaps Euroclydon itself? I tell you that these earthly storms do indeed come from God.

A ship that can hold 276 people is not small, likely around a thousand tons. What does it mean that everyone was given to Paul? It means they were all under Paul's covering; if Paul could not die, neither could they. All 276 people were given to Paul, so none would die. This passage raises an interesting point: they were all saved. Typically, salvation is understood as going to heaven after death, but that is not necessarily the case here.

All Those Sailing With Him Were Given To Paul

All those sailing with him were given to Paul; this passage states that everyone was saved, but it does not mean they all believed in the Lord. Rather, it signifies that everyone survived, which is also called being saved. From now on, take some time to examine this. For example, when the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus, she was healed, and Jesus said her faith has saved her, meaning her problem was resolved. Thus, all those sailing with Paul were given to him, meaning they survived for Paul's sake. Originally, they were all doomed, but because Paul was on the ship, they overcame the Euroclydon storm. In fact, when you pray with me, calamities pass, or diseases disappear, meaning God has given you to me, and I have allowed you to experience salvation once, saved from that illness or incident, with the problem resolved.

From now on, be careful with the word saved. Perhaps Chinese translations can be misleading; the English word for saved is Salvation, and Save means to survive, but Chinese often translates both as 得救 (dé jiù), which can be differentiated. Therefore, we must understand that if you are Paul, you can truly solve many people's problems. God will give you those who are on the same ship as you, such as those who served in the military together, went to school together, worked together, or did projects together. God gives them to you because of you, allowing them to experience God.

We should all begin to desire to let others experience God and practice having Mingding Destiny more often. Everyone can simulate experiencing a storm at home, riding on a bench and pretending the Euroclydon is here. Like children playing a game, simulate traveling through raging waves and consider what it would feel like if you were about to perish at sea and cease to exist. At that time, all your loves and hates would come to an end. In fact, people react differently when facing a pandemic, so I go everywhere to testify, hoping that God, for my sake, will also let you experience salvation once! These people on the ship experienced God firsthand, not just hearing a sermon, and realized how powerful a person with Mingding Destiny is.

To Testify Before Caesar

Because there was a man named Paul on this ship, God gave him a Mingding Destiny: to testify before Caesar. To testify before the emperor, one cannot die before seeing the emperor; one must die only after bearing witness, so God protects Paul. If Paul does not die, those on the ship with him will not die either; Paul will not be saved while others perish. Then why did Paul not pray on the ship? If he had commanded the storm to cease, wouldn't the waves have calmed?

Actually, that is not good, because Paul had already warned them not to set sail, as the ship would be damaged, but they did not believe him. You must understand that disbelief comes with a heavy price. As I speak, some feel that life would be impossible if they followed my advice. They worry about who will do the work, who will pay the rent, and who will pay their salaries. These people are simply not thinking clearly.

The reason Paul did not pray was that he had already warned them. Paul lived peacefully through the storm; if there was Moutai on board, Paul would still drink it. Those others deserved their fate, as they did not believe him. Day after day, everyone was in despair, and it was only then that Paul acted. Paul was going to testify before the emperor and set everyone's minds at ease. This gave the whole ship to Paul, meaning everyone's heart turned to Paul. These people had no choice but to submit; Paul had Mingding Destiny and was going to testify to the power of God before the emperor.

Wherever Paul went, people would inevitably see miracles and the glory of God; this is bearing witness before the emperor. To testify before the emperor requires writing a compelling account, otherwise the emperor would not meet with him or have time to listen to Paul's testimony. For the emperor of such a large empire as Rome to personally interrogate him was a great grace, and it was also Paul's Mingding Destiny.

We must also begin to strengthen ourselves. Do not always ask me to pray for problems like difficulty with bowel movements, inability to eat, difficulty urinating, or incontinence, as these all stem from loving the world too much. In fact, one lives well when one has Mingding Destiny! Some say they too want Mingding Destiny but worry about rent. But does a person with Mingding Destiny worry about rent? Do you know how much a boat ticket to Rome cost in Paul's time?

Now, with the rapid development of transportation, travel expenses have become cheaper. If we went back twenty or thirty years, a plane ticket from Singapore to Beijing would cost more than ten thousand RMB. In Paul's time, it was even worse; a boat ticket definitely cost tens of thousands. Paul, Aristarchus, and Luke all went to Rome together, and the travel expenses were very high. But people with Mingding Destiny are not short of money; it is only because of a lack of Mingding Destiny that one cannot always pay the rent.

Brothers and sisters, stop living in this confusion. I urge you to go home and experience the Euroclydon storm on a bench, and feel salvation and Mingding Destiny. Do not have any hope in this world; if Christians only have hope in this world, they are more miserable than anyone. Christians should only have hope in heaven. You must stand before the emperor, and God has given you all those who sail with you; what a wonderful declaration!

May God bless everyone!