| Acts 28:1-6 ...The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. Paul was full of God's anointing. It was almost incredible how much he trusted God's presence. He was able to dash forward regardless of the circumstance and whether it was reasonable. From human perspective, Paul was not behaving like normal people; Paul, however, truly believed in the presence of God, and that God's promise will come true and God's power was sufficient to protest him. Therefore, he didn't have to worry and be afraid, just like what Galatians says: "Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." This scripture passage is always in my heart, for I can sense that Paul had such assurance inside him because he had the marks of Jesus on him. That's why Paul wasn't harmed when he was bitten by a snake on the island. He clearly knew that God was with him, so he wasn't afraid of any attaches from the environment, and he was determined to reach Rome and to testify for the Lord there. Therefore, Paul wasn't worried about the storm on the way or the bite by venomous snake on the island. God's presence is not on with Paul, but also with each one of us. Perhaps you don't feel it as intensely as Paul did, but God's promise will never change. To those who believe in Jesus, everyone has the marks of Jesus on them. Maybe you were attacked and hurt by the enemy, or perhaps some circumstance has been troubling you, but you can always cast them out in the name of Jesus. The marks of the Lord is on you and the Lord is with you. You need to proclaim by faith and rebuke the attacks by the enemy in your life, and you will experience miracles like Paul did. You will eventually find that even if you were bitten by venomous snake or hard-pressed in some circumstance, you can always come out unharmed and victorious.
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu 
Lord, I thank you and praise you because you are our God and you are always with us. Your presence is real and powerful, and no matter how the enemy tries to harm us we can cast it out by the victorious name of Jesus. May the presence of the Lord manifest in each brother and sister! I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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