A Different Kind

And when he did not die.

And when he did not die.

And when he did not die.

For the weapon forged against him was used by me to elevate him.

For they accused him of murder, the had written him off as guilty, as the victim of the worst, as worthy of the worst punishment.

And yet when he did not die.

And yet when he was unaffected by that which attacked him, by the attack of the worst kind, of the poisonous kind, of the deadly kind, they changed their mind.

For I turned their heart, I changed their mind about him.

For that which came against him, was only used to serve him.

It was an act of service to him.

It served to magnify him in the sight of the people.

And when he did not die.

For they expected a natural result, but received a supernatural result.

From the point of expected end, came an unexpected beginning.

From the expected end, came a completely unexpected end.

The one they had written off, was the one they came to, to be healed of their infirmities.

From one expected end, came a whole new beginning for a nation.

For I am using that which has come against you, to turn the tables on your enemy.

For the devil came in the form of a serpent, only to be used as a servant for my purpose.

For he sought to take you out, but I will use him to bring you in.

Acts 28:4-6

When the natives saw the little animal hanging from his hand, they said to one another, Doubtless this man is a murderer, for though he has been saved from the sea, Justice [the goddess of avenging] has not permitted that he should live.

Then [Paul simply] shook off the small creature into the fire and suffered no evil effects.

However, they were waiting, expecting him to swell up or suddenly drop dead; but when they had watched him a long time and saw nothing fatal or harmful come to him, they changed their minds and kept saying over and over that he was a god.

Take off the sackcloth and ashes.

For I have placed my fire in your hands.

For the purpose of fire is to turn the enemies plans into ashes.

Do the opposite of how you feel. For ashes is the result of my fire. For when you wear ashes you inhabit the place of the dead. Don’t blend in with the dead, light a fire that wreaks havoc on the enemies camp.

For did not the fire, bring warmth? Was it not a place where all including the serpent was attracted to!

For I have given you beauty for ashes.

For I want you to be beautiful, come out from the ashes.

Isaiah 61:3

To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

It is a kindness to you.

It was in the place of kindness.

Turnaround in the place of kindness. Kindness of a different kind.

The multiplication of kindness.

An outpouring of kindness.

Acts 28:2

And the natives showed us unusual and remarkable kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed and received us all, since it had begun to rain and was cold.

More than natural kindness. Kindness of a different kind.