"There stood by me this night the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, ... `LO, GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ALL THOSE THAT SAIL WITH YOU" - Acts 27: 23 & 24.

As the GOOD SHEPHERD who lays down his life for the sheep, our Lord was able to say as He faced the cross, `Those whom YOU gave me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled' (c/f John 17:12 &10:11).

Rom 9:3 shows how a similar spirit motivated the Apostle Paul. This is the attitude of all true servants of the Lord, especially at times of crisis (c/f Ex 32:32) & proves the genuineness of the
Call to the ministry.

Looking at Paul's last voyage (Acts 27) as an illustration of the End Time Church, we learn many lessons not least the fact that though dangers & difficulties abound the genuine pastor is concerned about the souls for whom he has responsibility.

Both the Good Shepherd and the great apostle had this in common - they loved and cared for the ordinary people, despising & decrying the hypocrisy and self-serving teachings and practices of religious leaders.

A most disturbing feature of the Toronto Deception is the way honest, ordinary people of the Lord are so duped by leaders, who clearly have only their own interest or that of their Church or denomination at heart. In seeking to protect themselves they are in danger of losing all who sail with them.

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Appeared in Volume 1. 5 September 1995