“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:26.
Paul and Silas had been arrested and brought before the magistrate of Philippi. The magistrate had them flogged and thrown in jail. Once in jail, they were taken to the inner jail, which evidently was for the really bad criminals, and they were put in stocks and chains. Sometime during the night, the prison shook from an earthquake and all the prisoners, including Paul and Silas, were released from their chains, as well as from their prison cells. All the doors were shaken and the chains were loosed.
As I thought about this amazing miracle, I started to reflect on the chains in my life that held me down and the locked prison doors that kept me from moving forward. There is no need for me to discuss any of the numerous chains that affected me. I remain thankful that God has shaken up my life so as to release me from that which has imprisoned me. I continue to be thankful for His on-going work in my life that releases me all the more. It seems that I have come a long way until I look at how far I have to go. I see that I have an even longer journey ahead. And the chains will continue to be shaken off.
Questions to consider: Have you seen chains in your life that God has released you from? Are there still chains that imprison you? What are they, and how can they be shaken off?
Prayer: Father, thank You for shaking off so many chains that held me down. Please continue to shake me up so as to set me free. Amen.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
January 20, 2011 - Acts 16:25
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25.
Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi and charged with being disruptive to the Roman lifestyle in the city. The magistrate had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten severally before putting them in prison. Instead of grumbling about their situation, Paul and Silas focused on their connection with the living God by praying and singing to Him. There were other people in prison with them, and they were paying close attention to what Paul and Silas were doing.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be arrested, severely beaten, and thrown into prison because of my stand of faith in Jesus. Knowing me, I would be really upset, angry and depressed all at the same time! I would be beside myself with emotion. I would hope that I would turn to prayer in that time, but I’m not convinced. I judge this by reviewing how I have handled adversity. I must say that I am getting better, yet I am aware of the emotions that well up inside. I would say things like, “Why me?” or “They shouldn’t have treated me this way!” or “I got a raw deal here!” Needless to say, I would most likely have a different reaction than Paul and Silas. And look who was watching their every move. How they acted during adverse conditions would affect how the other prisoners would respond to Paul and Silas’ words of hope in Jesus.
Questions to consider: How do you respond/react to adversity? Is how you act consistent with the words that you speak? What steps could you take to help you respond to adversity in a positive, God-honoring way?
Prayer: Father, I am amazed at Paul and Silas’ desire and ability to praise You in all situations in life. Help me to have a heart that is so focused on You that I could respond in all situations in similar ways, especially in adversity. Amen.
Paul and Silas were arrested in Philippi and charged with being disruptive to the Roman lifestyle in the city. The magistrate had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten severally before putting them in prison. Instead of grumbling about their situation, Paul and Silas focused on their connection with the living God by praying and singing to Him. There were other people in prison with them, and they were paying close attention to what Paul and Silas were doing.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be arrested, severely beaten, and thrown into prison because of my stand of faith in Jesus. Knowing me, I would be really upset, angry and depressed all at the same time! I would be beside myself with emotion. I would hope that I would turn to prayer in that time, but I’m not convinced. I judge this by reviewing how I have handled adversity. I must say that I am getting better, yet I am aware of the emotions that well up inside. I would say things like, “Why me?” or “They shouldn’t have treated me this way!” or “I got a raw deal here!” Needless to say, I would most likely have a different reaction than Paul and Silas. And look who was watching their every move. How they acted during adverse conditions would affect how the other prisoners would respond to Paul and Silas’ words of hope in Jesus.
Questions to consider: How do you respond/react to adversity? Is how you act consistent with the words that you speak? What steps could you take to help you respond to adversity in a positive, God-honoring way?
Prayer: Father, I am amazed at Paul and Silas’ desire and ability to praise You in all situations in life. Help me to have a heart that is so focused on You that I could respond in all situations in similar ways, especially in adversity. Amen.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
January 13, 2011 - Acts 16:19
“When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.” Acts16:19.
Paul and Silas were heading for a time of prayer while in Philippi. They were approached by a slave girl, who made money for her slave owners by telling fortunes. Influenced by an evil spirit, the girl followed after Paul and Silas, as they walked along, shouting out that these two men were servants of God. Paul turned to face the girl and commanded the evil spirit to leave her. The owners of the girl made money from the evil spirit speaking through the girl. Now with the spirit gone, the slave owners lost a source of their income. They overtook Paul and Silas and dragged them into court.
It’s funny, in a strange way, how people react when their stream of money is disturbed or even stopped. These people seized Paul and Silas and had them thrown in jail. That’s a pretty harsh reaction. In my life, when an investment lost much of its value, I was not a happy camper. I moaned and groaned and, in general, moped around, feeling sorry for myself. At other times, I have been really angry when I felt financially taken advantage of. It seems that I get a great deal of security and satisfaction from knowing that I am financially comfortable.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when your finances are disturbed in some way? Where is your security…really? Do you feel a tension between God and your finances? If so, what are you doing about it?
Prayer: Father, my heart wants to find its security in You, yet I wrestle with finding my security in my paycheck and savings account. Please help me to discover a healthy balance in my finances. Amen.
Paul and Silas were heading for a time of prayer while in Philippi. They were approached by a slave girl, who made money for her slave owners by telling fortunes. Influenced by an evil spirit, the girl followed after Paul and Silas, as they walked along, shouting out that these two men were servants of God. Paul turned to face the girl and commanded the evil spirit to leave her. The owners of the girl made money from the evil spirit speaking through the girl. Now with the spirit gone, the slave owners lost a source of their income. They overtook Paul and Silas and dragged them into court.
It’s funny, in a strange way, how people react when their stream of money is disturbed or even stopped. These people seized Paul and Silas and had them thrown in jail. That’s a pretty harsh reaction. In my life, when an investment lost much of its value, I was not a happy camper. I moaned and groaned and, in general, moped around, feeling sorry for myself. At other times, I have been really angry when I felt financially taken advantage of. It seems that I get a great deal of security and satisfaction from knowing that I am financially comfortable.
Questions to consider: How do you respond when your finances are disturbed in some way? Where is your security…really? Do you feel a tension between God and your finances? If so, what are you doing about it?
Prayer: Father, my heart wants to find its security in You, yet I wrestle with finding my security in my paycheck and savings account. Please help me to discover a healthy balance in my finances. Amen.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 6, 2011 - Acts 16:14
“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia…who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14.
In Philippi, Paul was speaking about Jesus to a crowd of people, one of whom was Lydia, a woman of high standing in the community. As a Gentile, she always had a heart for God and worshipped Him. When she heard Paul’s message, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond positively. Her openness to God allowed her to take the next step of her journey in life, and she became a follower of Jesus.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be open to truth, and in that process, had various encounters with God as I rambled along. In December, 1970, I took the step of becoming a follower of Jesus, and that’s when the adventure of life really began. On my journey as a Christian I have struggled to be true to the person God wanted me to be. When it seemed like God was leading me one way, it took me a while before I was open to that leading. It took time to get through my thick cranial cortex! I hope that over the years I have begun to soften and be more pliable in God’s hands, trusting in His leading. Just as Lydia was open to taking the next step, I am trying to be open for God’s next step, whatever that may be.
Questions to consider: What are some of the “next steps” in your life? What steps has God helped you to walk through? What is the next step that God has for you? Are you open to God and willing to obey?
Prayer: Father, thank You for guiding me in this journey of life. Help me to be open to Your next step, whatever that may be. Help me to not resist it but instead to embrace it, as Lydia did. Amen.
In Philippi, Paul was speaking about Jesus to a crowd of people, one of whom was Lydia, a woman of high standing in the community. As a Gentile, she always had a heart for God and worshipped Him. When she heard Paul’s message, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond positively. Her openness to God allowed her to take the next step of her journey in life, and she became a follower of Jesus.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be open to truth, and in that process, had various encounters with God as I rambled along. In December, 1970, I took the step of becoming a follower of Jesus, and that’s when the adventure of life really began. On my journey as a Christian I have struggled to be true to the person God wanted me to be. When it seemed like God was leading me one way, it took me a while before I was open to that leading. It took time to get through my thick cranial cortex! I hope that over the years I have begun to soften and be more pliable in God’s hands, trusting in His leading. Just as Lydia was open to taking the next step, I am trying to be open for God’s next step, whatever that may be.
Questions to consider: What are some of the “next steps” in your life? What steps has God helped you to walk through? What is the next step that God has for you? Are you open to God and willing to obey?
Prayer: Father, thank You for guiding me in this journey of life. Help me to be open to Your next step, whatever that may be. Help me to not resist it but instead to embrace it, as Lydia did. Amen.
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