Day 27
Acts 16:25-31
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Paul and Silas have come to Macedonia in response for a vision. After a number of days they go to a place of prayer and God opens the door for them to witness. Lydia responds to the gospel along with her whole household. But as we saw yesterday that where doors are open to the gospel there is sure to be opposition from the enemy. Lydia opens her heart to believe but there is a possessed slave girl that opens her mouth to bring confusion and inappropriate witness to the gospel message. Paul is grieved by this constant opposition and casts the spirit out of the girl. This causes an even bigger uproar and Paul and Silas find themselves in prison even though they have done nothing wrong.
It seems that the enemy’s ploy has worked. The preaching of the gospel has been shut down. Paul and Silas are now common criminals, rabble-rousers, troublemakers and lawbreakers. They have been beaten. They have been relegated to the deepest darkest part of the jail and locked up in stocks. The injustice of it all must have stung. Yet, while they are bound the gospel is not. The enemy seems to have been successful but only in appearance.
Paul and Silas hold a midnight prayer and worship service for themselves in the belly of the prison. They truly were bound but because of their prayer and worship the gospel was not. The prisoners are listening to them. The are held captive by the truth of God lived out in Paul and Silas. So while the gospel appears to have been successfully opposed it really is not. God has turned opposition into opportunity once again. The gospel is being preached to the prison population but God has even more in mind. He adds his power to prayer and the prison is shaken, the doors are opened and the chains fall off. Not only are the prisoners moved but the jailer and his household believe and are baptized as well.
The gospel cannot be bound. No matter what the opposition might be, God is able to make more grace abound. The enemy cannot prevail against God and the good news. The problem is that we can be prevailed against. We can falter in our faith and prayer. We need to be careful not to give up but instead to keep seeking God. Even in the face of injustice. Even in situations where it seems that the opposition is too strong. There is nothing like a time of prayer and worship ... intercession and proclamation to bring things into perspective. Instead of disgrace God builds a group of believers in this city and Paul and Silas find themselves exonerated. They have been faithful and done what is right. More than that they have all the more reason to give glory to God, because He has won a great victory both in their lives and in the lives of those being saved. In their weakness He has been strong. Surely this new group of believers was also encouraged that when they would face opposition in the future that they already had an example to bolster their obedience and strengthen their faith. The ultimate outcome is joy and encouragement for the believers and glory to God.
Prayer Request Day 27
1) Zoran, Nada & Indi - That Indi would sleep well, for wisdom as they seek to purchase land, for salvation
2) Miro, Mateja, Leah & Enya - Mateja back to teaching, Miro seeking new position at work, Leah & Enya health and growth, salvation
3) Sandra & Ales - adjustment to and health for new baby, completing renovations on their house, plan to be married soon, salvation
4) Marko, Jadranka, Usula & Henrik - all back to teaching or school, Ursula begins high school, salvation
5) Kirsten & Friedrick - teaching at the University, raising two little ones, salvation
6) Contact and relationships with those whose hearts God is preparing
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2 comments:
Hello Jim & Olya! I have not posted in a while, as our family was down at South Padre Island, Texas this past week. Although I did not have internet to stay connected, I did read through Acts on schedule and just now caught up with your posts and prayer requests. Tonight, I will dedicate my prayers for your family and ministry. I enjoyed reading through your commentary. I especially love this story in Acts 16. There is so much to take from it.
What did speak to me today in God’s word, stemmed from a conversation I had this morning at a baby shower for a woman who also recently adopted a year-old child. I was asked to share my adoption story with my new church family and how the Lord had orchestrated the deliverance of our children from a Russian orphanage. During the past 2 ½ years, my adoption story has been a catalyst by which I can share the Lord with non-believers. As I read through Acts 16, I thought...WOW! What an incredible and powerful testimonial this Roman guard now has to share with others when he has the opportunity to share the Gospel.
I am reminded that our faith and conversion in Christ is not only based upon the great things we have heard or read in God’s word or other Christian publications, but what wonderful things the Lord has done for us, on our behalf. We must also not base our faith solely rely upon great miracles or other great things we have observed in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters. Our faith should be reinforced by what the Lord has accomplished in our individual life through His divine intervention.
I think the Lord gives each of us a unique story to share with others about how God has been a powerful influence in our lives. All Christians, (a.k.a. Christ followers, Believers) have an individual testimony and God will provide opportunities for us to share it and the Gospel with others. I wonder just how many people had the privilege of hearing this Roman soldier’s powerful, unique and distinctive story. Just as our Lord once said, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you" (Mark 5:19)
I pray the Lord will continue to give the Howards and their mission team opportunities to share their personal stories with those who yet need to hear the greatest story ever told.
Kathy, thanks you so much for your thoughts and comments. We appreciate you being willing to share with us and others that read along. May we be encouraged and strengthened by one another as we stand together in prayer and in the Word. Jim
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