Through the Bible - Psalm 2-3, Acts 17:1-15
Good morning,
Yesterday we considered what it means to us to have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit with us day by day drawing upon His power. We ended with the song "Joy in Serving Jesus".
Yesterday's New Testament reading was in Acts 16 and it gave a great example of the power of the Holy Spirit at work and what can happen in the most dire circumstances when Jesus' followers draw upon it. It has an impact on those around.
Acts 16:25But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. NKJV
Paul and Silas were singing songs in jail and the other prisoners and the jailiers heard it. We don't know what they were singing, probably a psalm but a song like Joy in Serving Jesus would have been fitting. It takes courage to stand up, to sing, to give testimony in a situation like that. It is a courage that comes from outside of ourselves.
Read the following quote from Tertullian, see if it doesn't remind you of Paul and Silas. "The Lord challenges us to suffer persecutions and to confess him. He wants those who belong to Him to be brave and fearless. He Himself shows how weakness of the flesh is overcome by courage of the Spirit. This is the testimony of the apostles and in particular of the representative, administering Spirit. A Christian is fearless."
Skip down a few verses for the results of Paul and Silas' joy in the midst of a trial.
30 He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."
We may not know who it may be, but chances are someone will be watching you to see how you handle the various situations that come your way. May we, like Paul and Silas, be a light in a dark place.
Blessings,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.netmikesvotd.blogspot.com Acts 16:23-34
23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape.
24 So he took no chances but put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
25 Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
26 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.
28 But Paul shouted to him, "Don't do it! We are all here!"
29 Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas.
30 He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."
32 Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household.
33 That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.
34 Then he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
NLT
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