The purpose of Acts is to give an
accurate account of the birth and
growth of the Christian church.
This week we also understand
how God is at work in building His
kingdom so that we might be clear
about the ideals for which we should
work and pray, thus positioning
ourselves to encounter His presence.
On Mon we learn from Acts 1-2
to Be Empowered to Witness.
On Tues, we learn from Acts 6
to Be Devoted to Prayer.
On Wed, we learn from Acts 9
to Watch for Divine Encounter.
On Thurs, we learn from Acts 13
to Seek God in Fast and Prayer.
On Friday, we learn from Acts 16
to Praise God in Worship.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.
Paul’s second missionary journey
begins with a new companion
– Silas. The team soon doubles
in size as Timothy and Luke are
added. Initially given a warm
reception in Philippi, Paul & Silas
soon experience flogging and
Imprisonment for disrupting the
profitable soothsaying business.
But God uses even this to bring
a jailer and his family to salvation.
Lord, we Claim Power of Praise:
Around midnight, Paul and Silas
were praying and Singing Hymns
to God, and the other prisoners
were listening. Suddenly, there was
a great earthquake…All the doors
flew open and the chains of every
prisoner fell off. 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. But Paul shouted: Stop!
Don’t kill yourself! we are all here!..
And he brought them out and said:
Sirs what must I do to be saved?”
So they said: Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,
you & your household(Acts 16:25-31)
Lord, we thank and praise You
for grace in our lives. We magnify
Your Name for there is none like U!
When I face difficult circumstances
and may be tempted to give up,
remind me Lord of the example of
Paul & Silas and how U intervened
for them. Then put words of Praise
in my mouth. For You are my hope
in the midst of troubles. Amen.
Lord, the circumstances may not
be pretty and there are things
that I don’t quite understand.
What are You really doing in this
particular situation? What do
You want to do through me?
Although I may be hurting but
may Your sovereign will be done.
And I am open to whatever You
want to do & accomplish. Amen.
Lord, I purpose to praise and
worship You in every situation; for
they have to bow to Your Presence
when I bow to Your Presence.
Trust that You will respond to my
praise of You, sometimes visibly
in power and sometimes invisibly.
But either way, Your Presence
is real when my heart is in syn
with the truth of Your glory. Amen
