Faith is a Family Affair

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison 

 
S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 31 And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

O – Observation
What it’s all about! This is the answer to the Jailer's question - What must I do to be saved? It’s really simple. There's nothing you have to buy, duties you have to preform to be saved. It's simply believing. Romans 6 v. 23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. " Wow - Pause - Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross so that I can have eternal life!!! It's also about family! I love the last part of this verse, you AND your household. It is so important to me that ALL my family be with me in heaven. My Children, my grandchildren, (when the time comes) my brothers and sisters (in-laws). 3 John 1 v. 4, "No greater JOY can I have than this, to hear that my children (and family) follow the truth."

A - Application
Do I recognize what it’s ALL about?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Give me the Greater Joy of salvation for all that I love. Love Will

Let your light shine!!!

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison
S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 29-39 And he called for the lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men what must I do to be saved?"

O – Observation
The short term results of living a Christian life in the world today. You will stand out, you will be different. You're approach to life's issues will cause people to notice. Matthew 5 v. 14, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. " This will provide the opportunity to share. Just as in today's verse, people will ask what makes you so different, what do they need to do to get to that place where you are. This swings open wide the opportunity to share the good news. Matthew 5 v. 16, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."

A - Application
Am I experiencing the opportunity/results of my Christian walk?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my light shine, so that I may give you glory. Love Will

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We are structure in a chaotic world!

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison
S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 27-28 When the Jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners has escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."

O – Observation
Opposite-land. Counter cultural. Paradigm shift. That is what is reflected in these two verses. The verse before stated that there was a great earthquake that shook open the doors and fetters. So what's a guard to do? He was given the most easiest guarding to do (inner jail, fettered prisoners) and it looks like he's going to "choke" on doing this right!! Among the chaos, anarchy should rule. The prisoners would escape. But NO!!! Structure. Everyone staying put. Opposite land. This account is a great picture of our Christian walk. Structure, in a chaotic world.

A - Application
Do I sense the "structure" that my Christian walk gives me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stay calm and focus amongst life's chaos. Love Will

Photo by Alain Pham on Unsplash

Facing Troubles? Remeber we are His!!!

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison
S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 25 But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

O – Observation
A secure heart. A confident heart. That's what this verse reminds me. Paul and Silas, after being beaten and thrown into the darkest part of the prison were worshiping God. One can only be doing that (worshiping), vs. anger, frustration and anxiety if that they know that they are God's. That knowledge and belief produces security and confidence in all circumstances. Romans 5 . 3-5, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does NOT disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. " So even when things are bad, we can be secure and confident that God will not disappoint us because we are his.

A - Application
Do I have a secure and confident heart when facing troubles?

P - Prayer
Jesus, I am yours!!! Love Will

Remember - Jesus is there - Even in the Bad Days!!!

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison
S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 23-24 And when they had inflected many blows on them (Paul and Silas), they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received their charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

O – Observation
Having a bad day. This would rank right up there. First beaten, then put in the inner jail (A.K.A. the dungeon) with shackles. More than likely, the inner dungeon was very very dark, no electricity back then. We all have had bad days. We may wonder where God is in all of this, what’s the point of being a Christian? Recognize this, Jesus said you will have bad days, John 16 v. 33b,"In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world. " There's actually a method to God's approach. Psalm 50 v. 15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver you and you shall glorify me. " Bad days are days that we need Jesus. Jesus will be there for you.

A - Application
How am I handling Bad Days?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let me realize peace during Bad Days. Love Will

He Who Promised is Faithful

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful.

O - OBSERVATION: Hebrews was written during a time of severe persecution for the Christians. This book is a reminder that the News ways of atonement by Jesus Christ is superior to the old ways of animal sacrifice. The blood of Jesus makes atonement for all sins that were ever and will ever be committed by mankind. What is necessary on our part is confession. 1 John 1:8,9
If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is faithful!

A - APPLICATION: So how about today? We would have to be blind to not to see how Christians are being persecuted today. No prayer in school, and look what we have in it’s place; all manner of things that are an abomination to our Lord God. Look at our country; killing babies, mutilating children, gay marriage, and an atrocious mismanagement of funds and God given resources by our government. I say to all of you, remember this verse if times get tough, cling unswervingly to the hope that God’s Spirit put within you, knowing that His promises are faithful. Rev. 2:10b, “Be thou faithful even unto death and I will give you a crown of life.” Eternal Life with Jesus! God WILL be faithful to that, that’s what this verse is about!

P - PRAYER: Lord God, I pray that all who read these words will be faithful even until death. May Your Spirit work such a faith in all of us, In Jesus Name, Amen

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Stand firm when the world get's twisted!!!

Event: Paul and Silas in Prison 

 

S - Scripture
Acts 16 v. 19a,20-21 But when the owners saw that their hope of gain was gone.. when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said , "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate laws and customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

O – Observation
The sinful nature of ourselves. The strong resistance of the message of Christ. That's what this verse reflects. The owners of a slave girl which brought them much gain by soothsaying was rendered useless when Paul cast out the demon. The truth is the truth. However the owners were unwillingness to accept it, so they attacked the faith by twisting the issue. I see that today as well. People are too stubborn to accept the facts of God's word, so they attack the faith, twist the issue. Evolution. The anything goes sexual lifestyle. Being classified as old fashioned, kill-joy, hypocritical. It’s no different today than it was back then, Satan was and is the master of twisting things. It is clearly evident when he tempted Jesus by relaying only partial truths.

A - Application
Am I standing firm when the world’s sinful nature rears its head at me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stand strong at the opposition. Love Will 

Photo by William Navarro on Unsplash