PUTTING GOD FIRST WITH YOUR FAITH
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Paul and Silas, commanded the spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of the girl. She was healed from being possessed by demons. After freeing the girl from an evil spirit, Paul was persecuted again. This time, he was publicly humiliated in his home country, beaten and imprisoned.
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)
Instead of panicking, Paul and Silas started to pray and sing in prison. If that happened today, most of us would want to shout out, “Wait, I am a citizen! I have rights. What do you think you are doing?” And, in prison, we would not be thinking about singing hymns and praying, unless it was praying for a quick way out.
“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.” (Acts 16:26)
When Paul and Silas put God first, they exercised their faith, and when they chose not to look at their circumstances, they looked to God instead. When Paul and Silas exercised their faith and put God first, the prison doors flew open, and their chains became loose. Paul and Silas were freed, and the jailer that was watching them saw the work of God on their lives and chose to put his faith in God as well.
“Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 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 and your household.” (Acts 16:29-31)
Finding people far from God was Paul’s mission. Paul was obedient to this mission no matter what the cost. Even if that meant Paul had to be beaten and imprisoned, Paul followed the Holy Spirit’s lead wherever he needed to go.
“So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.” (Acts 16:40)
Through Paul and Silas’ imprisonment, a whole family came to know Jesus as their Savior! Because Paul was obedient and faithful, he got to see God change the hearts of the jailer and his family.
When you are put in uncomfortable situations for doing what is right, do you see a blessing and an opportunity to serve God, or do you whine and complain? We need to take the negatives in life and turn them into positives, just like what Paul and Silas did.
Are you willing to get uncomfortable to see others come to know Jesus?
Heavenly Father, I know as I have chosen to put You first in my life, I put You first as I Live my life. I know life can produce negative situations, but with Your help and strength in these difficult situations, choosing positive and not negative will be the path from You. You have given an answer to every situation I may face, and with Your promises and provisions, I am victorious. I will renew my mind with Your Words daily so that I can be the one You can use to help and encourage others so they may know You too. I will be the light that shines for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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When We Are Put In Uncomfortable Situations For Doing What Is Right, We Need To Put God First And Take The Negatives In Life And Turn Them Into Positives.
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