27 July 2018 – Acts 16:25-34 (NIV)

27 July 2018 – Acts 16:25-34 (NIV)

Scripture

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Reflection

Lydia and her friends not withstanding not everyone in the city was glad to see Paul and Silas. Arrested for being “out of town, religiously oriented trouble makers” they all experience a timely earthquake which opened the prison doors. When the jailer saw the open doors it could only mean one thing, the prisoners were gone; he would pay for this with his life. It was still dark when the jailer drew his sword to take his own life before they could execute him when Paul shouts out, “Don’t harm yourself”. In just one moment, a husband was restored to his wife, a father was saved for his children and a soul was led into the Kingdom of light (Ps. Dale).

Thoughts for the day

  • What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
  • What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
  • Who can you encourage with this story/message?

Prayer

Stop and ask God to place a nation on your mind and heart. Pray for the people to blessed by God, the church to shine brightly and for God to be present in that place.

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By |2018-07-20T11:54:32+08:00July 27th, 2018|Categories: Week 4|Comments Off on 27 July 2018 – Acts 16:25-34 (NIV)

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Con Loggenberg is a native South African and the Discipleship Director at Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF). He holds a B.Sc. degree and a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Quantity Surveying, a B.Th. (Hons) degree in Theology and an M.Th. degree in Theology. He and his Texan wife, twin boys and daughter live in Shanghai, China.