Bible League: Living His Word Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!While Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey, Paul had a dream one night of a man from Macedonia begging him to "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" (Acts 16:9). Subsequent to their arrival there, the owners of a female slave had them thrown into prison for casting out an evil spirit that enabled her to predict the future, thus bringing an end to a lucrative enterprise. It is interesting to note what Paul and Silas did in prison. Rather than suffering in silence, rather than complaining about their plight, they prayed and sang hymns to God. It would have been easy for them to question God. After all, it was God who called them to Macedonia in the first place. Why call them to a place where they would only end up in jail? Instead, they prayed and sang songs of praise and worship before God. "Suddenly," the Bible tells us, there was an earthquake and the prison doors flew open and their chains fell off. You may be in a prison of some sort today and, as a consequence, you have a choice to make. You can suffer in silence, or complain about your plight, or question God, or you can do what Paul and Silas did---pray to God and sing to Him with praise and worship. Unlocking the doors of your prison may well depend upon the attitude you bring to the situation. It seems obvious that God responded to Paul and Silas because of their worshipful attitude. This is not to say that any negative situation can be immediately resolved simply by prayer and songs of praise and worship. These things are not magic methods to control God. Nevertheless, the story of Paul and Silas gives us an example of the attitude we should take in such circumstances and the response from God it can elicit. With prayer, praise and worship, there may be a "Suddenly" in your future as well. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingExodus 31, 32, 33 Exodus 31 -- Craftsmen Bezaleel and Aholiah; the Sabbath Explained NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 32 -- The Golden Calf and Moses' Anger NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 33 -- Moses Resumes the Journey and Intercedes for the Israelites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 22:23-46 Matthew 22 -- Parable of the Wedding Banquet; Render to Caesar; the Greatest Commandment; Sadducees Question Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion End the evil of those who are wicked,and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. Insight Nothing is hidden from God—this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because he knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. Challenge We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he has planned. When we truly follow God, he rewards our effort. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 1:7 Tell me ... where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon.These words express the desire of the believer after Christ, and his longing for present communion with him. Where doest thou feed thy flock? In thy house? I will go, if I may find thee there. In private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word? Then I will read it diligently. In thine ordinances? Then I will walk in them with all my heart. Tell me where thou feedest, for wherever thou standest as the Shepherd, there will I lie down as a sheep; for none but thyself can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied to be apart from thee. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment of thy presence. "Where dost thou make thy flock to rest at noon?" for whether at dawn or at noon, my only rest must be where thou art and thy beloved flock. My soul's rest must be a grace-given rest, and can only be found in thee. Where is the shadow of that rock? Why should I not repose beneath it? "Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?" Thou hast companions--why should I not be one? Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always was unworthy, and yet thou hast long loved me; and therefore my unworthiness cannot be a bar to my having fellowship with thee now. It is true I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where thou feedest thy flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters. Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come. If he withdrew himself a little, it is but to make me prize his presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from him, he will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of his fold are sheltered from the burning sun. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.Job 34:21,2 "For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. • "Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who know. Jeremiah 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD. Psa 91:5,6,9,10 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; • Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. • For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. • No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. Psalm 121:3,5-7 He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. • The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. • The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. • The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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