Month: November 2021

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 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.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. -Acts 16:25-34

When you look at the story of Paul and Silas in the book of Acts chapter sixteen there is so much to be seen. However, one of the first things that we notice of course is that they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight and that there was an earthquake which caused all the prison doors to be opened. I believe that they prayed and sang praises from a posture of being free, not from a stance of trying to obtain freedom. That’s right! They were already free in their hearts and in their spirits- that’s why they could pray and praise God in the midst of tragedy and misfortune. Nonetheless, I want to also pose to you the possibility that Paul and Silas were also able to pray and sing praises to God at midnight because they realized that there was a greater purpose for them being imprisoned. And I believe the greater purpose was for the Philippian jailer and his entire family to be saved. There is always a greater purpose! The scripture tells us that they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight and that there was a great earthquake that shook the foundation of the prison and all of the prison doors were opened and all of the prisoners chains were loosed. Sometimes the foundation has to be shaken to truly affect things. Sometimes things have to be shaken from the ground up to make us realize what truly matters. Moments like these should cause us to realign our perspectives and to readjust our priorities. I believe that  in this moment Paul realized that there was a greater purpose in him being at this prison- confined in a situation that was undeserved. And when the earthquake came and the prison doors were opened and the prisoners chains were loosed- the Philippian jailer realizing what had happened assumed that the prisoners had fled, so he drew a sword and was about to harm to himself. But Paul yelled with a loud voice and said, “Do yourself no harm for we are all here!” The prison guard then ran in with a light and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So Paul and Silas said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your household will be saved.” Thus, the greater purpose is now revealed.

For the jailer to ask this question, I believe that three things had to have happened: First of all, I believe that Paul had a divine revelation that there was a greater purpose to what he was going through- and that the greater purpose was for the Philippian jailer and his family’s salvation. That’s why I believe Paul and Silas remained in their cell even after the doors were opened and their chains had fallen off. Secondly, I believe that because they sang and prayed the place was now full of God’s presence. When we pray and sing praises- God inhabits our praises and where the presence of the Lord is there is freedom and liberty. And, in His presence there is fullness of joy! Nonetheless, It is also the presence of the Holy Spirit that convicts our hearts and leads us to repentance, giving us the ability through grace by faith, to receive salvation. And thirdly, I believe that the jailer had a revelation that caused him to remember Paul and Silas’ public beating and the unfair trial in the town square that led to their less than fortunate incarceration. They had been falsely accused, their backs had been beaten publicly, they were bound hand and foot by chains- now imprisoned behind closed doors and the jailer had witnessed it all! So, when the doors were opened and no one fled- the witness of these men’s actions and the presence of the Holy Spirit caused the Philippian Jailer to realize that he needed what they had, and what Paul and Silas had was Jesus! Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God, but they also had an awareness that there was a greater purpose in what they were going through and why they were in that Philippian jail that night. There is always a greater purpose! I don’t know what you may be going through, but I believe that there is always a greater purpose and I pray that you will have a revelation of what that purpose is and I pray that you will see the divine results of that greater purpose come to pass. As you read this scripture today in Acts 16:25-34, ponder on the thoughts below in regard to there being a greater purpose in what you are going through or in what you may be facing.

Here Are 7 Things to Consider When You Realize That There is a Greater Purpose to What You May be Facing or Going Through:

1. Be careful what you say and how you say it.

2. Don’t complain about what God may be using.

3. Your response could be a key to someone else’s future and freedom.

4. Pray and sing God’s praises, but don’t magnify the circumstance or situation.

5. Remember, God can use the natural to produce the supernatural.

6. Don’t allow your response to be based on assumptions.

7. The trial ends when God’s purpose is accomplished.

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 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 16:25-26

“Paul and Silas didn’t sing praises and pray to be freed, they sang praises and prayed because they were free!” And, their freedom produced freedom for the others as well.

Anytime the people of God would “praise” in the Old Testament during a battle it caused confusion in the enemy’s camp. That’s because there was no logical reason to praise. Therefore, it was confusing as to why they were praising God, in spite of the circumstances that they were facing. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas went though it, but they still prayed and they still praised God. It didn’t make sense. They had no logical reason to do so. However, they prayed and praised in spite of their unfortunate circumstances. We all go through things, we all experience difficult times- those things that we wouldn’t choose! The issue is not that! The issue is how do you respond during these difficult and trying times? Do you praise or pout? Do you pray or plead your case? Do you talk to God and ask for peace or do talk to others and expect pity? Do you sing a sad song for others to hear or do you sing praises to God- in spite of how may you feel or what you may be facing. You see, when people go through tough times they tend to blame, regret or complain. And, when people go through good times they tend to rejoice, praise and celebrate. The opposite was true for Paul and Silas, they prayed and praised in spite of their less than fortunate circumstances. They rejoiced when they had no reason to rejoice. But, their praying and praise, soon gave them reason to rejoice. Praise changes the environment! Prayer brings God into your situation and into your circumstances- a God who sees everything, knows everything and a God who can do anything! Ask God for the grace to praise Him in spite of what you may be feeling or facing and see what He does.

*Remember this: Your response to what has happened may determine the outcome of what happens next. Paul and Silas prayed and praised God in spite of their problems and pain. Paul and Silas did the opposite of what most of us would probably do in that same situation. They looked up and brought God into their situation, circumstances and surroundings. The prayed to God and praised God and God heard them. God hears your prayers and He inhabits your praises! Their decision shifted their atmosphere and changed their circumstances and yours can too. Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise in a painful and pivotal moment and you can too.  You have a choice! You will go through some things. Isaiah says, that *when you pass through the waters that God will be with you and the waters will not overtake you. And, *when you go through the fire it will not burn you. *When denotes that you will go through it, but the Word also declares that He will go with you as you are going through it! Through means just that, it means through! You don’t live there, you don’t set up camp, you travel through- on the way to what’s next! You keep going! You will experience less than desirable moments in this life. But, Jesus said, “In this life you will experience tribulation, but take courage for I have overcome the world.” You are an overcomer through Christ Jesus and the battle has already been won- in Him, by Him and through Him. When you and I face trials, tests and tribulations it should prove 2 things: (1) Your faith in God. (2) And Gods faithfulness towards you. I can tell you today, that God is faithful!

The key to overcoming any trial is to get through it, and to get on with it! That is, without letting it affect you in a negative way. Paul and Silas did just that! Don’t let what you go through get on you or in you. It took 40 days to get the children of Israel out of Egypt, but it took 40 years to Egypt of out the children of Israel. There are numerous Bible stories where people have endured hardships, but didn’t look like it, smell like it, sound like it, talk like it or act like it! For example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came through the fire and didn’t even smell like smoke! And, the only thing that was burnt up was what bound them and what bound them was put on by man! You may have been through it, or you may be going through it right now. But, you don’t have to smell like it! *”It” could be a divorce, a bad home life, a difficult marriage, a betrayal, a bad church history or a difficult work setting. Paul and Silas didn’t smell like misfortune and you don’t have to either. But, the reason they didn’t is because they chose to pray and praise, instead of pouting or complaining. Don’t just go through what your going through- grow through it and learn from it!

Paul and Silas were in a hinge moment- they were in a pivotal position. Verse twenty-five of Acts chapter sixteen says, “But at Midnight Paul and Silas began to pray and sing.” Midnight signifies a new day. It signifies new mercies, new beginnings, new opportunities! Noon and midnight are hinge moments- they are unique segments of time. When it strikes noon it switches from am to pm and when it strikes midnight it switches from pm to am. However, the reason we call them noon and midnight is because they are segues of time. It’s not quite afternoon and it’s not quite past midnight. However, at midnight, the day changes! And it’s a new day… Midnight is the transition time from one day to the next – the moment when the date and day actually change. Paul and Silas began to pray and sing praises at midnight. It was new day! They didn’t let what they went through yesterday- get on them or in them today. Some things need to stay in the past. They need to stay in yesterday! They declared, “This is a new day!” What happened yesterday was yesterday! At midnight the day changes and it becomes a new day, with new opportunities, new mercies, new grace and new hope for whatever you may have to face! Therefore, you can say with Paul and Silas- that was yesterday!

You can say:

I may have been done wrong, but that was yesterday!

I may have been falsely accused, but that was yesterday!

I may have been overlooked, but that was yesterday!

I may have been disappointed and become frustrated, but that was yesterday!

I may have felt like giving up and quitting, but that was yesterday!

I may have got fed up and messed up, but that was yesterday!

Today is a new day and I will declare the goodness of the Lord!

I don’t understand everything that happens or why, but I trust God and I will praise Him!

I realize everything that happens is not God, sometimes it’s people, sometimes it’s the devil, and sometimes it’s my own foolishness! I also know everything that happens is not good. However, I do believe that God is good and I know that He will work all things for my good! *(Gen. 50:20 / Rom. 8:28)

When you are faced with a less than favorable circumstance, begin to praise God in that  pivotal moment!

Praise Him because He’s worthy!

Praise Him because He’s good!

Praise Him because He’s faithful!

Praise Him because He’s working all things for your good!

Praise Him because He is a God of new beginnings!

Throw your hands up in the midnight hour and declare over yourself… that was yesterday!

I pray chains fall off – doors open up and things unlock and change for you right now- I pray FREEDOM, in Jesus name! Amen

Peace

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” -John 20:19

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” -John 20:24-28

Peace is what every person longs for, especially in the midst of tragedy, doubt or uncertainty. And most psychologists would tell you that mankind’s greatest desire is to have peace. I believe that the most important areas in regard to having peace in our lives exist in these three categories: (1) Peace with God. (2) Peace with one’s self. (3) And peace with others. I also believe that no one will ever truly experience real peace, that is, until they truly have peace with God! Jesu made this possible! He came to restore our relationship with God and to reveal His heart and character to us, His beloved creation. So, if Jesus came to reveal the character and heart of God to us, it’s interesting then that in the passage above found in John chapter twenty when Jesus appears to His disciples, the first thing that He does is speak peace. It would appear than that God’s heart and desire is for us to have peace. Peace in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty, because in the midst of the disciples doubt, fear and uncertainty- Jesus offers peace and reveals the heart of God for us! This is the first time that He has seen them since the crucifixion and resurrection. And, the first thing that He says is, “Peace be with you.” I believe that in this moment He is revealing the character and heart of God to His followers and to us. And that is, that in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty- He wants us to have peace. Jesus came to bring us peace! Peace with God, peace with ourselves and peace with others. And remember, this scene in John chapter twenty is right after the crucifixion, while His disciples are still trying to wrap their minds around the resurrection- locked in a room fearful of what may happen next! That’s right, Jesus appears to them and offers peace! He says, “Peace be with you!” Of all of the things that He could have done, or might have done, or could have said, in that moment- He offers them peace!

We must remember that God is peace and we must believe that He desires for us to have peace. In John 14, before He was betrayed, beaten and crucified, Jesus tells these same disciples, “If you believe in God- believe also in me, for in my Father’s house are many mansions and I go away to prepare a place so that you may be with me.” God’s desire is for us to be with Him. I believe that He also desires for us to have peace in the midst of the doubt, fear and uncertainty that we will experience in this life down here. Jesus was getting ready to go through a time where He would no longer be with His disciples and they didn’t understand. So, again, in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty- He leaves them with peace. Peace of mind. Peace of heart. And, peace of assurance in knowing that what He was saying was true, although they didn’t fully understand at the time. Then He not only tells them that He is leaving them peace- He defines it for them by saying that He doesn’t give the kind of peace that the world gives and then He concludes by telling them to not be troubled and to not be afraid. When we are troubled or afraid, or when we doubt God, He still shows up! He shows up and He offers us His peace! He meets us right where we are and His presence brings His peace! God is peace. Jesus is peace. And, Holy Spirit is peace. I like to say it this way: “Peace is a person!” And, when the presence of that Person shows up, there is peace! Jesus showed up to His disciples who were troubled, doubtful and afraid and He said to them, “Peace be with you!” He could have said anything, but He comforted them by offering them peace. Peace in the midst of uncertainty, doubt and fear. And, His presence brought them peace. I don’t know what you may be experiencing today, I don’t know what you may be going through and I don’t what you may have to face tomorrow. Nonetheless, I leave with the words of Jesus- “Peace be with you and receive the Help and comfort of the Holy Spirit.”  

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” -John 14:27 TPT