Tuesday
Read Acts 16:16-34
16 One day as we were going to the
place of prayer, we were met by a young servant woman who had an evil spirit
that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her
owners by telling fortunes. 17She followed Paul and us, shouting,
“These men are servants of the Most High God! They announce to you how you can
be saved!” 18She did this for many days, until Paul became so upset
that he turned round and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I
order you to come out of her!” The spirit went out of her that very moment.
19 When her owners realized that
their chance of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged
them to the authorities in the public square. 20They brought them
before the Roman officials and said, “These men are Jews, and they are causing
trouble in our city. 21They are teaching customs that are against
our law; we are Roman citizens, and we cannot accept these customs or practise
them.” 22And the crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas.
Then the officials tore the clothes off
Paul and Silas and ordered them to be whipped. 23After a severe beating,
they were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to lock them up tight. 24Upon
receiving this order, the jailer threw them into the inner cell and fastened
their feet between heavy blocks of wood.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas
were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening
to them. 26Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, which shook the
prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell
off all the prisoners. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the
prison doors open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped; so he pulled out
his sword and was about to kill himself. 28But Paul shouted at the
top of his voice, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for a light,
rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. 30Then
he led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They answered, “Believe in the
Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your family.” 32Then they
preached the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At
that very hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; and
he and all his family were baptized at once. 34Then he took Paul and
Silas up into his house and gave them some food to eat. He and his family were
filled with joy, because they now believed in God.
Think
This is such and exciting story - Paul and Silas set a woman free from an
evil spirit. They are persecuted by her
owners - she was a slave - it was in her owners' interest that the spirit
oppressed her. Stripped naked, beaten, thrown
in prison; all they do is praise God - and God delivers them. Not just them - but their prison guard.
Pray
Lord, Paul and Silas set people free and don't worry about the cost to
themselves. They don't worry about the
opinions of others. And when they simply
worship and trust in you - you deliver them.
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