Just Follow The Lords Instructions: Simplify

As Jesus hung on The Cross, He could not only see what was before Him in the natural, but also the ages to come. He took upon Himself all the sin, of all men, Jew and Gentile alike, for all time, past,present and future. So, lets just follow His PLAN FOR REACHING MAN.

There is so much out there on how The Church needs to support Israel, and how Christians can reach The Jewish People. There are people with systems and special bibles, with very precise language on how we need to do this or that to reach Israel for Christ. Many of them make it sound like they somehow need a different Gospel than us...This is error.

The Churches role in reaching the lost in Israel is the same as it is in the rest of the world. Go preach The Gospel to every creature in power and demonstrations of The Spirit, not with enticing words and the wisdom of men, as Paul said. Make disciples of all men. The Great Commission was the same for The Jew and Gentile alike. We don't have to make it difficult, that is what the early disciples tried to do and God showed them clearly that The Gospel comes to all men the same.

What Israel needs is not special systems, but called men and women to go there and establish Spirit filled churches that preach The Word and demonstrate that The Kingdom has Come and Jesus Is LORD.

Acts 10:34-48 (NKJV)

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 

39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they[a] killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 

42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

ROMANS 10:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.


Galations 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:11 (NKJV)

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

He Came To DESTROY The Works of The Devil

1 John 3:8

 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

I was reading a news story this morning and saw that a world leader was quoted as saying he wanted to make the situation with ISIS a "manageable problem".

This is not a political post, and I don't know if this leaders words were taken out of context, but either way, those two words opened up my spirit and I felt led to begin typing, it is like a veil was lifted and a message was downloaded into my spirit:

"Manageable Problem", let these two words settle in your heart and mind. ISIS, possibly one of the most evil groups to come on the scene in decades. Unlike the genocidal groups that we have seen in Rwanda,The Sudan and in other countries, the scope and plans of this group seem to reach into all the globe. They are brutal, blood thirsty and seem to have lost all sense of humanity, even for those who follow after the same God as they, and bow before the same "prophet".

 They seem intent, like conquerors before them, to take the world for their father the devil, and for a season anyway, have been given an open door and unholy anointing to do so.

They behead and burn alive, all whom they see fit. They have their children hold up the heads of their victims and some even eat the hearts of the dead.

They are driven and under the sway of Satan. They are evil incarnate, they are the great evil spoken of by the prophets and priest throughout the Word of God.

They will never be anything resembling a "manageable problem".

We can see, through this error in thinking, so many things. The thoughts and thinking processes of modern day man, and unfortunately far too many churches, has been that sin and evil are manageable problems.

How many great evils have been born by trying to make the sin in mans heart and the darkness of mans spirit a manageable problem?

Abortion is a result of trying to make sin a manageable problem. Prisons,Drugs,Pornography are all mans attempts at making sin a manageable problem.

Lets take it straight to the Church though, because we are the only ones that  carry the message that The World needs. Our Great Commission is to take The Gospel, to all The World. We have been given the message that this great evil we see, that the sin we see in the world, has been dealt with. We are called to declare and DEMONSTRATE, through The Power of The Holy Spirit and in The Name of Jesus, that The Devil has been defeated.

Unfortunately, instead of demonstrating the devils defeat, and moving in The Power of The Gospel, many of us have opted to try and make sin a manageable problem. Many Churches are nothing more than places where soft messages,motivational speeches and fun activities, try and cover the seriousness and eternal consequences of rejecting the Gospel, by making the pain in mans heart a manageable problem.

Jesus didn't come to make The Devil a manageable problem and the devil knew it. The devil didn't mind religion and even really good,holy people all to much, because they only had systems and programs in place to make him a manageable problem. They didn't threaten him and his minions in the least. They could stay hidden, go about their business of destruction and pain, and there was no one to stop them, no one to challenge them.

However, when Jesus came on the scene, anointed by God, with The Holy Spirit and Power, on a mission to go about doing good and healing all who were oppressed and harassed of the devil, then the devil and his demons knew that no longer was God allowing The Kingdom of Darkness to be a manageable problem in  the world, but that He sent His own Son to DESTROY the works of the devil!!! Praise God!!!

When you look at the ministry of Christ and the template we are given in The Book Of ACTS on what effect The Gospel should have when taken into all The World, I want you to consider what reaction it got from the wicked and the devils kingdom. The reaction and the demonstration of The Spirit changed when The Gospel that Jesus commissioned us to carry, was being preached, in faith that Jesus came to confront and DESTROY the works of the devil, not make them a manageable problem.

There is a reason I am beating this point home. The reason the devil has had free reign in so many places and cities, and sadly a growing number of churches, is because we have not confronted his kingdom, in faith, with The Gospel, The Whole Gospel, but instead have built sanctuaries where we try teach men and women how to manage their problem with sin.

If you want to be part of what The Lord is longing to do right now, then put away the books on 7 steps to a great marriage, 12 steps to a growing church, 400 steps to be free from trouble. Get on your face before God and pray. Instead of going to sit in cars you can't afford right now trying to build faith to afford one, look at the pain around you, look at the conditions of the walls of Jerusalem(the church) and cry out to God for the faith to take His message of the enemies defeat into your world. See yourself being His hands extended setting the captives free, healing the sick, casting out devils and proclaiming freedom to all who are oppressed.

 Don't do this light heartily , don't do it without at least one like minded, person with you. Don't go into the fight of faith without a deep, close relationship with The Lord.  Because, just like the Disciples who set the template for us, when we as a Body, begin to strip off all that we have built up to try and make the kingdom of darkness a manageable problem, and begin to crash against the gates of hell with the Gospel of Power, there is going to be a reaction. Devils will cry out, the possessed and oppressed will be brought to our door steps and the sick, even through our roofs.

The religious will cast us out and the comfortable will mock and persecute.

Oh but we will rejoice, that finally The Full Gospel has been restored, and once again the kingdom of darkness and even the earth is shaking at the name of Jesus and the presence of God in and on His People. The joy of salvation from the devil death grip will rise up within us and spread to those around us.

SO BE IT !!

Acts 10:34-48 (NKJV)

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Hebrews 2:14-15Good News Translation (GNT)

14 Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, 15 and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death.

1 John 3:8(AMP)

8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].

Mark 16:14-20 (NKJV)

14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Time Of War

Soon the wicked, that parade around, like they have such power and might
Will be hiding in the rocks, trembling with fright.
Whether you are a terrorist, a gang banger, or from a violent Outlaw MC
You will soon be brought low, as you in terror, bow your knee.
For The Lord shall return with a mighty shout
With war and righteousness He shall weed the wicked and violent out.
He shall destroy and remove all that offends
The innocent that you are terrorizing, He shall defend.
And The Blood of The Saints He shall Avenge!!

Revelation 6:9-11 (NKJV)


9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.


                                                           

Revelation 19:11-16 (NLT)

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.



                    

The Lords Dream Team

How The Lord chooses a Dream Team is quite different than how we are choose them these days.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (AMP)

22 So David departed and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.

2 And everyone in distress or in debt or discontented gathered to him, and he became a commander over them. And there were with him about 400 men.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NKJV)

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

The Lord Will Turn Your Enemies

During my reading today The Holy Spirit began to stir in me and bring to my remembrance some very similar and powerful instances where He delivered His people and anointed from their enemies.

Even if  the enemy that is pursuing you is somebody that you are not able to lift your own hand against, or are naturally stronger than you: Trust God to deal with them. He has His ways

We see here David, who could have taken Saul easily, honoring God by not lifting his own hand against him. 

I was reading in 1 Samuel 20:

1 Samuel 19:20-24(KJV)

20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.

22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.

23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

As I meditated on these verses some other instances came up in my heart. Someone besides me needs to let these verses sink into your spirit man. Trust The Lord in a time of war. Trust Him when you are pursued or face an enemy that seems to have every advantage against you and a desire to pursue and kill you.

Here are some more instances of this type of deliverance:

Take the time to study these. Chew on The WORD until you are well prepared and confident in The LORD OF HEAVENS ARMIES!!

Here we see The Prophet that could not curse Israel. Balak was so intent on destroying Israel he thought that a prophet could somehow turn God away from His people.  In these verses we catch the last two prophecies that could not curse but only bless. (Now Balaam did teach Balak how to make Israel stumble, but that is a different post, and about self will).

Numbers 24 New King James Version (NKJV)

24 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go as at other times, to seek to use sorcery, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel encamped according to their tribes; and the Spirit of God came upon him.

3 Then he took up his oracle and said:

“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
The utterance of the man whose eyes are opened,
4 The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

5 “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob!
Your dwellings, O Israel!
6 Like valleys that stretch out,
Like gardens by the riverside,
Like aloes planted by the Lord,
Like cedars beside the waters.
7 He shall pour water from his buckets,
And his seed shall be in many waters.

“His king shall be higher than Agag,
And his kingdom shall be exalted.

8 “God brings him out of Egypt;
He has strength like a wild ox;
He shall consume the nations, his enemies;
He shall break their bones
And pierce them with his arrows.
9 ‘He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?’[a]

“Blessed is he who blesses you,
And cursed is he who curses you.”

10 Then Balak’s anger was aroused against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and look, you have bountifully blessed them these three times! 11 Now therefore, flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord has kept you back from honor.”

12 So Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not also speak to your messengers whom you sent to me, saying, 13 ‘If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own will. What the Lord says, that I must speak’? 14 And now, indeed, I am going to my people. Come, I will advise you what this people will do to your people in the latter days.”

Balaam’s Fourth Prophecy

15 So he took up his oracle and said:

“The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor,
And the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened;
16 The utterance of him who hears the words of God,
And has the knowledge of the Most High,
Who sees the vision of the Almighty,
Who falls down, with eyes wide open:

17 “I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.[b]

18 “And Edom shall be a possession;
Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,
While Israel does valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,
And destroy the remains of the city.”

20 Then he looked on Amalek, and he took up his oracle and said:

“Amalek was first among the nations,
But shall be last until he perishes.”

21 Then he looked on the Kenites, and he took up his oracle and said:

“Firm is your dwelling place,
And your nest is set in the rock;
22 Nevertheless Kain shall be burned.
How long until Asshur carries you away captive?”

23 Then he took up his oracle and said:

“Alas! Who shall live when God does this?
24 But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus,[c]
And they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber,
And so shall Amalek,[d] until he perishes.”

25 So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.


And here we see The Promise God made to His people. We also see the one thing that would leave them vulnerable and unprotected.(That will be another post, as mentioned above about self will and how Balaam taught Balak how to make Israel stumble).

Exodus 23:20-33(NKJV)

The Angel and the Promises

20 “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. 22 But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 

23 For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. 24 You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

25 “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

27 “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. 29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 

30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. 31 And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. 

32 You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

I want to add a couple from The New Testament. Here we see The Lord has not changed in His will or ability to deliver by His Outstretched Arm!!

John 8:48-59(NLT)

48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”

49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

52 The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him.56 Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!

” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.

Here is a Double Portion! Gods Deliverance and His Judgement on His Enemies!

Acts 12 (NLT)

James Is Killed and Peter Is Imprisoned

12 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.

Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison

6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.

9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”

12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”

16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.

18 At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn’t be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.

The Death of Herod Agrippa

20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant,21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”

23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

24 Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned,taking John Mark with them.

One last one. Notice the result of the New Testament Deliverance's and even trouble. People were saved, the WORD Spread and Prospered. The Gospel/The Kingdom was Advanced!

Acts 16:16-34 (NLT)

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”

18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.

19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 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! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he 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, along with everyone in your household.”

32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

My Friend, I pray you meditate on these verses. Allow The Lord to speak to you and encourage you.