Acts 16:25-34

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.

Talk-Variety Show

If you are to think of God’s unique design, what comes to your mind?

A talk-variety show has invited participants to compete on furniture designs. Furniture designers would design, build, and complete their unique furniture ideas to be televised. Imitation of furniture design would not be disregarded but uniqueness and originality of design have sure advantages to win the prize. God our Creator has given individual talent to those furniture designers to plan and build furniture according to their personal taste.

The Lord has also given uniqueness of ministry approach to local churches.

Before Evangelism Explosion was introduced into the market, the church of Dr. James Kennedy had proven its effectiveness. When Experiencing God was in the market, the church of Dr. Henry Blackaby had experienced growth in numbers. Before Dr. Rick Warren published his book, Purpose-Driven Life, his church had grown tremendously.

Why churches using ministry material [Evangelism Explosion, Experiencing God, Purpose-Driven Life, etc.] cannot duplicate results from those churches that original used them? Did God designed our church to imitate their strategy?

In his first missionary journey, Paul’s strategy was very fruitful; Paul tried the same strategy in his 2^nd missionary journey but have no fruitful result, why?

Paul addressed ministry differently; Lydia and her household were converted.

Even in prison, God has designed it as His unique way for the jailer to believe.

1.  Ways

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…

Our human response when we are at the receiving end is to complain or resist. We do not like to have uncomfortable situations.

The idea of being thrown in prison is not pleasant because it implies that the prisoner has committed a crime. Was it God’s unique design for Paul and Silas to be thrown into prison? They were just obeying the Lord but why did God allowed that to happen?

Instead of complaining about their situation, Paul and Silas prepared for a possible ministry opportunity. So, they prayed and sang hymns to God.

Few years later, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians what they practiced personally. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18… ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul advised churches with things he has experienced. can we thank God in all circumstances if we allow the Holy Spirit to fill every aspect of our life?

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison but God allowed that to happen because God has designed it as ministry opportunity for them.

Joseph in Prison

Why does God allow faithful believers to be persecuted or thrown in prison?

In Genesis 39:20-23…²⁰ Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. ²² So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. ²³ The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

The same Lord who took care of Joseph when he was accused wrongfully is the same Lord who took care of Paul and Silas when they were accused wrongfully. God allows difficult situations even when we are doing the right thing. Instead of complaining when our situations becomes difficult, pray and sing praises to God because it might be God’s way to bring you to a better situation.

Keep reading God’s words, the more you read the more you grow in your faith.

2.  Words

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.

When the jailer asked Paul what to do, Paul took that opportunity to tell about the Lord; their testimony of not escaping out of prison was very strong evidence.

Natural calamities like earthquake do not respect anyone. Natural calamities are God’s instruments to help us to realize if we are true believers or pretenders. When things become tougher, they way we react reveals the level of our faith in God; people observing us will be encouraged or might be dismayed.

1990 Baguio Earthquake

After a strong earthquake hit the City of Baguio, I sensed no panic, no fear. There was peace and calmness in my heart while observing others crying.

I passed by the Funeral Homes near our apartment going to work. I saw dead bodies covered on the side walk of the road; the funeral buildings were full of earthquake victims.

For many weeks and months, there was shortage of food supply. People waited for relief goods but my wife and I never lined up for relief goods. That time, I was more certain that God has given me eternal life; there was overwhelming peace and calmness in me. Death never scared me.

Like Paul and Silas, singing hymns or praise songs should be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit and not just trying to force the issue of praising God.

Christians are not exempted from problems common to humans.

In Ephesians 5:15-20…¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Drunkards temporarily forget their problems; drunkards become unproductive. They miss or waste great opportunities and other undesirable consequences.

When being filled with the Spirit of God, there’s peace and wisdom on how to overcome problems and live life productively in the midst of difficulties.

Keep praying, each time you remember, to be filled with the Holy Spirit even at times that you do not know why or how you need the Holy Spirit.

In Ephesian 1:17… ¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Can your God give you wisdom and revelation to solve your problem?

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