Shaking The Earth Through Prayer and Praise
Isn’t it amazing what God can do? Today we’re reading Acts chapter 16. I love the scriptures that tell us about Paul and Silas being in jail. They were praying and singing hymns to God, and others were listening to them. Then God saw fit to release them from jail via an earthquake. What is incredible too is that they used this opportunity to save another person rather than to escape. And this is just after they had been stripped down and flogged badly. How many of us are going to stay around and potentially get some more of that?
Image courtesy of: susieq3c
Scripture:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 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.” – Acts 16:25,26
Observation/Application:
Paul had to be led by the Holy Spirit to know exactly what to do for God’s purpose. I’m thinking that if I’m in jail, and an earthquake causes the jail to open, and I know that I am innocent, then I am thinking “Wow! Look what God did for me! Isn’t God awesome? I’m outta here! See ya!” Paul must have been amazing at listening to the Spirit in every situation. It’s so easy for the flesh to tell us which way to go, and to override God’s will. Remember, because they stayed for the jailer, he and his family was saved.
Are you being jailed, kept at bay at work by a co-worker or boss, oppressed in some way, held back by a spouse, loved one, or family member? Maybe God is going to use you for that reason, maybe now, maybe later. It is challenging for us to know in the flesh. But if we pray and worship the Lord, He will guide us. He will give us the answers that we need. And He will bless us more than we ever imagined. I love to start off my day in the Word, with reading an journaling. Then I drive to work and often sing praises in the car on the way there. Sometimes I have the radio off and just start worshipping the Lord. God has blessed me with many songs in this way that I am certain will be a blessing to others. How awesome is our God!
Let us pray and worship Him continually. The more time that we acknowledge His presence, the more that we walk with Him, the Almighty, the more He can work in our lives. He can’t help us if we don’t let Him be with us! I saw a great saying on the sign of a local church yesterday that said, “You cannot walk with God when you are holding the devil’s hand.” How true! The great news is that He is always with us. But we have to first turn from evil to access his power and greatness! I urge You to invite God into your heart, and to be with Him, to pray, and to sing praises in His name. And you will see what God can do! See if he doesn’t shake the earth for you!
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this Word today. Help us to be still and to hear your voice, both in times of trouble and in times of abundance and celebration. Draw us closer to You. Let us walk side by side, arm in arm, step by step, day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, from now until eternity. We give all honor and glory to You, and ask that you use this message as a blessing so that others will come to know you Lord. We thank you for all that you have done for us, and for all that you are doing, and for all that you are going to do. We receive your blessings now, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: Leviticus. 10-12; Acts 16
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