YOUR HOUSEHOLD
Today’s Reading: Acts 16
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This is the traditional place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi. Evidence of an earthquake is obvious.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Acts 16:30-31
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.”
Firstly, consider the circumcision of Timothy, whose mother was Jewish but probably not his father. The mission field for Paul and his co-workers was primarily the Jewish people. As a trained Rabbi, Paul knew how to perform a circumcision. Why go through this painful procedure? The answer is that it was necessary to remove any excuses that Jews might use for not believing in Jesus. Secondly, the jailer was probably a Gentile. When the earthquake released the prisoners (evidence of an earthquake is seen in Reynold’s photo above), the jailer was about to kill himself because an escape would guarantee his execution anyway. With the question of our key verse, it’s unlikely that the warden was asking about the path to eternal life. It probably had to do with his impending execution by the authorities. Nevertheless, the Apostles did not miss an opportunity to tell a lost man about being saved from a worse fate than physical death. We must, as Paul and Silas did, take every opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Let us look for that opening for witness today.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I confess I’ve often made the way of Salvation more complicated than it is. Help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to keep it simple, direct, and with the assurance of my own Salvation clearly in mind. In Your Saving Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
A medical doctor said to me as I was witnessing to him, “I do believe. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, but I’m no different as a result.” I believe God gave me a reply as follows: “I believe you are a good doctor, but I don’t believe in you.” His response was, “What do you mean?” “Just this,” I said, “I’ve never had to trust you to save my life. I’ve never been on an operating table knowing that you would perform surgery on me. I’ve never had to believe IN you. I only believe ABOUT you.” It was like a light going on in his face and he prayed something like this: “Lord Jesus, I realize that I’ve been believing ABOUT You, but from now on I’m going to believe IN You. I put my entire life into Your hands. Operate on me. Remove my sin. Amen!” He was a new man from that point forward. He was saved from eternal death, and his household also believed and was saved to eternal life.
Yours for a clear, convincing witness for Christ at every opportunity,
David
P.S. I was so moved by yesterday’s missions 100 Huntley Street telecast that I feel compelled to share it with you. Norma-Jean and I wrote a cheque, and I put it in Dr. Hull’s hand during the second half hour (click here for yesterday’s program).
P.P.S. Below is a photo of the only stream flowing through ancient Philippi. Paul baptized Lydia in this river as recorded in today’s Bible reading.
David
I believe God works through doctors and gives them wisedom and knowledge to
do what they do. know God will heal me of my seizure and the pain in my shoulder
and arms but we can do thing to help each of us. ” I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me”phil 4:13
the scripture I put on here is for anyone on our blog who needs it today
Lianne Hogg
You are right Lianne. But our eyes must still be focusing on Jesus (doctors are only human). I pray for the doctor to have skill, knowledge, and TIME for people facing surgery and that any medication gives would not be harmful to them. We now (in southern Ontario) have doctors of other religions. (We’ve had 4, including specialists). BUT our God is a strong tower & the righteous run to it and are safe! Praise God.
I am grateful for events in our lives which beckon us to open our hearts and minds to Christ, just as the officer experienced in an earthquake with Paul and Silas.
Happy Birthday, Bruce S. !! Your wisdom, talent and service have been an inspiration to us all !!
Good morning David. Thank you for your kind words in Wednesday’s blog…
Our Lord knows our strengths and weaknesses and places us in circumstances sometimes for seconds and sometimes for years for many reasons… sometimes for humility – for when we are humble it is the Lord who works through us for His Honour and Glory – not ours…
May our Heavenly Father give us His peace and understanding regardless of our circumstances this day. Amen!
Blessings fellow bloggers and friends…
So true, David. Amen.
What great trials and suffering Paul and Silas went thru to get God’s message out. I think w/o people seeing all that, they couldn’t relate to God.
Surprisingly, there are fortune tellers to this very day.
Great study today Rev. Thanks for the great pics Reynold.
Blessings to all dear saints.
.
Your prayer Rev. David is truly my prayer. Your Words Lord i pray, that would touch the heart of those who need to hear Your Word and receive it in their hearts.
The Lord’s desire is the “none should perish”.
Thank you Reynold for the Great picture! I think Paul and Silas would have felt much more comfortable in that prison with grass in it.
Praise God for the ministry of 100 Huntley Street as you reach out to the needy i n this worn torn world.
I am struck today by the “we” narrative from Acts 16:10, onward. I researched this a little bit and there are a few different theories. Did anyone else notice this and wonder, as I have?
Thank you David Loewan and Doreen
Lianne Hogg
King James also has it as “we” that would be Paul and Silas.
Thanks, Irene. I am not referring to the version (KJ). Yes, the title of the passage refers to Paul and Silas, however someone else is writing about being with them and their experiences together. Paul is not writing about himself nor referring to himself as “Paul”. My research has pointed to Luke. Isn’t anyone else perplexed by this?
So much in chapter 16, need to study it more.