Monday, December 5, 2022

YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Today’s Reading: Acts 16

Click scripture link to read online orย HEREย 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. 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.

 

11 thoughts on “Monday, December 5, 2022

  1. Dear Lord God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us. Thank You for coming to this Earth You made, for living and dying and living eternally for us. Thank You for Your Spirit, for drawing us to You, for the faith You give for us to build our lives on Truth.

    Draw many to You this Christmas season, Lord. Help all Your church spread the good news of Jesus Christ our Saviour, in Jesus’s name, amen

    • Amen Rob. Open the eyes & hearts of people this Christmas season as they hear TRUTH via TV, Social Media, church presentations, and friends. In Jesus Name, Amen.

    • Thank you, fellow saints, for your prayers. Home finally. Will keep you posted when I get the date for surgery. God is so wise and is in control. I have nothing to fear for my Yahweh is my strength and my shield. Bless you all this day. โ˜ฎ๏ธ

        • Thank you, Sister Eleanor! Divine!

          I Know Whom I Have Believed
          Celtic Spirits

          I know not why Gods wondrous grace
          To me He hath made known,
          Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
          Redeemed me for His own.

          But I know Whom I have believed,
          And am persuaded that He is able
          To keep that which I’ve committed
          Unto Him against that day.

          I know not how this saving faith
          To me He did impart,
          Nor how believing in His Word
          Wrought peace within my heart.

          I know not how the Spirit moves,
          Convincing men of sin,
          Revealing Jesus through the Word,
          Creating faith in Him.

          I know not when my Lord may come,
          At night or noonday fair,
          Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
          Or meet Him in the air.

          Songwriters: Thomas Mosie Lister.

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