Manna for Your Morning

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. — Acts 16:22-24 (NLT) Acts 16:25 says, around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. The Word doesn’t say they were complaining, nor crying out to God “why me?” Instead, they maintained their peace, joy and faith in Yahweh and prayed and praised the God of heaven and earth. Acts 16:26 says, 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! So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials… (See 2 Peter 2:7-9 NLT) However, the prisoners were all accounted for when th...

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. — Acts 16:25 (NKJV) Paul and Silas had been dragged, had their clothes torn off, they were beaten with rods and thrown into prison, with their feet clamped in stocks. (Acts 16:19-24). The Word does not say they were asking God, “Why is all this happening to us, if You are with us?” It does not mention them complaining about the conditions of the prison. No, in spite of all these hardships, they were still praying and praising. The enemy could not stop their praise to God, nor steal their joy.  How do you react when adverse circumstances hit? Whether your circumstances have you locked up or not, no one can stop you from praying and praising our mighty and awesome God. No matter what comes your way, keep praying and praising God. What a glorious testimony to those who are listening to you.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 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! — Acts 16:25-26 (NLT) I have often heard that life is not so much what happens to you, it's more about your response to what happens. Paul and Silas were dragged, had their clothes torn off, were beaten and thrown in prison. However, they didn’t let their circumstances get them down. They were praying and singing hymns to God. No matter what your circumstance, turn your attention to God, who holds the universe in His hands. Are there things in your life that need to be shaken? Do you have some doors that need to be opened? A little prayer and praise goes a long way. And it also has a profound impact on those around you, just as Paul and Silas effected the prisoners around them. How are you reacting to...