August 29

Happy Thursday! When I was keeping Bo last night, he was not happy at bedtime. He couldn’t be consoled no matter what I tried. He was just in an awful way. When Tracy got home, she was able to calm him down and get him to eat a little and go to sleep. However, he didn’t sleep well at all last night. This morning, he had a new tooth! Sometimes, we have to go through some hard times to gain a little ground. 


When Paul and Silas arrived at Philipi in northern Greece (Macedonia) they began to preach the good news and many came to believe in Jesus. A slave girl who was was demon possessed and able to predict the future, followed Paul and Silas all around shouting “These men are from God.” After a couple of days, it was driving Paul a little crazy and he commanded the demon to leave her and it did! Instantly, her owners hopes of wealth were gone. (Bless their hearts!) They got the crowd all riled up and had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in prison. 


This was the famous night that while in prison, Paul and Silas were singing and praising Jesus and the jailhouse rocked! Their chains shook off and the locks on the doors fell open. As the jailer was just about to kill himself, Paul reassured Him. 


“But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.”


‭‭Finding people who needed to hear about Jesus was Paul’s primary ambition. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, Paul was obedient to this mission no matter the cost. Paul followed the Spirit’s lead wherever he needed to go, even if that meant prison. Through Paul and Silas’s imprisonment, a whole family came to know the Lord as Savior. Because Paul was obedient and faithful, he got to see God change hearts. Are we willing to get uncomfortable in order to see others come to know Christ? Endure a rough night for a new tooth? 


I love to read these stories of Paul—parts of them read like an exciting novel in many ways except “You can’t make this stuff!” Right? The miracle of the rapid growth of the early church is mind boggling. No one but God could have planned it and nothing short of Jesus could have prepared the way for it. What a story! What a Savior!  


Lord Jesus we thank you for the stories of Paul and especially this second journey that he took to Greece. Help us to learn from it the truths you’d have for us. Help us to see the great value of simply sharing with others the Good News of how Jesus changes our lives. We want to represent you well Lord and we want to never forget not take lightly all that you have done for us. What a wonder you are. We praise you Lord for you are wonderful to us. We love and adore you. Amen and amen


Love you dear friend,

Pam


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