Acts - Until Everyone Knowsਨਮੂਨਾ

Acts 16

Paul returns to the city where he was almost worshipped as a god, and there he meets a young man called Timothy, whom he circumcises. This is not a contradiction of the earlier agreement (Acts 15), but because he is joining Paul’s ministry team, it will avoid further controversy among any Jews they are reaching.

The Holy Spirit stops them from entering Asia (vs. 6-7), and when Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9), they quickly make their way to the city. While in Philippi, they meet Lydia, a wealthy woman who hosts them after her conversion. After several days of being pestered by a demon-possessed slave girl, Paul turns and casts out the spirit, which angers her owners, who have Paul and Silas beaten and imprisoned.

As they pray and worship, their chains are broken, the prison doors fly open, and this leads to the jailer and his family believing in Jesus. The next day, the authorities discover they are Roman citizens and should have been treated more leniently, and they beg them to leave the city (vs. 38-39).

Are you attentive each day to the Guiding Voice of the Holy Spirit? God has promised that He will be the Voice in your ear, showing you the way to walk (Isaiah 30:21). Speak out with confidence, but listen for the Leading and Timing of the Spirit. And speak up if you think your rights are being disrespected, just as Paul did after their mistreatment in prison.

Father, I thank You that in every trial, You are with me. May I live a life worthy of Your Calling, even in the face of adversity. Amen.

Dee Udeze