JESUS today YOU will SAVE me.
Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 4
Acts 16
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
The churches were established in the faith!
The increase in the church by number has always been an important part. Some people will say you are only interested in the number, the early church obviously saw the number increase.
The church must grow as is this is the plan of God, actually the plan of God is to grow daily, not just in number but also the FAITH!
Another point here so important to us today, if we plan to be ministers in the work of God have to go the extra mile. Paul carried Timothy, a Greek to go with him, Paul had Timothy circumsized. Timothy did not have to be circumsized by the law of God, but Paul wanted him to be accepted where he went among the Jews. The lesson here is we must be accepted among the people we go to and if we are to be accepted we must be willing to give up somethings for the kingdom of God.
MORE AND MORE
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
TRUTH produces results. The disciples were consistent about their message, they did not attempt to create or make up their own doctrine or set of rules as they spread the Good News of JESUS and salvation.
Churches were established or strengthened MORE by their doctrinal perseverance. Not tossed to and fro, but solid and firm in and on their beliefs. TRUTH prevails when all else fails. Churches grew MORE by their doctrinal perseverance.
MORE strength and MORE growth are the result of preaching and teaching sound doctrine.
iRepent
iPraise
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
iLove to eat More Word
One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. (Acts of the Apostles 16:14 NLT)
The key statement here is the fact that “God opened her heart”. The trouble most of us get into is we attempt to open people’s hearts through arguing and debate. This leads both us and the people we are talking to with a bad taste for the gospel.
Let’s pray that God will open the hearts of those we are reaching for.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
There is alot that i could see in these writings but the one thing that impressed me is even when there was the open door, a way of escape so it seemed.(Paul and Silas and everyones bands were loosed.)
They stayed right there, im sure they knew the charge that was givin to the jailer and Paul(probably knowlege from his former life) knew what the jailer would have done. Choose to stay having mercy on the jailer and because they stayed the jailer and his household was saved.
Some of us whether it be a mean boss on a job, or a situation with a neighbor, or just a conflict with someone where you dont see eye to eye. Because their position or belief You are trying your best to live for God. A door opens ,an easy excuse can be used .You can go for the quick escape route or you can wait just a little longer remain humble… God just maybe using your circumstance of your praying,praising and following the laws of the land to minister to those around your situation that need God.
Because of your fruits of longsuffering,patience,temperance,joy,and peace,ect… that soul will staight up ask you.
How do i get what you have?
What must i do to be saved?
We are here on this earth for what to do what Jesus wants…. and what is his heartbeat. “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence.” 2Pet 3:9
Paul out of experience, prayer,worship was sensitive to those around him. Choosing to die to self , be obedient and look for opportunity to be a light to a lost an dying world. Instead of looking for an easy excuse ,open door to not have to deal with that person-prison or conflict anymore. Someone is watching your trial good days and bad days . Though it all souls will be saved.
Be Christ likeminded.
Check your fruit, and you lack anything
pray seek Jesus to help you.
2Cor 12:9
“My grace is sufficiant for thee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
all will know who we are because Jesus’s name is written on us
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Thank you Jesus we are in the fastest growing church in the upci. We are growing daily.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
We all need to capture and see the vision that God has given for us in our lives. For some people, it’s being missionaries in the field, or it could be preaching the gospel and raising a body of christ, or it could be teaching, giving, whatever your gift and wherever God has placed, let him help you envision his plan for you in your life and grab ahold of it and never let go.
9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
We all have our own visions but we have to make sure its align to what God what us to do and that we seek his help as he leads and guides us!
“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia”. The man of God (Jesus) did not go because the Holy Ghost (Jesus) stopped him. One should be thankful for a country that still allows the man of God to come and go. Dear God, stir up our great nation to one that fears you more than ever before; “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done”. “In God we trust”. “One nation under God”. What a mighty God we serve! Thank God for his word. God bless America, Jerusalem, and you all in Jesus name, Amen!
Talk about a glorious prison break…try praise & worship. Those chains could fall…………
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
“Be Free, in Jesus name, Amen”…………..
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Paul had the vision to proceed to Macedonia, but his journey took him to a few other cities before he got to where he was supposed to go. Many times God shows us something, but it is for a future time, not necessarily the current time. We have to discern in the spirit when the time is right. We don’t want to preempt the timing of the Lord, not do we want to miss it. It behooves us to be in sync and in tune with the Lord so we are always in the right time at the right place.
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
As the church goes back to its original position of being “established in the faith” we will see tge original results of increasing in number daily.
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
What are people saying about us? Are we stirring up people, and causing uncomfortableness?
My cousin’s daughter was told she was forbidden to pray at the pole this year. She cried and prayed and decided to do it anyway against the principle’s wishes. The next day 700 people showed up with her. The principle came out to try and suspend her and the teachers made a circle around her. The next day the superintendent fired the principle saying this is a Christian state and they should be allowed to pray at the pole. The public stance was noticed by many people, and even the newspaper, and radio covered it. This was all because one girl chose to stand up for her faith.
Just like Paul she stirred up the place for Jesus.
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Visions are powerful and certainly used by God to move his people. They are powerful enough for families to seek everything and move across the world . They are powerful enough for people to walk away from everything they know and walk into something they know nothing about. It would be foolish to do any of this sort of thing without knowing for sure the vision was of God. Visions are cast in our minds but they are accomplished through steadfast faith, indomitable spirit, relentless passion, unwavering relationship, and Work. If you have the greatest vision known to mankind but lack any of these you will not see it come to pass.
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. (Acts of the Apostles 16:6 NLT)
Sometimes you have to wait for the Lord to make a way for you to enter into a new territory. God will prevent you from entering something you’re not prepared for
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. (Acts 16:31-33 KJV)
His whole house! All the people in the house were saved because of one man. The message given by Paul and Silas was life changing, but the jailer is the one that touched his whole family. He either ked them all to those who knew the truth or enlightened them himself. Either way the entire family came to the realization of Jesus because of these events.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
One may wonder and say why did all this happen to Paul and Silas? Where they not doing the will of God? Were they not hearing God’s voice? We see how it is established how they obeyed the leading of the Spirit going wherever it led them to…but then why? Perhaps becaue God trusts you with this task and your faithful worship will loose the chains of some that are on another sense captive. God may have had all that time that jailer in his mind…before the shaking before the cells being opened before the beating he probably saw an entire household being set free by faithful and in spirit and truth worship form men of God he had chosen for the task. After all the Lord had given Paul a vision to go to that place. The Lord is always in control. What opportunities will your worship unleash. We were created to worship Him, our Lord Jesus. If you are doing the will of God and feel as though you’ve fallen into a prison remember remember who is in control and that He is up to something… In the meantime, shake the foundation with Praise!
v 6 Noe when they had gone throughtout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
We (I) must depend on the Holy Ghost for everything. The Holy Ghost will guide us , comfort us, send us, use us as we yield to HIS VOICE.
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. (Acts 16:14-15 ESV)
Lydia who was a worshipper of God.
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. (John 9:31 ESV)
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Multiple thoughts come to mind while reading this portion.
1) Don’t forget the enemy knows who God is, he knows His Power, that is why he is doing all he can do to distract us.
2) When Paul commanded the demon to flee, it was instantly when he left. We are called to be a church of the last days and need to be ready to pray at any moment. Not as Bro. Henderson said last night, “adding them to the prayer list” but pray for them in that moment.
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. (Acts of the Apostles 16:25 NLT)
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, for Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten and imprisoned for doing good, for Paul and Silas therefore were filled with joy and sang praises to the mighty lord Jesus Christ, for it seemed that no one could’ve distracted them from stopping them from praising God. For the prisoners were listening, for there was a strange sound that the prisoners never heard, for the prayers and praises that Paul and Silas were doing unto God in the mid nite in the midst of the brutal prison walls, for that the walls of the prison,for they never probably heard the such a sound like it!!! In Jesus Name Amen!!!!
Doors opened !!!! 25. And at midnight Paul and Si’-las prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. I am victorious through you Jesus !!!!