SINGING IN PRISON

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Read Acts 16:16–40

      At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 NKJV

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      One day on the way to the place of prayer a demon possessed girl followed Paul and Silas shouting "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved."
     Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the demon, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" (Acts 16:17-18) 

     This act of compassion for the girl resulted in a loss of profits for her owners, so they arrested and flogged Paul and Silas, threw them into prison, and fastened their feet in stocks.
     At midnight, as they were singing hymns, a violent earthquake caused the doors to open and everyone's chains to come loose. The frightened jailer cried out, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31)
     At that very hour of the night, Paul shared the gospel with the jailer's family and they believed and were baptized. After they left the prison, Paul and Silas  went to the house of Lydia, the "seller of purple" who had opened her home to believers.

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      Lord, Your chosen ones were in every place the apostles traveled: A city given over to demons, a cold dark prison, a women's prayer group by the river – all known to You from before the beginning of time. Thank You for including us in this vast multitude of believers.

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      So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:40 NKJV

COME HELP US

LYDIA OF PHILIPPI

Read Acts 16:6–15

     And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:9 NKJV

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      Paul, Silas and Timothy attempted to enter Asia on their second missionary journey, but the Holy Spirit prevented them, closing the door on their plans. That night, Paul had a vision as he slept, of a man pleading with him to come to Macedonia, so Paul changed his plans and took Silas and Timothy to Philippi. 

     When the three men arrived in Philippi, they stayed there for several days. On the Sabbath they went to the riverside where prayer was customarily made. What they found was not a man, as Paul saw in his vision, but a prayer meeting for women.

     One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. (16:14 NIV)

     Lydia opened both her heart and her home for the apostles to stay, planting a church at Philippi and beginning what would become a lighthouse of the gospel in Europe where many men and women came to faith in Christ.

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      Lord, how glad I am that You value the ministry of women like Lydia, Mary, Martha, and so many others who helped to start the early churches. May our homes be open and hospitable and lighthouses to our communities. Multiply our influence through our families.

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     When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." Acts 16:15 NKJV