"Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Acts 16:28

I can't say how many times I've read Acts chpt 16, or how many times I've heard it preached. But as I meditate on it this morning, so many salient points strike my heart and remind me about the humility of the God we serve.

Paul was on a mission - To preach the gospel to the gentiles. who were rejected by the jews and not considered worthy to be saved. On this particular trip, we are introduced to Timothy, who later on in the new testament sets a great example for young adults whose desire is to live holy and serve God to the best of their ability. vs 1-5

We are also introduced to Lydia. A woman of no great repute who after getting saved opened up her home to Paul and Silas . Paul and Silas' journey originally wasn't taking them to their encounter with lydia. In fact it was only through a vision that Paul had....where he saw a man calling for help....that he switched course and this lead to the part that struck me the most.

As they were on their way to Lydia's, a woman possessed with an evil spirt troubled them; giving them unwanted attention and publicity. Now in our present day.....some people wont think that's such a bad thing. We live in a day where people love fame and publicity and where the expression reigns 'there is no such thing as bad publicity.' But not Paul and Silas......all Glory, all honor must be given the the Almighty God.

So like any good christian man, he dealt with the situation and cast the spirit out. Of course this was the beginning of sorrows. Now if I were Paul and Silas, and someone had told me what would've happened next, I wonder if I would have even bothered with that woman. Paul and Silas was unceremoniously beaten, striped of their clothes. strips were on their backs and they were thrown in jail. All innocently and not guilty in the least. How many of us in this day and age would after being treated like this, be in jail worshiping? I doubt many of us would be that humble.

Where I live at present, their is no dishwasher, washer or dryer or ac in the apartment. 2 years ago I wouldn't even dream of living in an apartment like this. But for all we've been through and the mercies of God in our lives. I can't say enough how much I enjoying living here despite how uncomfortable the heat and lack of funds has made it. But God has been so good I just can't complain. I even went to a town meeting for the residents of the complex and was amazed at the simple things the people were complaining about. Things that they themselves had in their power to change but were either too lazy or busy blaming someone else for their problems. When I consider how so many other people are living under the poverty line or struggling just to get something to eat. It could've easily been you or me. But His mercies endure for ever.........and we must seek those who are less fortunate and help them rather than complain about a dishwasher being broken and now we have to wash dishes manually.

The other prisoners were listening to Paul and Silas. People are always watching our attitudes and responses to situations in life. If we respond as they do.....what would make them want to serve the same God we do? We stomp our toes.....the words that fly out our mouths are foul......how different are we?? The words of our mouths show the condition of our hearts.

The earthquake shook the place and the jail cells were opened and when the jailer woke up and saw this, he knew he was better off dead than to tell his bosses the prisoners escaped. Instead, Paul cries out to him "Do yourself no harm, we are all here." This is probably the same person that helped beat him and put strips on his body.....he saved his life and the man was saved to serve a Mighty God.

I can't say how many times in my life I've had to forgive those who have wronged me. Some from so many years back and I'm still forgiving them whenever the thoughts of what they did haunt me. Some of them have become my really great friends and some dear people that I love. Only a few I'm never in contact with ...but its not an easy thing ...this thing we call forgiveness. But to move beyond forgiveness and care for someone that has hurt you and do what Paul and Silas did, that's compassion and love that only comes from God.

You are always vindicated by God when you do the right thing. In the end, the rulers that put Paul and Silas in jail wanted to quietly release them because of their innocence. Paul said Oh no.......you are not getting off that easy. You come down here, let everyone see you release me....which proves you were wicked and wrong.....and shows our innocence.

Lord help me to have such an attitude that even in the midst of despair and grave circumstances, we reflect your life in ours. Wise as Serpents....harmless as doves. Amen.