TOPIC: IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
MEMORISE: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15
BIBLE READING: ACTS 16:25-34
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.
MESSAGE:
The early disciples did not wait for perfect conditions; they shared the gospel wherever they found themselves, whether in marketplaces, prisons, their neighbourhoods, et cetera. They understood that the gospel is meant for the whole world.
Today’s Bible reading tells us that Paul and Silas were in prison, yet they praised God. Instead of complaining, they worshipped God, and their faith led to a miracle- the prison doors opened and the jailer gave his life to Christ.
This shows clearly that God can use any situation to win souls into His Kingdom.
My dear child, you don’t need a microphone or a pulpit to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A kind word, a simple prayer, or a testimony of how God has helped you can touch someone’s heart in unexpected places and moments.
Sometimes, the people we think will have most opposition to the gospel are the ones who are the most touched by it.
Many people are in search of hope, and you are one of those whom God is counting on to spread it.
I pray that wherever you go, you will be bold to share the gospel of Christ, which brings hope, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT: Evangelize everywhere and every day.
HYMN 20: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
- Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
- Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]
- Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: MARK 13:14-37, DEUTERONOMY 14-16
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye