February 6, 2025

As Paul traveled to spread the gospel of Jesus, he was warned by the Holy Spirit not to go to Asia. It doesn’t say he had a vision, so you have to wonder if it was a vision or if others had received the same warning and they collaborated. Whatever the case, they determined not to go there. While in Thyatira, they met a woman named Lydia who decided to trust in Jesus, and her whole household came to know him. While there, they went into the city to spread the word about Jesus, and this woman, a soothsayer who brought in a lot of money for her master, followed them around, calling them out.

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. Acts 15:17

That seemed like a good thing for her to say, but it was driving them crazy, so Paul cast out that demon from her, and her master lost all hope of any gain from her possession. Because of it, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. While in jail, they sang hymns and prayed, and suddenly, an earthquake shook the jail, and all the doors opened. The jailer was so fearful of what would happen if the prisoners escaped that he drew his sword to kill himself. Paul stopped him and told him they were all there; because of that, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. The jailer cleaned up their wounds, was baptized, and Paul and Silas were released. We will see that jailer in heaven. You can see from this story that no matter how bad our situation is, God can use it for good and to further His kingdom's purpose. Stand firm if you are going through a rough situation and wait it out; God can use it for His good.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:29-31