"SUDDENLY!"

Acts 16:25-26: Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! NLT

It's possible that I've used this title before but here it is again. Take time to read all of chapter 16 but the context of this is Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for disrupting the city by preaching the Gospel and having signs and wonders follow them. Verse 20 and 21 says: "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. "They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice."

In the midst of them sitting in prison they didn't start complaining, they didn't get depressed, instead they were praying and singing hymns to God while the other prisoners were listening. Here's the first lesson we can take from this. Even though the situation wasn't in their favor and it didn't seem fair, they kept praising God. I want to encourage you, and myself, that even when you're situation isn't in your favor or doesn't seem fair keep praising God. He's got it under control and He will make good of your circumstance. Also notice that the other prisoners were listening. Other people will listen to how you respond to both the positive and the negative things in your life.

As they were praising God, suddenly, there was an earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. The doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! There are some key words here. Suddenly, immediately, and every. As they were praising, suddenly there was a massive earthquake that shook the prison to its foundations. As they were praising, immediately the doors flew open. As they were praising, every prisoner had their chains fall off.

Some of you reading this may be at a very dark time in your life, it may seem like midnight but I encourage you to keep praising God. He will break through the darkness and there will be a suddenly in your life that will shake everything that's keeping you a prisoner down to its foundation! Immediately doors are going to fly open that you thought were sealed shut! And I believe that as this happens, everyone around you can be set free themselves just by simply witnessing your freedom.

Have a Paul and Silas moment and watch as, suddenly, the darkness is pierced, walls crumble, doors fly open, and even others are set free because of your testimony! God Bless! - Steve