Today's Passage - Acts 16:31-33

Acts 16:31-33   They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. When Paul and Silas were praising and worshiping in songs and prayers, God's glorious presence filled the jail cell.  God's ways are indeed beyond the human imagination, isn't it?  The prison is the humblest of places, yet God's glory filled that place.  When God's people praise and worship him, no matter where we are, whatever sin or evil spirit is there, God can free us from that bondage, and allow us to experience His presence.    I remember that once, our church invited a speaker from Argentina.  He said that while we were gathering at night in the church, there were 976 people who were praying fervently for us in Argentina. These people were all prisoners in Argentina, charged with serious crimes.  The speaker began to tell us how the Spirit of God was changing the prison cell and the prisoners, drawing their hearts towards God, such that these people were now mighty intercessors for God in prison.  We all thought that this was a strange story. Later on, a sister from the church went to visit this prison in Argentina, to minister to the prisoners there.  Instead, when she got there, she realized that the presence of God was so strong in the prisoners, she could hardly stand.  When we praise and worship God wholeheartedly, the Spirit of God can break all the chains of bondage.   That night when the prison doors were flung open, and everybody's chain came loose, none of the prisoners escaped.  This was because their hearts had already been set free and they recognized who the Lord of their lives was.  As such, the first thing the jailer said to Paul was, "What must I do to be saved?" Note that Paul said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." Besides caring for each individual's soul, God is also concerned about the salvation of the entire household.  God wants to pour out His grace through one person, to the people surrounding him.  This is God's promise.  God's salvation can come to the entire household through one person.  This is like the story of Noah in the Old Testament.  Because Noah pleased God, his entire household was saved.  On the other hand, this also represents a responsibility on our part.  God's grace does not automatically come to us.  We need to submit ourselves to God and allow Him to work in our lives.  Let us make a conscious effort, so that through us, our family members may see God's glory!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I pray you will bless every brother and sister, so that they may bring about the blessing of salvation to their entire household, and their whole family may know that you are real and experience your presence.   Through prayer, let us bring the souls of our entire family before you. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!