They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

 Acts: 16:22-40

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Why?

One more time, Paul and Silas experienced the Holy Spirit working through them. Not only were they released, but also the jailer's household was baptized, and they were filled with joy because they had come to believe in God.

Even Paul and Silas suffered pain and were put in jail, but the Lord rescued them at night with an earthquake and opened the door of the Jail.

When we go through tough, worrisome situations and don't feel that God is with us, we can be assured that He's present with all those whom He loves and who love Him. May this knowledge of His certain presence bring us the comfort and hope we need today.

How?

Believe in Jesus and do the work of the Lord, and miracles and joy will come with us.

Panic in a cave; Do not quench the Spirit

 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

Acts 16:1-21

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 

Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.

Why?
Listening to the words of the Holy Spirit is more important than our own ideas for the gospel preaching.

Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit first, next take action for the Lord.

How?

No matter the beauty or suffering in serving the Lord, don't worry. God is my protector, and my way.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord

Psalm 31:1-24

Since you are my rock and my fortress,  for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,  for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit;   deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Why?

Pray to the Lord when I am in distress or weak with sorrow. 

Be strong and take heart, all I hope is in the Lord.

My God is my rock and my fortress. Praise to the Lord forever.

How?

Pray to the Lord with joy and peace and faith, for the Lord is merciful to me.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

 Psalm 30:1-12

I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever.

Why?

David knew the Lord's mercy endures forever, and God's anger lasts only a moment.

Dear Lord! I like to praise You like David, Be merciful to me, Lord, be my help!

How?

I will praise the Holy Name of the Lord forever.

worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness

 Psalm 29:1-11

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Why?

"Splendor of His holiness" refers to the majestic beauty and radiant purity of God's character, often described as awe-inspiring and worthy of worship. It emphasizes God's perfect moral character, His separateness from sin, and the divine glory that emanates from Him. This phrase, frequently found in Psalms, calls for believers to approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness as the foundation of worship. 

The Lord blesses his people with peace, so I have gotten this gift in my life. 

The Lord is the true God, and a living God forever!

How?

We should worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 

The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed on

 Psalm 28:1-9

Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Why?

The Lord is my strength and my shield. For I have experienced the love and mercy of the Lord, so I will remember the love and faith of the Lord, for I am a little one, but the Lord listened to my prayers.

How?

Honest trust in the Lord and show the witness of love of the Lord in my heart.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:1-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation—  whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—  of whom shall I be afraid?

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,  even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Why?

Time is in the hands of the Lord.

Who is the Lord: my light and my salvation, the stronghold of my life, so I won't be afraid.

The target of my life is to dwell in the house of the Lord all day of my life.

Teach me God's way, lead me in a straight path for my oppressors.

How?

Keep reading the word of the Lord and remind me and meditate on the word of the Lord.

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life;

 Psalm 26:1-12

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.

My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.

Why?

Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

 Psalm 25:1-22

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,  for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

Why?

Trust in the Lord will not be put to shame.

Pray to the Lord, show me ways and teach me my paths, guide me in God's truth, and teach me! All these are prayers of David, and they are also my prayers. 

God is my comforter, my savior, and guide, and I belong to the Lord.

My Lord won't put me to shame!

How?

Praise the Lord, give thanks to the Lord, and proclaim God's Holy Name forever, and obey God's command every day in my life.

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob

 Psalm24:1-10

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty,  the Lord mighty in battle.

Who is he, this King of glory?     The Lord Almighty—   he is the King of glory.

Why?

No one can stand in his holy place! Only those who seek the Lord and seek his face, God of Jacob.

The king of glory = The Lord Almighty, he is the King of glory.

This world belongs to the Lord; it is the Lord who created this world and founded on the seas and on the waters.

How?

How small are human beings? We are created, and our lives are in the hands of the Lord. When the time is up, we will fly away and disappear! Keep our short lives focused on searching for the Lord and God's way.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing ; Psalm 23

 Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,  he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Why?

God is my shepherd; I lack nothing. Everything I need, the Lord provides for me. And the Lord leads me in the right direction.

I do not fear, for the Lord is with me; I am not alone.

Even before my enemies, my Lord protects me and prepares the table before me to watch what will happen.

How?
I don't fear anything or worry about any situation, for the Lord is my way, my salvation, and my guidance. I lack nothing, and I am satisfied with what the Lord has given to me.

No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother; Philemon

 Philemon 1:1-25

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus(helpful), who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me, but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Why?

Paul wrote this letter to the Philemon church and hopes that Philemon comes to their church. Philemon was a slave before and served Paul, but now he is a Christian, their brother, so Paul wrote this letter to treat Philemon like their brother.

How?

We treat anyone as we would treat our brothers, with love and joy and peace. 

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

 Galatians 6:11-18 

The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

Why?

Paul explained the real meaning of the cross of Christ, for mercy, love, and salvation of the Lor,d we may connect with the Lord. So neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. Through believing in Jesus Christ, we are new creations.

How?

This is our salvation and the real meaning to every Christian. We are free, free from the sins and free from the Laws. But follow the word of the Lord with love and peace and joy.

Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Why?

Everyone has their burden, so what we have to do is fulfill the law of Christ, the way is to carry each other's burden, even under our temptation.

We should share all good things with our instructor, for they spent time and effort to instruct in the word of the Lord.

Doing good does not weary, for we will reap a harvest in the time of the Lord.

How?

Let us do good to all people, no matter who he is, and especially to the family of believers.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

 Galatians 5:15-24

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Why?

We belong to Jesus, so we should walk by the Spirit. After Jesus went back to heaven, He gave us the Spirit, so we do not belong to the Law.

The fruits of our actions can identify whether we are following, is by the Spirit or the Laws can be identified by our behavior.

How?

Do my best to live out the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love

 Galatians 5:2-14

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 

Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself".

Why?

We are free when we obey the commands of Jesus. Circumcision comes from the Laws, but the Laws can not release us from sins, only through faith and love, and humble ourselves to serve one another. This is the true value in our life, and this is our way to go.

How?

Thanks, Jesus, give us this salvation and free us from sins. And Paul reminds us not to use our freedom to indulge the flesh.

We are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman

Galatians 4:8-5:1

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[ Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Why?

Paul described the reason why we are free from the Laws, and not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

We are free and not constrained by the laws but live out the laws with love and righteousness.

How?

We can do anything if it is good to us and good to the Lord, and good to others. And we know not to do something unreasonable or shameful.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith

Galatians 3:15-4:7 

The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Why?

Paul clearly described the relationship between the laws and the promise of the Lord to Abraham.

We were temporarily under the law as slaves, then we accepted Jesus Christ, and we can be released from slaves to sons of the Lord if we trust in Jesus.

How?

All of us are under the Law as slaves, until Christ came that we might be justified by faith; this is the good news to everyone. This is the Gospel in our churches and every Christian.

The righteous will live by faith

 Galatians 3:1-14

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”

Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Why?

No one can be saved by work or by the Laws but by faith only. All of us can be sons of the Lord, for we received the Spirit and not by the work of the law.

I was first believed, then gradually came to know the words of the Lord, then through faith to Jesus Christ erased my sins. So all of us can be sons of the Lord.

This is the grace of the Lord that came upon us.

How?

I was a sinner before I trust in Jesus Christ and my mission in this world is to honor the Holy name of the Lord and let more people know the grace of the Lord!