At Midnight

Paul and Silas Imprisoned
Acts 16:16–26 (NKJV)

Before there was a midnight praise, there was first a daytime beating.

Paul and Silas were not in that prison because they had failed God.

They were there because they had obeyed Him.

They delivered a young woman from demonic bondage, and instead of celebration they were accused.

Instead of honor they were humiliated.

Instead of gratitude they were beaten.

Scripture says they were thrown into the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks. Not the front cell. Not the holding room. The inner prison. The deepest place. The darkest place. The place designed to break a man’s spirit.

Their backs were bleeding.

Their bodies were bruised.

Their future was uncertain.

And then Scripture introduces one of the most poignant phrases in the entire Bible:

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

Midnight.

Not morning.

Not when the sun came up.

Not when the pain subsided.

Midnight is the hour when strength is gone.

It is when the body is tired and the mind is heavy.

It is when doubts grow loud and hope feels thin.

Midnight is when most people grow quiet.

But Paul and Silas did the opposite.

They did not wait for the chains to fall before they praised God.

They praised God while the chains were still on them.

They prayed while shackled.

They sang while wounded.

They worshiped in the very environment meant to silence them.

Public Enemy Number One...

If you are facing heavy spiritual attacks right now discouragement, temptation, chaos - take it as a compliment. A thief doesn't break into an empty house; he only targets a house that has treasure inside.

​The enemy is attacking you because he sees the value of what God has placed in you. He knows that if you keep going, you are going to do damage to his kingdom. He is trying to stop you now because he is terrified of who you are becoming.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)
Provided by "Devine Insight"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Though you may not understand how, I am loving you and I am working in your life. Sometimes My ways are a mystery, but My Love for you is not. It is always perfect and always yours. Rest in this wonderful Love. Rather than trying to control things or think through your problems, close your eyes. Curl up in My Presence. Take a deep breath and let My Love surround you."

"I will look to the Lord for help. I will wait for God to save me. My God will hear me." - Micah 7:7

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Expect troubles - they are just part of living in this world. Stop trying to figure out a way to avoid every problem. An easy life is not the answer. An easy life tricks you into forgetting that you need Me. But everyone needs Me. When you come to Me for help - when you depend on Me - I give you the power to live above your problems. But don’t just expect troubles; expect the impossible too. There will be times when you have no idea what to do, when you can’t possibly handle the situation you’re facing. Don’t try to run away from this situation. It’s actually the best place to find Me in all My Power and Glory." - "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"It’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to be weak. I understand how difficult things have been. I don’t want to judge you. I just want to wrap you up in My everlasting arms and let you rest. Forget about the world, forget the things you need to do, forget the pressures - just come to Me and rest."

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

- Isaiah 42:3 (NIV)

- "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

How Your Thought Life Affects Your Peace

If we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us aren’t who or what we think we are. Our thinking is marred at best, off-track, and in most cases, needs to be changed.

How do I know this to be true? Aside from my experience pastoring so many through the years, God’s Word calls us to a “renewal” of our minds. That means trading in our old perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and self-centered attitudes for a new set of perceptions, opinions, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes that God develops in us. These godly responses are nurtured by regular reading of Scripture and meditating on what’s been read in the Bible. Christ’s followers are urged to avoid being “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Out of a renewal of our thinking comes a change in our speech patterns and our behaviors. As our speech and behavior become renewed, our relationships with others become renewed. And as our relationships become renewed, our immediate world is renewed as well. It all begins in the mind with what we choose to think and what we choose to dwell upon.

You have the ability to determine what you’ll think. At any time, you can refocus your mind to a new topic, task, or problem to solve instead of negative thinking that will steal your peace and/or cause you to venture into rebellion or sin. You have the ability to say, “I choose to trust God,” in any situation you face or thought you have.

Furthermore, any child of God who takes a willful stand against thought patterns that clearly are harmful is going to be provided a way of escape from that circumstance. God will help you focus your mind on something other than your problem or bad thought pattern if you will make the initial step in His direction. 

When you guard your mind, you guard your peace. When you offer prayers to God with faith and thanksgiving - no matter what trials you face - He assures you inner peace (Philippians 4:6-7). And when you focus your thinking on what’s true, noble, virtuous, lovely, pure, and praiseworthy, you rely upon God with increasing faith and trust. 

You can never fully exhaust your ability to think about the goodness and greatness of God. Choose to respond to life the way Jesus responded. Guard your prayer life. Guard your thought life. Seek the Father and all that’s godly. His Word promises that when you fill your mind with what is virtuous and praiseworthy, “the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

- Dr. Charles F. Stanley

(Excerpt from reading plan “Finding Peace" [Day 13])

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I am training you to be an overcomer - to find Joy in the midst of circumstances that previously would have defeated you. Your ability to transcend trouble is based on this rock-solid fact: I have overcome the world; I have already won the ultimate victory! Nonetheless, as I taught, you will have trouble in this world. So expect to encounter many difficulties as you journey through life. You inhabit a planet that is always at war, and the enemy of your soul never rests. But don’t be afraid, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. This is good reason to rejoice!" - "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Learn to live from a place of resting in Me. Since I - the Prince of Peace - am both with and within you, you can choose to live from this peaceful place of union with Me. This enables you to stay calm in the midst of stressful situations, by re-centering yourself in Me. We can deal with your problems together - you and I - so there is no need to panic. However, the more difficult your circumstances, the more tempting it is for you to shift into high gear and forget My peaceful Presence."

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." - Proverbs 18:10 (NKJV)

- "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Deliverance Is Coming

Scripture:
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. - Philippians 1:18b-19 

Reflect:

Why can Christians have hope and rejoice despite their circumstances?

 

Have you ever watched a believer suffer in a way that amazed you? Despite their circumstances, they seemed full of joy and peace. What was their secret? How were they able to rejoice even in the midst of great suffering? In today’s passage, Paul says that he will still rejoice, and he shares the “secret” to his continual joy.

First, Paul mentions the prayers of the Philippians. He was counting on the prayers of his friends. When you know that your brothers and sisters in Christ are lifting you up in prayer, there is a peace that just flows through you. After all, people are petitioning the God of the universe on your behalf. Paul knew that there was power in the prayers of his friends and this gave him confidence.

Second, Paul says that he knows that the Holy Spirit will help him. The NASB translates the word “help” as “provision.” Paul had complete confidence that the Holy Spirit was going to provide for him. He would supply Paul with everything he needs to persevere and endure the trial. Paul knew that he wasn’t on his own here. He didn’t have to survive this in his own power. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was on his side!

Finally, Paul knew that no matter what occurred, he was going to be delivered from his current suffering. Does that mean Paul knew he was going to be released from prison? Did he think that God was going to spare him from being executed? Not necessarily. Paul did not know if he was going to make it through this alive. And yet he was confident that he would be delivered or saved.

In Christ, we are promised deliverance. Not necessarily from the trial but through the trial. If we are in Christ, we can have absolute assurance that ultimately, we will be saved. Even if we die, we will live forever with Him. No matter what you are going through, no matter how you are suffering, you can rejoice. Your ultimate hope does not depend on God getting you out of whatever pickle you find yourself in. Your ultimate hope is that God will bring you through this life and deliver you to life everlasting. And while you’re here you are not alone. You are being prayed for and the Holy Spirit is your Helper. This will turn out for your deliverance! Yes, you can rejoice!

 

Prayer:

Lord, no matter what, I know that I can rejoice. You are with me, You are sustaining and providing for me, and You will deliver me and bring me Home one day. Thank You for this blessed assurance. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Prayer: Facing Troubles In This World

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Hold tightly to My hand - by talking to Me, by reading My Word, by praising Me. I will not only help you face your troubles, but you will grow stronger because you have faced them. There will be times when you feel tired and weak. Don’t think this means I’m unhappy with you. It’s simply part of living in this broken world. Remember that you are not alone. I am always with you."

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me."  - Psalm 138:7

- "Jesus Today for Kids" by Sarah Young

God Is Surrounding What's Surrounding You

My brother was thirteen years old when a band of bullies on bikes encircled him like buzzards taunting their prey. He was outmanned and outnumbered. I thought it was the end. But then my dad pulled up in his Pontiac. He didn’t even get out of the car, but simply rolled down the window and gave a look that said, “I dare you.” The bullies scattered like mice when the lights came on.

Prayer

As we pray for ourselves and the ones we love, it’s easy to think the spiritual forces surrounding us are too strong to defeat, too shrewd to outsmart, or too slippery to take hold of. The prophet Elisha’s servant felt the same way.

In 2 Kings, Elisha was really getting on the king of Aram’s nerves. Every time the Arameans planned to attack the Israelites, Elisha prophetically told the Israelites where and when the assault would occur, which led to Aram’s defeat. Here’s how the story goes:

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 

Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (2 Kings 6:11–15 NIV)

Difficult Circumstances
I’ve felt like this before. Haven’t you? Difficult circumstances press in from every side. My story looms large while I shrink small. I cry, “This is too much for me! I can’t do this anymore. I don’t even want to go out of my house. I can’t face another day! Where are You, God? You promised You would never leave me or forsake me, but I don’t sense Your presence. And if You are here, why aren’t You doing anything? I want out of this story!”

Honest. Raw. Somewhat embarrassing to admit. We wake up in the mornings and sense the enemies all around us - surrounded by problems that we cannot solve and people we cannot control.

Elisha’s servant’s faith was as flimsy as the tent flaps he was standing behind, but Elisha was as strong as the tent peg anchoring it to the ground.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16–17 NIV)

God’s warring angels were surrounding the enemies who surrounded them.

Angels

Here’s a truth for you to hang on to today: Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Elisha knew there was more power and strength in the unseen reality of the heavenly host than in the seen reality of the enemy’s army. 

Notice that the passage doesn’t say Elisha prayed that God would send an army. The warring angels on chariots of fire were already there. He simply prayed that the servant would be allowed to see them.

Surrounding Us

Even though we may never see God’s warring angels surrounding what’s surrounding us, we can trust they are there. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 NIV). Always.

- Sharon Jaynes
Provided by "Jesus Calling"

Meme: Lay it Down

Quote: Pastor Steven Furtick

Meme: God Makes A Way Through Our Problems

Quote: Oswald Chambers