SIMPLE FAITH
14th Feb 2024
Acts 16 tells the account of Paul and Silas’ visit to Philippi. They are led to a prayer site on the river bank where a business woman, Lydia heard and believed Paul’s message and invited them to stay. Great joy, followed almost immediately by opposition.
A slave girl, possessed by a spirit that predicted the future, started following them, calling out, annoying them, and after several days Paul commanded the spirit to come out of her in the Name of Jesus, which it did, leaving her owners bereft of their money making business and resulting in a prison cell for Paul and Silas. Although beaten, chained and falsely accused, they are singing hymns to God at midnight, when an earthquake struck, releasing them.
The jailer thinking his charges have escaped is about to kill himself, but Paul assures him the prisoners are all still there. In The Message Acts 16:29-31, the jailer asks Paul, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” Pauls replies, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live - and everyone in your house included.”
As I read this account, it impacted me both in its simplicity and profoundness. Its connection with the Godhead restored and visible. Life with all its twists and turns, injustices, and yet able to sing praise to God. A dimension beyond human as Paul and Silas live in peace and show the reality of their God connection.
We are called to live in the same way - different circumstances, but divine connection, With Christ in you, you are able to talk, listen and receive wisdom, guidance and instruction.
Our friend Chrissie Chapman, a missionary in Burundi, met an old man alone in a refugee camp. He had lost everything, possessions, family, friends and was just barely alive. As she talked with him she discovered he was a Christian. As they spoke together he said these amazing words - “When Jesus is all you have got, you realise that Jesus is all you need.”
by Joyce Sibthorpe