Acts 16:6 is the beginning of another panel (See the Sunday school outline). Paul is very clear it is God’s will for them not preach elsewhere but Macedonia. But when he arrives, there is not even a synagogue in Philippi. That means there are less than 10 Jewish families in Philippi. Then, they are thrown into a jail and being beaten. How could God’s plan end up like this? Wouldn’t we expect a massive conversion if it is God’s will for them to share the gospel in Europe but not in other place? But we now know the jailer and his family become Christian because of that. The Philippians Church is established and faithfully serving the Lord many years later (This is why we have Philippians in the Bible).
Our life is like a nine-innings baseball game. No matter how good or bad you play the first few innings, you cannot say it is a good or a bad game until the whole game is finished. We are too often rush into judgment about our life and about God without seeing our whole life has finished. I am sure that when I died and look at my whole life, many doubts and complaints I once have will be gone. I believe it will be a good game because we have a good God.
Mike
Have you ever thought of being in the jail just because you cast the evil spirit out from a salve girl (Acts 16:17-18)? What is even worse is the unrighteousness in the whole juridical process (Acts 16:37). Why does God allow so much sufferings for His servants? Obviously, as Mike mentioned the jailer and his family trust in the Lord, but I see more people came to the Lord. The fellow prisoners. The Scriptures do not say it. This is only my guest. The heard the praying and singing in jail from Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25). Who will pray and sing in the jail? If there is no such hardship on them how can the prisoners see the difference in the lives of Paul and Silas? God can send an angel and open the door for just Paul and Silas. No, He opens all the doors and everybody's chain came loose (Acts 16:26). I think they all believe in Paul and Silas' words and become Christian and therefore God help them all. Look! They did not run away but stay with Paul (Acts 16:28). I have a similar experience lately. One of my coworker makes all of us crazy. I was very stressed about that. However, I think this may be the chance that God gave me to show my difference in hardship. I want to show the faith of Paul and Silas in front of my fellow "prisoners," too.
Audrey
Our life is like a nine-innings baseball game. No matter how good or bad you play the first few innings, you cannot say it is a good or a bad game until the whole game is finished. We are too often rush into judgment about our life and about God without seeing our whole life has finished. I am sure that when I died and look at my whole life, many doubts and complaints I once have will be gone. I believe it will be a good game because we have a good God.
Mike
Have you ever thought of being in the jail just because you cast the evil spirit out from a salve girl (Acts 16:17-18)? What is even worse is the unrighteousness in the whole juridical process (Acts 16:37). Why does God allow so much sufferings for His servants? Obviously, as Mike mentioned the jailer and his family trust in the Lord, but I see more people came to the Lord. The fellow prisoners. The Scriptures do not say it. This is only my guest. The heard the praying and singing in jail from Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25). Who will pray and sing in the jail? If there is no such hardship on them how can the prisoners see the difference in the lives of Paul and Silas? God can send an angel and open the door for just Paul and Silas. No, He opens all the doors and everybody's chain came loose (Acts 16:26). I think they all believe in Paul and Silas' words and become Christian and therefore God help them all. Look! They did not run away but stay with Paul (Acts 16:28). I have a similar experience lately. One of my coworker makes all of us crazy. I was very stressed about that. However, I think this may be the chance that God gave me to show my difference in hardship. I want to show the faith of Paul and Silas in front of my fellow "prisoners," too.
Audrey
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