Happy Friday! Sometimes we see a situation from one angle, but if we readjust our position or refocus our eyes we can see so much more. Join me today as we look at the hidden piece. Enjoy today’s devotion and prayer.

Bible verse

“¹⁹ Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. ²⁰ “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. ²¹ “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”

²² A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. ²³ They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. ²⁴ So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.” – Acts 16:19-24 NLT

Key Points

• The little girl was no longer in bondage to the demon and her masters (captures) could no longer make money off her.
• It wasn’t against the law to have a religion in Roman colonies, but it was against the law to convert or attempt to convert Roman citizens.

Reflection

Paul and Silas were on a mission for God. They had great success in many places, but in this one place at this particular moment in these verses it appears they are being challenged even to the point of being unlawfully beaten and then imprisoned.

Sisters and brothers, God didn’t rescue them from the chaos, the beaten, or the initial imprisonment, but God did not forget them or what He purposed them to do.

We may ask why must we go through things that are uncomfortable, unjustice, painful, and leave us feeling like we are in despair. Yet, we know the power of the living God – the Alpha and the Omega, we know Jesus Christ – our Savior and Redeemer, and we know the Holy Spirit who leads, comforts, and empowers. There is nothing that we have or will go through that God cannot see us through and use for His glory. God will take the brokenness of our past and our current struggles and use them for His good. God is working in the midst of our current situation.

See we can focus on what happened to Paul and Silas, but the real focus should be on the little girl who was once bound and is now set free. She was bound by a demon and now she is free to serve God, because of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul and Silas’ trip wasn’t in vain – that little girl was set free in Jesus name.

• Do you need to be set free?
• Do you know someone who needs to be set free?

Sisters and brothers, trust God in the midst of what appears to be a dark time. Remember, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Keep praying for those who are captive to be set free in Jesus name.

Prayer

Father God we thank you for your amazing grace. We thank you for your unchanging hand. Lord, forgive us for the times when we have complained instead of prayed. Forgive us for the times when we were so caught up in our own situation(s), that we failed to see what you have done and lost hope in what you can do. Lord, we know you are our only hope. Lord, we know you are our deliverer and peace. Lord, we do not want to be deaf, blind, or mute to what you are doing in this world or within our lives. Lord equip us and strengthen us to move forward in the name of Jesus. Lord, we press on in Your mighty name doing and being what You called us to. Lord, be with us all this day and throughout the weekend. Let people see you in us. In Jesus mighty name we pray, amen.

Events

Information on our November 14, 2020 Women’s Retreat is posted. For more information on upcoming events, visit our events page:  https://maryewhiteministries.com/events/

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