Internal Divisions – Day 1

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. – 1 Corinthians 3:1-9


Most of us like to believe we’re more mature than we actually are. Like the time you told your parents you were so ready to drive – at age 13! At times like that, we need a reality check, which is exactly what Paul gave the Corinthians here. For all their lofty opinions of themselves, Paul told them we couldn’t teach them the really deep parts of the faith because they wouldn’t get it. In effect he said, “Telling you deep things is like trying to explain Physics to an eight-year-old; you just aren’t mature enough to understand it.” The Corinthians were capable of maturing so they could hear those things; they just thought they were already mature when they really weren’t. That kind of pride is costly.

Take an honest inventory of your spiritual life. Are you an infant or are you growing steadily?

Ask God to help you grow day by day so you won’t miss out on anything you’re supposed to learn.

Week 34 – Internal Divisions: First Letter to the Corinthians

Memory Verse

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.’” – Romans 12:6


Have you ever felt betrayed – like when you found your best friend was talking behind your back? It’s worse – much worse – than finding out your worst enemy is trashing you. We expect that kind of treatment from our enemies but not from our friends. As Christians I believe we’re ready to fight spiritual forces that are set against us and even people who don’t believe in Christ. But it’s a shock to realize you’ll often end up fighting other people in your church.

Paul experienced this firsthand. While on his third missionary journey, in Ephesus, Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. After wading through angry mobs of pagans in town after town, Paul found out that the believers in Corinth were fighting amongst themselves. The same thing happens today. Almost all of us know of a church that’s split over some trivial matter like the color of the carpet. What’s going on? Satan will never fight fair. If he can sabotage churches, then he’s more than willing to do so.

This wee we’ll look at some internal problems that cropped up in the New Testament Church and see how God wants us to deal with them today. Any conflict can be defeated when we allow Christ and his truth – not our prideful opinions – to be our guide.

A Night’s Vision – Day 5

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:1


At one time this was a confusing verse to me. How can grace make you strong? If I need grace, then doesn’t that mean I need help? So how can needing help make me strong? Paul wasn’t protected because he worked harder or was holier than others. He was protected because God loved him. We don’t need to be strong in our own abilities, but rather strong in God’s amazing and unfailing love for us. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, if you’re a believer, then you can be strong in God’s grace instead of trying to do things on your own. And I guarantee it’s easier to live in the grace of God than trying to live life solo.

What would it look like for you to be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ?

Ask God for help to live in his grace and not in our own abilities.

A Night’s Vision – Day 4

So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. – Acts 18:11

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. - Acts 19:10

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. - Acts 20:31


Paul was no fly-by-night preacher. He knew that in order to have an effective ministry, he couldn’t just preach a sermon and expect that to fix all the problems. So he stayed in certain towns for months and even years. But the real fruits of his labors were the churches that lasted for decades and centuries. Sometimes the hard part of ministry is sticking with it. The temptation to quit may not come from a physical threat, but with the day-to-day exhaustion of keeping up. The courageous thing is to keep going. And courage sometimes means refusing to quit and seeing God’s will through to the end.

Have you ever just wanted to quit being faithful?

How can the results of Paul’s ministry encourage you to persevere?

Ask God for strength to continue when you have no strength left.

A Night’s Vision – Day 3

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD , the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1: 1-9


Imagine you’ve just been handed the leadership over a million people. Now you’re about to go start a war with 10 other nations, and you have no idea what you’re doing. No pressure, right? No wonder God gave this advice to young Joshua: Don’t fear!

Since we’re being asked to do something we can’t do on our own, having faith and moving forward are always accompanied by at least some fear. But we can never let fear keep us from being faithful. This is courage: Choosing to obey even when we’re uncertain. Following Christ demands courage even if you have a little less responsibility than Joshua did. No one said this would be easy, but God promises to be with us every step of the way.

God gives Joshua two commands and a promise in this passage. What are they?

How are you obeying these same commands that were given to Joshua?

A Night’s Vision – Day 2

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 9:23-24


Strength and confidence come from many places. Some people are confident because they’re popular, wealthy, or talented. But none of these things is stable enough to be relied upon. We need to always be on guard against false pride. We may feel we’re walking tall with God, but where does that confidence come from? It is because we really know God or because we simply look good to others? In order to walk in courage and humility, we must develop a real relationship with God, not just go through the motions. Any other type of confidence will ultimately fail us. Remember, there’s nothing more important than your personal walk with God.

Where does your confidence come from?

How can you gain real confidence?

What do you learn about God from this passage?

Spend some time talking to God about these attributes.

A Night’s Vision – Day 1

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. - Acts 18:9-17


Paul wasn’t paranoid; people really were trying to kill him. It’s one thing to tell others about Jesus. It’s quite another to tell people about God when they might want to kill you afterward. God reassured Paul that he’d be protected. God kept his promise. When the Jews tried to get Paul beaten by the Romans, the Romans didn’t find him guilty. In fact the only one who was beaten that day was one of Paul’s accusers. God promises in Scripture to help us stand firm in the face of opposition. This passage proves that as we obey God, God will do what God promises.

What are some areas of your life in which you’re tempted to back down from doing what you know you need to do?

Which of God’s promises do you rely on to avoid these temptations? Write them here – or find some in Scripture.

Week 33 – A Night’s Vision: Paul in Corinth

Memory Verse

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision; ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and hard you, because I have many people in this city.’” – Acts 18: 9-10


While I was on a mission trip to Mexico, some policeman rounded up a bunch of guys in our worship service and led them outside – they walked right past me. One policeman told me they were some local gang members causing trouble. I asked if they could stay, but I was ignored. Too bad, I thought. I wish they could have heard the gospel. Suddenly I felt God leading me to tell these guys about Jesus. My response to God was that talking to gang members was not my spiritual gift. God didn’t buy it. So, scared to death, I went to the parking lot to chase down 12 gang members and tell them about Christ.

My situation was a cakewalk compared to what Paul endured. As he traveled on his missionary journeys, people routinely wanted to kill him. This always makes me wonder if Paul ever got scared. The answer must be “yes,” since in Acts 18 Paul received a special vision from God reminding Paul that God would always be with him. Armed with that confidence, Paul never wavered as he preached and taught.

God may ask us to do things that are frightening, but he’ll always be with us. And while our fear may not go away completely, we can have faith in God that he won’t let us down. This week we’ll look at how to find courage in the midst of difficult ministry moments.

The Unknown God – Day 5

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5


Have you ever started witnessing to someone only to find yourself in a religious debate? It’s frustrating and typically unproductive. We can usually avoid this kind of scene it we stay focused. It not, then we’ll end up talking to people about the problems and consequences or sin without ever getting to the core issue: Their need for Christ. Confronting someone who cheats on his tests without addressing the need for Christ isn’t enough; you point out sin (cheating) but won’t cure the illness (sin nature).

Don’t get sidetracked by secondary issues; instead, make sure the focus is on Jesus. His death on the cross is the answer for all of us. Let Jesus deal with all the issues in his time. We need to stay focused on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

When you talk to others about Jesus, do you talk more about his rules or his salvation?

Ask Jesus to help you focus on him as you tell others about him today.

The Unknown God – Day 4

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:11-12


Saint Francis once said, “Preach the Gospel; use words if necessary.” When we reach out to those who don’t know God, the first thing they evaluate is our behavior. In fact some may not even listen to our words until our behavior proves that we’re different. Not everyone understands theology; but everyone can see that you’re different when you love at times when other would hate, give at times when others would take, and pray at times when others would curse. Practical acts of love and service are surefire ways of opening doors to tell others why you live the way you live. Does it take longer? Sure, but it works.

Does your lifestyle help or hurt your ability to share the gospel with others?

How can you live today in a way that preaches the gospel without words?

The Unknown God – Day 3

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' - Acts 17:24-28


“But they’re not going to listen to me!” How many times has this excuse kept you form sharing Christ with others? In this passage Paul is talking to people who are the complete opposite of the God-fearing Jews in the synagogue. Paul is confident that they’ll listen because although they’re different, they’re also human. God has put a longing within every person to seek God. Deep down everyone knows we’re made to be more than mere mortals. So even though people look and sound different, God knows what’s going on in their hearts. No matter whom you’re talking to, you can always bank on this: Although they may not look like it, they may never tell you, and they may not even understand it themselves, everyone you know has a longing for God.

How does this knowledge change how you interpret the reactions of those you share Christ with?

Spend some time thinking about how your non-Christian friends are actually seeking eternal things – whether they know it or not.

The Unknown God – Day 2

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23


You can never put Paul in a box. As soon as you think you have him figured out, he’ll surprise you. Why? Paul didn’t think of himself all that much. Instead, he thought about the people who needed Christ and how best to reach them. He knew that one approach wouldn’t reach everyone, so he decided to keep changing his approach to reach as many as possible. Reaching out means that we start with others, not ourselves. It means you ask yourself, How can I explain Christ in a way they can hear and understand? The answer will most likely be different for almost everyone you meet. But you’ll also find you have a better audience for your message.

Are you willing to go into someone else’s world in order to share the gospel with them – or do you ask them to come into yours?

What would you look like if you became “all things to all people”?

The Unknown God, Day 1

Acts 17:16-34

In Athens
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.


How do you talk to people who don't even have a basic, foundational starting point for the God you want to talk about? One idea is to find something they do know and start from there. Witnessing isn't just about spouting recited lines to non-Christians. You can't ask people if they want to be "washed in the blood of the Lamb" if they don't know what you're talking about. They might believe you're a psychotic sheep rancher. Loving people means understanding them first and then explaining the love of Jesus in a way they can grasp. We must start where they are, not where we are. In today's verses Paul did that. He found some men who were very receptive. Before you start witnessing to people, find out more about them. Who are they? What are they like? It can make all the difference.

How would you begin to share Christ with someone who's never been to church?

Write out your testimony without using any church language (in other words, without using terms a non-Christian wouldn't understand).

The Unknown God: Paul in Athens

Memory Verse

"For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)


Introduction

Imagine you get a chance to travel back in time and explore your favorite period of history. It sounds great at first, but then try explaining your world to the people living in that time. How would you describe electricity to someone from the Middle Ages? Those people would have a hard time understanding you because they have no frame of reference. Since they've never even imagined some of the things you're describing, they'd probably give you some funny looks.

In Acts 17:16-34 Paul found himself in a similar situation as he tried to explain Christ to the people in Athens, who had no frame of reference for a resurrected Messiah. While some people thought Paul was crazy, Paul got through to the Athenians by finding out what they knew and starting from there.

Witnessing to people isn't easy; but if we love them, then we'll do our best to paint a clear picture for them. There are people around you who have no idea what a personal relationship with Jesus is--or how to have one. And you may be the only person they know who can tell them. What will you say? Like Paul, this week we're going to figure out a game plan so we can meet people where they are and take the gospel to those who may have never heard Jesus' name.

A Unified Church – Day 5

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:1-6


One of the reasons it’s so hard to be unified with other believers is that we seem to be so different – different churches, different personalities, and even different opinions on minor issues. So how can we expect to get along? Paul reminds the Ephesians that while they have a lot of differences, they also share a lot of similarities, which are much greater than their differences. We all have the same God, we were baptized into the same body of believers, and we have the same Holy Spirit. No matter who we are or what church we attend, if we’re Christians, then we’re all saved the same way: By the grace of God. No one deserves to be here more than anyone else because we all came through the same door. Once we recognize this fact, it’s a lot harder to put up walls between us because, at our cores, we’re all the same where it really counts: We’re children of God.

What are some of the things that divide you from other believers?

Are they valid reasons for not being unified?

A Unified Church – Day 4

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." – Revelation 7:9-10


Some people from certain denominations believe they’ll be the only people in heaven; but I have a feeling heaven will be a little more crowded than they expect. God’s plan is for unity among all believers, but how do we unify all the different denominations? It’s a lot of work to maintain unity in just one church, much less all churches. Is it really that big a deal? In this passage, we see the end of time. Here’s a picture of the Church as God intends it to be, with believers from all over the world united and praising God together. If this is the plan, then we should already be working on our small part of that unity, as best we can.

Begin thinking about what it will look like for all of is to finally be worshipping together in heaven.

What’s preventing you from working with other believers from other denominations?

A Unified Church – Day 3

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” - John 17:20-23


How’s this for a startling statement: Jesus prayed that, as believers, we’d have the same kind of unity that exists in God himself. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet still one God. It’s a mystery, to be sure, but that’s the model for how unified he wants us to be. If we’re able to live in that kind of unity, then it shows people that something supernatural is present. Disunity is natural – even expected (kind of like how you and your siblings sometimes get on each other’s nerves). So imagine how stunned people would be if Christians all lived in unity. It’s possible through Christ, but only if we’re willing.

If you feel you’re not living in unity with other believers, then what’s holding you back?

What are you doing to clear away the obstacles?

Ask God to enable you to overcome anything that would keep you from having this kind of intimacy with others.

A Unified Church – Day 2

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:5-11


I like my life. More to the point, I like how I live my life: However I want to. But when you have a family or live with other people, you find out very quickly that you have to make some changes if everyone is going to get along. Compromise is necessary to make life work in community. Jesus thought it was worth the price. See all the things he had to do to bring us into the family? But he believed it was worth laying aside his glory – just for us. If Jesus was willing to do all of that for us, then we need to be willing to make sacrifices for others. It’s not always easy (it certainly wasn’t for Jesus), but it does bring about new life.

What areas of your life will you have to change in order to live in unity with other believers? Are you willing to make those sacrifices?

Ask God to show you how to do that through his power – not your own.

A Unified Church – Day 1

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:1-4


Being one in purpose isn’t the easiest thing to do. Most of us would prefer that everyone else agree with us. But Paul didn’t just command the Philippians to be unified; he also told them their unity was a sign that they’d been changed. Like the Philippians, we were unable to experience true unity until Christ changed us. And now our unity is one of the signs that Jesus is moving in us. If we can’t be unified with other believers, then our spirituality is in question. But if we’ve truly experienced Christ, then we should also be changed.

How do you interact with other believers? Can you get along with other Christians?

Is working with other believers a priority for you? The Holy Spirit will help you when this is hard.

Think on all the things mentioned in verse 1 and thank Christ for those gifts. Then pray God would show you how to share those gifts with other believers today.

Week 30 – A Unified Church: Letter to the Philippians

Memory Verse

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3


It challenges me anytime I see a large group of people coming together for a common purpose. When this happens, it shows that something is more important than their differences – something that transcends personal ambitions.

God is trying to build that same spirit of unity in us. One of the things Paul stressed in the prison epistles of Philippians and Ephesians is the unity of the church. But how do such different people act in concert? By imitating Christ and following the example he set. What an incredible unified body we’d be if everyone in the church were to follow this example. One day this will be a reality, and we’re all going to see it. But until then, God is busy building that unity among us.

We’re going to take a look at the unity of the church and discover that God truly desires for us to put aside our differences and come together as one universal Church. It’s going to require some changes on all our parts. But the result will be a sight that will do more than simply confound divisive politicians; it will change the whole world.

Singing in Jail – Day 5

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 everybody'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!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" - Acts 16:25-30


Just as God never fails to use our trials for good, God also uses our responses to turn a bad situation into a good one. The effect of Paul and Silas’ responses to their torture was so stunning that even when the prison doors flew open, the other prisoners refused to leave. Imagine that! They’d rather stay in jail with the people who could find joy in a prison cell than return to their lives outside their cells. The jailer was so moved by what he saw that he became a Christian moments later. Our trials aren’t just about us. When we see that God is using our trials to help others, it can give us the confidence to continue trusting God even though the pain is still real.

Ask God to show you how he’s used your reactions to problems and trials to help others.

Try to look beyond your own pain and see how God can use you in the midst of it.

Singing in Jail – Day 4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. - James 1:2-4


This is one of those verses that most of us just don’t get. Why would anyone rejoice over hard times? James wasn’t some sadistic person who thought we should enjoy pain. Instead, he reminds us to look beyond our circumstances to the fact that God is always using our problems for our ultimate good. Knowing that our struggles aren’t in vain helps us to endure them a little easier. In fact this knowledge becomes a huge source of encouragement when we’re hurting. Remember, nothing that happens to you is wasted. Even if Satan intends it for evil, God will turn it around for good. This bit of truth can’t stop your pain, but it can help you find joy in spite of your pain.

How has God used past hurts to help you know?

Thank God for being present in the midst of your trials and for using them in ways you can’t see…yet.

Singing in Jail – Day 3

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1: 8-11


If Paul had times in his life that made him think he was going to die, then I’m sure we’ll have our own share of difficult days as well. Think about it: Paul was very close to God, but he still had moments in which he wondered what was going on. When you face harsh circumstances, it’s normal to be afraid, to wonder where God is, and to hate the pain. But you still get to choose how you respond. Paul saw the bigger picture; he didn’t need to rely on his own power – but on God’s – to get through trials. It’s easy to try to manage on our own, but God asks us to have faith in him, even in – especially in – the midst of our pain.

Think through your latest trial and note how you responded. Did you rely on God’s power or your own?

Ask God to show you how to respond like Paul in the midst of pain.

Singing in Jail – Day 2

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7


Never forget this message from verse 3: Our God is the God of all comfort. No matter how you feel, this is God’s nature; God longs to help us and to comfort us when we’re hurting. Sometimes that help doesn’t come in the way we want, but that doesn’t change God’s nature. When you go to God for help, God will provide. Period. But note that Gods wants to comfort us so we can then comfort others. When we’ve been through a rough time and find peace in the midst of strife, we’re able to go to others who are still in the midst of the fight and show them they can survive with God’s help – just like we did. When we do this, it causes us to love those who are hurting. As we comfort others, we’re becoming more like Christ.

How has God been the God of all comfort to you?

How can you help those who are going through struggles similar to yours?

Singing in Jail – Day 1

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

When the owners of the slave girl 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."

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

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 everybody'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!"

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 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." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family 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 family. – Acts 16: 16-34


They did what? How in the world do you find the ability to sing your favorite worship chorus when your back is on fire from your latest beating and you can’t get to sleep because of the pain? Yet here they are, responding as Christ would. And that’s really the key here. If you’re saying to yourself, I couldn’t do that, then you may be right. But how can you get to the point where you could? Not by trying really hard to sing whenever you hurt. These guys sang because that was the response that came out of them; it was their character. When we’re really hard-pressed during difficult times, what’s deep inside us will surface. Don’t try to make it happen; ask God to change you so this will be your natural reaction.

How would you have responded in this situation?

Ask God to change who you are deep down, not just on the surface.

Week 29 – Singing in Jail: Paul and Silas in Prison

Memory Verse

“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.” – Acts 16: 30-31


Have you ever hit your funny bone? You know what I’m talking about, although I’m sure this isn’t the technical name for it. Often when I hit my elbow, first I feel a shooting pain, but right after I also have a desire to laugh. My arm hurts, but it makes me laugh, too. It’s weird how pain and laughter can coexist. It doesn’t make sense, but it happens.

This week we’re looking at an equally improbable event. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, but then they led a worship service from their jail cell. How can someone experience such pain yet still sing? Our reaction to bad situations is one way we show a lost world that Christ is real. When we’re able to see Christ in the midst of our pain, we find strength where others find only emptiness and despair.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, if we turn our troubles over to God, then we discover that God walks with us in the fire. And when we step out of the flames in one piece, everyone marvels at the fact that God provided help in our time of pain. God can help us become people who react like Paul and Silas did. The bad news is that it usually takes a lot of tough experiences to build that kind of character. But we have to start somewhere. And we don’t have to do it alone.