Week 8, Day 4 Devotional

Day Four:

Read: Acts 16:16-40

Reflect:

1)   Why were Paul and Silas placed in Prison?

a.        Because they angered the Jews

b.       Because they angered the owners of the slave girl by casting out her spirit of divination

c.        Because they refused to be circumcised

d.       Because they offended the Roman governor

2)  Rather than running off and allowing the prison guard holding him captive to commit suicide, Paul shows him mercy instead and stays behind to share the gospel with him. Who are the “enemies” in your life that desperately need shown the mercy of God? How can you be a better steward of this mercy?

3)    In verse 34, it says that the prison guard rejoiced with his whole household because he had believed in God. Considering the brutal treatment of Jesus at the hands of the Romans, it is likely this man had much guilt, yet the Bible does not say that he wallowed in his guilt. Do you feel sorry for yourself or do you thank God for saving you? How does your attitude impact God’s ability to use you?

To Memorize:

And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Acts 16:29-34 (ESV)