WHAT TO DO AT YOUR MIDNIGHT<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 16:20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the course of doing God’s perfect will and labouring to advance the kingdom of Christ, we meet with unavoidable suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bible says, we are appointed to suffer for the sake of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul and Silas were led by the Spirit of God to Macedonia to preach the gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That you are doing exactly what God wanted you to do for His kingdom, does not immune you from suffering persecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John were severely beaten for preaching Christ’s resurrection in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So suffering for doing God’s perfect will must never discourage us, but we must with purpose of heart, cleave to God and continue His service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing must separate you from the love of Christ and His service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You must continue to rejoice in trials and temptations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suffering is momentary not forever. So persevere and you will be rewarded at the end of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul and Silas prayed and praised God at the climax of suffering and God set them free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John did same. They never regretted suffering for Christ’s sake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You also must do same and you will experience God’s intervention and be rewarded at the end of time in Jesus name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us pray.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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