“ 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 16:22-24 NLT
“But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.” Acts 17:13-15 NLT
“When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. 3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Acts 17:32-18:3 NLT
God of the resurrection of the dead,
In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. But God shook the Jail, and the Jailer and all his family believed in Christ. And they gained their freedom. Acts chapter 16 vividly recounts what happened. In Berea, trouble was being stirred up and Paul hastened on to Athens and Silas and Timothy catching him up a little later. There were those in Athens who laughed with contempt but Dionysius and Damaris and some others believed. They Paul moved on to Corinth and earned his living using his trade, tentmaking.
They experienced trouble every step of the way but yet some believed. Oppressive trouble, physical trouble, scary trouble! And yet they kept on and were encouraged! Even if it meant moving to a new area. Seeds were sown and they trusted You to water them. Your Word was constantly on their lips. They may have had to move on, but did so to speak where they would be heard. Evangelism is not easy, but to God it is about individuals and here we even read the names and occupations of those first believers. And churches grew out of the few. Help us see Your joy in the individuals we see finding Christ. We would love a revival Lord, but see how faithfully Paul and Silas kept on personally sharing the gospel..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 26th November 2025
No, you have probably never heard this and it was written for a Salvation Army musical in the 1980’s. But I remember hearing it at a large event and being tremendously moved to stay true.
If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly
To be the servant of my Servant Lord,
If darkness falls around the path of duty,
And men despise the Saviour I’ve adored:
I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.
I’ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;
I’m called to live to love and save the lost.
If doors should close, then other doors will open;
The Word of God can never be contained.
His love cannot be finally frustrated,
By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.
Chorus
If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,
If all I love men should deface, defame,
I’ll not deny the One that I have followed,
Nor be ashamed to bear my Master’s name.
Chorus
Lyrics: John Gowans