DCLM Higher Everyday 19 January 2023 — Praise God before the miracle
DCLM Higher Everyday 19 January 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Praise God before the miracle
Read all Previous DCLM Higher Everyday Devotionals
TOPIC: PRAISE GOD BEFORE THE MIRACLE.
TEXT: ACTS 16:22-31.
23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26And 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.
27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
MEMORY VERSE: “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 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” (Acts 16:25-26).
MESSAGE:
An extract from a Christian poem by Johnnye V. Chandler admonishes, “Stand in faith, even when you can’t see your way; stand in faith, even when you feel like you can’t face another day; stand in faith, even when you feel like all hope is gone…stand in faith, knowing that He can change your situation suddenly; stand in faith; even in those times you feel it’s hard to pray; stand in faith and believe that He has already made the way. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, so stand in faith, because you already have the victory!” This poem depicts the faith of Paul and Silas in our text.
Dear Christian youth, cultivate the lifestyle of praising God in challenging times, like Paul and Silas. Praising God in distress reveals your faith and confidence in Him. God is pleased with such praises. Praises unlock closed doors and help to hasten your miracles. Whatever your present challenges in academics, work, health or finance, as you pray and praise in faith, expect your miracle.
QUOTE: Learn to praise God in all situations.
CHALLENGE: Praises unlock closed doors
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Help me Lord to praise You even in difficult times.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
