NEVER LIMIT GOD ON HOW HE CHOOSES TO WIN THE LOST, PERSONAL SUFFERING MAY BE INVOLVED.

Will God use a slave girl with a spirit of divination to further His plan? 

Oh yes, because God will use anything and anyone that He pleases, and allow suffering in the process.

As I was rereading one of my favorite chapters in the book of Acts, chapter 16, I asked the Holy Spirit to show me the hidden truth in this chapter.

I see that Paul while in Philippi, as he was sharing the gospel that he allowed a slave girl with a spirit of divination to proclaim for many days that "these men are from the Most high God and proclaim the way of salvation".

Acts 16:17-18

This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out saying,  "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." and this she did many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed turned and said to the spirit,  "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her"  and it came out that very hour.

Beloved, why did Paul allow that for many days.

She was well known in that town and she was drawing people to  Paul and Silas to hear about salvation.

Paul and Silas had to wait on the Lord's timing since they were walking in the Spirit.

God knew this girl would be set free and become a strong believer, so He used her.

Will God even use the unsaved?  Yes He will.

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, as the girls masters were losing their income and way of life,

Acts 16:22-24

Then the multitude rose up together against them;  and the magistrates tore off their clothes and beat them with rods.  and they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  Having that charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in stocks.

The inner prison was the nastiest stinking prison, a dark hole.

What did Paul and Silas do while they suffered?

They sang praises to the Lord, singing hymns so that the other prisoners could hear them.

Because of Paul and Silas's songs of praise to God, the prisoners were listening and a great earthquake took place and everyone's chains were loosed. here is great power in prayer and praise.

Acts 16:25-26

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken;  and immediately all the prison doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.

Beloved, prayer and praise to God brings deliverance and freedom when you are filled with the Holy Spirit doing the work God has called you to.

Wow!  what a message for todays church.

When we have a willing heart to suffer for the gospels sake, great miracles can and do occur.

Did God allow all this to happen to reach the families in Philippi? 

Acts 16:27-33

And the keeper of the prison, awaken from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

Then he called for a light, ran in , and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Then 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 stripes.  And immediately he and his family were baptized.

Beloved, can you see the plan that the Lord had in place to reach these unsaved souls?

Next time you read the book of Philippians you will see it with different eyes.

You will have a greater understanding about Paul's letter to them.

What will suffering and persecution do for a sleeping church?  It will awaken them and impower them to follow Jesus at any cost.

When we suffer, we realize that time is short and the things that are important to God should be important to us.

Praise God! for the wake-up call.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Beloved, did God use everything for good, including suffering?

Don't ever limit God, He is the Lord of heaven and earth and He has a plan in place for our life.

God doesn't always need someone with a special degree to  reach the lost, He is just looking for a willing heart and a obedient soul.

Like  little children, we will be discipled and corrected and disciplined along the way. Children need discipline, without discipline they will gain a strong will to control everyone and everything.

(NO ME DO IT) that is when you train up a child in the way they should go. Lead them to serve Jesus.  Teach them about obedience.

They need to know that there are consequences to not obeying what they are told as it is for their good.

God does the same with us. 

He disciplines us and corrects us in His word, and it causes us to grow in the Lord.  We are not to be controlling our own lives and others, we are to  submit to the Holy Spirit and obey the word of God.  Sharing the love of Jesus.

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Loving God and His word will give you great peace.  

Be willing to suffer at some point, and much good will come out of it.

God bless your day

Jesus loves you

Love in Jesus,

Joy