Acts 16:31; "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household."
By REV. FR. PAUL ANIGBORO
After Paul and Silas prayed and sang in the prison, the prison gates opened and the jailer became terrified thinking he has lost the criminal. He wanted to kill himself but Paul and Silas had to stop him from doing that. Similarly, the disciples were sad that Jesus was going back. The thought that they were going to loose Jesus also, but Jesus had to remind them that it is for there own good he is going.
We're afraid of loss. It's very unpleasant, and yet, it's the only way to move forward in our relationship with God. It's a dark hallway that leads us from the past to the future, from one stage of spiritual growth to a higher level, from discipleship as a student of Jesus to apostleship as a messenger empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us help and comfort when we pass through our losses, but only if we accept the help instead of cursing the changes. Then we can grieve with joy. Paul and Silas experienced this joy that even why they were been held in the prison, they still praised God with songs. Such joys can only come from the Lord and that is why they had to tell the jailer to accept Jesus, so that he and his family can be saved.
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
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