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“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. ”
Acts 16:9

I once remember being called to an office to assist someone, only to find out she did not need my help. As I sat at one of the desk, a manager of another department passed by and stated, "I need help!". She looked at me and said, “Denise, what are you doing?” I said, “I was called here to assist in this office.” Right at that moment the manager of that office passed by and she asked him, “Can Denise come and help me for a few days?” He asked the person, who I was supposedly called to help, if she needed me. She stated no and he said yes to the manager and kept walking.

She told me to meet her in her office stating she would be there soon. I walked in and was overwhelmed by the disorder. I cleaned her office, stacked papers that was scattered, placed some things back in order until it was time for me to get off. The next day as I walked into her office she hugged me and said, “Yesterday when I woke up I cried to God to please send me help. When I walked in my office this morning and the clutter was suddenly gone, I began to cry and in that moment I realized that you were the answer to my prayer.”

This situation was a revelation to me on how God uses us as answers to prayers. Think about it, she prayed, I was asked to go to assist someone who did not need help, I was positioned in the path of the one who prayed for help, the manager passes by at the very moment the question was asked, and now I was assisting the one who prayed for help.

In the book of Acts16 there was a man praying for help in Paul's vision Acts 16:9. To position Paul, the Holy Spirit closed several doors to keep him from going in another direction Acts 16:6-7. On their journey to help, Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, and thrown in prison. It's in the prison, deep down in the dungeon is where he who needed help was found. He, who was the jailer, was told to guard them in the dungeon. Little did this man know what kind of help he needed Acts 16:22-24. (why were they beaten? Acts 16:16-23)

As disciples of Jesus we too will find ourselves in the deepest dungeons sent to help someone to be saved. I don't know about you but I have had my experience of being sent into dungeons to save someone. That place may seem like the worst place God could have allowed you to go. Not only on our jobs but also in other places we may find ourselves posistioned in the midst of the worse of the worst. The meanest bosses, the harshest co-workers, people that hate you for no reason or rather whatever reason Satan whispers to them. We at times cry for God to remove us and ask why He is allowing us to go through such abuse. I heard the song writer say, "Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free. No there's a cross for everyone and there's a cross for me."

Check out how Paul and Silas beared their cross on their second missionary journey. First they knew that someone needed help and understood their purpose Acts 16:9-10. We also have been commissioned and sent on our missionary journey by our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to share the Good News Matthew 28:19-20. We must know our purpose for being in the midst of those who need the help of the Good News.

Secondly, when they were stripped, beaten, and thrown into the dungeon they prayed and sang praises to God at midnight Acts 16:25 (There is something about that midnight prayer and praise. The bible says “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 and 12:00 am is morning, Hallelujah!!!”) My Pastor told us on Sunday in his message, "Keep the Musice Playing", music changes the atmosphere. No matter what kind, but it's the music of praise that gets God's attention. (I dare you get up at midnight or simply in the midst of your worst trial and sing praises to God! I guarantee you will get His attention!)

Thirdly, then God caused an earthquake that broke their bands and opened the doors, not only their bands but the bands of all the prisoners that were there. Acts 16:26 I often hear Ministers telling us to check our pew row where we are sitting for the praisers. If my praise can break someone else's bands, then I will praise that much more. Isaiah 61:1

Fourthly, they did not run for freedom, thinking only of themselves (besides they were already free in Christ). They knew the jailer would not only die physically if they escaped while under his guard Acts 16:23 but most of all eternally. The Answers to the prayer stayed. Acts 16:27-28 The cry for help was answered Acts 16:29-31. And not only for him but his whole household Acts 16:32-34.

Look around you today. God has not only positioned you in a place to save someone who has cried out for help but to save a whole household. The bible does not say that the jailer was the one who cried out for help but his urgency to receive what Paul and Silas had tells me he was in need of the help he did not understand himself.

Think about it. You are an answer to a prayer but you are crying to be released to save yourself. Instead pray that God help you to bear your cross. He knows how much you can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul and Silas were only disciples following the example 1 Peter 2:21 Jesus our Lord and Savior Matthew 26:39, Luke 22:41-42.

God says, (insert your name) "______________, stop crying for me to release you and finish your assignment. Someone has cried out for help and you have been placed in their midst. Instead pray and prepare yourself for the day he/she ask, "What must I do to be saved?"

As God opened the doors of the prison to save all that were held captive, He will send something that will shake the place you have been called to and your response should be, "The doors of the church is now opened ..." (Smile)

Closing hymn, Click on "Let the Church Say Amen"

Todays Prayer

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