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The miracle happens in the prison

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Acts 16:31[NIV]

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

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Paul and Silas used a boat and entered Philippi to evangelize. They went everywhere evangelizing.

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There they met Lydia who was a woman of faith. She gave them a place to stay so that they could evangelize continuously.

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One day they went out to evangelize by the side of the road. Suddenly a girl rushed towards them and shouted, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." This girl had a spirit that allowed her to predict the future and was being used by her master to earn a profit.

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She followed Paul and Silas everywhere they went and she kept shouting the same things which became an inconvenience to them.

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Apostle Paul could not stand seeing this girl in such a predicament so he rebuked the evil spirit and shouted, "In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!"

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The rebuke caused the evil spirit in the in the girl’s body to wail in agony causing the girl to throw herself to the ground but eventually the evil spirit left the girl’s body and the girl became normal

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The master of the girl was displeased though with what Paul had done and started spreading lies throughout the town that Paul and Silas were performing evil magic. Later, they were thrown into prison because of this false accusation.

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They were shackled and guarded to prevent them from escaping. Although this happened to them despite the good things they did, they were steadfast in their faith in God that He would keep them safe.

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About midnight, what do you think Paul and Silas were doing? They were praying and singing hymns to God. The jailer thought that they were out of their minds.

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At about the same time the jailer fell asleep while Paul and Silas continued.

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Suddenly a violent earthquake shook the prison doors open and their chains and shackles came loose.

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The jailer woke up and seeing the prison doors opened he thought that the prisoners had escaped. With fear he thought, “This could cause me my life… I would rather kill myself.”

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He drew his sword and was about to kill himself. “Yea……h”

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At that moment he heard a voice behind him saying. "Don't harm yourself! We are still here!"

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The jailer went to where the voice was coming from and in shock saw Paul and Silas standing before him.

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With awe he knelt and asked. "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul answered.

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"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." The jailer believed in Jesus that same hour and took Paul and Silas to his house.

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That same night the jailer’s family believed in Jesus, it was so wonderful

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Even when Paul and Silas were thrown in prison they were neither discouraged nor lost faith but continued to joyfully praise and pray to God who had helped them share the Gospel message. Like them, we should not be discouraged but continue to trust in God in any circumstances that we may be in; in order to experience the wonder that Paul and Silas experienced. God will see to it that we can overcome any challenges in the world and provide us a better way out!