Meant to Live...

Happy Sunday!

"The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!”(Acts 16:29-31 Message).

Are you living as you were meant to live?  Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, "Now, what should we learn from everything that is written in this book?The MOST important thing a person can do is to RESPECT God and OBEY his commands, because he knows about everything people do—even the secret things. He knows about all the good and all the bad, and he will judge people for everything they do."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Paul and Silas had been beaten then thrown in jail.  At midnight, when they could have complained about how hard life was for them, they praised God.  The didn't cry about their situation.  They knew as the Psalmist said, "The good man does not escape all troubles—he has them too. But the Lord HELPS him in each and every one."(Psalm 34:19 Living Bible).

God sent and earthquake that shook the jail, and opened every door.  "Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!”(Acts 16:27-28 Message).  Why did Paul even care about the jailer?  He was a part of the system that locked him up for preaching.  He could have allowed the man to commit suicide.  But he knew that Jesus came to save lives.  Paul later wrote to the Romans, "Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law."(Romans 13:10 Easy-to-Read Version).  He saw the big picture. The jailer and his entire family were saved! One day we will see them all in Heaven!

When we live the abundant life, the good life we are meant to live, God can use us to shake things up and inspire others to live this way too.  Are you really living?

Love and prayers, Cynthia