Around midnight in a prison cell, Paul and Silas were heard praying and singing hymns (with

other prisoners as their unseen audience) when this happened:

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were

shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.

When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his

sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But

Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because we’re all here!” The jailer

called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. He escorted

them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord

Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” (Acts 16:26-31)

Note the order of events in this passage:

1. “Everyone's chains came loose”
2. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
3. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”

Now, let me rearrange these few things: 

   1. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

   2. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved”

   3. “Everyone's chains came loose”

The greatest freedom anyone can experience is being released from the chains that hold us

down. While Paul and Silas were sharing the gospel, they hit an unexpected roadblock – a

possible life sentence in prison. But the Lord saved them from their chains AND THEN placed

the jailer in their path which then led to his salvation. I mean… the Lord really had every single

step perfectly planned out. 

Here's where I want to encourage you:

   1. If you have questions about salvation or would like to be saved, please reach out to a

   staff or church member. It is the greatest decision you will ever make. If you feel like the

   chains are weighing you down, run to the Father, and He will set you free - just as he did

   for the jailer, for Paul and Silas… and for me. 

   2. Look where the Lord has you. Where can you be a Paul and share the gospel? How can

   you be brave enough to hit a roadblock and know that the Lord has a plan even for that?

I encourage you to be aware of where the Lord has you right now. For me, that looks like

praying for the students in my classes. For you, it may be co-workers, parents, children, your

home, your street, your grocery store. Let’s strive to be a Paul and help our friends find release

from their chains! 

By Raegan Peterson