There is nothing so precious to me as my quiet time with God, and in 2023 it has included following Jennifer Booth’s Scripture Writing Plan. ¹

She chooses a theme for each month and daily scripture related to the theme. Every day I read the selected scripture, sometimes in multiple translations. Then I write that scripture in my journal, spend time reflecting on the verses, and write what God is revealing to me.

For example, the theme for March 2023, was “Worship the Lord” and one day the scripture was: About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²

We can worship God no matter what.

Paul and Silas had been severely beaten and falsely imprisoned. But rather than complain or be bitter, they prayed and sang hymns. And the other prisoners heard them! (After all, they were a captive audience. Get it, prisoners…captive audience?) Then there was a powerful earthquake! The prison doors burst open. Their chains were broken. And they were free!

I wrote the verses down in my journal and thought about all that had happened. What must have gone through their minds now that they were no longer bound in chains? Did they shout and praise God, or were they terrified, amazed, in shock? Here’s what God revealed to me in all of this.

First, we can worship God no matter where we are or what our circumstances. Paul and Silas, bound in chains, worshiped God in a prison. While theirs was a physical place with real chains, ours may be figurative. For example, a thankless job, crippling disease, broken relationships, addictions. But neither physical nor figurative prisons and chains should stop our worship.

God always hears and always cares.

Second, people around us will know we are worshiping God. Our worship should not be confined to a church building on Sunday mornings. Instead it should be part of our daily lives. My sister, Gale, recently told me she has been singing “Jesus” songs to her granddaughter since she was born. Now her granddaughter asks Gale to sing them and has recently started singing them by herself.

Third, God hears us and is moved by our prayers. We don’t know what Paul and Silas were praying. But we do know God can release us from our chains. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is beyond what He can do for and through us.

My prayer for you is that you will always remember that God hears your prayers, others will witness your worship, and He will release you from your chains.

Ciloa Forever!

 

Beverly

 

 

Beverly Graham, a former engineer and planner in the telecommunications industry, is Ciloa’s Chief Financial Officer, member of the Board of Directors, and person primarily responsible for keeping her husband, Chuck, in line. Beverly and Chuck have 5 children, 2 adorable grandchildren, and live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA.

 

 

Footnotes: (1) As she describes herself, Jennifer Booth is a wife, mother, writer, life coach, time management consultant, business owner, and child of God. Under the banner of The Planning Woman, Jennifer has created a podcast, blog and Scripture Writing Plans “Helping women live out their faith with clarity, courage, and consistency.” For more information, check her out at JenniferBooth.com. (2) Read Acts 16:25-26.

Pictures: Banner: Paul and Silas in Prison, from a short video created by UnitedPrayerWorks.com and Seventh-Day Adventist Church, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PppV7H5lEyc. (1) Ancient Prison Open Door, from the blog by Joshua Washington, 9-6-2017, TheScriptureSays.org. (2) When Jesus Sets You Free, poster created by Jesse Duplantis Ministries, jdm.org, 7-3-2017.