Breaking Chains for Others

In the book of Acts from the New Testament which tells the story of the early days of the Church, we find a story about two of their leaders, Paul and Silas, who were thrown into prison because of what they were doing. This is what it says in that story:

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs of worship to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them...there was a violent earthquake, the doors of the prison were opened, and everyone's chains fell off."

There are a couple of important things to note here:
- Paul and Silas were thrown into prison (if you read earlier in the book of Acts) because they set a woman free from an evil spirit. Also, because she was super annoying. (Read it, you'll understand!)

- After being thrown into prison, Paul and Silas figured the best thing to do in their circumstances (which were not great) would be to praise God and pray.

- As a result of their attitude and their actions, everyone's chains (not just Paul and Silas') were cast off.

So what do we learn? Expect to be beaten down when you're doing the right thing, especially if it's something that points to Jesus. When you find yourself in "chains," choose joy and don't forget that God is still God. He's listening and still deserves our praise. When we are obedient in these things, God won't just give us freedom, the power of our testimony and the power of God at work in us will open doors of freedom and break the chains of sin for those who see what is happening.

There is power in our testimony. There is power in the name of Jesus.

**See Acts 16 for this story.**

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