Today, Executive Director Jeff Jaynes, spoke to the OKUMC for the final time before moving on to his new appointment. All the accomplishments he referred to are made possible because of YOU our incredible supporters, and Restore Hope dedicated staff and board. (fb)

Acts 16:16-34 What do you do when things don’t go as planned? Do you get frustrated? Complain? Do you expect customer service to take care of you? Or do you view it as an opportunity for the kingdom of God to break in? In our reading this week from Acts 16, Paul and Silas found themselves in a place where no one wants to be – bloodied, bruised, and imprisoned. Just hours earlier, they had freed a young slave girl from a spirit of divination. Her owners, furious at the loss of income, seized the two missionaries and dragged them into the marketplace. In front of the magistrate of the Roman colony of Philippi, the slave owners accused Paul and Silas of being Jews who were disturbing the peace. The magistrates ordered them to be beaten and then imprisoned them. But instead of wallowing in fear and frustration, Paul and Silas chose to worship. They began praying and singing hymns. Although they were physically shackled and confined, their hearts remained free. Their worship was not dependent on their circumstances. Their relationship with Jesus provided them with a wellspring of peace that no hardship could quench. Then the unexpected happened. As they worshipped, an earthquake shook the prison, the doors flew open, and their chains fell off. The jailer, fearing that all the prisoners had escaped, prepared to take his own life. But in the darkness and rubble, Paul cried out, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer, trembling, asked the most crucial question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And Paul replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” What about you? When you find yourself trapped in a dark place, do you worship because you know that God is still at work? Do you trust that your trials could be the gateway to someone else's encounter with the kingdom that leads to their salvation? The next time things don’t go as planned, try worship. May your witness lead others to the freedom that only Jesus provides. #Hope #RestoreHope #WednesdayintheWord (fb)