Charm is deceptive

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (:

Acts 16

- The churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day (v5)

- Timothy's father is a Greek (i.e., he's not a pure Jew) yet God is able to use Timothy in an amazing way to do His work. Reminds me again that God does not need perfect people, but rather He works through imperfect people to show how great He is. Like how Jesus called the fishermen to be His disciples, those who were the 'outcast'/'bottom' of society.

- Paul and Silas travelled through Phyrgia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit prevented them from preaching the word in Asia. Paul and Silas went through Mysia to the seaport of Troas because the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to head north for the province of Bithynia. Sometimes, life really doesn't go our way. But it always and will forever follow God's ways. Something cliche, but the saying God's ways are higher than our ways, and if you can't see God's ways, feel his hands (or something along this line hehe). Yup simple yet profound.

- Truly, God has already prepared Lydia to accept Paul's message, and she extended hospitality to Paul and Silas by inviting them to stay in her house.

- The famous earthquake that set Paul and Silas free in prison. They were publicly stripped and beaten with wooden rods :( just because Paul commanded the demon in the girl to leave her in the name of Jesus (and because the demon knew the Only way to salvation). Paul and Silas could have declared that they were Roman citizens and then they do not have to go through the beating and shame. But they didn't. Hmmm...

- If they did, they wouldn't have met the jailer. The jailer would not have the chance to listen to the Word and be saved, that he and his entire household would not have been baptized. Bad things do work out to become good things in God's plan. (: and also this is another testimony of the power of God, who sent this earthquake to free Paul and Silas.

- Don't be ashamed of the Word of God, for it has to Power to give life, the Power to save. Blessed are those who understand the Word of God. Because it is truly a gift, and grace from God :)