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See the Study Guide Here: https://myrealchurch.org/teaching/acts/acts-part-30-praising-god-in-the-midnight-hour/

Nothing good happens after midnight—or so the saying goes. It's when our defenses crumble, our resolve weakens, and our problems loom largest. But what if midnight isn't just a time of vulnerability, but an opportunity for extraordinary spiritual breakthrough?

This look into Acts 16 follows Paul and Silas in surely a very dark hour—beaten, stripped, and imprisoned with their feet fastened in stocks for simply doing God's work.

Their response? Midnight praise and prayer that shook the foundations of their prison.

Listen to see why our response to opposition matters. When we're persecuted for our faith—whether through social media attacks, workplace discrimination, or cultural pressure—how we react reveals our spiritual maturity. The story of Paul and Silas demonstrates that praise rooted in Jesus rather than circumstances creates a joy that can never be taken away.

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Message Us!

We read the story of Lydia, a successful businesswoman in Philippi, and connect that to how our everyday work can become a powerful piece in God's kingdom purposes. Her conversion story reveals the beautiful integration of faith and vocation that should characterize every Christian's life.

• When Paul shared the gospel, "the Lord opened her heart" to receive the message
• After her conversion, Lydia didn't change careers but changed her purpose
• Her entire household was baptized
• Lydia used her home and resources to support the early church's mission
• Every job is a divine calling, not just religious vocations
• Christians should be exemplary employees, working "heartily for the Lord"
• Our workplaces are mission fields where we can demonstrate Christ's character
• Martin Luther: "The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on shoes, but by making good shoes"
• No one should ever be surprised to discover you're a Christian based on your work ethic

We want to see revival come to our city. For that to happen, we need to move outside the four walls of our church and see our workplaces as mission fields where we can glorify God even in the most mundane parts of our lives.

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Message Us!

Have you ever wished for a divine Magic 8-Ball to guide your life decisions? While God doesn't typically write messages in the sky or send divine text messages, He does speak to His children in ways we can learn to recognize and trust.

At the heart of hearing God's voice is a foundation in Scripture. "If I am not reading the Word of God, I will not recognize the voice of God," explains the pastor. This becomes our filter for every impression or prompting. God will never lead contrary to His Word, which is why understanding Scripture is essential for discerning His guidance.

Beyond Scripture, God speaks through multiple channels. In Acts 16, we see Paul and his missionary team experiencing closed doors as the Holy Spirit redirected their journey. What seemed like frustrating roadblocks were actually divine guidance leading them to Macedonia—an entirely different continent than where they planned to minister! God also communicates through dreams and visions (as promised in Acts 2), through prophetic words, and most commonly, through the internal promptings of His Spirit.

For those struggling to hear God clearly, the solution may be surprisingly simple. In our hyper-connected world where the average person spends 4.5 hours daily on their phone (equivalent to 13 years of their lifetime!), creating space for silence has become revolutionary. The challenge is straightforward but potentially life-changing: take five minutes daily, put your phone in another room, and simply listen for God's voice.

Like the frightened boy during the London Blitz whose fear transformed to peace upon hearing his father's voice, we too can experience profound peace amidst life's chaos when we learn to recognize our heavenly Father speaking. The anxiety that plagues so many can give way to confidence when we understand that "all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

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