The Faith of the Absolute Thanksgiving
(Ac. 16:23-26)

102 British pilgrims left for America to search for the freedom of religion in 1620. What they faced was extreme cold weather, serious food shortage, and diseases. However, they offered the first harvested crops to give thanks to God despites the difficulties as God protected them. Also, they invited Indians who taught them how to plant the crops by sharing food. Likewise, we should give thanks to God as we are saved thanks to the love of Jesus. The absolute positiveness and absolute thanksgiving will lead us to the grace of God during our lives.

1. Apostle Paul thrown into the prison
While traveling for the mission, Apostle Paul healed a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul. After he had been severely flogged, he was thrown into prison. (Ac. 16:22-24) While we are living, we are facing unexpected difficulties and adversities just as Paul was thrown into the prison. When the time of troubles, we should not be frustrated and keep praying desperately. When we pray hard, God will listen to us and give us his answers.

2. Prayers and praises that moved the hand of God
Paul and Silas were praying hard in the middle of night. Even the prison guards who had to sleep listened to the praises as they were so graceful. The contents of the praises were full of absolute positiveness and absolute thanksgiving toward God. Their prayers and praises were able to move the almighty hand of God, bringing about the miracle. When they praise God, the great earthquake hit the prison with the door being open as well as with handcuffs and chains becoming loose. (Ac. 16:26) When the time of distress, we should give thanks to God with many praises. The amazing miracle of God will happen.

3. The work of the greatest salvation
When the jailor saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.” As a result, the jailor and his family were all saved. The prayers and gratitude brought about such an amazing miracle of salvation. Likewise, we will experience the miracle of God everyday by giving thanks to God with praises.