Adding more Jesus Followers

SCRIPTURE
The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. (Acts 16:34)

OBSERVATION
This is kind of a humorous story. It might not have been too funny for Paul and his cohorts at the time. Apparently when they came into a certain town, a possessed woman who made lots of money for her owner started following Paul and his peeps around town shouting;

17"...These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her. 19When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities."

So Paul and his cohorts end up in prison after being stripped and beaten by the authorities. They end up using this as an opportunity to share the love and peace of Jesus with the other prisoners as well as the prison guard. The guard was compelled to become a Jesus follower. He and his whole family.

APPLICATION
How do I reflect Jesus in difficult circumstances? Would my behavior, attitude, life reflect Jesus in such a way that would compel someone to become a Jesus follower? I need to be aware of the opportunities (big and small) God is giving me to share Jesus with others and invite them to become Jesus followers.

PRAYER
God, I realize how much I depend on You. In and of myself, I am not anything. There is nothing in me (without You) that would compel anyone to follow You. You are what makes me attractive. I want You to shine through more than I have allowed You to in the past. Thank You for cleaning me up. I now want to be used by You to bring joy where there is no joy. peace where there is no peace. love where there is no love. In Jesus name, Amen.