I am amazed by the "suddenly stories" in the New Testament. We find God often moves unexpectedly and greets us with unforeseen events and plans.

Acts 2:2,4 "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

I like the surprise moves of God. He is like the wind. The Holy Spirit moves as He wishes, and He is the One Who brought our spiritual birth by His renewing and transforming power.

We find another great unexpected event in Acts 16:26, "Suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed."

Paul and Silas were in prison. They had cast a spirit of divination out of a girl who was a fortune-teller. In verse twenty five, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight. As all the prisoners were listening, suddenly God's power caused a chain reaction and brought release to Paul and Silas.

A specific key helped solve problems. These believers prayed and worshipped God in song, in the midst of difficult circumstances. The result...doors opened and chains loosed!

Many of us could walk in a greater measure of peace if we stop talking in a negative fashion. Often times we hear people saying destructive words such as, "This is driving me crazy," or "I think I'm losing my mind!"  

As we say negative words, we can open ourselves to trouble. James 3:2 says that we can control our whole body if we will not offend in word. We need to understand the speech center is located in the brain and the brain sends out our words to every nerve in our body.

Please meditate on the following verses concerning the words of your mouth...

Proverbs 10:11, 32 - "The mouth of the righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

Proverbs 12:13,14,18,22 - "The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. There is that speaketh like the piercing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight."

It can be exciting and thrilling to be "stopped in your tracks" by the hand of God. This is exactly what happened to Saul in the New Testament in Acts 9:3, "...And suddenly a light flashed around him from heaven."

Saul was totally enveloped in the presence of the Lord and the glory of the light blinded him for three days (Acts 9:3-9). He said this light was brighter than the noonday sun (Acts 26:13).

Saul was a strict Pharisee who persecuted the new Christians of The Way. He imprisoned many and even consented to the murder of Stephen. But, suddenly God!

Saul was knocked to the ground by the power of God and Jesus appeared to him and said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" The head of the church tells Saul he is persecuting Him by harming His Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22,23).

Aren't we glad Saul was changed into another man and became known as the Apostle Paul? Do you need the light of the Lord to shine into your life? Why not get close into His presence and talk to Him!

It is wonderful when God puts His touch on our circumstances! I am refreshed with the story from Luke 2:13,14, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men."

This verse teaches us that we are to be men and women of good will and of His favor. People of good will are people whom God favors and whose own will desires the heart of God.

God desires good for His children. He teaches this in Psalm 84:11B..."No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." It is also true that people who promote good will have peace.