Universal Utterings
for May 13, 2026
A Godcast
UniversalUtterings.Com
05-13-2026 Acts 16 V2540 What Must I Do To Be Saved
The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 16 Verse 25 thru 40
25 About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, 26 there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.” 29 He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” 32 So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33 He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. 34 He brought them up into his house and provided a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors with the order, “Release those men.” 36 The jailer reported the[se] words to Paul, “The magistrates have sent orders that you be released. Now, then, come out and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, even though we are Roman citizens and have not been tried, and have thrown us into prison. And now, are they going to release us secretly? By no means. Let them come themselves and lead us out.” 38 The lictors reported these words to the magistrates, and they became alarmed when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and placated them and led them out and asked that they leave the city. 40 When they had come out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and then they left.
In Acts 16:25-40, we witness a profound moment that exemplifies the power of faith and the unwavering spirit of those who believe in Jesus Christ. As Paul and Silas sat in prison, bound and beaten, they chose to turn to God in prayer and worship. Around midnight, their hearts sang hymns, resonating with the assurance of salvation that they had found in Christ. This was no ordinary moment. It was a testament to their belief that nothing— not even imprisonment— could separate them from the love of God.
Suddenly, an earthquake shook the prison doors open, and their chains fell away. This miraculous event not only liberated them physically but also led to the spiritual awakening of the jailer and his family. In a powerful turn of events, the jailer, fearing for his life, fell before Paul and Silas and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” This moment encapsulates the essence of faith: a joyous acceptance of Jesus as Lord, leading to eternal salvation.
For all who read this, remember that your faith in Christ brings rejoicing! Just as Paul and Silas rejoiced despite their dire circumstances, so too can you rejoice in the certainty of your salvation. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, you enter into a new life, free from the shackles of sin and death. Your belief in the True God transforms your trials into testimonies and your despair into hope. So, rejoice! Hold tightly to your faith, and let the joy of your salvation fill your heart. Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
05-13-2026 Acts 16 V2540
**What Must I Do To Be Saved**
In midnight’s calm, where shadows creep,
Two servants prayed, their hearts steeped deep.
In prison’s hold, with chains so tight,
They sang their hymns, a defiant light.
The earth did tremble, a quaking sound,
As walls gave way, their chains unbound.
The jailer stirred, in fear and dread,
“Have all escaped?” his heart near dead.
But Paul’s voice rang, “We are still here,
Do not despair, there’s nothing to fear.”
Within that cell, God’s grace unfurled,
The chains of sin fell, a brighter world.
The jailer knelt, in awe perplexed,
“What must I do to be unvexed?”
“Believe,” they spoke, “in Jesus’ name,
And you and yours will never be the same.”
A midnight miracle, hope’s embrace,
A transformation, a heart’s new place.
In water’s baptism, new life ignites,
From darkness to light, in holy rites.
Yet morning came, and fears took flight,
“Release these men,” the magistrates write.
But Paul stood firm, for rights held high,
“We’re Roman citizens,” he would not lie.
With honor shown, they left the gloom,
The barracks echoed, but now with room.
For in that place, where chains once led,
Was testimony born, where faith was bred.
So let us sing, in trials we find,
That grace will follow, always kind.
In darkest hours, when shadows loom,
We’ll raise our voices, and chase the gloom. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
May 13, 2026 @ 04:41 AM EST
® Universal Utterings ® is brought to you by;
**† God First Ministries, Inc. is a Roman Catholic Lay Ministry not sponsored by The Church but is accepted by the IRS as a Religious Charitable Org. and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made through PayPal using GodFirstforJesus@gmail.com, or given to GFM are tax deductible. †**
Leave a Reply