[Featured image from artist goneforever21 on Deviantart.com]
Scripture Reading(s)
Acts 16:9-15
16:9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
16:10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
16:11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis,
16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days.
16:13 On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.
16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.
16:15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.
Reflections
I love the picture of eagerness and willingness to live out the message of Salvation as we see being displayed in the heart of Lydia. She is displayed as a woman who had a heart to serve and she did so without hesitation upon meeting Paul and the other disciples. She was a woman who feared the Lord and was not hesitant at all in living out her faith.
Upon the time of conversion, our hearts should be changed and filled with an eagerness to serve and love our Lord. When we are encountered with the love of Christ, it should stir up in our hearts a desire to encourage others who are in the faith and also get involved in a type of service that will help encourage others.
Whether you are part of a worship team, children’s ministry, usher, greeter or anything. Your role is greatly valued and plays a part in serving the body of Christ. As a member of the body of Christ, we are all called to serve in some way and regardless of what task you are gifted in, when you serve with all your heart God honors that and it brings Glory to His name.
Christ died for our sins so that we too can turn and encourage others to love and accept the true message of Jesus Christ. One of the main ways that happens is through our service to others. Take the time to reach out to a friend, co-worker, neighbor or random stranger you meet on the street. Show them the love of Christ and be bold in your faith and walk with Him.
faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
It is no wonder that Lydia had her hearted open by the Lord upon hearing the gospel being discussed. Whether it’s an overheard conversation or a direction conversation the word of God can and will change you.
There is something inherent in the gospel that makes one pause and ponder. What is the great appeal to the gospel message? It’s that God loves you. In fact He loves you so much that He gave the ultimate sacrifice for you. This was simply unheard of in the first century and still today. First century thought was that gods don’t love humans, they rule over them and use them like chess pieces. That is what’s so appealing about the gospel. It is different all together than anything anyone’s every heard.
It taps into our core desire to be loved and let’s be real, to live forever. When out time is completed here on this earth we are going to spend eternity with our creator and we will be surrounded by the light and love of God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)