Devotionals for October 29, 2024
We have Theology Tuesday today at noon! Come join us!
READ
Acts 16:11-15
Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus
11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. 12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
Lydia of Philippi Believes in Jesus
11 We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. 12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
REFLECT
Lydia was a successful and influential businesswoman which made her an exceptional figure in the context of a male-dominated society. Lydia was also very generous and urged Paul and his team to come and stay at her home. This passage shows us that the Gospel is for The Merchants. There is no hierarchy in the church though - even if you are a wealthy merchant - you can repent and have the same relationship with God. This story also encourages us to live humbly by serving others, regardless of their status.
APPLY
Q: Who was responsible for opening up Lydia’s heart? What did she do because of it being opened?
Q: Reflect on when God changed your life. How did He open your heart to Him?
Q: Who’s someone at church, who may be quite different from you, that you can serve or reach out to?
Q: Reflect on when God changed your life. How did He open your heart to Him?
Q: Who’s someone at church, who may be quite different from you, that you can serve or reach out to?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
God thank you for giving repentance to all who believe. Your promises are for all of us! It doesn’t matter how wealthy or not we are - You give us all the same opportunity to serve You, Father! You are a Good, Good Father!
God thank you for giving repentance to all who believe. Your promises are for all of us! It doesn’t matter how wealthy or not we are - You give us all the same opportunity to serve You, Father! You are a Good, Good Father!