Tuesday 5 May, 2020
Acts 16:11-15
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
A Turkish business woman, living in Greece, is taking some time out and has a chance meeting with some travelling evangelists. Her life was changed forever. Coincidence or divine appointment? Lydia was not necessarily expecting to become a follower of Jesus that morning, but when she encountered the spirit of God she responded. We need to have our hearts and mind open to the spirit at all times. God doesn’t say -‘ it’s ok, you’re on holidays, I won’t interrupt you’. He is greedy for our attention and our hearts. God will take any opportunity, any moment to pursue a relationship with you and me. We need to be open and expectant.
Father God, speak to me today. Lord may I hear your voice and follow you today with all my heart. Ignite your Spirit in me. In Jesus Name Amen.
Written by Christine Knight
Beautiful.
Help me to be open and expectant.
Hi Chris, I really enjoyed that. I also find it very interesting that Lydia was a high-end businesswoman. I have just read that Thyatira was a centre for the dying of wool with a locally common vegetable root (madder). She appears to have been importing considerable quantities of dyed cloth and on-selling it to the upper classes and had a large house with guest rooms and probably servants. Further, she appeared to be in charge, in that she went to the river by herself (no accompanying man) and made the decisions about household guests without reference to a husband. A strong, independent and self-confident woman!