One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. Acts 16:14 NABRE
In the book of Acts, the story of the spreading of the gospel after Jesus returns to His Father, Luke a companion of Paul captures key moments. It was common for Luke to speak about Paul and the work he was accomplishing spreading the good news. Paul and his companions have just traveled by sea ending up in Philippi a predominately Roman city. When they arrive they look for a place to pray. They end up outside the city gate and begin to evangelize some women. One of them Lydia, an apparently affluent women, who was the head of her house is singled out as a worshiper of God. She was a Gentile who believes in God but does not convert to Judaism. Luke attributes her receptiveness to the Lord Jesus, who opened her heart to what Paul was saying. Grace precedes and prepares her faith and our faith. She and her entire household were baptized after which she invites Paul and His team to stay at her home. This will be the beginning of the church in Philippi, Lydia being a key influencer in the local church.
It is significant that our hearts be opened by grace in order for us to have a true conversion. We will be visited by the Spirit when it is time for us to receive the word of God and to act upon it. We, like Paul, can speak about Jesus but if the heart is not ready the word will not take hold. We are workers in the vineyard, but God is always the Vineyard master.
Have you met others ready for God’s word? Do you allow yourself to be a worker for God?
We, like Paul, can speak about Jesus but if the heart is not ready the word will not take hold. We are workers in the vineyard, but God is always the Vineyard master. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #grace #evangelize #Acts #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways