Women of Faith: Listening Lydia
“And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14
I grew up with the Billy Graham evangelistic team coming into my home via television. Paul, Silas, Timothy, and the team were on Paul’s Second Missionary journey when God sent them to evangelize Europe. Luke tells us in Acts Sixteen, that the first crusade was held in the city of Philippi right outside of town at the riverbank with Paul, his team, and some women who had come for a prayer meeting! Luke also tells us of the first convert to Christianity in Europe; a wealthy business woman who was eager to listen to the word of God as Paul proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Church of the Riverbank! And Paul tells us her name was Lydia, who by trade, was a merchant of purple.
And the Bible tells us that because she was actively listening to (hearing) God’s word, the Lord opened her heart completely in order to hear, receive, and give her life to Christ in response to Paul’s message while she attended a prayer meeting. What a simple and beautiful means of salvation God has given to every man, woman, boy, or girl who, by faith, put their trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! A message for the wealthy, the poor, and the middle-class! God loves you and He died for you, so that you could be forgiven, and then use your spiritual gifting and talents to lead others to Jesus at any given time, whether you are worshipping God in a building or down by the river’s edge. The Holy Spirit will use the Lord’s word, to open the hearts of those who listen. Like Lydia, will you open your heart and home to Him, today? (Read Acts 16:11-15 and verse 40). Pastor Louie