"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Acts 16:14-15

 May 9

"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. 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." - Acts 16:14-15 (NIV)

Have you ever heard of Lydia? Not too many have yet it is amazing when someone we aren't aware of has changed our world. Yet Lydia changed the entire world even though she was not famous, revered, or well known. It is hard to imagine what the church or Christianity would be like without her courage and faithfulness as a woman disciple of Jesus. She, along with her entire household, were the first people baptized and the first Christian European converts by the apostle Paul. Lydia even founded the first Christian Church on the European continent which met in her own home.

In spite of dangers to herself and her family, Lydia gave refuge and protection to the despised foreign missionaries Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas as they began their mission journey in the hostile territory of "Macedonia," now known as northern Greece. She also successfully worked to release Paul and Silas from prison after being arrested, beaten, and jailed a few days after her conversion. She later gave generous financial and prayer support to Paul and they worked tirelessly together to bring Good News to a dark pagan world. Without Lydia's courage to be baptized and risk her life supporting the gospel, Europe may have remained a pagan world and we could all still be worshipping Zeus and the Roman gods. If you are ever discouraged or think your witness and good deeds for Christ are unimportant or making no difference, remember Lydia. Her faithfulness changed the world! So can yours!

Prayer: Lord God, Help me be as faithful as Lydia. Amen. 

Meditation For The Day: Fame disappears. Faithfulness lasts forever.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)