Stan and I had again gathered at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about our faith. As we were enjoying the breakfast Cook had prepared, Stan mentioned he’d focused on Lydia in his journaling earlier that morning.
“You focused on Lydia?” I asked. “Who’s that?”
“She’s a woman mentioned in the Book of Acts,” Stan replied. “She’s known as the first convert to Christianity in Europe.”
“First convert in Europe,” I repeated. “Sounds kind of important.”
“I suppose,” Stan agreed, “but what I was focusing on about how her conversion happened is, it seems to me, more important as it applies to us today.”
“Her conversion would have been a long time ago,” I replied. “How can that have any application for us today?”
“It’s how it happened,” Stan said. “The apostle Paul spoke, she listened to what he had to say, and the Lord opened her heart to respond.”
“Okay,” I replied. “A three-step process. Paul spoke, she listened, and the Lord opened her to respond. What’s that have to do with us today?”
“She could never have listened or responded if Paul hadn’t said anything. There would have been nothing to which she could have listened. And that raises the question for us.”
“What question?”
“Do we say anything that anyone can listen to about God’s provision so they can respond?”
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Bible verses to consider:
And a certain woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshipper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Acts of the Apostles 16:14.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.
. . . for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in who they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?” Romans 10:13-14.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t go anywhere and tell anyone anything about you and your provision so they can respond in belief. Please forgive that foolishness and help me follow every step of your lead in going and telling. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you responded to the truth of the gospel and know you have life with God through the cross of Christ? If no, why do you want to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with going and telling others about God’s provision so they can respond? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to respond to the truth of the gospel, but to go and tell others so they, too, can respond? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?