Friday, July 10, 2015
Acts 16:14-15 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who 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.
MISSIONARY LYDIA: MOVED BY GOD'S LOVE TO LET HER LIGHT SHINE
A lovely episode from Paul's second missionary journey is his encounter with a woman named Lydia at the Roman colony of Philippi. Lydia was a business woman who sold purple dye for a living. She was a convert to Judaism but completely in the dark about how God fulfilled His promise of a Savior in the person of His Son Jesus. As Paul preached the Word Lydia listened intently and was led by the Lord to believe: The God of grace sent His Son Jesus to live and die for me and rise again! She was then moved to show her gratitude by opening her home to Paul and his traveling companions, urging them to use it as their "motel." This was a fruit of Lydia's faith, an example of what Jesus spoke of in His sermon on the mount: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden ... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." In this way, God used Lydia as a missionary, too, by leading her to project her love for Jesus to those around her.
We too are blessed to be missionaries for Christ in this way. We can lead others to Him by the thoughtful deeds we do for those whom we know and meet in our circle of life. Without a word we can preach a silent Gospel sermon: "I love Jesus. I'm thankful for His mercy in saving me from my sins and blessing me with His gift of life eternal. Won't you trust in Him as your Savior, too?"
O God of mercy, God of might, In love and pity infinite,
Teach us, as ever, in Thy sight, To live our life to Thee.
And Thou, who cam'st on earth to die That fallen man might live thereby,
Oh, hear us; for to Thee we cry, In hope, O Lord, to Thee.
Teach us the lesson Thou hast taught, To feel for those Thy blood hath bought
That every word and deed and thought May work a work for Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 439:1-3)
