By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
THURSDAY
THEME: SALVATION TO LYDIA AND HER HOUSEHOLD
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:14-15
“[14]Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. [15]And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.”
REFLECTIONS:
The role of women in the Mission of Christ cannot be underestimated. Since the introduction of the plan of salvation, women have been an integral part of the implementation. Through giving birth, Eve understood the bonding and relationship that should exist between God and humanity. Eve gave birth to Seth, who also gave birth to Enosh, and the worship of God began. Genesis 4:25-26 states, [25]And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” [26]And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Ē´nosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.” Eve surely had a role in training Seth and her grandson, Enosh, to fear God.
Throughout His ministry, women ministered to Jesus. In His trial and at the crucifixion, women stood helpless, wept, and empathized. After all, a woman saw Christ first when He resurrected and ran to report (Mark 16:9,10). In the Upper Room, when the Church began, women were there (Acts 1:14). Therefore, the role of women in the gospel ministry cannot be overlooked for a moment. Caring, sympathetic, innocent, loving, selfless, and self-sacrificing women have expanded the gospel’s reach. Women’s role in ministry is enormous and inevitable.
Paul encountered devoted, God-fearing, loving, and affectionate women of value in his ministry. These women loved God and gave their lives to the Savior. Any person who surrenders to Christ becomes a person of value – so was Lydia. When Paul reached Philippi, on the Sabbath, he went to the riverside where the little congregation met and prayed. He took time to speak to the women, among whom was Lydia. Acts 16:14-15 reports, “[14]Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. [15]And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.” Lydia was so generous and sought the expansion of the kingdom of God. Lydia displayed her joy, resolution, and commitment to the salvation that had come into her house.
Lydia’s unique qualities are mentioned in the passage. She was the first convert to Christianity in the City (and Europe, per records) and was a businesswoman from Thyatira. She was hardworking and had exceptional acumen to operate her own business. She worshiped God, implying she was a Gentile who had determined to worship the eternal God. The statement, “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul,” is significant. She heard the gospel, fell in love with the Savior, and she and her household decided to be baptized. As soon as she was converted, she was ready to serve the Lord, beginning with providing for the ministers of God. Like her Master, when the Spirit takes over, you cannot be selfish; you bless others with what God has blessed you. Lydia teaches us that conversion comes with the transformation of character. When Christ is formed in the believer’s mind, sharing, serving, propagating the Gospel, and supporting the course of God is done voluntarily without coercion. Though her name is mentioned only once, her deeds are rehearsed anytime we consider devout women of God. What changes have occurred in your life since you met Christ? What do you take from Lydia?
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 308 – “Wholly Thine”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for opening your heart to His word; thank God for giving you hope; pray to be wholly God’s;
– Pray for backsliders; pray for women who have supported the course of God and have won souls for the kingdom of God; pray for mothers who exemplify Christ’s character and pray for their families;
– Pray for women leaders to be able to support other women; pray for a change among women who suppress other women in business, at the work or school environment;
– Pray for businesswomen to support the course of God; pray for abused women; pray for young aspiring ladies; pray for the outpouring of the Spirit on those who trust God.
