The Holy Spirit's call to Paul and his team to land in Macedonia certainly had a purpose. It took Paul completely out of his comfort zone. Usually Paul went to the synagogue of the area to begin his ministry among the Jews. In Philippi there was no synagogue. The closest thing was a prayer gathering at the gate of the city. Paul's ministry was mainly among men, but this prayer gathering was made up of women. This is all new to Paul. The Holy Spirit wants to take me out of my comfort zone and challenge me into new directions. Am I open to the Spirit's challenge? Am I too set in my routine as to allow room for God's challenge in my life? Am I listening to the Spirit's whisper?
The woman that responded to the Gospel message was named Lydia. Why did she respond? The Scripture says that the Lord opened her heart to pay attention. Divine appointments begin with the guidance of the Spirit and the drawing of the heart to listen is also the Spirit's work. The preaching of the Gospel is not about human persuasion, but about power to change lives. Do I rely on the Spirit to open people's hearts to pay attention? Do I preach the Gospel out of my own strength?
Lydia was a business woman, a seller of purple goods. She was a very influential person in her time. The fact that she interacted with many people for her business would make her a great ambassador for the Gospel. The Spirit opened her heart so she could take the message later to others. This divine appointment proved to be very strategic for the spread of the Gospel. I should pray that God will grant me divine appointments that are strategic to the taking over of our community with the Gospel. Am I willing to pray in earnest for this?
Lydia's conversion provides a great argument for the believer's baptism. It is important to note that most conversions in the book of Acts are followed by baptism. This is what we call believer's baptism. A person is baptized once they have believed. It is for this reason that infant baptism does not fulfill the requirement of baptism as preached by the Apostles. Infant baptism is the confession of faith of my parents, but my personal confession of faith is only stated by believer's baptism. I must own my faith and make a statement for myself. The preaching of the Gospel is to repent and be baptized - in that order!
Father, guide me to divine appointments that challenge me. Take me out of my comfort zone and help me to welcome it. Holy Spirit prepare my heart and the hearts of those who need to hear the Gospel. Guide me to one person that is strategic in the spread of your Gospel in this community. Empower me to faithfully share your Word. Amen.
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