From the heart of the
pastor:
“And a
certain woman named Lydia, from the city of
Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of
God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to
respond to the things spoken by Paul”
Lydia was gifted with
the privilege of proximity. On a Sabbath day
outside the gate of Philippi near a riverside she
gathered with an assemblage of ladies – she sought
the Lord to address her soul. She received her
desire when the Apostle Paul spoke to the assembly.
The noise of nonsense
envelops you. Your attention is the desire of
limitless competitors. Nonetheless, you alone
determine the affections of your soul.
Jesus said, “A pupil is
not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has
been fully trained, will be like his teacher” (Lk.
6:40). Who is your teacher? Lydia’s was Paul.
Select your teachers well, for you will be like your
teachers. God charges you with the responsibility
of educating your spiritual senses.
How serious are you
concerning eternity? Little effort is needed to
become intoxicated with the present. Christians are
decoyed by the worldliness of the world and they
reap leanness of the soul. Assimilation invites
annihilation. Therefore, a person serious about
eternity refuses to entertain diversions.
Lydia listened to what
possessed abiding value. She knew that man enjoys
no holiday from deception in this world. God
honored her approach, for “the Lord opened her heart
to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”
Christian must develop a
keen sense of observation. As a disciple of Christ
you should cultivate your anthropological (study of
man) and sociological (study of beliefs, values and
interrelationships) understandings. Heed the wisdom
of the ages. Attend to God’s way for you, for
“there is a way that seems right to a man, but its
end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12).
You have the privilege
of proximity. God is placing in your path many who
know that “the name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Prov.
18:10). Improve your associations with those
seeking the Spirit of the living God.
“He who walks with wise
men will be wise, but the companion of fools will
suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20).
