In The Word
Read: Acts 16:6-15
6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
First Convert in Europe
14 A 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. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul had a dream of a man calling him for help and perceived it to be direction from the Holy Spirit to go to Macedonia. The town, having too small a Jewish community, had no synagogue for Paul to attend and share the gospel as he usually did in his travels. Instead, he found a place where people would go to pray. While sharing the gospel with a group of women, one of them had “the Lord open her heart to the gospel” (Acts 16:14). Not only was she saved but also her whole family! The first thing they did as believers was open their home and show hospitality.
What should excite every believer who has shared the gospel or moved to another part of the country or world to share the gospel is that God moved in their hearts. God moved; God did it! Many people are scared to share the gospel in fear of rejection or that they will say something wrong. If God has called you to the work, He will move! On many occasions in my life, God moved in a miraculous way, saving not only myself but my wife and our entire family! It all started because “God moved on my heart.” Remember not to be afraid to share. God only asks that we share the gospel and He adds the increase. You may just be there to plant a seed or water a seed placed by another. Don’t force the issue and ruin it for the next person who comes to share. This story should be an encouraging word to those called to pastor a new work. Go to the people, where they meet, and share the gospel. You never know what great awaking could happen when “the Lord opens their heart”!