Inspiring Women of the Bible

SCRIPTURE
Acts 16:13-15
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 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.

OBSERVATION
One of the most amazing things about the Book of Acts is that it reads like a movie script! A good story must have good characters, and the Book of Acts is full of them! The person of Lydia has long inspired me because she is a business owner, a leader of her household, a worshiper and a good hostess to visitors to her home. Another striking thing about this passage is that Paul, Silas and Timothy are speaking to the women gathered at the river. They saw women as being equally in need of hearing the Gospel. In Jewish tradition, women were usually separated from the men in synagogue. Not so, in this case.

APPLICATION
This passage reminds me of the eagerness of the Gentiles to do what is right to please the Lord. Lydia is a worshiper and a believer. There is no guile in her attitude toward Christ. She is an inspiration.

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for inspiring men to write about all kinds of people in the Bible. Their stories inspire me and give me hope that I can live a life full of You despite the troubles of the world. Thank you for giving us Your Word and these men and women of God who were eager to spread the good news of Jesus Christ! Amen.

Paula Aiton
Worship Department - Woodwinds/Keyboard