Word of the Day: Influential
Having or exerting influence.
Lydia was from Thyatira a city located in Asia Minor. Her name was not Greek but probably Pheonician, and it meant bending. The Bible does not tell us about her background history, but it does tell us that she was living at Philippi which was a leading city of Macedonia on the European continent. Lydia was a businesswoman. She was a seller of purple dye, so she was a well-known lady for her product. This product was very expensive in those days and was only affordable for rich people. Her fame was also attributed to the fact that she sold the best dye as the waters from this area would make the dye last. Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira… The Jews went to the rivers on the Sabbath day to meet for prayer and to worship the Lord especially when they did not have a synagogue. Lydia was also Jewish so she had acquired that custom to join the Jews at the river to worship her God. The shores of the rivers were also designated by the Roman authorities as the only place of prayer and worship. Often times we meet people from different religions that are very devoted to their religion or their traditions. Lydia was one of them. She was very true with her religion, but that does not mean that she was saved. She reminds me so much of my grandmother who's still a Catholic. My grandmother is very faithful and respectful, but once again she needs to be born again. Lydia was a seeker back then just like my grandmother is now. Both ladies represent a hunger to know the truth, but oftentimes are too engaged in their religion that they are not able to open their hearts to the truth. Although Lydia had a thriving business she made sure to make time to worship God on the Sabbath day. Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath, we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was wont to be made… Like I mentioned before it was on a Saturday when Paul and Silas decide to go out and talk to the ladies at the river. Paul was called by the Holy Spirit to visit Macedonia for a short time, and this is when he met Lydia. Lydia opened her heart to the words of Paul meaning that she had accepted the Lord as her Savior. This was the first soul won by Paul in Asia Minor. Acts 16:13 …and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. Being a businesswoman probably meant that she was probably a widow or a single lady. Which one could assume that she carried the business on her own. The Bible does not tell us much about her personal life but tells us that she had a family and not a husband. Once saved, she immediately surrender her life to the Lord and got baptized and her family as well. She was not ashamed of being Christian. I am pretty sure that being a businesswoman made her have a different position in society. So, that means the she used her resources to host the servants of the Lord. She was a hospitable woman as we all Christians should be. We have to always keep in mind that our houses are not ours. Our houses should be a portrait of the Lord. Meaning that we have to keep our houses clean and always available to fellowship with our Christian fellows. Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. Perhaps, her house is where a new church got started. Paul wrote letters to the Philippians, and it might have been to those who got saved when Lydia was also saved. What we know for sure is that Paul was very proud and gracious to the Philippians. Philippians 1:1-7 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; in as much as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. Conclusion: We learn from Lydia that although she was a successful businesswoman it does not mean that she was a feminist. As women, it is possible to go out and to have a career, but as Christians we have to remember that our main purpose in life is to honor the Lord, regardless of any certificate we might carry. *Please let me know if this post has been a blessing to you through a comment, for it would be a blessing for me to know. I have added some verses down below for those who are not sure if heaven is your future home. Please share with me if you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior through this post. I will be happy to rejoice with you! 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9–13
