Lydia

We begin reading about Timothy joining Paul and Silas as they were visiting the cities delivering the decrees and decisions from that had been reached by the apostles and the elders concerning Gentiles. The Holy Spirit was with them every step of the way. In Verse 5, it says "the churches were strengthened in faith, and they increased in numbers daily." The Holy Spirit also guided them on their journey to make sure they stayed on course. In verse 9, "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. " Paul also attempted to go to Bithynia in Verse 7, "but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."

We then learn that reason why Paul had to take this route was to arrive in Macedonia. In Verses 9-10, Paul has a vision of a man asking for help in Macedonia. After Paul saw the vision they immediately left for Macedonia.

Have you ever been urged not to go somewhere?

Have you ever been at the right place at the right time for purpose?

When Paul arrives in Philippi, Macedonia, he was looking for a place a prayer and encounters a group of praying women. One of those women was Lydia. We learn that Lydia is not only a business woman as a seller of purple goods, she is one "who was a worshipper of God, "(Acts 16:14). In Verse 15, it says the Lord opened her heart to receive the message that Paul was preaching. As a result, Lydia and her entire household was baptized.

Has God ever opened your heart to receive a message?

What adjectives would a person use to describe you?

In Verse 16-17, Paul is on his way to the place of prayer and meets a fortune-telling girl who starts following him around for days. Finally after being annoyed, Paul commands the spirit to come out of her, "in Jesus Christ name,"Acts:16:18. "But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas,"(Acts 16:19).

The magistrates and judges started accusing Paul and Silas of disturbing the city. They were eventually beaten and prisoned.

In Verse 25-35, while Paul and Silas are in prison, there was a great earthquake right in the middle of their praise and worship with other prisoners. The prison was shaken so hard that all of the prisoners were set free and the doors were opened. When the jailer witnessed this, he immediately contemplated suicide because he thought the prisoners had escaped. All of this happened because of one vision. We read that the jailer is converted to Christianity by witnessing the power of God and even invites Paul and Silas to stay with him(Acts 16:14). Although Paul could have questioned the vision from God, he acted immediately and obediently. Through the beatings and being falsely accused, we witness Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns to God in a very dark hour.

After the magistrates apologizes to Paul and Silas for the way they treated them and asked them to leave the city, Paul and Silas visited Lydia (Verse 40). This is very important because Paul wanted them to stay encouraged in the Lord.  

Have you ever praised God while you were in a dark place?

Have you ever thought your hope of gain was gone but God showed you otherwise?