"One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She 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."
Acts 16:14-15
Jesus prayed for us to be united as He and His Father in heaven were one. As Paul preached, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message. She then invited Paul and his team to her home. Paul had to be humble enough to receive the offered hospitality and Lydia needed to be sensitive and bold enough to sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obey. Together, Philippi was blessed by this outsider-insider partnership. Eventually, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians which continues to bless us today. We never know how God will use outsider-insider partnerships but their impact can be huge. Today ask the Holy Spirit to highlight someone specific to whom you reach out.
Disciple's Prayer for Today:
"Father, I lift my hands to You in desperate surrender. I need You so much today. Come in power and refresh all the dry ground in my life. Make me humble, generous and sensitive to Your Spirit’s nudges. Connect me with others in a net of relationships that builds Your Kingdom in regions beyond where it has yet gone. Teach us how to serve alongside others to maximize the impact of Your Gospel. Bless the work of our hands for Your glory!”
Prayer for the Unreached of the Day:
"Father, begin movements among the Nubian, Fedicca-Mohas peoples of Sudan. Plant the seeds of the gospel in these peoples’ hearts and that You both water and grow to maturity. Pour out Your favor on all those You send into this harvest field. Strengthen Your children to shine like a city on a hill among these people throughout their communities. Develop strong outsider-insider relationships which prove to be examples to those who do not yet believe in Jesus. Let their servant-hearted love draw many to faith in Him. Multiply fellowships which transform their communities through Kingdom living. In Jesus’ name, Amen!"
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