First Convert in Europe
14A 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. 15And 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.
16It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.
19But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, 20and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
"A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening"
Purple fabrics were expensive and it was a profitable business. Lydia would soon be the first convert in Europe.
Thyatira was known for purple dye. It was one of the churches written about in Revelation 2:18-29
"and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."
You've may have heard it said the Lord has to draw you to Him. Could it be He opens our hearts too?
"Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,".
He calls you!
"and her household had been baptized,
Following salvation Jesus instructs us to be baptized."
Have you been baptized?
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
"a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling."
Leviticus 19:31 "'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
Are you defiled by them?
“These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”
Mark 5:7 He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God's name don't torture me!"
Even evil spirits know God and Jesus!
“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!”
"Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;".
“These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
Esther 3:8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.
Do you know what happened to Haman? His own words condemned him and he was sent to the gallows.
The same is true for us, our own words condemn us also.
Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
May our Lord Jesus bless you and open your heart to Him.
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
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