11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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.
When I see the map of Paul's missionary journey, I'm amazed how far and many places he could go and do God's work. Boarding on ships and facing lots of new area and people wouldn't be easy. It is such a shame that I don't really care even my close friends or neighbors to believe in God. I care, but I don't act. I don't move. I don't board on a ship for them.
Also this passage shows me there's a woman who God wanted Paul to meet and change her life. This woman was one of the people who helped Paul's mission. The fact that God prepared wherever Paul went tells me this. 'Don't worry. I'm ready for everything everywhere you go if you go following my plan.
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4 comments:
thanks, sungeun, for a moving reflection. it was a reminder to me that He has ordained all things, even paul's meeting with lydia, and that if we just trust Him as paul did, that He will accomplish through us all that He has prepared for us in advance to do. we just never know when we start sharing our faith whose "heart God will open to respond to the message", and may He be pleased to do so.
Sungeun, thanks for leading our blog today! It's been so long since we've seen you but I'm so glad and encouraged to hear from you through the blog.
Your act of continuing to blog is an encouragement and it edifies as you share how God's word speaks to you. According to your hopes and desires, I hope and pray that God will show you how to act on behalf of your friends and neighbors in Korea.
Perhaps you are already affecting them. Matt 5:14 says "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
Wherever God has placed you, you will, you are shining His light.
Hi Sungeun!!!! How are things in Korea?!!!
Thanks for your reflection. It's amazing how God provides and opens opportunities for us to grow, share, and endure hardships. All that really comes to minds is how strenuous the journey was to Paul and Silas but they did it anyways, firmly believing and trust in the Lord.
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