We saw two weeks ago in Acts 16:6-10 how God had a different door for Paul’s ministry. God keeps changing the plan on Paul. This time God speaks to Paul through a man in a dream. However, Paul finds a woman in Philippi. Lydia convinces Paul that she is the person God has sent for him to meet. Paul responds to the Lord and to Lydia, and begins the ministry in Philippi through this unlikely partner.
<aside> 📖 Acts 16:11-15 (NIV) 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went 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 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. 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.
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Context: As a city supremely loyal to Caesar, it’s doubtful there was an active synagogue in Philippi. So on the sabbath, Paul and his companions improvise, seeking a place of prayer and worship outside the city, near a river.
During Covid isolation, all of our plans have changed. What are you learning about adapting to those whom God is sending your way?
Who seems to be responding to you on Instagram? Ask God to make you like Paul and give you wisdom about how to adjust your plans.
<aside> 🔥 Ministry can be series of tasks or ministry can be a joyful adventure of following the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you now about each of the below adventures.
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