Prayer: Jesus Prayed in Solitary Places

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Where and when do you pray…

Have you gotten up early in the morning when it is still dark to pray? Have you thought of leaving your house, your friends and family, to find a quiet, solitary place to pray? 

You may want to consider what it would look like for you to spend quiet time talking and listening to God very early in the morning.

You may not like to get up early in the morning. You may not be able to push aside the morning routine of your family. The point is: Do you have a quiet place and do you pray sometime during your day?

What keeps you from a habit of prayer? You are the only person who knows your schedule. Make an appointment for prayer just like you make any other important appointment. 

Time in prayer is the most important conversation you can have in your day.  Starting your day with the right attitude and with peace in your heart will help you jump over hurdles during your day.

Lydia, a Woman of Influence for God

LYDIA – PART FIVE

This week’s Scripture: Acts 16: 6-40 (read on Biblegateway)

What I heard Lydia whisper in my ear over and over this week was, “be still.” Lydia had a lot of things going on and carried a lot of responsibilities but she always took time to NOT be busy so she could meet God in prayer.

There are times when my life gets weighed down with things to do, expectations and responsibilities. Those are days I need the strength and calm that comes from time alone with God. However, time with Him on occasion gets pushed to later in the day when the chaos has passed. How different the days are when I start off in God’s power. Time in prayer sets my attitude for the day. God reminds me I don't have to run through the day hopelessly focused on things! He helps me prioritize. I choose how my day is going to be with Him by my side; remembering His love and peace.

The story of Lydia is a remarkable one. What a significant part Lydia played – one woman in the right place at the right time with the right heart and right attitude for God to use her. Because of her qualities and who she became she grew to be a woman of influence for God.

What did Lydia whisper in your ear this week? What can and will you allow God to do through you? Take time out of your busy day, everyday, to open your heart, listen, and be obedient to His vision.

Scripture for today: …be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

Think on this week’s verses. Memorize your favorite.

Monday - But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15 NIV)

Tuesday – That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

Wednesday – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Thursday - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  (Colossians 3:1-3)

Friday – “…be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

NOTE: I encourage you to read Philippians. The book of Philippians is about the first church of Europe. Who could have known what Lydia’s generosity would bring about! Paul was sitting in jail in Rome writing them a note praising them for their support (Philippians 1; 4:10-23)

Lydia, Business Woman

LYDIA – PART FOUR

This week’s Scripture: Acts 16: 6-40 (Read on Biblegateway)

Lydia is a very successful business woman. She sells purple cloth that is sought after by people who have the money to purchase the expensive fabric. She is able to meet and conduct business with people of all levels of life (and I think my life is busy). Lydia is strong, competent and intelligent. 

Lydia manages her business as well as a large household of servants. She must be warm and caring with a good heart as it seems her household respects her greatly.

What I am thinking about today is that Lydia had her priorities straight. Although her life was filled with things going on, things to do, and people to care for, she attended prayer meetings on the Sabbath. After her conversion God was certainly a priority! The Spirit moved her powerfully into a new life of service. She reached out to others by providing a place to worship and honor God.

We don’t know what became of Lydia’s business. We do know that God had given her a new job working for Him. I have no doubt she liked her new boss!

Scripture for today: ^“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. “ Colossians 3:1-3

Pray [in your own words]:  Thank God for the many blessings He has given you. Thank Him for being present in every part of your life. Ask God to help you focus on what really matters in your life, HIM. Ask God to help you prioritize. Ask God to help you let go of things you have in your life that keep you from spending more time with Him. Ask God to help you be open to Him with the desire to reach out to others sharing His message of hope and love.

Lydia, Beyond the River



PART THREE – LYDIA

This week’s Scripture: Acts 16: 6-40 (Read on Biblegateway)

Lydia's excitement about her new faith, and her new life, causes an overwhelming desire to share what she knows with others. She opens her house to help Paul and Silas in their ministry.

When Paul and Silas are in jail, Lydia visits them and takes care of their needs. Later when Paul and Silas are released from prison “they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.” (Acts 16:40) We can see Paul, Silas, and Timothy praying and sharing their message with all who wanted to hear.

Through Lydia’s efforts the gospel reached into all parts of society. I don’t think Lydia missed an opportunity to share her faith. I imagine that she not only practiced hospitality when she wanted, but also at times when someone just turned up at her doorstep needing shelter, clothing, or food.

Lydia is known as the first European convert. There were no more prayer meetings at the river. Lydia opened her house to the believers in Philippi. The people in Christ met and worshiped Him in her home, the first house opened to Christian outreach and worship in Europe.

We shouldn't miss God at work in Lydia’s story. Paul’s obedience to do what God was asking of Him led him to Philippi where he met Lydia. Paul allowed God to speak through him to Lydia. When God opened Lydia’s heart, things began to happen in a big way.

In my time I have seen the difference in people's lives that can happen when one person, honoring God, tells others the Good News of Jesus. Lydia made a huge difference in other people's lives by being devoted to spreading the Gospel. Her faith had given her new purpose and she moved forward with God.

What I learned through Lydia's story today: It's about using the skills, gifts and influence God has given each of us to further His work in the Kingdom. It's about being open to opportunities to share our faith without hesitation. It’s about letting go and trusting God; allowing Him to work through us.

Scripture comes to mind: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Pray [in your own words]: Thank God for the lessons you have learned from Lydia’s life. Ask him to keep you open, loving, and caring for others. Ask Him to give you the desire to be hospitable like Lydia, ready to share your home, time, food, and faith story with others. Thank God for the blessings He has given you.

Lydia Listened and Responded

PART TWO – LYDIA

This week’s Scripture: Acts 16: 6-40  (Read from Biblegateway)

Paul spoke to the women at the prayer meeting by the river on the Sabbath. Lydia listened to Paul speak of his faith. Lydia was quick to respond to Paul’s message. She publicly accepted the life-changing words and confessed she was a believer. God opened Lydia’s heart to hear the words and believe.

There at the river Lydia listened, heard, believed, and confessed. She realized that everyone needed to hear Paul's words and accept the Savior about whom he spoke. In her excitement she immediately shared her saving knowledge of the Lord by witnessing to her whole household! Lydia and the members of her household were baptized. They buried their old life and took on a new life with God in charge.

I am impressed with how quickly Lydia heard and responded to God opening her heart. We can learn from Lydia: when God takes a step toward us, our response is to step toward Him!

I can understand Lydia’s eagerness to learn all she could about God. I have the same hunger. I can imagine her quietly leaning in as Paul talked to her group about things she had never heard before.

Paul talked about a real person, Jesus. He was the long awaited Messiah. Jesus died for her sins, was resurrected, and was in Heaven with God to intercede for her. Her hope was now in Christ and His resurrection. Because of Jesus, Lydia could ask for forgiveness. She could rest on Him for her salvation. Lydia listened, learned, believed, and acted on her faith. Lydia’s life changed as a result of her response.

Lydia was the key person to spread the gospel which increased the number of Christians in Philippi and beyond. She was willing to seek God, follow Him, be obedient, and devoted to Him. What she did had no limits because God has no limits in what he can accomplish through one person who is willing.

What I learned through Lydia’s story today was: believing and worshiping God is not enough if we are to grow in our faith. Hearts need to be changed. A desire to be obedient and devoted to God must come into being.

Scripture comes to mind: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

Pray [in your own words]: Praise God for Lydia’s faithfulness in being a part of the prayer group at the river and her acceptance of the gospel of Christ. Ask God to melt your heart like He did Lydia’s so He can fully come into your life. Ask God to knock down any walls that prevent Him from moving in your life. Ask God to help you encourage others by telling them what He is doing in your life and the hope He has for them.

Lydia, Faithful in Worship and Prayer

PART ONE - LYDIA

The sermon I heard yesterday focused on being "hopefully devoted" rather than "hopelessly devoted" as heard in a popular song of the late 70's.

What would it be like to live a life hopefully devoted to God? Keep coming back each day this week for some thoughts.

Lydia is one of the remarkable people in the Scriptures who became hopeful and devoted to God. Though Lydia lived a long time ago we can learn a lot of lessons from her story.

Read about Lydia in Acts 16: 6-40 (Go to Biblegateway here)

Lydia was someone I would have liked to have known and worked beside. Lydia seems strong and competent, warm, openhearted and caring. I would have learned a lot about priorities, prayer, worship, and keeping God first in a busy life. I would have learned as well about managing a thriving business, maintaining what must have been a huge home and (without hesitation), offering my home to a crowd of strangers.

As I read about Lydia the Fruit of the Spirit pops into my mind: The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5: 22 NIV). Lydia’s life is a remarkable example of someone living in the Spirit!

We are introduced to Lydia on the Sabbath at a gathering of women in prayer. There is no synagogue for worship in the city. The women gather for prayer and worship a little distance outside the city. They meet by the river under the open sky. I can imagine the women gathered in prayer discussing what they had heard about and read from the Scriptures. They probably recite many prayers together not realizing that this day will become very special for one of them.

It seems Lydia believes in and is a faithful worshiper of the one true God, but her mind has not yet been opened to the Good News. She doesn’t fully comprehend who it is she worships.

Paul, searching for a place to pray, sits down, and speaks to the group of women. As a result, Lydia experiences the joy of a brand new faith. She will never be the same.

The challenge I see coming through Lydia's story today is: to be in the right attitude with the right heart, open and ready to be used by God; to be hopeful in Christ and devoted to being right with God. This life lesson needs to be a focus of every day, not just on occasion.

Scripture for today: But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15 NIV)

Pray, ask God to open your heart and the heart of others who need to hear the message of hope found in the Good News. Ask God to help you be His messenger to people who need to hear and see Him. Thank God for people like Lydia, who teaches us the importance of being hopefully faithful in prayer and worship.

God is With Me

It happened in just seconds. Looking out the window of the plane as we were landing, I noticed another plane taking off on the same runway almost below us.

I grabbed my husband’s arm. I managed to say, “We’re not going to…”

My response was cut short by the sharp upward turning of our plane. My ears closed as I felt the pressure inside the cabin increase. The eerie crackle of the plane under the stress of being forced up mimicked my own response to being lifted unexpectedly. I felt my hands grasp the arms of my seat.

As the plane shook, luggage shifted and alarms rang, my attention was drawn to a puff of air on my cheek. It was refreshing and comforting in spite of what was happening.

In my head I heard a familiar soft firm voice speak, “It is okay. I am here.”

After what seemed to be forever, the plane leveled off, made a wide circle back to the airport and landed. I noticed how calm, kind, and patient people were as they left their seats to depart from the plane. All was okay. Peace had replaced fear.

The experience confirmed that God was with me. He protected me, cared for me, and gave me His peace.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10 (NIV)

Choose Your Today

“How are you today?”

I smiled at the clerk and responded, “I am fine. How are you today?”

As my eyes met hers, her face lit up and with enthusiasm she reported that she was doing great.

“I start every day telling myself it’s going to be a great day. I continue telling myself throughout the day that it will be a great day. It works. I always have a great day.”

The clerk showed me the aisle to find what I was looking for as we continued our conversation. She disappeared around the corner.

As I drove home, I kept thinking about our conversation. It is true for me as well. My day goes better when I decide, right at the beginning of my day, that it is going to be a great day.

In the spring and summer when the sun comes through my window, it is easy to greet the day with a smile and a prayer. Now that fall is here and winter approaches, I am missing that sunny reminder. But enjoying an extra few minutes of warmth under the blanket now gives me a perfect place to be thankful for the day.

Scripture Thought for Today: Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)