Do you know God? Really know Him? We have all heard the stories of men or women that “know” Scripture but “know” nothing of the God whose word they quote. I am sure that there are religious groups that come to mind that fit that bill as well, maybe even members of your own family. Those that would say they know God, say they are Christians but have lives that may not truly reflect what Scripture calls for in the life of a follower of Jesus.

A recent study of Philippians actually starts in Acts, more specifically Acts 16 where the first member we find on the street is a woman in the fashion business that apparently was very successful as she is the one mentioned as the owner of the business and the home. What is awesome here is that she is identified as a “worshiper” of God – she was reverent towards God…her Facebook status said she was a Christian.

Do you know people like that? If you do, do you then start to struggle and JONAH-FI them? Does this sound familiar at all? “C’mon God, I just read Psalm 73 and I know that you were talking about _______, I mean, I see the status of “checking-in” at church just hours after bar hopping…God, I know you see that!!”

But then WE get in the way of it all…ever done that (I do!!) and lets see now what God does with someone ripe to hear God’s Word (by folks ready and willing to share)

The Conversion of Lydia

[11] So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12] and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. [13] And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. [14] One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened (this term means – “to open the mind, to open the heart” “cause someone to be open-minded.” This is the same term used in Lk 24:45 “then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”) her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. [15] And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
(Acts 16:11-15 ESV)

Heavenly Father, King of Kings,
On my face at the level ground – the base of the cross, I pray for a heart, and mind open to Your will. I pray for a glimpse of your feet, a brush of your garment as You walk, I pray that those we meet and come in contact with – no matter how in depth or how inconsequential I beg that they are marked by Jesus…I praise your grace for calling a filthy sinner like me. In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

Adrian “AG” Green