Faithful to the Lord
And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. ~ Acts 16:15
I love this passage about Lydia. In fact, it is one of my favorites. I know I say that a lot, but I especially like this account because Lydia is one of the first women mentioned who had a church in her home. We know she was wealthy because the passage says she was a seller of purple, which was expensive and mostly sold to royalty. No doubt she had a home big enough to host gatherings of significant size, and the text also says that she was faithful to the Lord.
Being faithful to the Lord cannot be evident if it doesn’t show up in every area of life. In this reading, Lydia’s faithfulness is most clearly seen in her hospitality and generosity. On the very day she met the apostle Paul and his team, she invited them to stay at her home. In fact, she pleaded with them to come right then and there. This tells us she was ready to host and receive people at all times, a very gracious and giving quality.
This gives me a lot to consider. As I think about my own faithfulness, I have to ask if I am also willing to take people in. Yes, we host many events and groups in our home, but if I am being honest, I really like having my own space and quiet place. However, faithfulness includes being prepared. Am I stewarding my home to be ready at any time to invite others in? Am I using my time to make preparation for the people and opportunities God may send that I do not yet see? This is not about striving or stressing to keep everything perfect. It is about creating a space that is welcoming, comfortable, and ready to show God’s love when needed.
Here are some ways you can prepare to be ready to receive others:
- Begin by asking God to show you areas of your life where you can demonstrate faithfulness in practical ways.
- Prepare your home or personal space so that it is inviting, not perfect, but warm and welcoming to others.
- Set aside time and resources for generosity, being willing to share what you have.
- Practice saying “yes” when opportunities to serve come, even if they stretch your comfort zone.
- Cultivate an open heart each day by starting your morning with prayer, asking God to prepare you for divine appointments.
Today I want to encourage you to approach each day with an open heart, knowing that God’s timing is perfect and His transforming power can touch your life in unexpected ways. Your faithfulness, like Lydia’s, has the power to impact not only your life but also the lives of those around you. Be ready to welcome others into your home and into your space, because this is one way we show God’s great love and generosity. As you open your heart and hands, your journey will be filled with the joy of knowing Him more deeply and serving others when the opportunities come.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:11-15
11Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
Journal:
- Where in my life is God asking me to demonstrate greater faithfulness?
- How can I create a more welcoming space, whether in my home or in my daily interactions?
- What resources or gifts do I have that I can be ready to share when the opportunity arises?
- When have I experienced God’s faithfulness in my life, and how can I share that testimony with others?
The Daily Dose 