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Verse:For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. —1 Thessalonians 2:13, NKJV
After the first September meeting of my husband’s Bible prophecy seminar, an exuberant lady, Lydia, approached me and asked if I would pray for Rhonda, her daughter-in-law, to accept Jesus. I said that I would and contacted several others to pray for Rhonda as well.
A few weeks passed and, night by night, Lydia, her husband, and her son continued to attend the meetings. On October 2, I peeked ahead into the next few pages of my women’s devotional book, Notes of Joy. The October 5 devotional caught my attention. The title was “Lydia”! I read with interest the beautiful story of Lydia (found in Acts 16), originally from Thyatira. She responded to Paul’s message and wanted her family to accept Jesus as their Savior.
This sounds like our Lydia, I thought. That evening I took the devotional book to Lydia and asked if she would like to read that devotional. She read it and was appreciative when I told her that she was a “modern-day Lydia.” She had even more in common with the biblical Lydia than I knew, for the next evening, she brought me a pretty bag. Inside was a beautiful blue and pink apron with butterflies. Attached was a paper reading, “Sewcrafty by Lydia.” I learned that Lydia makes quilts, pillows, purses, and aprons, among other things. Wow! This modern-day Lydia sews and sells fabrics. I’m sure she shared purple fabrics, too, as well as the love of Jesus.
But the story doesn’t end there. On Friday evening, as Rhonda’s husband came in the door, he said, “Rhonda would like to be baptized when I am.” I told him that I would speak to the pastor so they could arrange a meeting. The next morning, as this man approached the door, I noticed a beautiful lady on his arm. I approached them and said, “Welcome, Rhonda! I’m so happy to meet you.” A short time later, we witnessed Lydia and her husband and Rhonda and her husband get baptized. It was such a special occasion to see two couples commit their lives to Jesus. I think everyone there could feel the joy of these four individuals. Lydia was so happy and later said, “I’m praying the rest of my family will be baptized.” She truly is a modern-day Lydia.
Lord, help us each to be a modern-day Lydia!
Rita Kay Stevens