Acts 16:9-15 (NRSV)
Read Acts 16:9-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Verse 10When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. Verse 11We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, Verse 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. Verse 13On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. Verse 14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. Verse 15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us.
Devotion
The book of Acts is often called “The Acts of the Apostles,” but some say it should be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” In Acts 16, it is the “Spirit of Jesus” who guides Paul and his companions to where they are to preach the word. In today’s reading, Paul is commissioned through a vision to go to Macedonia. There, the Lord opens the heart of Lydia, and she and her whole household are baptized.
It is also the Spirit who sends us out, and it is the Spirit who opens the hearts of those with whom we speak. When we, as followers of Christ, feel overwhelmed by the hefty commission given us to share the good news, we may be reminded that we do not do this task alone.
Prayer
Gracious God, send us out to speak your words of promise and forgiveness to your people throughout the world. Amen.