The Conversion of St Paul (Rubens).
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Special things happen when people gather to celebrate the Sabbath. On one particular day around the year a.d. 50, a group of women gathered by the river outside their city of Philippi to observe the Sabbath.
They had probably done this numerous times before, but by the end of this particular Sabbath celebration, the Holy Spirit had opened their eyes in a new way, and these women came to know Jesus. Chief among them was a businesswoman named Lydia. And her story is told in Acts 16:11-15.
A Prayerful Businesswoman. Lydia lived in Thyatira, a city in Asia Minor that was a few hundred miles from Philippi. Lydia must have been rather well-off, since she also owned a home in Philippi (Acts 16:14,40). Luke tells us that Lydia dealt in purple cloth. Since purple dye was the most costly to produce, it was typically reserved for only the finest of fabrics. As you might guess, then, the fabrics that Lydia bought and sold were meant probably for the wealthier people of the time.
Lydia…
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For the past few days, the daily meditations have dealt with Christ’s sacrifice once and for all. I know that some Protestants use these verses from Hebrews to discount the validity of offering the Eucharist every week. Also, in ecumenical prayer groups, there is often the discussion of “when were you saved?” This article about Lydia and her conversion brings home to me two truths: first, that Christ has covered my sins so that through Him I can go on from my failings and look upward without shame, and second, that with the Holy Spirit, I may continue to be converted daily, saved continually, in the love of my generous God. This is good news!