One Woman Blessed Her Home

We [the Apostle Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke] boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who [already] worshiped God [or a worshiper of God or a God-fearing woman]. As she listened to us [the Apostle Paul‘s message], the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying [that Jesus is the Messiah and the Author of salvation]. She [Lydia] was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord [Jesus Christ],” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

Acts 16:11-15 (NLT).

Lydia was a God-fearing woman the Apostle Paul met on his second missionary journey. She was a Gentile living in Philippi and a dealer in purple cloth. Purple cloth was valuable and expensive. Purples indicated nobility or royalty. Lydia, like Cornelius (see Acts 10:2) believed in the true God and followed the moral teachings of the Scripture but had not yet heard the full teachings of Jesus Christ. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the minds of Jesus’ disciples were opened to under the Scriptures (see Luke 24:44-45).

The Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey took him to Philippi. Philippi was a key city in the region of Macedonia (northern Greece today). In Philippi, the Apostle Paul met a small group of women by the river having prayer. He preached the Gospel of Jesus to these women, and Lydia, an influential and wealthy businessperson, believed in Jesus Christ. God opened Lydia’ heart to His Scriptures about His Son, Jesus Christ.

Lydia became the first person changed by Jesus Christ in Philippi. Through Lydia’s conversion and belief in Jesus Christ, her entire household was baptized and identified with Jesus Christ (see also Acts 16:32-33). Lydia’s home was now a Christian home and home for the Light of the World, Jesus Christ (John 9:5).

YOUR faith in Jesus Christ can change your home. Will you accept Jesus today?

What Does Faith In God Looks Like?

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT).

God is in control and He can be trusted. He promises to support and defend those who are faithful to Him. However, we must patiently wait for Him to help and protect us (Habakkuk 3:16). While we patiently wait for God, we must ask God for His help, strength and mercy.

In Habakkuk 3, the Prophet remembered God’s deliverance in the past (Habakkuk 3:2-15) and rejoiced because he knew God would deliver him again in the future. The Prophet rejoiced knowing that even if God never pours out another blessing on him or His people, God is still worthy of our complete and wholehearted trust, praise and strength (Habakkuk 3:19). The Prophet revealed that no matter what happens, he would rejoice and trust in God because he knew that God is his Redeemer and Savior.

The Prophet Habakkuk trusted and rejoiced in God like Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul, King David, and many others (see also Hebrews 11) know matter what happened around them or in the future. Whether failure, death, starvation or loss, these people all rejoiced in the Lord. Like many others of the Holy Bible, Habakkuk's feelings were not controlled by his situation, circumstances nor the events surrounding around him but by faith in God's ability to give him strength, support and help.

God gives His people strength and confidence through difficult times. Therefore, God's people need to live in the strength and power of Him as God and remain faithful to God (Habakkuk 2:4). Beside, God takes no pleasure in people that turn away from Him for their help and support (see Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:37-38). The righteous live day-by-day trusting God and trusting God knows best and He has a plan and purpose that is good. To believe is to obey God. Faith itself is an act of obedience, but faith also produces obedience (see Romans 1:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; and James 2:14-26).

Take your eyes off your problems and surrounding and look to God. That is what faith looks like! 

I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Habakkuk 3:18 (The Message Bible).

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18 (The Living Bible).

But I will still be glad in the Lord; I will rejoice in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3:18 (New Century Version).

God Is Fair and Faithful

Then the Lord said to me [Habakkuk], “Write My answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. “Look at the proud [wicked]! They [wicked or evil] trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous [those who are right with God] will live by their faithfulness [trust] to God. Habakkuk 2:2-4 (NLT).

Life is filled with questions. However, not all questions have quick answers. These unanswered or delayed questions create more questions and doubt. Some people choose to live with unanswered questions while others become pessimistic, skeptical, and hardened.

The Prophet Habakkuk was a man who sought answers from God. Habakkuk saw a dying world and he questioned God on the evil in the world. In fact, Habakkuk cried out to God for answers on the many troubles facing people. "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But You do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but You do not come to save" Habakkuk 1:2 (NLT). Habakkuk did not understand why God would allow evil to exist.

As chapter two begins, the Lord God answers Habakkuk’s question and told the Prophet to write His answer plainly. God told Habakkuk though the evil temporarily triumph, He would judge all evil and righteousness would win! God’s judgment may not come quickly, but God will judge all wrongs. God is all knowing, all wise, all-powerful, faithful and in control (see also Numbers 23:19; Psalm 139:7-10; Matthew 19:26; Romans 16:27 and 1 John 3:20).

In the end, Habakkuk prays to God and rejoices. "I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation [my Savior]! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights" Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NLT).

Living A Good Life

Who may worship in Your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking [and thinking] the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip [or slander] or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends [or neighbors].  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.  Psalm 15:1-5.

Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm written by David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). This psalm confirms integrity and purity (see also Psalms 17:15; 18:20-26; 19:13-14) and parallels the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5). In this wisdom psalm, David teaches on the lifestyle of the godly and invites readers to examine their own lives in comparison to God’s standards. Only the godly will reside in God’s presence (see also Psalm 5:4). In God’s presence, everyone experiences His joy, hospitality and protection.

God calls all people to be moral.  Most important, our standards for moral living must come from God’s Holy Bible and not the evil world around us. The godly speaks and thinks truthfully and is loyal to their friends and neighbors.  In addition, the godly lends expecting nothing in return, including interests.

For other references where godly morals are summarized, see Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 24:3-6; Isaiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 56:1; Micah 6:8; Habakkuk 2:4; and Mark 12:29-31.  These Scripture passages summarize God’s standards. God saves us by faith in God (God the Father, God the Son – Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit) and by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, obeying God’s moral standards reveal the depth of our love and relationship with God.

So, let us ALL not only believe in God, but live godly!

Life or Death  

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”  Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT).

The Lord God is life, prosperity and goodness.  Life means wholehearted commitment and love of God.  However, not following and obeying God leads to death, depression, evil, destruction and sadness.  To love God means to obey Lord God with all your heart and follow His ways (see also Deuteronomy 6:4-6).  Therefore, I challenge you to choose life by loving, obeying and trusting God from your heart; and never turn your heart from God.  Beside, following God according to His ways leads to blessing, grace and protection.  So, please worship and love only the Lord God of the Holy Bible and no other gods. Choose life and God today!

Entering the Kingdom of God

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8 (NLT).

Believers are “born of God” when the Holy Spirit lives in them and brings Jesus Christ’s new life (Galatians 3:9). Being “born again” is more than a new and fresh start, but rather a rebirth and a receipt of a new family name based on Jesus Christ’s death. With this rebirth, God forgives believers and accepts them. Even more, the Holy Spirit gives new believers new minds and hearts, lives in us, and changes believers from the inside out to become like Jesus Christ. Further, the Holy Spirit changes believers’ perspectives; their hearts and minds are renewed day by day by God’s Holy Spirit (see Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24). As part of God’s family, believers must start to think and act differently (see John 3:1-21).

Just as Jesus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit, believers are also born of the Holy Spirit when they accept and trust in Jesus Christ. A believers’ old life dies with faith in Jesus Christ, and they rise anew through the Holy Spirit’s transforming power (Romans 6:3-14). The Holy Spirit leads a person’s heart and mind to become more like those of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:2) and to reflect the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Moreover, believers become adopted children of God through faith and trust in Jesus Christ that is built through the heart (Galatians 3:26). As adopted children of God, believers share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources, rights, and blessings. Moreover, believers can call God Father, just as Jesus Christ did (Mark 14:36; cp. Matt 6:9). As children of God, believers are joined to Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Spirit. Simply put, believers become new people in Jesus Christ, with a new Father and new family (Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:26-27; Galatians 4:6-7).

Never Give Up 

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable [a story] to show them that they should always pray [constant prayer] and not give up [or lose heart until the answer comes]. He [Jesus] said: "In a certain town there was a [godless] judge who neither feared God nor cared about men [or women/people]. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him [repeatedly] with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'  "For some time he [the godless judge] refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men [or women/people], yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming [constant requests]!'"  And the Lord [Jesus] said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God [God the Father] bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He [God the Father] will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man [Jesus] comes, will He find [persistent] faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8 (NIV).

In this parable, Jesus teaches that like the persistent widow, we must pray to God the Father constantly, consistently and never give up. This parable of Jesus illustrates our need for constant prayer to God and to keep praying until God answers our prayer. Jesus used this parable to instruct us all too always pray, cry out to God and never lose hope. Jesus promises that God will help us and provide our needs through our persistent prayers of faith. God will provide our needs when we cry to Him in faith day and night. Most important, God will not be slow to answer our cry for help.  Jesus promises that God helps His people and answers our prayers of faith.  So, do not to lose heart and give up. Instead, let us all be like the persistent widow in prayer and faith and cry out to God for our help!

Amazingly, Jesus Christ constantly prayed to God the Father.  Jesus prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), before calling the Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12), at the transfiguration (Luke 9:28), for Peter before his denial Luke (22:32), His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42) and for His enemies (Luke 23:34). Most important, Jesus also taught us to pray (Luke 11:1-4) and told parables (or stories) about the importance for persistent prayer (Luke 11:5-13; Luke 18:1-8).  Jesus’ constant prayers to God the Father revealed His intimate relationship, communion and faithfulness to God the Father.  Jesus lived in total dependence, trust and faith in God even as He uttered His last words, “Father, I entrust My spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46).

Even more, King David (in Jesus family line) also constantly prayed to God. The Book of Psalms have many prayers of King David in his time of need. Like Jesus, David and the persistent widow, go to God constantly in prayer!